Core Viewpoint - The mobile brand realme, which has been independent for nearly eight years, has decided to return to OPPO as a sub-brand to enhance resource integration and collaboration in a competitive market environment [1][7][22]. Group 1: Strategic Shift - Realme will operate under OPPO, allowing for a unified approach with OPPO and OnePlus to provide innovative and differentiated products and services to global users [1][2]. - The decision reflects a broader trend in the industry where brands are consolidating to combat market saturation and internal competition [2][15]. Group 2: Market Context - The smartphone market in China has shown signs of saturation, with a reported decline in shipments since 2017, and only a slight growth of 0.9% expected in 2025 [7][18]. - Realme's return to OPPO comes at a time when the competition is intensifying, and the need for a strong supply chain and after-sales service is critical for its growth [4][18]. Group 3: Historical Performance - Realme was established in May 2018 as a sub-brand of OPPO and quickly gained traction, becoming the fourth largest smartphone brand in India by Q4 2018 [9][10]. - The brand achieved over 200 million global sales by November 2023 and aims to reach 300 million by August 2025 [10][12]. Group 4: Operational Challenges - The integration of realme into OPPO's ecosystem may dilute its unique brand identity and market positioning, which has been characterized by a focus on youth and internet-driven marketing [4][28]. - Realme faces the challenge of maintaining its distinctiveness while collaborating with OPPO and OnePlus, especially as their product lines may overlap [29][30]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The collaboration aims to enhance market competitiveness across different segments, with OPPO leveraging realme's established presence in overseas markets, particularly in India [22][27]. - The success of this integration will depend on how well realme can retain its unique characteristics while complementing OPPO's offerings [30][34].