Realme Announces GT 8 Pro Born From Ricoh Partnership
Realme has officially unveiled the GT 8 Pro, its latest flagship smartphone developed in collaboration with Ricoh Imaging, marking the first partnership between a Chinese phone maker and a Japanese camera brand. The collaboration focuses on integrating elements of Ricoh’s GR-series compact cameras into mobile photography, aiming to replicate the shooting experience and visual aesthetics of the popular GR line.
The GT 8 Pro introduces a distinctive feature for Realme: interchangeable camera housing. The module is attached with two side screws and can be swapped between circular, square, or “robot” designs. While the modification is cosmetic rather than functional, Realme is encouraging user customization by sharing 3D design files and launching a design competition through MakerWorld. The device’s rear panel is available in either frosted glass or recycled leather, both resistant to wear and corrosion, and manufactured using a Photon Nano-Sculpting process for precise and environmentally friendly engraving.
At the core of the phone is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. A vapor cooling chamber enhances sustained performance, particularly for gaming. The 6.79-inch LTPO AMOLED display features a QHD+ (3136×1440) resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, 10-bit color depth, and peak brightness of up to 7,000 nits. Powering the device is a 7,000mAh battery, supporting 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, with durability ratings of IP66, IP68, and IP69. The phone runs on Realme UI 7.0, based on Android 16.
The camera system, co-engineered with Ricoh, includes a 50MP main camera (f/1.8, 1/1.56-inch sensor), a 200MP periscope telephoto (f/2.6, 1/1.56-inch sensor, 3x optical zoom), and a 50MP ultrawide (f/2.0, 16mm equivalent). The system incorporates Ricoh’s anti-glare lens coatings, ultrasound glass elements, and dual-layer AR filters. It also features the Ricoh GR Algorithm Engine, designed to replicate the response and tone of GR cameras.
A dedicated Ricoh GR Mode provides access to classic GR focal lengths — 28mm and 40mm equivalents — and supports fast shooting with minimal shutter lag via Snap Focus, which allows preset focusing distances. Five GR-style color profiles — Standard, Positive Film, Negative Film, Monotone, and High-Contrast Black & White — are available, alongside adjustable tone controls. The interface mimics the GR camera’s minimalist layout and even reproduces its shutter sound.
On the video side, the GT 8 Pro records in 8K at 30fps or 4K at 120fps, supporting Dolby Vision and 10-bit Log capture.
Initially released in China, the GT 8 Pro is available in white, green, and blue, starting at CNY 3,999 (approximately USD $560). Realme has confirmed that the global launch will begin in India in November 2025, with further regions expected to follow.
The launch also coincides with the introduction of the GT 8, a slightly less powerful model that retains most of the Pro’s specifications but lacks interchangeable camera housing, wireless charging, and latest chipset.
