Archives 2026

Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb 27: Verdant IMAP is pleased to announce that it has advised on the acquisition of a portfolio of South African data centre assets from NTT DATA, by Open Access Data Centres a subsidiary of WIOCC Group.

NTT operate global technology and digital infrastructure platforms, and the assets form part of their South African data centre operations.

The transaction comprises seven data centre facilities, strategically located in key centres across South Africa, forming an important platform within South Africa’s digital infrastructure ecosystem. The assets support enterprise, wholesale, and cloud connectivity requirements and represent critical infrastructure underpinning the country’s growing digital economy.

The acquisition strengthens WIOCC Group’s position as a multi-regional digital infrastructure provider, expanding its footprint in South Africa while complementing its broader pan-African and international network and connectivity assets. The transaction enhances the group’s ability to serve its diverse client group, which includes hyperscalers, CDNs, network operators, ISPs, and enterprise clients with scalable, resilient, and carrier-neutral data centre capacity across multiple markets.

The transaction reflects continued investment momentum in African digital infrastructure, underpinned by sustained growth in data consumption, cloud adoption, and increasing demand for neutral, carrier-dense data centre facilities in strategically located markets.

The transaction has received approval from the Competition Commission of South Africa.

Verdant IMAP acted as financial adviser to OADC (A WIOCC Group Company). The transaction involved navigating a highly complex and negotiated process, including the resolution of complex commercial, legal, and structural considerations. The transaction required extensive coordination across financial, commercial, legal, and operational workstreams over a prolonged negotiation period, reflecting the complexity typically associated with large-scale digital infrastructure transactions.

Verdant IMAP operates as part of the global IMAP platform, a long-established international investment banking network with a strong presence across major markets worldwide. IMAP forms an integral part of Verdant IMAP’s business, providing access to global sector expertise, international best practice, and cross-border perspective that underpins the firm’s advisory capabilities across complex transactions in digital infrastructure, telecoms, fintech, and technology-enabled sectors.

The transaction builds on Verdant IMAP’s growing digital infrastructure advisory franchise, reflecting the firm’s continued focus on data centres, fibre networks, telecoms, and technology-enabled infrastructure assets across Africa. Verdant IMAP continues to advise on some of the region’s most complex digital infrastructure transactions, supporting both strategic and financial clients across the investment lifecycle. The transaction is Verdant IMAP’s fourth completed transaction for WIOCC Group. 

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Feb 27 — African policymakers, business leaders, and development institutions have renewed calls for visa-free travel across the continent, describing the free movement of people as essential to unlocking Africa’s economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The call was reinforced at a High-Level Symposium on Advancing a Visa-Free Africa for Economic Prosperity, co-convened by the African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission on the margins of the 39th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.

Participants framed mobility as the missing link in Africa’s integration agenda, arguing that while tariffs are falling under AfCFTA, restrictive visa regimes continue to limit trade in services, investment flows, tourism, and labour mobility.

Alex Mubiru, Director General for Eastern Africa at the African Development Bank Group, said that visa-free travel, interoperable digital systems, and integrated markets are practical enablers of enterprise, innovation, and regional value chains to translate policy ambitions into economic activity.

“The evidence is clear. The economics support openness. The human story demands it,” he told participants, urging countries to move from incremental reforms to “transformative change.”

Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission, called for faster implementation of existing continental frameworks, describing visa openness as a strategic lever for deepening regional markets and enhancing collective responses to economic and humanitarian crises.

Former AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma reiterated that free movement is central to the African Union’s long-term development blueprint, Agenda 2063. “If we accept that we are Africans, then we must be able to move freely across our continent,” she said, urging member states to operationalise initiatives such as the African Passport and the Free Movement of Persons Protocol.

Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, shared her country’s experience as an early adopter of open visa policies for African travellers, citing increased business travel, tourism, and investor interest as early dividends of greater openness.

The Symposium also reviewed findings from the latest Africa Visa Openness Index, which shows that more than half of intra-African travel still requires visas before departure – seen by participants as a significant drag on intra-continental commerce.

Mesfin Bekele, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, called for full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), saying aviation connectivity and visa liberalisation must advance together to enable seamless travel.

Regional representatives, including Elias Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Development Community, emphasised the importance of building trust through border management and digital information-sharing systems.

