Poco India Head Departs, Joins Nothing?

Poco India Head Himanshu Tandon Resigns, May Join Nothing

In a significant development in the Indian smartphone market, Himanshu Tandon, the head of Poco India, has reportedly resigned from his position. According to sources, Tandon is likely to join Nothing, the tech startup founded by Carl Pei, co-founder of OnePlus. This move comes at a crucial time for both Poco and Nothing as they navigate the competitive landscape of the Indian mobile market.

Tandon’s departure follows a period of intense competition for Xiaomi, Poco’s parent company, from rivals such as Vivo, Samsung, and Oppo. His leadership at Poco India, which began in 2022, oversaw a period of growth for the sub-brand. Now, his potential move to Nothing raises questions about the future strategies of both companies.

Tandon Expected to Lead Nothing’s CMF Division

The Moneycontrol report suggests that Tandon is slated to head CMF, Nothing’s sub-brand focused on affordable and accessible tech products. This appointment could significantly bolster Nothing’s efforts to expand its product portfolio and market reach.

This change comes shortly after Muralikrishnan B, President of Xiaomi India, also exited the company. These high-profile departures suggest a period of transition and strategic realignment within the Xiaomi ecosystem.

Xiaomi’s Market Challenges in India

Xiaomi has been facing headwinds in the Indian market, as highlighted by a Canalys report on smartphone shipments in Q2 2025. The report indicated a 25% year-on-year decline in Xiaomi’s annual growth. In contrast, competitors like Vivo and Oppo experienced growth rates of 31% and 24%, respectively, during the same period.

According to Canalys, Xiaomi shipped 5 million handsets in India in Q2 2025, securing a 13% market share. Vivo led the market with 8.1 million shipments and a 21% market share. These figures include the shipments of their respective sub-brands, iQOO and Poco.

Industry Insights and Potential Impact

Tarun Pathak, Director at Counterpoint Research, commented on the potential synergy between Tandon and Nothing. He noted Tandon’s strong understanding of the Indian market and the overlap in the user base of Poco and Nothing. Pathak believes that Tandon’s expertise could be a significant asset for Nothing as it scales its online and offline presence.

Prabhu Ram, VP at Industry Research Group (IRG), CyberMedia Research (CMR), acknowledged Tandon’s success in strengthening Poco’s brand salience among Gen Z and expanding its retail presence. He emphasized the need for Poco to swiftly recalibrate its strategy to sustain its growth momentum following Tandon’s departure.

Impact on POCO and Nothing

• POCO: Needs to find a suitable replacement to maintain its market share and Gen Z appeal.
• Nothing: Gains an experienced leader with a proven track record in the Indian market.
• Xiaomi: Faces increased pressure to regain market share amidst leadership changes.

Key Takeaways

• Himanshu Tandon’s departure marks a significant shift in the Indian smartphone industry.
• Nothing’s potential acquisition of Tandon signals its ambition to expand its presence in India.
• Xiaomi faces challenges in a highly competitive market.

This development underscores the dynamic nature of the Indian smartphone market and the importance of strategic leadership in navigating its complexities.