It started with whispers. A few posts, some reshared screenshots, a couple of headlines spinning out of context—and suddenly, the narrative began to tilt: Was HONOR pulling out of India? Not quite. This week, HONOR officially responded to the rumors, setting the record straight with a firm (and unusually candid) message: No, we’re not going anywhere. In fact, if anything, they’re doubling down.
Rumors, Rebuttals, and the Truth Somewhere in Between
The confusion seems to have stemmed from a mix of speculation and what HONOR calls “misinformation” floating around on social media. To be fair, the timing didn’t help. With some foreign tech companies facing heat in India, and a few operational hiccups on HONOR’s end—particularly through its local licensee, HTech—it’s not surprising people started putting 2 and 2 together. It’s just that… it wasn’t 4.
The company had teased the HONOR X9c earlier this year, then went quiet. No launch. No follow-up. Naturally, eyebrows were raised. But now, HONOR has come forward to clarify the situation—and to promise more than just presence.
A Direct Response From the Top
CP Khandelwal, who acts as the India Brand Custodian for HONOR, took to X (formerly Twitter) with a pointed message:
“Let’s set the record straight — HONOR India is here — and thriving. We’re all geared up to launch four new smartphones soon.”
It wasn’t just a reassurance. It was a clear counter to the online narrative suggesting otherwise. The post was brief, a bit informal even—but sometimes that’s what it takes to cut through the noise.
Four Phones Incoming
We don’t yet know which phones HONOR plans to release. No specs. No official names. Not even teaser images this time around. But they’re committing to four new models for the Indian market, with launch dates “coming soon,” according to Khandelwal.
Whether these devices will be variations of previously delayed launches like the X9c or entirely new entries remains to be seen. What’s clear is this: HONOR doesn’t want to be counted out of India’s smartphone game just yet.
A Rocky Road, But Not a Retreat
Let’s be honest. HONOR’s path in India hasn’t exactly been smooth. The brand vanished for a while after its split from Huawei. Then it re-entered under HTech with what looked like a fresh strategy, only to hit some visible roadblocks with distribution and timing.
That said, this recent public statement—paired with actual hardware on the horizon—could mark a turning point. It’s a statement of intent, even if it’s not quite a comeback tour. Not yet.
