Realme GT 8 Pro arrives globally with modular cameras and an Aston Martin edition
It could give buyers a flagship that feels premium without the usual price shock, thanks to its strong performance, bright display, and huge battery.
Realme seems to enjoy stealing the spotlight in the most unexpected ways. After generating massive buzz with its Game of Thrones-themed mid-tier phone, the company returned on November 20 with something far more serious: the GT 8 Pro.
And instead of a quiet flagship refresh, Realme went all-in, launching not just the standard model in Diary White and Urban Blue, but also an Aston Martin–branded special edition that looks like it drove straight out of the F1 paddock. Turquoise finish, neon yellow accents, a giant Aston Martin logo, and yes, an F1-car-shaped SIM ejector tool. Realme clearly wants you to know this isn't just another spec-drop phone.
Holding the GT 8 Pro, the first thing that strikes you is the display. The 6.79-inch OLED panel has 2K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate that could make scrolling, gaming, and switching between apps feel effortless. The colours seem accurate, contrast is deep, and the screen can hit up to 7,000 nits in HDR or 2,000 nits in high brightness mode, so outdoor visibility is never a problem, and full DC dimming could make late-night scrolling easy on the eyes.
Aside from display, the design is unconventional in a way that grows on you. With a camera island that can be swapped between square and circular setups, or removed entirely, exposing a “robot head” look. It’s a little odd, but kind of charming. The rest of the body is flat, simple, and sturdy power button on the side, a volume rocker above it, and no extra buttons that sit unused.
Its erformance features are exactly what you’d expect from a flagship going up against the Oppo Find X9 Pro and OnePlus 15. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powers through everything without hesitation, and the extra silicon for heat and display management keeps things stable even during long gaming sessions. Running on Realme UI 7.0, the interface feels smooth and responsive, with helpful software tweaks that complement the hardware’s power.
Heavy multitasking and demanding apps run effortlessly, the haptics feel refined, the stereo speakers hold up well for videos, and the ultrasonic under-display fingerprint scanner is fast and reliable.
The GT 8 Pro’s camera setup is headlined by a 50MP Sony main sensor and a 200MP periscope telephoto with a large 1/1.5-inch sensor, backed by a 32MP front camera. All three benefit from Realme’s new imaging partnership with Ricoh. While the ultrawide and selfie cameras lack autofocus, which limits flexibility, the main and telephoto lenses deliver sharp, detailed shots with impressive consistency. And thanks to the swappable camera island, taking photos feels a bit more playful than purely functional.
For what it’s worth, the GT 8 Pro’s battery life is massive. Its 7,000mAh cell, combined with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, keeps the phone going through a full day or more without hunting for a charger. Durability isn’t an afterthought either, with IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings protecting against dust, splashes, or even an accidental dunk.
Of course, you can’t talk about the specs without mentioning the price. The GT 8 Pro starts at Rs 72,999 ($817) for the 12GB/256GB model and goes up to Rs 78,999 ($885) for the 16GB/512GB variant, while the Aston Martin Dream Edition is pegged at Rs 79,999 ($895). Early buyers get a few extras, including bank offers and free camera modules, which makes jumping on the new flagship feel a little easier, especially if you’re eyeing the special edition.
Even at these prices, Realme is clearly aiming to deliver more than just numbers on a spec sheet. The combination of performance, display, battery, and quirky design touches gives it a presence that makes you notice it from the moment you pick it up, and it’s the kind of phone that manages to feel premium without the usual sticker shock.
David Adubiina
