Realme TVs Next From the House of China Based BBK?

• BBK has entered the premium smart TV vertical in India via Oneplus brand
• Vivo and Oppo are also rumored to be working on smartphone accessories

Realme is reportedly working on entering the smart TVs market in India. A report, published by 91 Mobiles, shared that Realme will launch its first TV in the country before the end of this year. However, another report published by the Mobile Indian, has pointed out that Realme is not entering the smart TV vertical in India in 2019.

It is to be noted here that Realme is generally seen as a technologically rich affordable smartphone brand. Realme, like Oppo, Vivo and Oneplus is a brand working under the umbrella of BBK.

BBK has entered premium TV market in India

The China-based company has already entered premium smart TVs market in India in September 2019. It had launched two variant of Oneplus smart TVs based on the QLED technology.

“OnePlus always strives to deliver the best technology and ‘fast and smooth’ experience possible to its users,” said Pete Lau, Founder and CEO of OnePlus during the launch. Interestingly, BBK is now competing against the likes of LG, Samsung, Sony and Panasonic in India.

BBK had launched Oneplus TV 55Q1 Pro at a price of Rs 99,900 in India. The company had also announced the launch of OnePlus TV 55Q1 at Rs 69,900.

Odds: premium to affordable smart TV segment

While BBK is now present in the premium smart TVs market in India, affordable smart TVs market is still one of the biggest markets for TVs here. Launching Realme TVs may make complete sense as BBK then will be able to compete against the likes of Xiaomi, TCL, Marq, Kodak and Thomson here. Most of these brands are offering 32 inch smart TVs in under Rs 14,000.

Realme, like its China-based counterpart Xiaomi, has been successful in crafting a brand image for itself in India. Consumers here might instantly resonate with Realme TVs as they did with Xiaomi TVs.

Goldstein Research analyst forecast that the India smart TV market is set to reach USD 20.4 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 4.7 per cent over the forecast period (2017-2025). Based on screen type, Flat screen type smart TV accounted for largest market share of 62.7 per cent in 2017. But over the forecast period curved screen type smart TV is expected to take over the market share on the back of being technologically advanced and rising demand for curved screen for better experience.