Gabby Otchere Darko, Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, urged governments to support the “Make Africa Borderless Now” campaign, while tourism campaigner Ras Mubarak called for more ratifications of the AU Free Movement of Persons protocol.

Participants concluded that achieving a visa-free Africa will require aligning migration policies, digital identity systems, and border infrastructure, alongside sustained political commitment.

In a symbolic gesture, attendees signed a “passport wall,” signalling support for accelerated reforms to make movement across African borders easier for citizens.

The African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission said they will continue working with member states and regional bodies to advance coordinated approaches to mobility – seen as a cornerstone of Africa’s integration, competitiveness, and long-term growth.

Khao Galli brings the vibrant spirit of Indian street food to an elegant dining setting at Taj MG Road, Bengaluru. The experience begins with refreshing welcome beverages and a selection of salads including Indian-spiced charred sweet corn salad and Murgh Chatpata. Comforting soups such as Chukandar aur Gosht ka Pudina Shorba and Gajar aur Adrak ka Soup set the tone, followed by interactive live stations serving Meen Varuval, Pudina aur Hari Mirch ka Murgh, momos, Kati rolls, and assorted pakoras.

 The main course features favourites like Awadhi Gosht Biryani, Malabar Fish Curry, and Kundapur Ghee Roast, complemented by vegetarian classics such as Methi Malai Paneer and Lahsuni Bhindi, along with select European offerings including oven-roasted potatoes with caramelised asparagus. A lively yet comforting spread that captures the flavours and energy of India’s streets.

Venue: The Trinity Square, Taj MG Road, Bengaluru

When: Every Wednesday

Timings: Lunch: 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Dinner: 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

India, Feb 27 : Noise, India’s leading connected lifestyle brand, today announced that pre-bookings for Master Buds 2 with Sound by Bose technology, the next generation of its flagship Master Series are now live. Master Buds 2 marks the next phase of Noise’s premium audio journey, combining immersive sound, refined design, and intelligent features crafted for how people listen today.

Building on the success of the original Master Buds, Master Buds 2 reimagines what premium audio can deliver, across acoustics, comfort, and intelligent interaction, reinforcing Noise’s vision of making world-class audio innovation accessible to millions. It’s not a generational upgrade – but truly a category killer.

Sound by Bose Technology 

Building on the benchmark set by the first-generation Master Buds, Master Buds 2 introduces a more powerful and responsive audio experience designed around how people listen today.

The Master Buds 2 integrates Sound by Bose technology helping to deliver richer acoustics, deeper bass, clear mids, and crisp highs for a balanced and lifelike listening experience.

Category-Leading Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC)

Master Buds 2 introduces Noise’s most advanced Active Noise Cancellation system to date – at its core is the all new cavity design, thoughtfully reengineered for unparalleled performance. This architecture delivers high-fidelity sound alongside best-in-class Active Noise Cancellation performance, enhancing noise isolation while maintaining audio clarity for deeper immersion across environments. 

Speaking on the launch, Amit Khatri, Co-Founder of Noise, said,

“Unveiling Master Buds 2 at a global flagship platform like CES 2026 was an intentional decision, it reflects our ambition to showcase Indian innovation on the world stage while building products that resonate globally. With the Master Series, our focus has always been on delivering premium audio experiences through our collaboration with Bose Corporation, while ensuring they remain accessible to millions. Master Buds 2 represents a reimagination of our flagship audio experience, not just an iteration, but a reinvention of how sound, immersion, and intelligent design come together for modern listeners. This is India designing for the world, raising the bar for what consumers can expect from flagship audio.”

Clear Voice Pickup with Sound+ Algorithm

Master Buds 2 enhances voice pickup through a precision-tuned Clear Call experience powered by the Sound+ algorithm. Supported by a 6-mic ENC system, the earbuds intelligently isolate speech while minimizing surrounding noise, ensuring your voice comes through sharp, focused, and clear across meetings, calls, and busy environments.

Designed for real-world conversations, surrounding noise fades into the background so users can communicate with consistent clarity wherever they are.

Immersive 360° Spatial Audio with Head Tracking

Powered by advanced audio processing, Master Buds 2 introduces 360° Spatial Audio with intelligent head tracking, creating a theater-like listening experience that adapts dynamically as users move. The feature enhances depth, positioning, and realism across music, movies, and gaming, making immersion feel natural and responsive.

