realme Crowned Most Favored Smartphone Brand Among Youth: CMR Consumer Insight Survey 2026
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Feb 27 (NationPress) realme has solidified its position with the younger demographic, now recognized as the ‘Most Favored Smartphone Brand Among Youth’ due to exceptional user satisfaction and advocacy among Gen Z and Millennials, as revealed in the CMR Consumer Insight Survey 2026 for realme.
The research indicates that today's youth prioritize robust performance, dependable battery life, and designs that reflect their personalities.
Conducted in eight cities, the survey underscores the integral role smartphones play in the lives of young individuals. With 74 percent of respondents using their devices for over four hours each day, both performance and reliability have become essential. Camera quality (86 percent) and battery life with rapid charging capabilities (79 percent) were identified as the top factors influencing purchasing decisions.
realme outperforms its competitors in overall customer satisfaction, achieving the highest Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 81, which signifies a strong inclination for advocacy and recommendations. The findings further affirm realme’s strong ties with the youth, with consumers recognizing the brand as both youthful and performance-oriented.
The intent to upgrade remains robust, with over half of young consumers planning to make a switch within the upcoming year, primarily motivated by enhancements in design and camera features. Recommendations from peers and online reviews significantly influence purchasing choices.
In response to the findings, Francis Wong, Chief Marketing Officer of realme India stated, “The CMR survey recognizing realme as the Most Favored Smartphone Brand Among Youth, fueled by high user satisfaction and advocacy, validates the strong trust young consumers have in us. It reflects their confidence in our performance, innovation, camera reliability, and overall user experience. We are heartened to see realme strongly linked with youthfulness and trust, reinforcing our deep connection with the younger generation as we continue to deliver impactful innovations.”
“In today's always-connected world, Gen Z consumers increasingly see smartphones as an extension of their identity and lifestyle, assessing them based on how well these devices fit into their daily digital habits. As smartphone usage escalates, attributes like design, reliability, battery life, and imaging capabilities are becoming fundamental expectations rather than mere differentiators. Brands that consistently offer an exceptional ownership experience are more likely to garner long-term loyalty among young users. realme’s appeal among youth signifies its alignment with these shifting expectations,” added Prabhu Ram, VP of the Industry Research Group at CMR.
Beyond smartphones, the survey also emphasizes realme’s expanding footprint in the TWS category, where it earns high satisfaction ratings, especially regarding design, battery life, and sound quality. The results further highlight the crucial role of ownership experience, with youth engagement, seamless purchasing processes, and responsive after-sales services being key factors in fostering loyalty.
As young consumers increasingly emphasize performance, reliability, and design-focused innovation, realme remains dedicated to providing meaningful technological experiences that resonate with their evolving digital lifestyles.