From smartphones to AIoT products, Realme has come a long way. The next concrete step will bolster the company’s position in the market as a comprehensive tech brand to take on Xiaomi, Huawei, and others.
Tipster Mukul Sharma has claimed Realme will oust its first-ever laptops sometime in June this year, that is only if “things go as planned.” It is not immediately clear what plans these might be, but the idea that Realme laptops are in the works does not come as surprising. Realme shot to fame in Indian and European markets because of its aggressive approach to what customers need as their gadget. After Xiaomi, Realme emerged as the fastest-growing brand of 2019, entering various product categories within a short period. Realme currently sells smartphones, smart TVs, smart audio products, smart plugs, electric toothbrushes, smart camera, clothes, and many more items.
For laptops, Realme will either have to partner with an ODM or begin making things right from the scratch where the former seems a feasible option. Realme uses R&D and product manufacturing lines from its parent company Oppo and sister companies OnePlus and Vivo, but none makes laptops yet, which is why Realme will have no leverage. But these laptops from Realme will likely be in line with what established, and new brands have come up with. Realme may use Intel or AMD chipsets on its laptops while running Windows 10, much like most other PCs. Other features such as privacy mode-enabled microphones and webcam can also be expected on these laptops. These laptops might also be aggressively priced in the market.
The PC market in India has seen a manifold growth, especially after the pandemic created an inevitable need for laptops and PCs to aid remote working and learning as the public were isolated in their homes for a better half of 2020. According to IDC, in the third quarter of 2020, the PC market saw a shipment of 3.4 million units, registering a 9.2 per cent year-over-year (YoY) growth. HP led the charts of PC shipments while Lenovo and Dell cornered the second and third positions. The uptick in both demand and supply of PCs in India compelled brands such as Xiaomi, Nokia, and Vaio to enter the market. Realme will join them now if this rumour holds any water.