Intelligent Audio, Powered by AI

Expanding the intelligent capabilities of the Master Series, Master Buds 2 introduces an AI Voice Chat Assistant, accessible through the Noise Audio companion app. Once activated via the app, users can interact naturally through voice to ask questions, receive real-time assistance, and manage everyday tasks seamlessly through their earbuds

Designed to function as an intelligent everyday companion, the feature enhances how users engage with audio, making interactions more intuitive, responsive, and integrated into daily routines.

Elevated Design, Built with Precision

Designed to deliver a truly premium experience, Master Buds 2 features a refined silhouette with clean, angular contours that enhance both aesthetics and ergonomics.

The earbuds showcase a metallic finish paired with a brushed metal disc and precision-cut detailing, creating a sophisticated visual identity while maintaining lightweight comfort for extended wear. Every element has been crafted to balance durability, tactile quality, and everyday usability.

Hands-Free Interaction with Head-Gesture Controls

Powered by an advanced 6-axis IMU sensor, Master Buds 2 introduces intuitive head-gesture controls, enabling users to manage music playback and calls through simple head movements. This hands-free interaction enhances convenience, making everyday listening more seamless and responsive.

Price and Availability

The Noise Master Buds 2 will be available in three signature colorways — Carbon, Aurum, and Mercury with pre-sales going live from 27th February across gonoise.com, Amazon, Reliance Digital, Croma, and Vijay Sales, at an inaugural launch price of INR 7,999.

Pre-booking is now LIVE — exclusively on  gonoise.com,

African Development Bank Group awards $16.6 million grant to International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to scale agricultural technologies in AfricaThe agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships

ABUJA, Nigeria, Feb 27– The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement to launch the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Program (TAAT-III), aimed at scaling climate-resilient food production across the continent.

The agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships among research institutions, governments, and private sector actors.

Since its launch in 2018, TAAT has become one of Africa’s most effective and transformative platforms for agricultural innovation, reaching nearly 25 million farmers and boosting productivity across major staples. The initiative has expanded climate-resilient agricultural practices across over 35 million hectares.

Working closely with the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and national and regional partners, TAAT has increased crop yields as much as 69 percent and generated more than $4 billion in additional agricultural value. Countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria have recorded notable gains in staple crop productivity and resilience to climate shocks.

Nigeria has been a key beneficiary of TAAT initiatives. Under its Wheat Compact, farmers adopting improved heat-tolerant varieties more than doubled yields from 1.7 tons per hectare to 3.5 tons per hectare. Programme‑supported seed system assessments also helped inform national reforms to expand access to certified, climate-resilient seeds.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Bank Group’s Nigeria Country Department, said the new phase will focus on scaling innovation more rapidly: “TAAT-III underscores the Bank’s commitment to ensuring that proven, climate-resilient agricultural technologies reach farmers faster and at scale. This phase strengthens the systems that deliver innovation, helping countries boost productivity, enhance resilience, and align agricultural transformation efforts with the Bank’s four new areas of emphasis, dubbed the Four Cardinal Points.”

Financed through the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending window, TAAT-III will consolidate earlier gains while introducing a more sustainable, private sector-driven delivery model. The initiative aims to reinforce seed and technology distribution systems, deepen partnerships with governments and agribusinesses, and expand the digital tools, including its technology e-catalogues and real-time monitoring platforms, to speed up deployment of high‑impact solutions.

Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, remarked: “TAAT-III allows us to deepen the delivery of science‑based solutions that improve farmers’ yields and livelihoods. Working with the Bank and our partners, we are scaling technologies that make Africa’s food systems more resilient and competitive.”

TAAT featured prominently in supporting the Bank Group’s Africa Emergency Food Production Facility, helping countries to rapidly deploy improved seeds and technologies to stabilise food supplies during recent global disruptions. The programme’s third phase seeks to embed these innovations within long-term national agricultural investment strategies.

TAAT-III is expected to reach an additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable countries served by the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional financing window.

Mumbai, Feb 27: Ray – Ethnic, the contemporary Indian ethnic wear label known for itsversatile approach to celebration dressing, launches Tarang, a collection inspired by the quiet poetry of ripples and the evolving nature of tradition.  

