Realme, the OPPO sub-brand? Not for much longer, apparently

Realme is often characterized by tech correspondents as a sub-brand or subsidiary of the smartphone company OPPO. However, it now seems that this is technically inaccurate. The former has stated that it is an independent company, and, furthermore, has been one since last year.

This brand-name was indeed originally devised by OPPO, back when the larger OEM wanted to diversify its product portfolio. Realme, therefore, mainly functioned to target younger consumers who perhaps wanted more cost-effective phones that still had some desirable specs and an attractive design. In fact, it has also reportedly set up its own research and development (R&D) unit so as to pursue this goal.

This strategy paid off for the newer OEM over time, to the point at which it has spread into approximately 20 countries, posted a year-on-year increase in shipments of nearly 850% in 2019 and, furthermore, made its way into the top 5 OEMs in terms of units sold. 

In addition, Realme has also effectively kept up with the latest smartphone trends, with quad rear cameras and high-end 60MP-plus camera phones - sometimes even in the same product. Therefore, it is extremely likely to have a bright future as an independent company - Realme Mobile Telecommunications Private Limited, as it is now known.