Products

Realme GT 8 Pro, the flagship that focuses on customisation

Chinese brand challenges traditional top-of-the-range with 7,000 mAh battery, RICOH camera and modular design that winks at the new generation

by Marco Trabucchi

5 December 2025

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Realme raises the bar and brings its most ambitious smartphone to Italy, aiming straight at the heart of the premium segment with a proposal that mixes power, photographic innovation and a dose of customisation that in the flagship market still remains unexplored ground. The GT 8 Pro, unveiled today in Milan, aims to be the Chinese brand's answer to those seeking top-of-the-range performance without necessarily having to shell out the sums demanded by the big names in the sector.

The strategy is clear: to offer top-notch technical specifications at a price that, while at the high-end, is still more affordable than traditional flagships. With a price list that starts at €899 for the basic 12+256GB version and goes up to €1,199 for the top 16+512GB model, realme is positioned in the territory of the 'flagship killers', the category that in recent years has been able to erode market share from the giants of the sector precisely by leveraging the price-performance ratio.

Big numbers and monstrous battery

Under the shell, the GT 8 Pro makes no compromises. Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor brings a third-generation Oryon CPU with a frequency of up to 4.6GHz. The claimed numbers speak of a 20 per cent increase in performance and 35 per cent improvement in power efficiency over the previous generation. The AnTuTu benchmark exceeds 4 million points, a result that propels the device into the ranks of the most powerful currently on the market.

But the real surprise comes from the battery: 7,000 mAh that guarantees over 20 hours of continuous playback on YouTube and TikTok, up to 8.4 hours of intense gaming. Numbers that become significant when compared to the 4,500-5,000 mAh typical of most flagships. Fast charging at 120W and wireless charging at 50W complete a picture that emphasises autonomy as a differentiating factor.

The display deserves a mention: a 144Hz 2K panel with a peak brightness of 7,000 nits, among the brightest currently available, designed to guarantee perfect visibility even in direct sunlight. A specification particularly appreciated by those who use their smartphone on the move.

Photography according to RICOH

The four-year alliance with RICOH GR brings to fruition a collaboration that aims to make a difference in the photographic sector. The integrated system reproduces the 28mm and 40mm focal lengths typical of street photography cameras, with five RICOH film-inspired filters that bring a distinctly analogue character to the shots. The Snap Focus mode, supported by the Super QPD Snap algorithm, focuses on capture speed, which is critical for photographing urban scenes in motion.

The 200MP main sensor is a choice that goes against the trend of many manufacturers, who focus on lower but optimised resolutions. realme bets on extreme sharpness and lossless zoom up to 12X, a feature that could make inroads among content creators who use the smartphone as a working tool. The video compartment is no less impressive: 4K recording at 120fps with Dolby Vision, 8K at 30fps and 10-bit log mode for those seeking advanced creative control.

The modular design that changes the rules

In a market where finding aesthetically pleasing features is increasingly difficult, perhaps the most disruptive element of the GT 8 Pro is the Switchable Camera Bump, the interchangeable camera module that allows you to customise the aesthetics of your phone by choosing between different shapes. An idea reminiscent of past experiments by some manufacturers, but which Realme brings to the market with a practical implementation: just unscrew and replace the module in a few gestures thanks to a small screwdriver supplied. The offer also includes a Deco Set sold separately for €19.99.

A customisation that could intercept that segment of users, particularly young people, who seek to express their identity through technological objects.

The 'Aston Martin' card

As is tradition for flagship realms, a special edition could not be missing. The GT 8 Pro Dream Edition, co-created with the Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team, sports the classic Racing Green colour scheme with Lime Essence accents and a customised Formula 1-themed interface, and is priced exactly the same as the standard top-of-the-range version (€1,199).

The ecosystem expands

At the same time as the smartphone launch, realme also presents the Buds Clip, its first open-ear earphones. They weigh only 5.3 grams per earpiece and integrate the proprietary NextBass algorithm for frequency optimisation. The price of EUR 89.99 places them in the mid-range of the true wireless earphone market, with the special feature of AI Translator supporting 32 languages for real-time translation.

Distribution strategy and first test bench

The availability in the main physical (Unieuro, Euronics, MediaWorld) and online (Amazon, TikTok Shop) retail channels testifies to an aggressive distribution strategy. Launch promotions, with discounts of up to EUR 100 and accessories included, are the classic tool for generating initial momentum and gathering initial feedback from the market.

The real test for realme will be to prove that a brand still perceived as mid-range can compete effectively in flagship territory, where brand loyalty and service ecosystem count as much as technical specifications. The GT 8 Pro has what it takes in terms of hardware, but it will have to convince an Italian public traditionally tied to big brands. The bet on personalisation and photographic innovation could prove a winner, especially if word of mouth among early adopters confirms the promises on paper.