The Realme online vs offline price gap has turned into a public dispute. The All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA) says Realme phones cost less on Flipkart and Amazon than in shops. Realme had not commented when TelecomTalk reported the claim on 1 November 2026.
Quick answer
- AIMRA says Realme P series phones are up to ₹6,000 cheaper online than offline.
- It also claims Realme sales fell more than 60% in October 2026 against October 2025.
- That sales figure is not verified, and Realme has not responded yet.
- The examples reported show gaps of ₹2,000 and ₹5,000 for two models.
- Buyers should compare the final price after offers, plus invoice and warranty terms.
What the retailers are saying
AIMRA says it represents more than 1.5 lakh mainline mobile retailers. According to TelecomTalk, chairman Kailash Lakhyani named the Realme P series as the main example. He also said the brand was not running enough promotions to help offline shops upsell during the festive season.
The group wants price parity between channels. Open magazine adds that AIMRA has warned of stock getting stuck in distribution and has hinted it could end talks if problems continue.
The Realme online vs offline price examples
TelecomTalk compared two models. Also, the P4 Lite 5G (4GB/64GB) is listed at ₹18,999 offline, or ₹16,999 after a ₹2,000 offer. Online, it is ₹15,999, or ₹14,999 with a further ₹1,000 off.
The P4 Power 5G (8GB/128GB) is ₹32,999 offline with no extra discount. Also, online it is ₹29,999, or ₹27,999 after a ₹2,000 discount. So the gaps in these examples are ₹2,000 and ₹5,000, not the ₹6,000 AIMRA cites as the upper end.
What is still unverified
The 60% sales drop comes from AIMRA itself. Open magazine says the figure is not verified and its scope is unclear. Realme has not given a direct statement on the dispute.
Realme did tell retail partners on 12 October that it was raising prices on seven variants by ₹1,000 to ₹5,000. Then, it blamed higher memory and chipset costs. However, those models differ from the P4 examples in the complaint.
Market data gives some context. IDC puts Realme’s share of India smartphone shipments at 9.3% in April to June 2026, down from 9.7% a year earlier. Still, offline stores held 58.1% of shipments in that quarter. Still, none of this proves the dispute caused the drop.
How to compare before you buy
If you are weighing a Realme phone, check the final price, not the sticker price. So, bank offers and exchange bonuses can change the gap in either direction. For example, a shop may match an online price if you ask.
Also ask for a GST invoice and confirm the warranty terms, whichever channel you pick. Then compare delivery time and return options. Also, a cheaper listing is only better if the seller is authorised.
FAQ
Is Realme cheaper online than offline in India?
According to AIMRA, yes, for the P series. Then, the examples reported show gaps of ₹2,000 to ₹5,000. Prices change often, so check both channels on the day you buy.
Has Realme replied to AIMRA?
Not in the reports Elsepost reviewed. TelecomTalk says Realme had not commented as of 1 November 2026. Also, we will not guess its position.
Did Realme sales really fall by 60%?
That is AIMRA’s claim for October 2026 against October 2025. Open magazine notes it is unverified. Then, treat it as an allegation until independent data appears.