Realme is gearing up for a major unveiling in India: the Realme GT 8 Pro, co-engineered with Ricoh Imaging, is set to launch on November 20, 2025, bringing a fresh take on mobile photography and design.
Here’s a look at what makes this smartphone uniquely exciting — and why it might redefine how we think about “camera phones.”
A Strategic Imaging Partnership: Realme × Ricoh
Realme’s collaboration with Ricoh Imaging is not just a branding exercise; it’s the result of four years of co-engineering. The goal? To translate Ricoh’s iconic GR-series camera experience — beloved by street photographers — into a smartphone form factor.
With this partnership, Realme promises not just good specs, but a deeply thought-out imaging experience shaped by Ricoh’s legacy.
What to Expect from the Camera System
Ricoh GR-Tuned Imaging
- The heart of the system is a 50 MP anti-glare primary camera, built to Ricoh optical standards.
- A dedicated Ricoh GR Mode provides two “native” focal lengths: 28 mm (wide) and 40 mm (slightly tighter), both in full-frame equivalent.
- There are five classic Ricoh GR color profiles (tones): Standard, Positive film, Negative film, High-contrast B&W, and Monotone. Users can also customise the tone to their liking.
- Fun touches like the GR shutter sound, Ricoh-style watermark, and a dedicated “GR album” in the gallery help complete the experience.
Supporting Cameras
Alongside the Ricoh-tuned lens:
- A 200 MP periscope telephoto sensor — offering 3× optical zoom, 6× lossless, and up to 12× hybrid zoom.
- A 50 MP ultra-wide lens with a very wide 116° field of view.
- On the video side, the GT 8 Pro supports 8K at 30 fps, 4K 120fps Dolby Vision, and 10-bit Log recording — features aimed at creators.
Design & Build: Modular & Personal
One of the GT 8 Pro’s most striking features is its removable camera module (rear “bump”). Realme has used a combination of Torx screws and magnets to allow users to swap out camera “islands” for different styles — square, round, or even more creative designs.
This modular design is more than a gimmick: Realme is inviting users to engage creatively, even allowing for 3D-printed custom modules via a shared 3MF design file.
The build itself uses a paper-like leather back, made from recycled plastics and textiles — combining sustainability with a premium feel. The phone also packs in IP69 protection for extra durability.
Performance & Battery
- The GT 8 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, paired with a dedicated Hyper Vision+ AI chip to boost imaging performance and efficiency.
- It runs on Realme UI 7, based on Android 16.
- Under the hood, there’s a 7,000 mAh battery, which is quite generous for a flagship, and supports 120 W wired charging for super-quick top-ups. (There are also indications of 50 W wireless charging in some variants.)
- For gamers, Realme includes its GT Performance Engine 3.0 along with a 7K cooling area to help maintain performance under load.
Final Thoughts
The Realme GT 8 Pro launching on November 20 in India is shaping up to be more than just another flagship smartphone — it’s a creative statement. By blending Ricoh GR’s photographic soul with Realme’s performance and modular design, the company is pushing mobile photography in a direction that feels genuine, personal, and experimental.
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