Realme is bringing its new flagship phone, Realme GT 8 Pro, to India. It will launch on November 20 at 12 PM. This phone was already launched in China earlier, and now it is coming to India.
Realme GT 8 Pro India Launch: My Honest Take, Pros/Cons, and Real-World Comparisons
Launch: November 20, 12 PM (India)
Expected price: ₹55,000–₹60,000
What it targets: People who want raw speed, long battery life, and a bold design over “camera-first” phones.
Why this phone caught my eye
Realme is bringing the GT 8 Pro to India after launching it in China, and on paper it reads like a performance monster: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, LPDDR5X RAM, UFS 4.1 storage, a 2K/144Hz OLED, and a 7,000 mAh battery with 120W charging. There’s also a Hyper Vision+ AI chip to boost photos, display, and performance, plus a quirky Switchable Camera Bump and Ricoh GR imaging.
If Realme keeps the Indian pricing near ₹55–60k, this could be one of the most aggressive “flagship-killer” packages of late 2025.
Performance: Built for heavy users (and I mean heavy)
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Memory/Storage: LPDDR5X + UFS 4.1
- Extra silicon: Hyper Vision+ AI chip
My opinion: If you play BGMI/CoD Mobile, edit short videos on the phone, or keep a dozen apps alive, this spec sheet screams stability and sustained speed. The dedicated AI chip is the interesting wildcard; if it actually helps with denoise, upscaling, and motion smoothing without battery drain, that’s a real, daily benefit—not just a buzzword.
Compared to rivals:
- iQOO 13 (if similarly priced) will fight on pure fps and touch response.
- OnePlus 13 usually wins on software polish and haptics, but often at a higher price.
- Xiaomi 15 Pro tends to lean camera-first; GT 8 Pro feels performance-first.
If your priority is gaming heat control and consistent frame times, Realme’s large cooling system matters more than a tiny benchmark edge. I’ll take cooler temps over 1–2% higher scores any day.
Display & Gaming: Numbers that actually help
- Panel: 2K OLED
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- Peak brightness: 7,000 nits (headline spec)
- Cooling: Large vapor chamber setup
My opinion: The 2K + 144Hz combo is perfect for a phone that markets performance. Ultra-high peak brightness is great for outdoor visibility and HDR, but what I really care about is sustained brightness in the sun and PWM/eye comfort at night. If Realme dials those in, this screen will feel flagship-level everywhere, not just in a spec sheet.
Gamers: Expect smoother tracking, quicker aim adjustments, and fewer frame drops if the cooling works as claimed. The panel + cooling pairing is the GT 8 Pro’s biggest practical win for gaming sessions.
Battery & Charging: The headline that could change habits
- Capacity: 7,000 mAh
- Charging: 120W
- Brand claims: ~7.6 hours BGMI, ~21 hours YouTube, “almost a day” from a 15-minute top-up
My opinion: 7,000 mAh is huge for a flagship-grade phone. If weight and balance are handled well, this is the spec that could make me switch. I’d happily carry 15–20 grams extra for real two-day mixed use. The 120W fast charge is a great safety net—forget to charge? 15 minutes should make your day survivable.
Reality check: I trust the endurance more than the marketing numbers; Indian network conditions + 2K/144Hz will vary. But even with that variance, this is likely top-tier battery life in the segment.
Compared to rivals:
- OnePlus 13: fast and efficient, but usually smaller batteries.
- iQOO 13: strong charging, gaming-first tuning, slightly smaller cell.
- Xiaomi 15 Pro: good balance, but rarely this kind of battery brute force.
Cameras: Interesting ideas, still camera-second
- Ricoh GR imaging influence
- Switchable Camera Bump design
- AI enhancements via Hyper Vision+ chip
My opinion: I like the Ricoh GR mention because it hints at better color and micro-contrast. But let’s be honest: Realme GT lines usually prioritize speed and screen over camera wizardry. If you’re a point-and-shoot purist who wants Pixel-level skin tones or iPhone-level video every single time, the GT 8 Pro may land in the “very good, not the best” tier.
Where it could surprise: If the AI chip cleans up low light without waxy faces and preserves detail on ultrawide, the gap to camera-first phones narrows. I’m not expecting a Pixel rival, but I do expect reliable social-ready photos and crisp 4K video with better stabilisation than older GTs.
Design & Durability: Bold and practical
- Colors: Diary White, Urban Blue (leather-like texture)
- Build: Lightweight, strong materials
- Rating: IP69 (excellent dust and water resistance)
- Unique: Switchable Camera Bump (customizable look)
My opinion: IP69 at this price is a flex. For creators who shoot around water, dust, or in the rain, this is a quiet productivity feature that beats spec bragging. The Switchable Camera Bump is fun; I’m more curious about the long-term fit and finish—no rattles, no gap dust. If Realme nails that, it’s a conversation starter without being a gimmick.
Where it fits in the market (and who should buy it)
Buy the GT 8 Pro if you want:
- The best battery + charge combo in its class
- Top-tier performance with strong cooling
- A bright, fast 2K/144Hz screen for gaming and media
- IP69 peace of mind and a design that stands out
Look elsewhere if you want:
- The absolute best camera tuning (try Pixel 10 Pro or Xiaomi 15 Pro/Ultra)
- A super refined software experience with longer update track record (usually OnePlus 13 leads here)
- The Apple ecosystem and ProRes workflows (iPhone 17 Pro/Max)
Pricing: The make-or-break
Sweet spot: ₹55,000–₹60,000 (expected)
My view: At ₹55–58k, this is a serious value play for performance buyers and gamers. If it creeps above ₹60k, the comparisons to OnePlus/Xiaomi flagships get tougher, and camera-first shoppers will drift to rivals.
FAQs
Q1: When is the Realme GT 8 Pro launching in India?
It will launch on November 20 at 12 PM. It was already launched in China on October 21.
Q2: What will be the price in India?
The official price is not announced yet, but it is expected to cost ₹55,000 to ₹60,000.
Q3: Which processor does it have?
It is expected to come with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, which is very powerful.
Q4: Is this phone good for gaming?
Yes. It has a large cooling system and a 144Hz smooth display, which makes gaming smooth and comfortable.
Q5: How is the battery backup?
It has a 7,000mAh battery and 120W fast charging. Realme says you can get power for the whole day with just 15 minutes of charging.
Q6: What is special in the camera?
It has a Switchable Camera Bump, which means you can change the camera design according to your style.
Q7: Which colors are available?
The phone will come in Diary White and Urban Blue. The Urban Blue model has a paper-like leather back.
Q8: Does it have protection from water and dust?
Yes, it is IP69 certified, so it is protected from dust and water.
Q9: Who should buy this phone?
This phone is good for people who want high performance without spending too much compared to other premium phones.
Q10: What makes Realme GT 8 Pro different from other flagships?
This phone focuses on design customisation, AI performance, and long battery life, while some other brands focus mainly on the camera.
