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According to the latest quarterly tracker from Counterpoint Research, realme has secured a leading position in India’s True Wireless Stereo (TWS) market during the first quarter of 2026. The brand emerged as the top player in the ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 price segment, capturing a 29% shipment share as consumers increasingly gravitate toward feature-rich wireless audio products.
A major contributor to this performance was the realme Buds Air 8, which became the best-selling model in the segment with a 15% market share. Counterpoint noted that the growing popularity of the device reflects increasing consumer demand for premium audio features at accessible price points.
The report highlights that realme’s success in the mid-range category is driven by its strategy of bringing advanced features traditionally associated with premium earbuds to more affordable devices. Features such as Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), dual-device connectivity, and low-latency gaming modes have resonated strongly with younger consumers and mobile gamers seeking enhanced functionality without a flagship price tag.
Beyond the mid-range category, realme also maintained a strong foothold in the budget segment. The realme Buds T200 Lite emerged as the top-selling model in the ₹1,000–₹1,500 price range during Q1 2026, further strengthening the company’s presence across multiple price tiers.
Counterpoint Research also highlighted broader shifts in consumer preferences across India’s audio wearables market. Buyers are increasingly prioritizing advanced capabilities such as improved ANC performance, immersive sound tuning, longer battery life, and more reliable wireless connectivity instead of basic audio playback alone.
The research firm’s findings indicate that realme’s current TWS portfolio aligns closely with these evolving market trends, helping the brand establish a strong presence across both value-focused and mid-range audio categories. The performance also reflects the company’s growing focus on expanding its AIoT ecosystem through connected audio and wearable products.
Key Highlights
- realme captured 29% shipment share in India’s ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 TWS segment during Q1 2026
- realme Buds Air 8 became the top-selling model in the segment with a 15% market share
- realme Buds T200 Lite emerged as the leading model in the ₹1,000 – ₹1,500 category
- Demand continues to grow for ANC, low-latency audio, dual-device connectivity, and longer battery life
- Counterpoint Research highlights shifting consumer preferences toward feature-rich TWS devices
