5G will remain a key growth pillar, says Realme's Madhav Sheth

Realme has been named the No. 6 smartphone vendor globally, according to Counterpoint Research. On the subject, Madhav Sheth - Vice President, realme and CEO, realme India and Europe, in an email interaction with HT Tech, revealed exactly what it took to reach that position, what the company is targetting next, what it will not do and what is its most important market segment. Here are the excerpts:

1. What does Realme becoming No. 6 smartphone brand in the world mean for the company? What does it signify?

It is an extremely proud moment for us. It signifies our ability to stay agile, nimble, and evolve according to market needs.

2. What were the top 2 things that brought Realme to this position?

Realme was the first brand to introduce the 125W UltraDart charging technology and among the first to launch a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor. Realme XT was India’s first phone to come with an ultra-high-resolution 64MP quad-camera. Design is also another advantage of Realme with its trendsetting design like vegan leather, AG technology and master works collaborated with world’s reputed designers. Second, as a youth-focused brand, creating a strong resonance is very important.

3. Will the strategy change after becoming No. 6? If so, how?

Realme will continue to focus on its core strength of bringing cutting-edge technology and trendsetting designs. We are going to invest heavily in the GT 5G series, which will be the only flagship product line for Realme in the future to offer better premium products for our users and expedite our leadership in the premium segment. 5G will remain a key growth pillar.

4. Which market is most significant for Realme - young, middle, old?

Realme targets a younger demographic with younger appeals and preferences. We strive to provide a better product experience for young people worldwide by giving full consideration to their needs - design, performance, gaming and photos.

5. Where does Realme see itself one year down the line vis a vis competition in India?

Realme’s expansion strategy is targeting 300 million handsets by 2023. We are aiming to achieve a dual 100 million, by shipping another 100 million handsets by the end of 2022 and completing the same milestone within the 2023 calendar year. In India I believe we will be able to break into the Top 2 brands next year.

6. Will Realme ever enter the really affordable smartphone segment?

Our C series, the entry-level segment, is priced between ₹7,000 - ₹10,000 and we will continue to focus on that price segment. Giving a fully holistic smartphone experience at a lower price point is not feasible. It will be difficult to achieve a synergy of fast charging capabilities, mega battery, good hardware, and a powerful processor at that price point.

7. What are the products that Realme is working on that may surprise the market in a pleasant way?

We will broaden the Realme GT 5G series and explore more possibilities. We will launch ultra premium flagship products in some time. So, stay tuned for more details.