India budget 5G smartphone market

In late July, Realme announced plans to launch an entry‑level 5G handset for India, the Realme 16x 5G, priced around ₹18,000 and featuring a large battery, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor and a high‑refresh‑rate display. The company also signaled a separate C100 5G model for the Middle East and Africa.

A few days later, Indian retailers were promoting sub‑₹10,000 5G phones from multiple brands ahead of the Independence Day sales period. The All India Mobile Retailers Association called for manufacturers, including Realme, to end No‑Cost EMI schemes, arguing that such financing inflates effective prices and should be replaced with standard consumer loans to lower upfront costs for cash buyers. The discussion highlighted growing tension between aggressive pricing/financing tactics and consumer‑price transparency in India's rapidly expanding 5G smartphone market.