From Realme to Real Deal? Madhav Sheth Gears Up for a Power Reboot

•⁠  ⁠Key Highlights

 

Madhav Sheth, the executive credited with propelling Realme into India’s top smartphone brands, is back in the spotlight with a new challenge—launching the Ai+ Smartphone, India’s first device built on a sovereign OS with a focus on data privacy and local cloud storage. After a storied tenure as Realme India’s CEO and later as VP and President of Realme’s International Business Group, Sheth’s return is seen as a pivotal moment for the Indian tech industry.

 

•⁠  ⁠A Legacy of Disruption

 

During his five years at Realme, Sheth transformed the brand from a newcomer to India’s second-largest smartphone player, pioneering youth-centric launches, championing 5G adoption, and expanding retail presence nationwide. His leadership style—marked by aggressive pricing, rapid product cycles, and a deep understanding of Indian consumer needs—earned him industry accolades and a loyal customer base.

 

•⁠  ⁠A Steeper Hill This Time

 

The landscape in 2025 is markedly tougher. The Indian smartphone market is now crowded with established giants, Chinese brands, and homegrown challengers. Consumer expectations have shifted toward AI-driven features, robust data privacy, and seamless integration with local services. Sheth’s Ai+ Smartphone aims to address these demands with a sovereign operating system, promising end-to-end privacy, local cloud storage, and affordability, starting at just Rs 4,499.

 

However, breaking through in a market where hardware margins are razor-thin and user loyalty is hard-won will test even Sheth’s proven playbook. He faces not just competition from global titans but the challenge of convincing users to trust a new ecosystem over entrenched Android and iOS platforms.

 

•⁠  ⁠What’s at Stake

 

Sheth’s comeback is being closely watched as a bellwether for Indian tech innovation and self-reliance. Success could pave the way for more indigenous tech solutions, while failure would underscore the dominance of global players in India’s digital economy.

 

Sources: Times of India, LinkedIn, Exchange4Media, Livemint