Realme is set to make a bold return to the Indian flagship market with the Realme GT 8 Pro, launching on November 20, 2025. What makes this launch truly special is the brand’s collaboration with Ricoh Imaging, known globally for its legendary GR series of compact cameras. This partnership marks a significant leap for smartphone photography, blending Realme’s hardware prowess with Ricoh’s optical heritage.
A Ricoh GR Camera Experience in a Smartphone
The highlight of the GT 8 Pro is undoubtedly its Ricoh GR-powered camera system. Realme claims the collaboration goes beyond branding — Ricoh engineers have co-developed the lens module and image processing algorithms. The camera is expected to include a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 200MP periscope telephoto lens.
Adding to the excitement is a dedicated Ricoh GR Mode, inspired by the iconic GR cameras. It offers focal lengths like 28mm and 40mm, along with five unique “GR Tones” for realistic, film-like color reproduction. This positions the GT 8 Pro as a device designed not just for typical snapshots, but for street photography and creative professionals who appreciate natural tones and texture.
Innovative Design with a Customisable Camera Bump
Realme is also pushing design innovation with what it calls a “Switch Design” camera module. Users will be able to swap or customise the shape and style of the camera island — a first in the smartphone world.
The GT 8 Pro will come in two standout finishes: Urban Blue, featuring a paper-like vegan leather texture, and Diary White, with a minimalist matte finish. This combination of functionality and aesthetics reinforces Realme’s focus on craftsmanship and personalisation.
Performance: Power Meets Efficiency
Under the hood, the GT 8 Pro is expected to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, making it one of the most powerful Android devices at launch. It will likely be paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage, catering to demanding users.
The phone’s 6.79-inch LTPO AMOLED display boasts a 2K resolution and an adaptive 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring ultra-smooth visuals. Realme claims an eye-popping 7,000 nits peak brightness, which should make the screen clearly visible even under harsh sunlight — a useful feature for photographers shooting outdoors.
Battery and Charging: Built for Endurance
Battery life won’t be an issue either. The GT 8 Pro reportedly houses a 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, offering significantly higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion cells. It supports 120W SuperVOOC fast charging and possibly 50W wireless charging, ensuring you’re back up and running in minutes.
Software and Smart Experience
The smartphone will debut with Realme UI 7.0, based on Android 16, bringing a cleaner interface, improved battery optimization, and AI-driven photo processing. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and NFC, alongside an advanced cooling system designed for sustained gaming and video recording sessions.
Pricing and Competition
While official pricing details are still under wraps, leaks suggest the GT 8 Pro could start around ₹52,000, with higher variants reaching up to ₹65,000. At this range, it will directly compete with devices like the OnePlus 13, iQOO 13 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24. Realme’s unique camera collaboration, however, might give it a creative edge over performance-focused rivals.
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