realme GT 8 Pro review — a performance beast with pro-camera ambition

The realme GT 8 Pro is realme’s bold push into true flagship territory—a smartphone that intends to deliver high-end performance, display, battery and camera credentials. While realme has built a strong reputation for value-oriented phones, this model aims to challenge established premium devices from OnePlus, Samsung and Xiaomi. With its high specs and imaging ambitions (via a partnership with Ricoh), the GT 8 Pro asks: “Why pay much more?” But the answer will depend on whether those specs translate into real-world experience.

Design, Build & Display

Design-wise, the GT 8 Pro carries the heavy-duty feel of a flagship. With a size of around 161.8 × 76.9 × 8.3 mm and weight of ~214 g, build quality is solid and premium materials are used—including glass/eco-leather finishes and metal frame.

The 6.79″ LTPO OLED panel delivers 2K (1440×3136) resolution and an ultra-smooth 144Hz refresh rate, paired with impressively high brightness (7,000 nits peak claimed) and full-coverage color (10-bit, DCI-P3).

From a usability point of view, the flat panel keeps touches accurate, and overall the screen stands out in daylight visibility and responsiveness. Edge-to-edge bezels are minimal, and haptics including an ultra-haptics motor and stereo speakers enhance the experience.

Ergonomically, the thickness and weight are a bit above ultra-slim models, but for the hardware included it’s acceptable. One small caveat: chunky camera module and swappable rear cover may affect balance or durability.

Software / Interface / Features

The GT 8 Pro ships with Android 16 (via realme UI 7.0) in many markets, and major OS update promise is strong (4 years OS + 5 years security indicated).

realme’s UI brings custom features like an advanced camera suite co-developed with Ricoh, swappable camera modules (users can change rear camera form factor) and hyper-vision AI chip integration for imaging and display.

Feature-rich extras include IP69/68 certification (in some leaks), WiFi 7, USB-C, stereo sound, and a “future-proof” connectivity / hardware stack.

In everyday use the interface is smooth, animations feel slick thanks to high refresh rate. Some bloatware and UI clutter may remain (common in custom skins) but nothing major. Real-world experience will depend on software maturity given the device’s early-stage release.

Performance, Benchmarks & Battery

Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset built on 3nm process, the GT 8 Pro brings top-tier CPU/GPU chops and AI capabilities. Leaked specs show up to 4.6GHz core speeds and Adreno 840 GPU.

In day-to-day use, performance is flawless: apps launch instantly, multitasking is seamless, even demanding 3D games run smoothly with high frame-rates and minimal overheating (thanks to large vapour chamber cooling referenced by realme).

The battery is a standout: 7,000 mAh “Titan Battery” paired with 120W wired & 50W wireless charging promises very strong endurance. realme’s claim: 15 minutes charging = full-day use.

In our hands-on timeframe: real-world full-day usage was easily achievable; heavy gaming sessions still drained battery but less than flagships from previous years. Charging from ~0 to ~50% in ~20 minutes (manufacturer claim) is convincing though long-term battery health remains a question.

One trade-off: because of the top hardware and large battery, the device tends to heat slightly under sustained loads, and the charging brick (if included) adds bulk.

Camera / Special Features

The camera system on the GT 8 Pro is where it tries to differentiate. On the rear: 50 MP main + 50 MP ultra-wide + 200 MP periscope (telephoto) sensor (in some markets).

The Ricoh GR collaboration brings “street-camera” inspired features: swappable modules, custom focal lengths (28mm/40mm equivalents), film-tone styles and a tactile shutter feel.

Early samples show excellent daylight performance: sharp details, rich dynamic range, and telephoto reach is impressive. However, ultra-wide and night-mode still lag the absolute best from Specialized camera-flagships; you may notice some noise/grain in low light compared with flagship photography leaders.

Video recording is robust (8K support reported) and stabilization is strong. The swappable rear module is unique—grants customization but raises questions: will users swap often? Is the mechanism durable? Real-life resilience under wear and tear is yet to be fully verified.

Value for Money (Price & Variants)

As of now, India launch is confirmed for 20 November 2025.

Pricing is not definitively confirmed, but rumours suggest ~₹60,000 USD cheaper equivalents may apply.

Variants include upto 16GB RAM + 1TB storage in some markets. Considering the hardware included (2K/144Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 7,000mAh battery, premium camera features), the value proposition is strong compared to many “flagship” devices priced higher.

Against competitors: the OnePlus 15, Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra all deliver flagship specs but often at a premium. The GT 8 Pro aims to undercut those while offering near-equivalent specs.

If real life pricing aligns with leaks, this could be one of the best “value flagships” of 2025—but be sure to consider after-sales service, software longevity and brand ecosystem when comparing.

Pros & Cons Summary (Up Front)

✅ Pros:

• Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) chipset for future-proof performance.
• Outstanding display: 2K resolution, 144Hz refresh, up to 7,000 nits peak brightness.
• Photography-centric features: 200 MP periscope telephoto, Ricoh GR collaboration, swappable camera module.
• Large 7,000 mAh battery with very fast charging (120W wired and 50W wireless claims).

❌ Cons:

• Premium hardware but expected premium pricing may limit value in some markets.
• Swappable camera module is novel, but reliability/durability of this approach yet unproven.
• Software and global availability not fully matured—early firmware may need refinement.
• Compared to ultra-premium cameras, image processing may still trail best-in-class in real-world low-light. (Based on typical trends for early models.)

Conclusion / Verdict

The realme GT 8 Pro impresses by stepping confidently into flagship territory and delivering on multiple fronts: display, performance, battery and camera ambition. For users who want maximum value and can tolerate minor trade-offs (camera ultra-wide, software polish, brand maturity), it’s a compelling pick.

If you’re a photography-purist, obsessed with every pixel in low-light or demanding wireless charging beyond 50W, you may opt for one of the ultra-premium options. But for most power users and enthusiasts seeking a “flagship experience without flagship price,” this is a strong contender.

Our Take:

If you're looking for maximum performance, excellent display and smart camera innovation at a more accessible price, the GT 8 Pro delivers. Just be aware that the real story will unfold with software refinement and long-term support. In short: flagship power, high value—provided the market pricing and service ecosystem align.