realme pauses China launches — Neo8 becomes its last new model six months after returning to OPPO
TL;DR
realme paused China product updates six months after returning to OPPO; OPPO takes over support and ColorOS updates.
realme said on July 16 that it is pausing product updates in China, about six months after returning to OPPO. Facing DRAM and storage-price pressure, OPPO is shifting resources overseas, with realme focusing on performance and gaming phones. OnePlus product updates in China will continue.
Xu Qi, who led realme in China, wrote that the brand will concentrate resources on overseas markets. Existing China-market models will remain on sale, while OPPO's official team takes over after-sales service and warranty coverage. Users can visit OPPO authorized service centers and will receive an update prompt after the next ColorOS release.
realme was established for India in 2018 and entered China in 2019. OPPO announced in January 2026 that realme would return as a sub-brand, then combined OnePlus and realme into one sub-series business unit in April. The July decision divides their markets again: OnePlus focuses on China while future realme products go overseas.
Wallstreetcn reported that realme Neo8 is the brand's final new China launch. realme did not announce an end to China support, the closure of all sales channels, or the termination of software updates. The phrase 'pause product updates' came with no return date.
IDC data put OPPO at 15.2% of China's smartphone market in 2025. Following the brand consolidation, its share reached 15.9% in Q1 2026 and 16% in Q2. New China launches stop with Neo8, while OPPO continues handling support and ColorOS.
via Tencent News / Beijing Daily / Sina Technology
Xu Qi, who led realme in China, wrote that the brand will concentrate resources on overseas markets. Existing China-market models will remain on sale, while OPPO's official team takes over after-sales service and warranty coverage. Users can visit OPPO authorized service centers and will receive an update prompt after the next ColorOS release.
realme was established for India in 2018 and entered China in 2019. OPPO announced in January 2026 that realme would return as a sub-brand, then combined OnePlus and realme into one sub-series business unit in April. The July decision divides their markets again: OnePlus focuses on China while future realme products go overseas.
Wallstreetcn reported that realme Neo8 is the brand's final new China launch. realme did not announce an end to China support, the closure of all sales channels, or the termination of software updates. The phrase 'pause product updates' came with no return date.
IDC data put OPPO at 15.2% of China's smartphone market in 2025. Following the brand consolidation, its share reached 15.9% in Q1 2026 and 16% in Q2. New China launches stop with Neo8, while OPPO continues handling support and ColorOS.
via Tencent News / Beijing Daily / Sina Technology
