Design and workmanship
Perhaps the most unusual detail on the realme GT 8 Pro is the interchangeable camera module cover. This can be removed via two small screws and replaced with alternative designs. We last saw a modular approach like this on the CMF Phone by Nothing, although it was implemented much more consistently there. On the GT 8 Pro, it remains more of a visual feature without any functional benefit.
The package includes two cover options: a round and a square one. Furthermore, a small aftermarket scene seems to be developing around the concept, allowing for easy ordering of alternative designs via platforms like AliExpress. Those who wish can at least give their smartphone a personalized look, even if the practical benefit remains limited.
Aside from this gimmick, realme delivers solid flagship fare. The frame is made of aluminum, and the back is either made of fiber-reinforced plastic or coated with a leather-like finish, depending on the version. The latter is particularly appealing, offering a pleasantly grippy surface and resisting fingerprints. The smoother versions have a more classic look but are also more slippery.
At approximately 214 grams, the device is not exactly lightweight. This is definitely noticeable in everyday use, especially in a trouser pocket or during extended periods of use. The large 7.000 mAh battery takes its toll!
The front is dominated by a flat AMOLED display, protected by Gorilla Glass, although realme hasn't specified the exact version. The integrated ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is among the better ones of its kind. It's quick to set up and unlocks the device reliably. The comprehensive IP68/IP69 certification is also a plus. This means the GT 8 Pro is not only protected against dust and immersion, but can also withstand high-pressure water jets.
Display
The 6,79-inch AMOLED panel has a resolution of 3.136 x 1.440 pixels, making it one of the sharpest displays on the market. Content appears crisp, text is displayed clearly, and there's nothing to complain about with photos or videos. Colors are vibrant without being oversaturated, and viewing angle stability is at the usual high level.
Content visibly benefits from support for HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. Streaming on Netflix or YouTube is especially enjoyable on the GT 8 Pro.
The greatest strength of the built-in panel lies in its brightness. Realme claims a peak brightness of up to 7.000 nits, which, of course, is only achieved under certain conditions in practice. Nevertheless, the display is among the brightest we've seen recently. Everything remains easily readable in direct sunlight, and the display can also dim to a comfortable level, making it much more pleasant to use in the evening.
The refresh rate is nominally up to 144 Hz, but this is only available in select games, while the system otherwise usually operates between 60, 90, and 120 Hz. True LTPO technology, which can dynamically reduce the refresh rate down to 1 Hz, is unfortunately missing. This is one of the few areas where the realme GT 8 Pro doesn't quite measure up to top-of-the-line models.
Power and performance
Inside the realme GT 8 Pro is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, currently the most powerful chip in the Android camp. Manufactured using a 3nm process and equipped with the new Oryon CPU and Adreno 840 GPU, the SoC delivers more than enough performance for any scenario. Our test device came with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of fast UFS 4.1 storage. For those who want more, the device is also available with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of UFS 4.1 storage.
In everyday use, the GT 8 Pro performs admirably. Apps launch virtually instantly, animations are consistently smooth, and even intensive multitasking or current mobile games cause no problems or stuttering. Realme UI 7, based on Android 16, appears well-optimized overall and contributes to the smooth system performance.
In synthetic benchmarks, the GT 8 Pro predictably ranks at the top, but performs on par with other devices that also use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. There are no major outliers at the top, which also shows how closely matched the top-tier devices currently are.
Things get more interesting when it comes to sustained load. Like many current high-end smartphones, the GT 8 Pro struggles with thermal limitations. Under prolonged load, such as during extended gaming sessions or stress tests, the device gets noticeably warm. As a result, the system reduces performance to control temperatures. This manifests as a certain performance drop, which is more pronounced than with some competitors.
On the positive side, CPU performance remains relatively stable, while the GPU is more significantly affected. This aligns with practical experience, as performance remains consistently high in normal applications, while fluctuations are more likely under graphically intensive loads.
Software
Realme UI 7.0 is heavily based on Oppo's ColorOS, which is noticeable in many areas both visually and functionally. This is generally a good starting point, as the system appears mature, stable, and offers numerous customization options.
Menus are logically structured, settings are easy to find, and even after extended use, we didn't encounter any major bugs or crashes. The interface appears uncluttered, although realme still includes some pre-installed apps. Most of these can be uninstalled or at least disabled, so they don't cause any further problems in everyday use.
What's new is primarily the stronger focus on AI features. Included are Google's Gemini integration, "Circle to Search," and live translations directly on the screen. In addition, there are proprietary features such as an AI photo editor (e.g., removing objects or sharpening images) and an app that creates content generated from photos.
Realme has also made some minor visual adjustments. These include new lock screen layouts with a depth effect, various widget options, and flexible folder sizes on the home screen. Overall, however, the system remains true to its core design. Anyone who has used a realme or Oppo device before will feel right at home.
An important point is the update policy. Realme promises four major Android updates and five years of security updates for the GT 8 Pro. This is a solid offering, even though some competitors in the high-end segment now offer even longer support periods.
connectivity
In terms of connectivity, the realme GT 8 Pro is on par with current flagship models and offers virtually everything you could expect. It features 5G (dual nano-SIM and eSIM) with broad frequency support, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0. Call quality is good, conversations are clear, and the GT 8 Pro also makes excellent use of wireless connectivity standards.
