Look around at the tech accessories you use daily. That USB hub? Probably Orico or UGREEN. Your external SSD enclosure? Likely Acasis or SSK. Your laptop dock, power bank, or GaN charger? Most likely Anker, Baseus, or Aukey. Even your phone case—whether it’s Spigen, Ringke, or ESR—probably originates from a non-Indian brand.
The truth is, China and a few other Asian countries (South Korea, Taiwan, Japan) dominate the accessories and peripherals market, while India barely has a presence. This is a massive lost opportunity.
China’s Domination in Tech Accessories & Peripherals
Chinese brands have built a monopoly in essential accessories due to several key reasons:
1. Unmatched Manufacturing Ecosystem
Shenzhen, often called the Silicon Valley of Hardware, has a massive supply chain, easy access to raw materials, and a skilled workforce that enables rapid prototyping and mass production.
2. Category-Wise Dominance
Chinese companies don’t just specialize in one type of product—they own entire accessory categories:
- PC & Laptop Peripherals
- USB Hubs, Docking Stations – Orico, UGREEN, Anker, Baseus
- SSD Enclosures – Acasis, SSK, QGeeM
- Keyboards & Mice – Redragon, Ajazz, Royal Kludge (RK), Dareu
- Laptop Cooling Pads – Havit, Klim
- Webcams & Capture Cards – AVerMedia, Elgato (Corsair)
- Phone Accessories
- Phone Cases – Spigen (Korean), Ringke (Korean), ESR, Nillkin, Torras, Supcase, Poetic, Mous
- Screen Protectors – Whitestone Dome (Korean), Belkin, Nilkin, amFilm
- Power Banks – Anker, Baseus, ROMOSS, UGREEN, Xiaomi
- Chargers & Cables – Anker, Baseus, UGREEN, Aukey, Mcdodo
- Smart Home & IoT Peripherals
- Smart Plugs – TP-Link (Chinese), Meross
- Smart Cameras – Xiaomi, TP-Link, Imou
- Mesh Wi-Fi Systems – Tenda, TP-Link, Xiaomi, HUAWEI
3. Rapid Innovation & Cost Advantage
- These companies quickly adopt new technologies, whether it’s USB4, Thunderbolt Docks, GaN chargers, Networking Devices, MagSafe, high-speed SSD.
- They manufacture at scale, keeping prices competitive.
4. Brand Proliferation & Global Reach
- Chinese brands dominate Amazon, AliExpress, and retail stores worldwide.
- They also act as OEMs for Western brands, meaning even non-Chinese brands often rely on Chinese factories.
Where is India in This Market?
Despite being a huge consumer of accessories, India has almost no global presence in this space.
Existing Indian Brands (But Limited Impact)
A few Indian brands exist, but they lack innovation and global scale:
- Foxin – Keyboards, mice, cables (mostly budget-focused).
- Zebronics – PC accessories and audio products, but lacks high-end peripherals.
- Ambrane – Power banks and chargers, but not a premium player.
- iBall – Once a strong brand, now fading.
- Stuffcool – Focused on mobile accessories like cases and chargers, but not at Anker/UGREEN level.
- Portronics – Decent in the budget accessories space but lacks premium innovation.
These brands mostly cater to the entry-level market in India and struggle to compete with the likes of Spigen, Anker, or Orico internationally.
The Massive Loss for India
By not building strong Indian brands in peripherals and accessories, we’re losing in multiple ways:
1. Dependence on Imports
Almost all high-quality accessories are imported, leading to a trade deficit.
2. Missed Job Creation
If India built its own accessory ecosystem, it could create thousands of jobs in R&D, manufacturing, and retail.
3. Ignoring ‘Make in India’ Potential
Despite government support for local manufacturing, no major push has been made for accessories and peripherals.
4. No Global Recognition
China’s brands have become household names globally, while India doesn’t have even one globally known accessory brand.
The Value Chain That India Is Missing Out On
The biggest loss isn’t just in selling accessories—it’s in the entire value chain of technological advancement. Many top accessory brands started with simple products and then moved up the ladder to premium and complex electronics.
Case Study: Anker (China)
- Started in 2011 with basic USB cables and chargers.
- Expanded into power banks, docking stations, and GaN chargers.
- Today, they make high-end audio gear (Soundcore), smart home devices (Eufy), and projectors (Nebula).
- Now, Anker is valued at over $1 billion and is a global leader in accessories.
Case Study: Spigen (South Korea)
- Began by making basic plastic phone cases.
- Later, introduced rugged and premium MagSafe-compatible cases.
- Now sells car chargers, wireless chargers, power banks, and screen protectors.
- Became a global leader in phone accessories.
Case Study: UGREEN (China)
- Started with simple USB hubs and cables.
- Expanded into SSD enclosures, docking stations, and power adapters.
- Now, they’re making MagSafe accessories and high-end Thunderbolt docks.
What Did These Brands Do Right?
- Focused on one category, built expertise, and then expanded.
- Kept an eye on trends like GaN charging, MagSafe, and Thunderbolt accessories.
- Became global brands through aggressive online sales and partnerships.
Can India Catch Up?
India already manufactures smartphones (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi), but we lack an ecosystem for peripherals and accessories. Here’s how we can catch up:
- Government & Private Sector Push – Incentives for local R&D and accessory startups.
- Focus on Niche Accessories – Instead of trying to beat Anker overnight, Indian brands can start with MagSafe accessories, SSD enclosures, or GaN chargers.
- Leverage E-commerce – Indian brands should aim to become the next Spigen or Anker on Amazon, Flipkart, and international platforms.
The Final Thought: Where is India’s Orico, Anker, or Spigen?
Tech accessories and peripherals are not just afterthoughts—they’re a multi-billion dollar industry. India is one of the largest consumers of these products, yet we’re nowhere in the global market.
Until we build our own ecosystem, we’ll remain dependent on China—for everything from USB hubs to phone cases, power banks to SSD enclosures.
And that’s a missed opportunity too big to ignore.