The Realme 9 series delay is now official: Realme confirmed at its September 9, 2021 launch event that the Realme 9 lineup will not arrive in India in 2021 and is instead pushed to 2022. The announcement came alongside the debut of the Realme Pad tablet, two Bluetooth speakers, and two new mid-range smartphones.
Why the Realme 9 Series Delay Happened
Realme has had an unusually packed 2021 product calendar. Beyond smartphones, the company expanded into laptops with the Realme Book, launched Truly Wireless earbuds, and introduced a 32-inch Full HD Smart TV. Its TechLife sub-brand also rolled out products under the DIZO label.
On the smartphone side alone, Realme shipped devices across five distinct series this year: the Realme 8 series, the X-series, the GT-series, the C-series, and the Narzo series. With every price segment already covered, adding a new number series so close to year-end would have created internal competition and cannibalised existing sales.
Timing played an equally important role. With fewer than four months remaining in 2021 at the time of the announcement, a Realme 9 launch would have felt dated almost immediately after going on sale. By deferring to 2022, Realme can position the new number series as a genuine year-opener rather than a late-year afterthought.
Realme 8i and Realme 8s 5G: What Launched at the September Event
While the Realme 9 series waits for 2022, two smartphones did make their debut at the September 2021 event. The Realme 8i and Realme 8s 5G fill the mid-range space in the meantime.
Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Realme 8i | Realme 8s 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Rs 13,999 | Rs 17,999 |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB |
| Display | LCD, 120Hz | LCD, 90Hz |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G96 | MediaTek Dimensity 810 5G |
| Rear Camera | 50MP triple | 64MP triple |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Fast Charging | 18W | 33W |
Realme 8i Highlights
The Realme 8i starts at Rs 13,999 for the base 4GB RAM and 64GB storage variant. It pairs a 120Hz LCD display with the MediaTek Helio G96 processor, a 50MP triple rear camera system, and a 5000 mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging.
Realme 8s 5G Highlights
The Realme 8s 5G starts at Rs 17,999 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage configuration. It features a 90Hz LCD display, the MediaTek Dimensity 810 5G chipset for 5G connectivity, a 64MP triple rear camera setup, and the same 5000 mAh battery — now with faster 33W charging support.
What to Expect from Realme in 2022
Following the pattern of previous years — Realme 6 in 2020, Realme 7 in 2020, Realme 8 in 2021 — the Realme 9 series is expected to arrive in the first half of 2022. Fans of the number lineup will need to wait, but the 8i and 8s 5G provide solid options in the sub-Rs 20,000 market while the countdown begins.
