realme has solidified its connection with the younger generation and has been recognized as the ‘Most Popular Smartphone Brand Among Youth’ in the CMR Consumer Insight Survey 2026. The survey highlights the importance of powerful performance, reliable battery life, and design that resonates with the identity of today’s youth.
The study conducted across eight cities reveals that smartphones have become deeply ingrained in the lives of young people, with 74% spending over four hours daily on their devices. Factors such as camera quality (86%) and battery life with fast charging (79%) are crucial influencers in their purchase decisions.
Among key smartphone brands, realme leads in overall customer satisfaction and boasts the highest Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 81, indicating strong advocacy and recommendation intent. The brand is strongly associated with youthfulness and performance, as per consumer perceptions.
With over half of young users planning to upgrade their smartphones within the next year, design and camera enhancements are major driving factors. Peer recommendations and online reviews significantly influence the choices of young consumers when it comes to purchasing smartphones.
Francis Wong, Chief Marketing Officer of realme India, expressed satisfaction with the survey results, emphasizing the trust young consumers place in the brand. He highlighted the brand’s performance, innovation, camera reliability, and user experience as key factors driving this trust and connection with the youth.
Prabhu Ram, VP-Industry Research Group at CMR, noted that as smartphone usage intensifies among Gen Z consumers, factors like design aesthetics, reliability, battery life, and imaging capabilities are now basic expectations rather than unique selling points. Brands that consistently deliver a positive ownership experience are more likely to secure long-term advocacy among young users.
The study also sheds light on realme’s success in the TWS (True Wireless Stereo) category, where it excels in design, battery life, and sound quality satisfaction levels. It underscores the significance of ownership experience, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement, seamless purchase processes, and responsive after-sales support in fostering brand loyalty.
realme remains dedicated to providing meaningful technology experiences that align with the evolving digital lifestyles of young consumers, focusing on performance, reliability, and design-led innovation.
