Realme is no longer just a budget alternative—it’s a brand that has become a style statement among young Indians. Known for aggressive pricing, stylish designs, and high-performance devices, Realme’s growth in India has been nothing short of phenomenal. Let’s dive deep into Realme’s history, strategy, innovations, and what lies ahead for the brand in 2025.
Realme was launched as a sub-brand of OPPO in May 2018, exclusively targeting the Indian market. Its debut device, the Realme 1, was a hit on Amazon due to its bold design, solid specs, and affordable price.
With a clear focus on value for money, Realme positioned itself as the go-to brand for performance-seekers on a budget. By 2019, it became an independent entity and expanded its product portfolio rapidly.
Today, Realme smartphones in India start from just ₹6,999, offering flagship features even in entry-level models.
Realme followed a sharp and scalable strategy:
Focused heavily on online-first sales
Targeted Gen-Z and college-going users
Used flash sales to build hype
Delivered powerful chipsets and fast charging even under ₹10,000
Its slogan, “Dare to Leap,” perfectly summed up its risk-taking yet customer-first attitude. Within two years, Realme became one of the Top 5 smartphone brands in India, overtaking long-time players like Lenovo and Micromax.
Realme didn’t just play the price game. It consistently brought innovation to the budget and midrange segments.
Realme was one of the first to bring 30W–65W fast charging to phones priced below ₹15,000.
From the Helio G90T in budget phones to Snapdragon 870 in its GT series, Realme offered unmatched performance per rupee.
90Hz and 120Hz displays became common in Realme phones before many others adopted the trend.
Realme introduced 64MP quad-camera setups, Street Photography mode, and Sony sensors in under ₹20,000 devices.
Built over Android, Realme UI matured quickly with features like dual-mode audio, customizable icons, and smooth animations.
Realme manufactures nearly all of its smartphones in India through its production facility in Greater Noida. This supports India’s “Make in India” initiative and helps keep costs low while improving supply chain efficiency.
Realme also announced investments in R&D centers in India for product development, innovation, and local optimization.
As of 2025:
Realme holds a strong position in the ₹8,000 to ₹25,000 price segment
The Realme Narzo series caters to budget gamers
The Realme Number series balances style and performance
The GT series competes with premium flagships
Realme is exploring the foldable and AI-integrated smartphone space
With offline expansion, Realme now caters to both urban and rural markets effectively.
Realme isn’t just about phones anymore. It has launched a full ecosystem under its “TechLife” brand, including:
Smartwatches
TWS earbuds
Smart TVs
Power banks
AIoT products like electric toothbrushes, home appliances, and smart cameras
All of these products are priced affordably, designed stylishly, and appeal to the younger demographic.
Looking forward to 2025 and beyond, Realme plans to:
Expand into flagship territory with GT and foldable devices
Launch India-specific features optimized for local use cases
Double down on AI-powered cameras and sustainability
Build a robust 5G + AIoT ecosystem
Realme also plans to enhance its after-sales service by expanding its service center network across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Realme’s aggressive growth, customer-focused innovation, and unbeatable pricing make it a top recommendation in almost every price segment.
Whether you're a student on a budget, a gamer looking for a powerful device, or someone who just wants a stylish phone with strong cameras—Realme offers something for everyone.
With prices starting from ₹6,999, Realme continues to dominate the value-for-money category while stepping confidently into the future of smartphones in India.