When Realme unveiled its latest 16 Pro series, the loudest reactions at the launch event weren’t about camera megapixels, battery size, or AI features. They were about pricing.
The Realme 16 Pro, launched at Rs 31,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant, and the Realme 16 Pro+, priced at Rs 39,999 for the same configuration, came in slightly higher than what many expected. While the devices boast powerful cameras, large batteries, and capable processors, the price tags drew mixed reactions—especially in a market as price-sensitive as India, where Realme’s number series has traditionally been positioned as an “affordable premium” option.
To understand the thinking behind these prices, Business Today spoke to Francis Wong, Head of Product Marketing at Realme, who addressed concerns around pricing, performance, and the broader industry trends shaping smartphone costs in 2026.
Business Today:
The Realme 16 Pro launches with a notable price increase over its predecessor. In a price-sensitive market like India, how do you justify this jump—especially when some specifications like the battery and processor are similar to the Realme 15 series?
Francis Wong:
The Realme 16 Pro series will still be “affordable premium” once all brands launch their mid-range devices in Q1.
First, it’s important to acknowledge an industry-wide reality: every smartphone launching in 2026 will be more expensive than a similarly specced phone from 2025. This trend is unavoidable and is expected to continue until at least the second half of 2027.
The primary driver is rising component costs—especially memory, imaging systems, and AI-related hardware. For perspective, Samsung has reportedly increased prices of key memory components by up to 60%, while Apple is facing nearly a 230% increase in the cost of 12GB RAM used in flagship models.
While some specs like the processor or battery may look familiar on paper, smartphones today are defined by the complete real-world experience, not individual components. The 16 Pro series delivers meaningful upgrades in camera capabilities, design, and AI features, which together define its premium positioning.
Yes, initial reactions to pricing can be cautious, but we’ve seen this cycle before. As competitors launch their devices at similar or higher price points, the value of the 16 Pro series becomes clearer. The philosophy behind the number series hasn’t changed—only the definition of “premium” has evolved. Every rupee is backed by tangible, everyday value.
Business Today:
With AI features becoming more demanding, will the processor perform well with the base 8GB RAM variant?
Francis Wong:
Absolutely. If it didn’t meet our standards, we wouldn’t bring it to consumers.
In the Realme 16 Pro series, the processor, memory, and Realme UI 7 are carefully tuned to ensure that even the base 8GB RAM variant delivers a smooth and reliable experience. Whether it’s multitasking, gaming, or AI-driven features like AI Camera, AI Edit Genie, and AI Perfect Shot, everything is designed to be efficient rather than unnecessarily heavy.
What truly matters is sustained smoothness, not just peak performance. With smarter system optimisation and practical AI built around real-world usage, 8GB RAM is more than sufficient for consistent everyday performance.
Business Today:
Is the global RAM shortage the only reason behind the price hikes?
Francis Wong:
The sharp rise in memory costs over the past few months is the primary reason, but it’s not the only one.
Another major factor is the growing cost and demand for AI and advanced camera systems, which are no longer optional add-ons but core elements of the smartphone experience. In the Realme 16 Pro series, you can clearly see these upgrades—we’re the first in the segment to introduce a 200MP camera with a periscope lens, and we’ve significantly enhanced popular features like AI Edit Genie 2.0.
These advancements add real value, but they also come with higher development and component costs.
Bottom Line
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