Realme reportedly begins layoffs in India as brand moves under OPPO
The impact of Realme’s merger with OPPO is now starting to show on the ground, with the first visible fallout affecting the company’s sales operations in India. According to information accessed by 91Mobiles Hindi through offline retail sources, Realme has begun laying off sales executives and management staff as part of a broader cost-cutting exercise.
The restructuring follows the news that Realme will no longer operate as an independent brand and will instead function as a sub-brand under OPPO. While the move is said to be driven by the need to reduce operating costs, it has come as a surprise given that Realme has spent the last eight years building its own identity in the Indian smartphone market.
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Retail sources say the instructions have already been communicated to ground-level staff. A Realme employee in Gujarat told 91Mobiles that area sales managers and other field staff have been asked to remain on duty for another one to two months, after which their roles may end. In at least some cases, employees have reportedly been asked to resign, with April 30th being indicated as a likely last working day. Similar confirmations were received from retail contacts in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, suggesting the exercise is not limited to one region.
An executive in Delhi confirmed that OPPO has already begun taking over sales operations and that Realme’s sales teams have been told to follow the new structure. Senior sales executives and employees stationed at Realme retail outlets are also believed to be affected, as OPPO’s existing marketing and service networks are expected to absorb much of the workload going forward.
Both OPPO and Realme are owned by BBK Electronics, which also controls brands such as Vivo, OnePlus and iQOO. Interestingly, Realme began in 2018 as an OPPO sub-brand before being spun off as an independent label later that year. Its first phone, the Realme 1, even carried “By OPPO” branding on the back. Now, after eight years, the brand appears to be returning to its original position under the OPPO umbrella.
For users, the change may not be so negative. OPPO’s wider service network could improve after-sales reach, and software support may become more consistent. For employees, however, the transition has been far more disruptive. While Realme as a brand is set to continue, the immediate cost of consolidation is being borne by its workforce.
