Youth favorite smartphone brand realme has established itself as one of the fastest growing companies in the world.
With the slogan “Make it real,” the brand has committed to provide unparalleled reliability and user experience across various smartphone categories, fueled by continuous overhaul in innovation and user demand.
In a recent interview, realme Bangladesh Managing Director Alen Chen talked about realme's journey to become a quality smartphone brand, its imminent repositioning of the C series, and the smartphone market in Bangladesh.
Reflecting on realme's four-year journey in Bangladesh, what are some key milestones or achievements that stand out to you?
Chen: When I look back to realme’s four years in Bangladesh, a few significant turning points and accomplishments comes to my mind.
When we first entered the market, we committed to providing young people with fashionable design and state-of-the-art technologies at affordable pricing.
We became one of the fastest-growing smartphone companies in the world because of this strategy, which helped us rank in the top five across 30 countries.
Our fourth year in Bangladesh demonstrated a tremendous establishment of a widespread presence. It showcases the confidence and value we've earned from our consumers despite several economic uncertainties.
realme’s emphasis on innovation has also produced innovations like 240W Fast Charging, remarkable camera capabilities, potent CPUs, and an extensive range of AIoT products.
In 2021, realme became the Number 1 bestselling smartphone brand on e-commerce platforms in Bangladesh. The reputation continued to hold ground as recently, a Counterpoint survey stated realme is the Number 1 quality smartphone brand for Bangladeshi youth.
As a quality smartphone brand, realme doesn’t settle for anything less than exceptional. These consistent achievements inspire us to bring further innovation across our line of products.
realme has gained a significant presence in Bangladesh's smartphone market. How would you describe the quality of realme smartphones available in the country compared to competitors?
Chen: From the very beginning, realme’s mission has always been to let young users around the world enjoy tech experiences that exceed expectations. Now, we are striving more to be a tech brand that better understands its young users.
Our confidence in our products comes from the unparalleled quality and reliable user experience our devices deliver. We have frequently introduced segment-first features in our devices. realme’s massive popularity among young users has been proven.
realme ranks Number 1 quality brand for smartphone among young users in a survey. It shows we are a preferred option compared to our competitors. Our rigorous best practices in our factories are the defining factor that sets us apart from our competitors.
We can ensure excellent reliability and quality in our devices because the entire production phase comprises of meticulous quality testing, automated integration and maximum safety measures.
Producing the final product is not the end of the line. Every device is tested with state-of-the-art technology to make sure our users receive only the flawless devices.
Recently, realme teased a new phone. Could you provide any insights or hints about what consumers can expect from this upcoming device?
Chen: Users became curious as an upcoming realme phone named C65 was teased recently. This phone is an outcome of the revamped C series. The repositioning of the C series, dubbed "Essential Plus," promises a thorough improvement that offers more than just the essentials.
Design, Smooth, Experience and Quality: these are the four aspects that will define the repositioning. Under Design Plus, the C65 features a remarkable visual makeover that combines a modern design approach with a vibrant spirit.
With flagship tuning technology, Smooth Plus offers smoothness in usage. Experience Plus streamlines user interactions with useful and intelligent software prowess. Finally, Quality Plus demonstrates our dedication to strict quality standards.
What motivated the decision to reposition the C Series as "Essential Plus" and set a higher standard for the industry?
Chen: We have made the choice to rebrand the C Series as "Essential Plus" because we are steadfast in our dedication to customer-focused innovation. We want to exceed customer expectations and create a new industry standard for entry-level smartphones by raising the bar.
Our commitment to improving every facet of the user experience—from design to performance to software functionality—is embodied in this concept. We want to empower customers with devices that not only meet but also surpass their changing demands.
Looking ahead, what are the primary objectives or strategies that realme aims to pursue in Bangladesh?
Chen: We are targeting younger people, accelerating tech development, and emphasizing top-notch quality under our "Make it real" slogan. This year, we are determined to exclusively provide cutting-edge products through our “Top to Bottom Strategy.”
Smartphones in the entry-level market frequently fall short, providing just minimal features with obvious shortcomings. In response, we redesigned our C Series to be repositioned with the goal of raising the standard.
Not only this, but more updates are also coming for the renowned number series of realme which will go through an overhaul in design, hardware, processing, and overall performance as well.
As realme continues to grow and evolve, what do you foresee as the most significant challenges or opportunities in the Bangladeshi market over the next five years? Do you have any specific plans to address these?
Chen: The Bangladeshi market will continue to grow, and the user base will inevitably demand more dynamic features from their devices. Users no longer want to stick to a device that are usable, they want something truly user friendly.
We proudly see this transformation as an opportunity, not a challenge. We believe our young users deserve better performance from their device. In the next five years, our most significant opportunity is to reach the global top five spot.
Besides, we will continue to innovate our line of products that align with the industry standard while ensuring users can avail it at an affordable price. The revamping of the C series is a stepping point for our future endeavors.
In the next five years, we want to go up the worldwide rankings while providing a better brand experience that is youth-focused, establishing our brand as one of young people for young people, and never stopping to improve and expand.
