Realme postpones its May 4 event in India due to Covid-19 pandemic

Realme has postponed its May 4 event in India due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“As India battles unprecedented challenges, we urge you all to follow relevant Covid-19 safety protocols. In the wake of the current situation, realme has decided to postpone upcoming launch of products and anniversary celebrations. Request you all to focus on your families and yourselves. It is time for us to stick together and support each other as one community,” said Realme in a tweet on Wednesday.

Realme had earlier planned to host its three-year anniversary event on May 4. It was expected to launch Realme X7 Max and other products at the event.

Realme’s move comes when the country is grappling with a new wave of Covid-19 pandemic. India on Thursday saw a single-day rise of 379,257 coronavirus cases, pushing the total tally to 1,8,376,524.

The pandemic is also likely to adversely impact smartphone companies and the industry in general. While the first quarter of 2021 saw a record 23% year-over-year growth, industry pundits predict a decline in the coming quarters due to the current Covid-19 situation.

“Continuing with its stellar run, India’s smartphone market registered a third consecutive quarter of record shipments in Q1 2021, riding on pent-up demand. Consumer confidence also increased due to the beginning of a vaccination drive in the country. But these numbers should be taken with caution as a second and more virulent wave of COVID-19 is currently on in the country and is likely to impact the coming quarters. The consumer demand will take a hit due to the ongoing COVID-19 wave and subsequent lockdowns,” Counterpoint’s Senior Research Analyst Prachir Singh said earlier this week.