In recent years, Realme's GT series has established itself as a leading contender in the affordable flagship smartphone market, rivaling established players like OnePlus. The latest offering, the Realme GT 8 Pro, builds upon the success of its predecessor, the GT 7 Pro, which was one of the most budget-friendly Snapdragon 8 Elite devices available. The GT 8 Pro brings significant enhancements, making it a compelling choice for consumers seeking high performance and value.
At the core of the Realme GT 8 Pro is the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, ensuring top-tier performance. This model features an upgrade in display quality, boasting a 6.79-inch 1440p+ screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, compared to the 6.78-inch 1264p+ display and 120Hz refresh rate of the previous model. Users can also expect improved battery life with a larger 7,000mAh battery, a notable increase from the 6,500mAh found in the GT 7 Pro.
Camera upgrades further differentiate the GT 8 Pro from its predecessor. The phone's telephoto camera now includes a sizable 1/1.56-inch 200MP sensor (Samsung HP5), a marked improvement over the 50MP sensor present in last year's model. Additionally, the ultra-wide camera has received a substantial upgrade, featuring a 50MP sensor instead of the previous 8MP option.
For photography enthusiasts, the phone incorporates a Ricoh GR mode tailored for street photography, although it may feel a bit restrictive for some users. The modular camera island design, while seen as a gimmick by some, adds a fun element to customization. Overall, the camera hardware delivers impressive results, making the phone an excellent alternative to pricier flagship models, such as the Oppo Find X9 Pro and the Vivo X300 Pro.
The Realme GT 8 Pro does come with some notable strengths, including a robust chipset requiring efficient cooling solutions, a high-quality display, and exceptional battery performance in its price range. However, while its battery is impressive, it cannot compete with the top offerings from Oppo and OnePlus.
In terms of pricing, the Realme GT 8 Pro starts at around €1,000 for the 512GB model, which positions it as a competitive option against devices like the OnePlus 15, which falls in a similar price category. In contrast, devices like the Oppo Find X9 Pro and Vivo X300 Pro price significantly higher at €1,300 and €1,400, respectively.
In summary, the Realme GT 8 Pro offers a solid blend of high performance, exceptional camera capabilities, and an appealing price point, making it a top contender in the affordable flagship market.