Realme overtakes Samsung as the second-largest smartphone brand in India, with 18 percent market share and 9.3 million October units sold

According to a report by Counterpoint Research, Realme is currently the second-largest smartphone brand in India. The budget smartphone maker currently has a 17 percent market share, bested only by Xiaomi, which has a 20 percent share. Realme is now also a larger brand in India than Samsung, having sold over 9 million units just in October.

Realme's budget phones, typically under INR 20,000 (US$264), have immense appeal to India's burgeoning middle class. A sub-US$300 price point and solid specs put Realme devices on the radar for price-conscious Indian buyers. 

Realme has seen rapid growth over the past few years. As of 2021, the company's sold over 100 million smartphones worldwide, with over half those shipments delivered in India. Realme does particularly well through online channels. Its online retail market share, for instance, is higher at 27 percent, with this number increasing during flash sales and special events. 

Realme India CEO Madhav Seth stated that the company's 2022 goal was to turn into India's largest smartphone brand. With the gap with Xiaomi rapidly closing, Realme might actually reach its goal over the next several months.

Check out the Realme GT here on Amazon.