The support for modern audio codecs like aptX HD and LHDC is also a plus, as it can make a difference, especially with high-quality Bluetooth headphones. NFC is also included and works reliably for contactless payments or quickly pairing devices.
The integrated infrared transmitter is a rather rare but welcome feature. It allows the smartphone to be used as a remote control for televisions, air conditioners, or other devices. There's little to criticize about the standard sensors either. GPS works quickly and accurately, and multiple satellite systems are supported via dual-band GNSS.
camera
The camera system consists of a 50 MP main camera (1/1,56" sensor, f/1.8, OIS), a 200 MP periscope telephoto camera based on the Samsung ISOCELL HP5 (also 1/1,56", f/2.6, 3x zoom, OIS) and a 50 MP ultra-wide-angle camera with OmniVision OV50D sensor (1/2,88", f/2.0).
The front camera has a 32 MP resolution, but like the ultra-wide-angle camera, it uses fixed focus.
main camera
The main camera delivers very strong performance in everyday use. By default, it produces 12,5 MP images via pixel binning, which impress with high detail, natural texture reproduction, and a slightly warm, but very pleasing color rendition. Particularly fine structures such as vegetation or complex surfaces are rendered cleanly without excessive sharpening.
Dynamic range is another strength. Highlights are well controlled, and shadows remain detailed. The 26 MP high-res mode allows for even more detail, while the full 50 MP mode, although theoretically offering maximum resolution, occasionally tends to produce artifacts or uneven detail in practice.
Even in challenging lighting conditions, the main camera performs admirably. Night shots are bright but not artificially enhanced. Shadows are rendered with good definition, highlights are mostly controlled, and the white balance rarely exhibits any significant deviations. However, in the 2x zoom, which is digitally cropped from the main camera's image, the level of detail does drop somewhat.
Telecamera
More exciting than the main camera is the 200 MP periscope camera. The large HP5 sensor ensures highly detailed images, even at 3x zoom. Colors, dynamic range, and sharpness are all at a very high level. Portraits, in particular, benefit from the focal length (approx. 65 mm), which provides a natural perspective and pleasing background compression.
Even beyond that, the telephoto camera remains surprisingly versatile. Thanks to the high-resolution sensor, 6x zoom shots are far from blurry, and even at 10x the results are still decent, although some visible artifacts appear with fine details.
Thanks to its short minimum focusing distance of around 19 cm, the telephoto camera is also suitable for close-ups and detailed shots.
Ultra wide angle
With 50 MP, the ultra-wide-angle camera delivers detailed images with solid color reproduction and very good dynamic range in good lighting conditions. This is perfectly adequate for landscape and architectural photography.
One criticism is the lack of autofocus. Even with slightly closer subjects, the image becomes blurry. This limitation is all the more noticeable because the rest of the camera system is so strong.
Selfies
The 32 MP front camera delivers decent results with good colors and solid dynamic range. Detail rendition is acceptable, but falls short of the expectations raised by the nominal resolution. Autofocus is also lacking here, which is particularly noticeable when shooting at varying distances or in group photos.
Ricoh mode
The Ricoh GR mode deserves its own chapter. Realme attempts to transfer the look of classic Ricoh GR cameras to the smartphone. Among other things, the mode offers fixed focal lengths at 28 mm and 40 mm, as well as various color and black-and-white profiles.
Those who enjoy working with image effects, contrasts, and fixed focal lengths will find this a truly interesting approach. At the same time, the added value remains highly dependent on personal taste. The Ricoh profiles have character, but are not always more natural or better than the standard photo mode.
Video
The GT 8 Pro is also well-equipped for video. Both the main and telephoto cameras support up to 8K at 30 fps and 4K at up to 120 fps. Dolby Vision, HDR, and even a Log mode for professional post-production are also included.
Battery
With a capacity of 7.000 mAh, the built-in battery is among the largest currently found in a flagship device. Realme uses modern silicon-carbon technology in a dual-cell design to achieve this high capacity in a still relatively slim chassis.
With intensive use involving a lot of screen-on time, streaming, social media, and occasional gaming, you can easily get through the day and usually well beyond. With moderate use, two days of battery life is realistic.
Realme doesn't skimp on charging either. The device supports wired fast charging up to 120 watts, reaching 50 percent in about 15 minutes. A full charge takes just over 40 minutes. Considering the battery size, that's a very impressive figure.
What's interesting is the charging flexibility. Besides the proprietary SuperVOOC standard, the GT 8 Pro also supports USB-PD with PPS (up to approximately 55 watts). This means the smartphone can be charged relatively quickly with third-party power adapters, although not quite at the same speed as the original charger.
Wireless charging is also included and supports up to 50 watts. The package is rounded out by the usual software features for battery protection and charging optimization. These include adaptive charging, adjustable charging limits (e.g., 80 to 100%), and options to deliberately reduce the charging speed to extend battery life.