Drawing from the rhythm of flowing water, Tarang translates motion into clothing that feels soft, luminous, and effortless. The collection blends time‑honoured craftsmanship with a modern design language, expressed through fluid silhouettes, gentle textures, and detailing that reveals itself gradually. 

“At Ray – Ethnic, we see heritage not as something fixed in the past, but as stories carried forward,” said Trisha Roy, Brand Manager at Ray – Ethnic. “With Tarang, we wanted to create occasion wear that feels timeless yet adaptable pieces that move seamlessly across moments of celebration, light yet refined, rooted yet contemporary.”

The palette flows through serene, luminous tones, while the choice of fabrics brings a sense of ease, allowing each piece to transition seamlessly across different settings and seasons. Subtle layering, nuanced surface work and graceful movement define the collection’s visual language, staying true to the brand’s focus on repeat-worthy celebration wear.

More than a festive drop, Tarang reflects a larger shift in wardrobes towards longevity, emotion, and versatility. It is a reminder that craft is never static, it evolves, adapts, and finds new meaning with every generation that wears it

With a presence across 15 outlets in India, Ray – Ethnic continues to make contemporary ethnic wear accessible to customers nationwide. The Tarang collection is now available across Ray – Ethnic stores and online, with prices starting at Rs. 2,000.

Mumbai, Feb 27: Chandak Group has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Excellence in Delivery’ award at the ETNOW.in Realty Conclave & Awards – West Edition 2026, held recently in Mumbai. The award was presented by Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Government of Maharashtra.

 The recognition underscores Chandak Group’s sustained focus on timely project completion, construction quality, and customer-centric development across Mumbai’s competitive real estate landscape. It reflects the developer’s commitment to operational excellence and its consistent track record of delivering thoughtfully designed residential communities aligned with evolving urban aspirations and lifestyle expectations.

Speaking on the occasion, a spokesperson for Chandak Group said,

“Receiving the ‘Excellence in Delivery’ award is a proud moment for all of us at Chandak Group. It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to timely execution, quality construction, and customer first approach. As Mumbai’s real estate landscape evolves towards integrated and lifestyle-driven developments, we remain focused on creating spaces that combine thoughtful design, sustainability, and long-term value for our homebuyers. This recognition motivates us to continue setting higher benchmarks in delivery and customer experience.”

Western India’s real estate sector continues to witness strong momentum, supported by rising demand for luxury housing, commercial expansion, and sustainability-led development. In FY25, luxury housing sales recorded a notable surge, with Mumbai leading the premium segment and setting new benchmarks in design, lifestyle integration, and wellness-oriented living. At the same time, integrated townships, green-certified developments, and smart infrastructure initiatives are reshaping urban growth corridors and reinforcing investor confidence across the region.

The ETNOW.in Realty Conclave & Awards – West Edition serves as a prominent industry platform bringing together leading architects, developers, interior designers, urban planners, and infrastructure experts. The event fosters dialogue on emerging trends, encourages collaboration, and celebrates organizations driving innovation and transformation across Western India’s built environment.

New Delhi, Feb 27: The third edition of the Build India Infra Awards 2026 concluded at The Ashok Hotel, Chanakyapuri, bringing together senior government leaders, policymakers, industry experts and project developers to celebrate excellence in infrastructure development and recognise projects that are reshaping India’s growth trajectory.

Organised by Build India Foundation with Primus Partners as Knowledge Partner, the awards went beyond acknowledging nominations and placed the spotlight firmly on winning projects and sector leaders whose work has delivered measurable impact across Roads, Railways, Aviation, Ports, Urban Transport, Water Infrastructure, Power and Intelligent Transport Systems, along with a special Trailblazing Infrastructure category for path breaking initiatives.

A major highlight of the evening was the conferment of the prestigious Build India Infra Icon Award upon Mr. Ajit Gulabchand, recognising his outstanding contribution and leadership in shaping India’s infrastructure landscape. The honour underscored the awards’ commitment to celebrating not just projects, but individuals whose vision and execution have had a lasting national impact.

