In a surprising development in the Indian smartphone industry, Himanshu Tandon, the head of Poco India, has stepped down from his position. Reports suggest that Tandon is likely to join Nothing, the UK-based tech startup led by Carl Pei, co-founder of OnePlus. This transition comes during a transformative phase for both Poco and Nothing in the competitive Indian smartphone market.

Key Points

Himanshu Tandon departs from Poco India after leading the brand since 2022.

He is expected to join Carl Pei-led Nothing, likely heading its CMF sub-brand.

The exit follows Xiaomi India President Muralikrishnan B’s departure earlier.

Poco, a Xiaomi sub-brand, has faced stiff competition in India recently.

Tandon’s Journey at Poco

Himanshu Tandon took charge of Poco India in 2022 during an organizational restructuring within Xiaomi. Under his leadership, Poco expanded its presence among Gen Z users and enhanced accessibility through both online and offline retail channels. Tandon’s strategic vision played a crucial role in strengthening Poco’s brand visibility in one of the world’s most dynamic smartphone markets.

Likely to Lead CMF by Nothing

According to a Moneycontrol report citing unnamed sources, Tandon is expected to join Nothing’s CMF division. CMF is the sub-brand of Nothing, focused on offering more affordable and design-centric tech products. If confirmed, Tandon’s move marks a significant leadership acquisition for Nothing, which is scaling up its online and offline retail operations in India.

Industry Insight and Expert Opinions

Industry experts see this transition as a major win for Nothing. Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint, commented: “We see good synergy here. Himanshu has been doing a really good job for Poco India… It will be interesting to see how Himanshu takes the brand forward.”

Prabhu Ram, VP at CyberMedia Research, added: “Himanshu Tandon has had a successful stint at the helm of Poco. To sustain its recent growth momentum, Poco will now need to swiftly recalibrate its strategy.”

Xiaomi’s Struggles and Market Shifts

Tandon’s departure coincides with a period of significant change for Xiaomi in India. According to Canalys, Xiaomi’s smartphone shipments in Q2 2025 declined by 25% year-on-year, with 5 million units shipped and a 13% market share. Meanwhile, rivals like Vivo and Oppo grew by 31% and 24%, respectively. Vivo led the market with 8.1 million shipments and a 21% market share.

These figures include sub-brands such as Poco and iQOO, highlighting the intensified competition in the budget and mid-range smartphone segment.

Conclusion

Himanshu Tandon’s exit from Poco and the potential move to Nothing signifies a shifting landscape in India’s tech leadership and smartphone market strategy. With Xiaomi looking to regroup and Nothing aggressively expanding its presence, the coming months could see a new phase of innovation and competition. As the Indian consumer tech space continues to evolve, leadership movements like these will likely shape the future direction of both emerging and established brands.