In a significant structural shift reported in February 2026, Realme has reportedly begun laying off parts of its sales and retail workforce in India. The move is part of a broader “re-integration” strategy that sees Realme returning to its roots as a sub-brand under OPPO, nearly eight years after it first spun off as an independent entity.
The layoffs follow an internal brand hierarchy shake-up where OPPO will function as the primary brand, while Realme and OnePlus operate as sub-brands within a unified ecosystem to cut costs and streamline operations.
1. Scope of the Layoffs
The workforce reductions primarily target roles that have become redundant now that OPPO is centralizing its distribution and service networks.
- Affected Roles: Layoffs are reportedly impacting Area Sales Managers (ASMs), ground staff, and retail-focused employees stationed at Realme-exclusive outlets.
- Timeline: Impacted employees have reportedly been asked to remain on duty for a transition period of one to two months, with April 30, 2026, indicated as a likely final working day for many.
- Regions: While the initial reports surfaced from Gujarat, similar confirmations have come from retail contacts in Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab, suggesting a nationwide scale.
2. Why the “Return to Parent’s Basement”?
Industry analysts and internal reports highlight several reasons for this “strategic pivot”:
- Operational Efficiency: By folding Realme back under OPPO, parent company BBK Electronics avoids paying for duplicate departments in R&D, marketing, and distribution.
- China Market Struggles: While Realme remains strong in India (holding ~12–13% market share), its performance in China had reportedly dwindled to less than 1.3% by late 2025, making an independent structure unsustainable.
- Service Consolidation: One of the earliest changes is the merging of after-sales services. Realme users will now have access to OPPO’s massive network of 5,000+ service centers, a significant upgrade from the roughly 250 centers Realme operated independently.
3. Impact on Customers: “Better Service, Same Phones”
Despite the disruption for employees, the impact on consumers is expected to be neutral or even positive.
- Product Roadmap: Realme has confirmed that its product launches—such as the recently released Realme P4 Power 5G (which set a 291% sales record in its first hour)—will continue without interruption.
- Software Support: The merger is expected to lead to a deeper integration between ColorOS and Realme UI, potentially resulting in faster and more consistent software updates for users.
- Availability: Realme devices are already beginning to appear for sale on OPPO’s official online store alongside OnePlus and OPPO devices.
4. Context: The “SaaSpocalypse” & Global Pressure
The Realme layoffs are part of a wider 2026 trend where global smartphone makers are facing shrinking margins and rising component costs. By consolidating resources, BBK Electronics aims to pool its massive R&D budget to better compete with Samsung and Apple in the premium segment, where Realme has recently been pushing its GT Series.
Conclusion: Rebranding for Survival
For Realme, 2026 is a year of “re-centralization.” While the brand will keep its identity and its focus on the youth-centric mid-range market, it will no longer bear the heavy overhead of an independent corporation. The layoffs in the Indian sales team are the first “hard” steps in a transition that aims to make the brand leaner, more profitable, and better supported by OPPO’s global infrastructure.
