Realme, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, apologized to customers for possible delays in the release of its latest handset after the devices were stolen while in transit to Spain just a few weeks before the product's launch.

A shipment of Realme's GT6 smartphones, scheduled for a launch event in Italy on Thursday, was stolen on its way to Spain "for reasons beyond our control," according to a statement posted on Friday to the company's Spanish account on X, formerly Twitter. According to Zonamovilidad.es, the robbery took place in late May, when the vehicle carrying the devices was robbed "at gunpoint." According to the report, the theft has caused delays in stores in both Spain and Portugal.

"We haven't been able to get them back despite doing everything we can, so we won't be able to ensure the in-store experience we would like during launch week," the business stated, adding that it "sincerely apologises" for the issue.The number and value of stolen handsets have not been published. Realme did not return a request for comment.

The event is a setback to Shenzhen-based Realme, which was spun out from Oppo in 2019 and is attempting to compete in Europe, one of its core markets. According to Counterpoint Research, its market share in the area remained steady at 4% from 2022 to 2023.

Realme has touted the GT6 as its latest "flagship killer," a term used by Chinese firms who provide high-end smartphones at low rates. According to Chinese media rumours, the GT6 will be powered by Qualcomm's newest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU and will include artificial intelligence capabilities. The firm has yet to provide further information regarding the highly anticipated device.

In recent years, Chinese smartphone firms have increased their focus on international growth, and Realme is one of the most rapidly rising. In January, on the sidelines of the CES trade exhibition in Las Vegas, Realme debuted the 12 Pro+ smartphone as part of a rebranding drive to better attract youthful international buyers.