Hot on the heels of various flagship launches from Vivo and Oppo, Realme has just unveiled its latest contenders: the Realme GT8 and the more powerful GT8 Pro. The series makes for an interesting pair, with the standard GT 8 getting a serious boost from last year’s top-tier Qualcomm chip, while the Pro model leaps ahead with the brand new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Under the bonnet, the difference is clear. The GT 8 Pro is kitted out with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while its sibling, the GT 8, makes do with the still-impressive Snapdragon 8 Elite. Both phones come with LPDDR5X RAM and speedy UFS 4.0 or 4.1 storage, with configurations offering either 12GB or 16GB of RAM paired with your choice of 256GB, 512GB, or a massive 1TB of space.
You’ll be viewing all your content on a gorgeous 6.79-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED flexible display that is shared across both models. With a sharp 3136×1440 resolution, 10-bit colour, and a buttery 144Hz refresh rate. It also boasts a 3200Hz instant touch sampling rate for super-responsive gaming. The real showstopper, however, is the peak brightness, which hits an industry-leading 7,000nits, making it easily viewable even in direct sunlight.
The camera systems are where the two models really start to diverge. The GT8 Pro leads with a formidable triple-camera array, headlined by a 200MP periscope telephoto lens with OIS. It’s joined by a 50MP Ricoh GR anti-glare main sensor and a 50MP ultrawide camera, allowing for 3x optical and up to 120x digital zoom. For videographers, it supports 8K recording and comes with pro-grade features like long exposure, RAW capture, and AI portrait modes.
One of the most intriguing features on the realme GT 8 Pro has to be its customisable camera module. That distinctive circular component on the back isn’t fixed; it’s actually a detachable lens module that you can pop on and off. This means you can swap it out for different designs – perhaps a square one or even a custom piece – to completely change the look and layout of your camera array. It’s a clever bit of kit that lets you put a proper personal stamp on the phone’s aesthetics. Realme is even releasing the design so you can 3D print it yourself.
Not to be completely outdone, the standard GT8 also packs a very capable setup, featuring a 50MP Ricoh GR anti-glare main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 50MP telephoto lens that still offers 3.5x optical and 120x digital zoom. Both phones support cinematic features like Dolby Vision recording and Log LUT colour correction. On the front, the Pro has a 32MP selfie camera compared to the GT 8’s 16MP shooter, with both capable of 4K HDR video.
Keeping all this power running is a substantial equivalent 7,000mAh dual-cell battery in both devices. Where they differ slightly is in charging speed; the Pro model supports 120W SuperVOOC wired charging, while the standard GT 8 tops out at 100W. Both, however, share 50W wireless fast charging and support a wide range of universal charging standards.
The software experience is handled by Realme UI 7.0, which brings smoother animations, smarter AI, and better multitasking. Connectivity is top-notch with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and dual 5G SIM support. Security is covered by an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint scanner and AI face unlock. The NFC functionality is particularly comprehensive, supporting everything from public transport and car keys to access control and Realme Pay.
Pricing and Availability
For now, the Realme GT8 Series is launching in China, with the GT8 starting at CNY2,899 (~RM1,721) and the Pro model at CNY3,999 (~RM2,375). There’s no official word yet on when they’ll make their way to global markets, including Malaysia, but it’s a safe bet that we’ll see them on our shores eventually.