Realme, the Chinese language tech firm identified for its inexpensive Android smartphones, has formally left the UK market.
The corporate confirmed the information in a press release to Tech Advisor, saying that “the gross sales and advertising of related merchandise over Realme UK channels are being placed on maintain”.
This transfer has been a very long time within the making, provided that Realme hasn’t launched a cellphone within the UK for the reason that GT 2 and GT 2 Professional in March 2022. The Realme GT 3 was proven off at MWC 2023 in Barcelona forward of an anticipated European launch, however this was subsequently known as off.
This 12 months, there’s no signal of Realme within the official MWC 2024 exhibitor checklist regardless of launching latest units such because the Realme 12 Professional+ and Realme GT5 Professional.
Moreover, the Realme UK web site merely redirects you to the assist web page, and there have been no posts to the X (formerly Twitter) account since August 2022.
Although units such because the Realme C31 are nonetheless on sale from the likes of Currys, we thought we’d discover out as soon as and for all.
A former Oppo sub-brand, Realme formally turned an impartial firm in 2018. It started releasing merchandise within the UK a 12 months later, shortly increase a formidable portfolio of smartphones, equipment and different units.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
Nevertheless, the Apple-Samsung duopoly within the UK has made it tough for Realme to compete. In keeping with Statcounter, these two firms have been answerable for over 80% of the whole UK smartphone market in January 2024.
It doesn’t seem like associated to Realme’s exit from Germany in 2023, which was borne out of a patent dispute between father or mother firm BBK and Nokia. Oppo and OnePlus have additionally exited the German market because of this, although the latter remains to be very energetic within the UK regardless of a rocky sequence of occasions with the Nord 3 launch.
The however, although a small one, means there’s a glimmer of hope for Realme within the UK.
The corporate says, “our group is proactively working with related events to resolve the continuing matter”, including that “chances are you’ll look ahead to information sooner or later”.
In the event you dwell within the UK and already personal a Realme cellphone, there’s no want to fret. Realme will proceed delivering updates to all its units till official software program assist ends.