The 2026 edition received 132 nominations from across the country, reflecting robust participation and industry confidence in the platform. After a rigorous and transparent evaluation process, outstanding projects across nine categories were selected for their innovation, scalability, sustainability outcomes and contribution to public value. In total, 45 winners were honoured across nine categories, reflecting the breadth and diversity of infrastructure innovation emerging from across the country.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of senior Union Ministers and national leaders including Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari; Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C. R. Patil; Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy Shri Shripad Naik; Minister of State for Railways & Jal Shakti Shri V. Somanna; Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal; Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, who joined online; and India’s G20 Sherpa Shri Amitabh Kant. Their participation reinforced the platform’s relevance in India’s infrastructure and development discourse.

In a wide ranging address, Shri Nitin Gadkari said,

“India’s economic growth will depend on high quality, cost efficient infrastructure and faster project execution. Our priority is to reduce logistics costs, adopt green construction technologies and expand multimodal connectivity so that infrastructure becomes a driver of competitiveness and employment.”

He added, “We are encouraging private investment and innovation in highways, logistics parks and alternative construction materials. The future of infrastructure lies in sustainability, digital monitoring and time bound implementation.”

In a fireside conversation with Primus Partners Co Founder Davinder Sandhu, the Minister highlighted the government’s renewed focus on the Build Operate Transfer model, noting that projects worth approximately ₹57,000 crore have already been awarded under a restructured, transparent and investor friendly framework. He explained that the strengthened BOT approach is designed to enhance investor confidence, enable long term capital participation and accelerate delivery of national highway infrastructure aligned with India’s growth ambitions.

Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C. R. Patil said,

“Water infrastructure is directly linked with quality of life. Our mission is to ensure reliable drinking water access, efficient irrigation systems and long term sustainability through integrated planning and community participation.”

He further stated, “Infrastructure development must not only build assets but also secure resources for future generations. Conservation, reuse and technology driven monitoring are essential to India’s water security.”

Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy Shri Shripad Naik remarked, “Clean energy and infrastructure must move together. Solar adoption, green hydrogen and energy efficient urban systems will shape India’s next growth phase.”

Minister of State for Railways & Jal Shakti Shri V. Somanna said,

“Railway modernisation and station redevelopment are improving passenger experience while also supporting regional economic growth and connectivity.”

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Ports and waterways are becoming major pillars of logistics efficiency. Expanding coastal shipping and inland waterways will reduce logistics costs and support trade competitiveness.”

Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, joining virtually, said,

“Digital connectivity is now a foundational infrastructure layer. Telecom networks, data infrastructure and digital platforms are enabling inclusive development across urban and rural India.”

India’s G20 Sherpa Shri Amitabh Kant said,

“India has demonstrated an unprecedented capacity to execute large infrastructure projects at scale. Collaboration between government and industry will be the defining factor in sustaining long term growth and attracting global investment.”

Pragya Priyadarshini said,

“The Build India Infra Awards are not merely about recognising participation. They are about honouring execution excellence, measurable impact and the courage to build at scale. Each awardee this year represents a benchmark in innovation, sustainability and governance, and together they reflect India’s growing capacity to deliver world class infrastructure.”

She further added,

“By celebrating transformational projects as well as visionary leaders such as Mr. Ajit Gulabchand, the platform reinforces the idea that nation building is driven by institutions and individuals working with purpose. Our effort is to make the awards a credible repository of best practices that can be replicated across states and sectors.”

Davinder Sandhu, Co Founder and Chairman, Primus Partners, said,

“The awards have evolved into a credible institutional platform that evaluates infrastructure not only on scale but on measurable outcomes and public value. It encourages knowledge sharing across government and industry.”

Vaibhav Dange, Co Founder and Director, Build India Foundation, said,

“The initiative recognises infrastructure that improves connectivity, efficiency and quality of life while inspiring organisations to showcase impactful projects and raise execution standards across sectors.”

The nominations were assessed through a structured framework supported by Primus Partners, anchored around Innovation, Impact and Sustainability and guided by the principles of People, Process and Product. The distinguished jury comprising policymakers, sector specialists and industry leaders ensured a transparent and robust selection process.

As the Build India Infra Awards continue to evolve, the initiative is strengthening its position not only as a recognition platform but also as a national knowledge forum that documents successful implementation models and catalyses dialogue on the future of infrastructure in India. With growing participation and deeper engagement each year, the awards reaffirm the central role of sustainable, impact driven infrastructure in shaping India’s long term development vision.

