Know Your Phone Brand: Who Really Owns POCO, Realme, IQOO, OPPO, VIVO & Others?
In 2025, the smartphone market in India feels crowded Realme, POCO, iQOO, Infinix, Vivo, Redmi, OnePlus, and more.
But if you look closely, something interesting happens:
Most of these brands aren’t actually separate companies.
They’re just different names under the same parent groups.
So while you think you’re comparing competitors, you’re often just choosing between siblings wearing different outfits.
This post helps you understand:
- Who truly makes your phone
- How brand families are structured
- What this means for your buying decision
- And why brand loyalty might not matter as much anymore
1. Why Most Mobile Phone Brands in India Are Just Labels
Big smartphone companies create multiple brand names to target:
- Different price ranges
- Different user types (youth, camera lovers, gamers)
- Online vs offline buyers
- Urban vs Tier 2/3 markets
Instead of making completely new phones for each type, they just:
- Reuse the same hardware
- Slightly tweak the software or design
- Market them under new names
This is called brand segmentation, and it’s why the Indian phone market feels more diverse than it actually is.
2. Parent Companies & Their Phone Brand Families
Here’s who owns what:
| Parent Company | Brands in India | Common Traits |
|---|---|---|
| BBK Electronics (China) | OPPO, Vivo, Realme, iQOO, OnePlus | Same factories, similar UI, massive offline presence |
| Xiaomi Corporation (China) | Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO | Shared hardware/software, aggressive pricing |
| Transsion Holdings (China) | Infinix, TECNO, Itel | Budget-first, deep Tier 2/3 reach, HiOS/XOS |
| Samsung (South Korea) | Samsung | Full control, One UI, strong service |
| Apple (USA) | Apple | Premium-only, consistent ecosystem |
| HMD Global (Finland) | Nokia | Clean UI, Android One/Go, smaller market share |
| Indian Brands | Lava, Micromax (limited presence) | Some government-backed, slow product cycle |
So when you see POCO vs Redmi, or Realme vs iQOO – it’s not a war.
It’s one company running multiple “brands” for reach.
3. Same Phone, Different Name
Let’s take examples you’ve probably seen:
- Redmi Note and POCO X series often use the same chip, screen, and battery
- Realme Narzo vs Realme Number Series are basically renamed for different age groups
- Vivo and iQOO use nearly identical hardware under different launch stories
- Infinix and TECNO share the same processors, UI, and often design — just priced differently
You’re not wrong to think many phones “feel the same” because inside, they often are.
4. Same Phone UI, Just Branded Differently
Beyond hardware, even the software experience overlaps heavily:
| UI Name | Used By | Underlying Base |
|---|---|---|
| ColorOS | OPPO | Core UI from BBK |
| Realme UI | Realme | ColorOS with a new skin |
| OxygenOS (2025) | OnePlus | Now shares ColorOS code |
| Funtouch OS | Vivo, iQOO | Similar features, styling tweaks |
| MIUI | Xiaomi, Redmi | Heavy skin, consistent across models |
| POCO UI | POCO | A tweaked MIUI shell |
| HiOS / XOS | TECNO, Infinix | Similar, budget-focused, feature-heavy |
| One UI | Samsung | Clean, unique, consistent |
| iOS | Apple | Exclusive, seamless |
| Android Go / One | Nokia, Lava | Minimal and ad-free, but underpowered |
When you switch between “different brands,” you’re often getting the same UI with a new name.
5. Why This Phone Branding Actually Matters for You
Knowing who owns your phone brand helps you understand what to expect.
| Concern | What to Watch |
|---|---|
| Update delays | BBK brands often slow to deliver Android updates |
| Bloatware or ads | Xiaomi & Transsion brands may push preloaded apps |
| Repair service | POCO = Redmi service center, Realme = OPPO center |
| Trade-in/resale value | Samsung and Apple hold better resale than iQOO, Infinix |
| Customer support | Single call center for multiple brands under same group |
| Price drops | POCO, Realme, Infinix drop price fast after 3–6 months |
This isn’t about avoiding any brand it’s about understanding what coms with it.
6. How Smartphone Brands Position Themselves
| Brand Name | Target Buyer | Positioning |
|---|---|---|
| Realme | Youth | Trendy, budget-friendly |
| iQOO | Gamers | Performance-first |
| POCO | Value hunters | “Flagship killer” vibe |
| Vivo | Offline camera lovers | Stylish, audio-focused |
| TECNO/Infinix | Rural buyers | Feature-packed at low cost |
| OnePlus | Premium/tech crowd | OxygenOS legacy, loyal fanbase |
| Redmi | All-rounder crowd | Trusted budget to mid-range |
| Samsung | Trust-based buyers | Offline + support-driven |
| Apple | Premium status | Ecosystem + long-term use |
Closing Remarks – Don’t Be Fooled by Brand Names
In India, buying a smartphone isn’t just about picking specs.
It’s about knowing the real company behind the label and whether it aligns with your needs.
- Multiple brands = marketing strategy, not true diversity
- Look past the name and into updates, software, repair network, resale
- Use this awareness to buy smarter, not harder
Because at the end of the day, the sticker on the box matters far less than what’s behind it.
