Realme has introduced a fresh addition to its numbered series with the launch of the 15 series, which includes the Realme 15 and 15 Pro smartphones. Among these, the Realme 15 Pro stands out as the first device to feature the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset. This new chip promises a notable improvement in performance and artificial intelligence capabilities. Realme asserts that the 15 Pro houses a 7000mAh battery within a remarkably slim 7.69mm profile, positioning it as the slimmest device in its category. Additionally, the smartphone boasts AI enhancements such as AI Party Mode and AI Edit Genie, enriching the user experience.
In a preview of the launch event, Gadgets 360 engaged with Francis Wong, Chief Marketing Officer at Realme India, along with Sumit Sonal, Head of Marketing at Qualcomm India. They shared insights about the new series, AI features, and the rationale behind choosing the Snapdragon chip for the 15 Pro.
Realme 15 Series: Targeting Youth with AI Features
The marketing tagline circulating for the Realme 15 series, ‘AI Party Phone,’ was a focal point of the discussion. Wong elaborated on its significance, stating, “The tagline embodies our goal of providing a smartphone experience that resonates with Gen Z—one that is smart, stylish, and perpetually ready for action. With the Realme 15 Series, we have concentrated on integrating advanced AI-driven imaging capabilities that adapt effectively to dynamic settings—be it a low-lit party, a concert, or an impromptu gathering.”
He continued, “Gen Z users are inherently expressive and prioritize social connections, and this device is crafted to empower them to effortlessly capture and share authentic moments. This philosophy aligns with our ‘Live for Real’ campaign, which champions unfiltered self-expression and encourages users to embrace life as it is—bold and unapologetic. From its dynamic design to its dependable performance, each element of the phone has been thoughtfully curated to offer a vibrant experience throughout the day. It’s more than just a phone; it reflects their lifestyle.”
Realme is aiming to position itself as the “AI Party Phone” to connect directly with the youth of India. “We take pride in providing a device that matches their energy and pace,” Wong added.
Turning to market dynamics, we sought to explore which channel—online or offline—has emerged as a surprising success for Realme in India.
Francis Wong, Chief Marketing Officer, Realme India
“We advocate for a balanced strategy involving both online and offline channels. While our online presence remains crucial for efficiently reaching a broader audience, the offline segment has steadily emerged as a considerable asset for our brand in India,” Wong noted.
The offline segment has steadily emerged as a considerable asset for our brand in India.
“In the first quarter, we shipped 3.5 million units, with 58% distributed through offline channels—highlighting the strength of our offline approach. Over the past year, we’ve intensified our efforts to bolster our retail presence nationwide, allowing consumers to experience our products firsthand. This engagement has not only fostered deeper trust with our customers but has also enabled us to adjust to changing consumer preferences in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. Realme’s strategy to classify products for both platforms has effectively helped us target our audience. By cementing our presence in brick-and-mortar stores, we are working to create a truly omni-channel brand experience,” he added.
Commitment to After-Sales Service
As Realme expands its footprint in India, after-sales service becomes increasingly vital. When asked about future initiatives in this area, Wong discussed plans to enhance the after-sales and retail networks in 2024. “This year, we established 180 new brand stores and expanded our after-sales network to over 570 service centers across the country. We aim to grow our reach further, with plans to open over 100 brand stores by year-end. This initiative supports our ‘realme Care+’ commitment, ensuring exceptional customer service. With a dedicated offline workforce of 7,800, we strive to offer not just products but comprehensive support prioritizing the customer,” he said.
Vicky Kaushal has been announced as the smartphone ambassador for Realme
Brand Ambassador Transition from SRK to Vicky Kaushal
Realme recently shifted its brand representation from Shah Rukh Khan to Vicky Kaushal. Wong expressed enthusiasm about this change, stating, “We are excited to welcome Vicky Kaushal as our smartphone ambassador. This collaboration signifies the beginning of a long-term relationship with someone who genuinely reflects our brand’s values. Vicky will spearhead our forthcoming ‘Live for Real’ campaign, rooted in Realme’s core belief: Make it real.”
Regarding the choice of Vicky as the face of the brand, Wong elaborated, saying, “Vicky embodies the ideals Realme stands for—authenticity, ambition, relatability, and the drive for constant reinvention. His journey from a self-made individual to a celebrated national icon resonates with today’s youth, particularly Gen Z and millennials, who appreciate substance over spectacle and aspire to role models who have succeeded through hard work.”
Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC: A Perfect Match for Realme 15 Pro
The Realme 15 Pro is the inaugural smartphone powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 system-on-chip, a pivotal chipset for Qualcomm in the upper mid-range segment. Wong addressed the collaboration with Qualcomm regarding this chipset, stating, “Through close collaboration with Qualcomm, we optimized the chip’s AI and gaming functionalities to meet the expectations of our users. This includes enhancements like advanced frame rate control and stable power efficiency via GT Boost 3.0, as well as real-time decision-making support for gaming through AI Gaming Coach 2.0. We also refined background app management and predictive loading for smoother multitasking, coinciding with the launch of our AI Multi-Tasker feature. Our partnership ensured that every aspect of the user experience—from responsiveness to intelligent behavior—benefits from the 7 Gen 4 platform.”
The Realme 15 Pro is the first phone to utilize the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC
Sonal commented on the partnership via email, saying, “Our collaboration with Realme embodies our mutual aim: to provide premium experiences to a broader audience. We collaborate closely with manufacturers to ensure our technology offers real, meaningful value beyond mere specifications. Devices like the Realme 15 Pro reinforce Snapdragon as a hallmark of quality and performance for today’s discerning users.”
With the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, Qualcomm is redefining the boundaries between premium mid-range and entry-level flagship devices. We sought to understand the rationale behind incorporating numerous premium features into this segment. Sonal responded, “Our goal extends beyond simply bringing high-end features to a lower tier; we aim to reshape user expectations within the upper mid-range. With advanced on-device AI, we are delivering enhanced gaming and pro-level imaging capabilities, catering to a new Indian consumer who values experience, quality, and longevity over mere specifications or prices. This strategic direction aims to elevate industry standards, and we believe platforms like the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 will set a new benchmark for performance and value in the smartphone market.”
On the democratization of AI features across various price points, Sonal emphasized, “AI technology is now integral to the smartphone experience at all levels due to platforms like the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4. Users gain access to powerful on-device AI that enhances image processing, voice assistance, adaptive battery management, and real-time gaming optimizations. This evolution allows for faster, smarter, and more intuitive experiences, enabling tasks such as rapid photo editing and seamless transitions into high-performance gaming modes—all processed on-device to ensure speed, privacy, and responsiveness. This is a breakthrough in making premium intelligence accessible.”
Addressing the competitive edge of the on-device AI capabilities of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 SoC, Sonal detailed, “The on-device AI features stand out as key differentiators, providing enhancements in performance, privacy, and artificial intelligence. With capabilities like real-time image generation, swift AI-powered camera enhancements, and more responsive smart assistant functionalities, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 ensures users enjoy a distinctly superior experience.”