Bangalore, Feb 27: SK Finance Limited, one of India’s leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), today announced a strategic partnership with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited. This collaboration will offer group credit protection insurance solutions to customers of SK Finance, enabling them with the necessary financial protection.

 SK Finance with its strong presence across rural and semi-urban geographies, will offer customer centric credit life insurance solutions to over 9.3 lakh customers and enable them to provide financial security to their families.

This alliance will encourage responsible borrowing and provide better financial protection, especially in underserved communities by offering simple and seamless loan insurance. Credit life products equip customers to better manage risk and ensure the family’s financial plan is not disrupted.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Upendra Prabhu, Chief of Distribution – Credit Life & Protection, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited said,

“We are happy to partner with SK Finance, a leading NBFC in the country. Distribution is key to enhancing penetration and achieving the ‘Insurance for All’ objective. This collaboration aligns with our Company’s focus on improving accessibility to life insurance while supporting customers’ long-term financial protection needs.

Both organisations have been built on the ethos of customer centricity and aim to deliver greater value to customers. Importantly, a credit life product ensures that, in case of an eventuality, customers leave behind an asset for their families and not a liability in the form of an outstanding loan.”

On the strategic partnership, Mr. Yash Setia, Whole Time Director, SK Finance Limited, commented,

 “Our mission extends beyond providing credit. We aim to make our customers financially resilient and protect their families from financial disruption as well as loan liabilities. A significant milestone in that direction, this partnership with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance aligns with our broader vision under our insurance vertical, SK Bima, to deliver integrated credit and risk protection solutions for Naya Bharat.”

The collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both organisations to simplify life insurance and promote long-term financial wellbeing for its customers.

New Delhi, Feb 27: Realme continues to strengthen its connect with the young generation, emerging as the Most Popular Smartphone Brand Among Youth driven by high user satisfaction and advocacy strength among Gen Z and Millennials, according to the CMR Consumer Insight Survey 2026 for realme. The study reflects how today’s youth seek powerful performance, reliable battery life, and design that mirrors their identity.

The survey across eight cities, highlights how deeply smartphones are embedded in the lives of the youth. With 74% spending over four hours daily on their devices, performance and reliability have become non-negotiable. Camera quality (86%) and battery life with fast charging (79%) emerged as the most important factors influencing purchase decisions.

realme leads overall customer satisfaction among key smartphone brands and recorded the highest Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 81, reflecting strong advocacy and recommendation intent. The study also reinforces realme’s strong youth association, with consumers identifying the brand as both youthful and performance-driven.

Upgrade intent remains strong, with over half of young users planning to upgrade within the next year, largely driven by design and camera improvements. Peer recommendations and online reviews continue to play a decisive role in shaping purchase choices.

Commenting on the findings, Francis Wong, Chief Marketing Officer, realme India said,

“The CMR survey recognising realme as the Most Popular Smartphone Brand Among Youth, driven by high user satisfaction and advocacy, validates the strong trust young consumers place in us. It reflects their confidence in our overall performance, innovation, camera reliability and user experience. We are encouraged to see realme strongly associated with youthfulness and trust, reinforcing our deep connect with the youth as we continue to deliver meaningful innovation.”

“Today’s always-on Gen Z consumers increasingly view smartphones as an extension of their personality and lifestyle, evaluating them on how seamlessly these devices integrate into their daily digital routines. As smartphone usage intensifies, design aesthetics, reliability, battery life, and imaging capabilities are emerging as baseline expectations rather than differentiators. Smartphone brands that consistently deliver a strong ownership experience are more likely to build long-term advocacy among young users. realme’s popularity among youth reflects its resonance with these evolving expectations,”added Prabhu Ram, VP – Industry Research Group, CMR.

Beyond smartphones, the study highlights realme’s growing presence in the TWS category, where it records strong satisfaction levels, particularly around design, battery life and sound quality. The findings further underscore the importance of ownership experience, with youth engagement, seamless purchase journeys and responsive after-sales support playing a key role in strengthening loyalty.

As young consumers increasingly prioritise performance, reliability and design-led innovation, realme remains committed to delivering meaningful technology experiences that align with their evolving digital lifestyles.