Realme GT8 Pro is here! It features top-tier cameras, a huge battery, super performance, and one unique gimmick.

Smartphones today almost all look the same – a rectangle of glass and metal with a protruding camera. Realme decided to change that and introduces the Realme GT8 Pro, a phone with a swappable camera module. For the first time in history, you can change the design of the phone’s back according to your mood – just unscrew two Torx screws and attach a different camera cover. And if the pre-prepared styles aren’t enough, you can print your own on a 3D printer.

How does the swappable camera module work?

The system is surprisingly simple. The camera cover (Realme calls it “camera deco”) is magnetically attached to the phone body, so you can easily remove it. On the sides of the module are two Torx screws that ensure the cover stays firmly in place. Replacement takes literally a few seconds – you unscrew, remove the old cover, attach the new one (magnets automatically align it), and screw it back on.

Realme showcased four official styles for the camera module:

• Functional Robot – default design, flash and sensors form a “robot face”
• Classic Round Deco – classic round module
• Square Deco – square module with a metallic design
• Transparent Cube – transparent cover, the robot looks like it’s “in an astronaut’s helmet”

These styles will be available in official Realme stores. But the most interesting part comes now – Realme has released a 3D model of the camera module in .3mf format, so you can print your own design on a 3D printer. The brand is also hosting a competition with MakerWorld for the most creative designs.

Why is it revolutionary?

Smartphone personalization is limited today – you can buy a case, stick on a sticker, or choose from a few colors. Realme GT8 Pro takes an entirely different approach – it allows you to change the phone’s design itself without compromising protection (the camera module protects the lenses just as well as a fixed cover).

Swappable camera covers aren’t an entirely new idea – you might remember Google’s Project Ara (a canceled modular smartphone) or Fairphone. But Realme does it practically and elegantly – it’s not an experimental concept, but a full-fledged flagship phone with real third-party support (3D printing).

And if the trend catches on, we could see an ecosystem of aftermarket covers – from design studios, through limited editions with game or movie themes, to covers with practical functions (for example, with an extra LED light or a macro lens).

Collaboration with Ricoh: a camera like from a compact

Realme GT8 Pro is not just about design – the brand is officially collaborating with Ricoh, a legendary camera manufacturer. The phone’s main camera is tuned to Ricoh GR standards, a famous compact series for street photographers.

The phone features a 50MP main sensor (1/1.56″, f/1.8) with ultra-transparent optics, which, according to Realme, offers high resistance to glare, minimal distortion, and higher resolving power. A special “Ricoh GR Mode” is available with its own interface that mimics the controls of Ricoh GR cameras:

• Quick Start – including the authentic shutter sound from Ricoh GR IV
• Snap Mode – preset focusing distance for instant shooting without autofocus
• Viewfinder Mode – hides all on-screen settings for an unobstructed view
• Two Full-Frame equivalent focal lengths – 28 mm (wide shots) and 40 mm (details)
• Five classic Ricoh GR filters – Standard, Positive Film, Negative Film, Monotone, High-Contrast B&W

Besides the main camera, the GT8 Pro also features a 200MP periscope telephoto lens (Samsung ISOCELL HP5, 1/1.4″) with 3× optical zoom and 6× “lossless” zoom. It supports macro photography from a 25 cm distance and video recording in 8K resolution at 30 fps. The third camera is a 50MP ultrawide-angle (116°, f/2.0).

Top-tier hardware: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and 7,000 mAh battery

The Realme GT8 Pro also boasts flagship specifications. It is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (in the Extreme Edition variant) with up to 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.1 storage. Additionally, Realme has included its own R1 graphics chip to enhance gaming performance.

The display is a 6.79″ AMOLED with a QHD+ (3,136 × 1,440 px) resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate. Peak brightness reaches 2,000 nits in normal mode and up to 4,000 nits in local peaks (for example, when watching HDR video). The phone also features an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint reader.

The battery has 7,000 mAh and is divided into two Si/C (silicon-carbon) cells, allowing for higher capacity at the same size. It charges at up to 120 W wired (0–100% in 45 minutes) and 50 W wirelessly (0–50% in 15 minutes). The phone has IP66, IP68, and IP69 certifications – it can withstand dust, water, and high-pressure jets.

Price and Availability

The Realme GT8 Pro starts in China at a price of 3,999 yuan (~11,700 CZK) for the version with 12 GB RAM and 256GB storage. The highest variant with 16 GB RAM and 1TB storage costs 5,199 yuan (~15,300 CZK). Pre-orders in China began today.

Realme has officially confirmed the global launch of the GT8 series, but has not yet announced dates or prices for Europe.

What do you think of the new Realme phones?

Source: GSMArena, Fone Arena