Project Starlight: OnePlus to invest Rs 6,000 crore in India

Popular premium smartphone maker OnePlus on Thursday (December 5) announced fresh investments in India.

Under Project Starlight, the company will be investing Rs 2,000 crore annually for next three years with focus on Research and Development (R&D), in particular improving durability of phones, set up more stores and service centres in tier-2 and tier-3 cities and towns across India.

First, it will be bringing two significant display technology advancements – the creation of the world’s first DisplayMate A++ display and the rolling out of OnePlus’s Green Line Worry-Free Solution.

In the upcoming OnePlus 13 series phone, OnePlus is adding a new protective layer to AMOLED display panel. It will undergo more rigorous and extreme hardware testing, to minimise risks to the lowest levels possible.

The company will be extending its new lifetime warranty program to all OnePlus devices against green line on display issues.

“At OnePlus, we are deeply committed to understanding and addressing the unique needs of our Indian users,” said Robin Liu, CEO of OnePlus India.

“The Project Starlight is a demonstration to our dedication to going beyond the surface to tackle the challenges faced by our users in their daily lives. From the intense heat and humidity to heavy usage, high screen on-time, and longer replacement cycles of OnePlus users, we recognize the need for our devices and services to serve our users reliably for years to come. India remains a top priority for us globally, and we continue to strive to earn the trust and affection of our Indian community, ” Liu noted.

Further, OnePlus, which has dedicated 5G-related R&D centre in Hyderabad, will increase investment to develop India-specific features.

Soon-to-be-launched OnePlus 13 will be the first smartphone to deliver a 5.5G connectivity experience in India, with an average speed enhancement of 380 per cent. The device will be able achieve internet data speed up to 10 Gbps and 1 Gbps uploads from devices to the Internet.

The company has set a target to expand its service centers by 50 per cent by mid-2026. And, OnePlus will also be improving its online service offerings, which include hotline support, WhatsApp assistance, and live chat options.

With enhanced training programs for technical staff, the company wants to ensure prompt and effective support. It will also bring transparent repair process to allow users to track the progress of their service requests. Deccan Herald