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realme GT 8 Pro has Ricoh GR cameras plus swappable camera shapes

Even the vanilla realme GT 8 wasn’t left behind

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

TechTober is far from being over.

Aside from vivo, OPPO, iQOO, and HONOR announcing their all-new high-end handsets, realme also steps into the arena and reveals the GT 8 series — their latest and greatest flagships for 2025.

Swap for some pop!

The realme GT 8 Pro dares to stand out with its brand new Mechanical Assembly Design.

This new design language provides swappable camera shapes for the GT 8 Pro.

realme GT 8 Pro

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Aside from the usual square and round cutouts, that rare transparent cover gives a nice Nothing-like touch of aesthetics.

For those who truly dare, you can keep its bare form — dubbed as “Robert” which mimics a robot-like look.

And with realme’s Design Studio, the possibilities are limitless.

realme GT 8 Pro

And while we’re already at the design talk, its back can either be made of frosted glass or paper-like recycled leather that’s both resistant to wear and corrosion.

It’s also said to be lighter and thinner than conventional skins. Moreover, it’s also the industry-first to include Photon Nano-Sculpting Process that enables engraving process that’s both accurate and environment-friendly.

Frame is then made from matte-frosted metal.

GT meets GR

Camera swap-outs are for one. Revolutionary camera system is for another.

With almost every Chinese brand having their camera collab, realme says it’s better late than never as they finally join the game of camera collabs by partnering with Ricoh.

This also marks the first imaging partnership between a Chinese phone brand and a Japanese imaging company.

realme GT 8 Pro

First and foremost, it brings Ricoh GR’s anti-glare properties.

To be precise, it’s a 7P high lens with ultra-low anti-coating alongside an Ultrasound lens glass with Double layer AR coating.

There are more nerdy stuff such as Deep Absorbent Blue Glass and IR Spin Filter.

The lens prowess is then partnered by Ricoh GR’s Intuitive Algorithm Engine.

realme Ricoh GR

GIF by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Last but definitely not the least, Ricoh GR’s five classic film tones are here: Standard, Positive Film, Negative Film, Monotone, and Hi-Contrast B&W.

You can even play with Ricoh GR Blue and Green Shadows for that added personal feel onto your snaps.

For that ultimate Ricoh feel, swiping downwards the regular camera shutter brings you Ricoh GR mode with various options such as Fast Shot, Classic F 28/40mm, and even the Immersion Viewfinder.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

All beneath that Ricoh goodness lies the powerful camera hardware.

On top of the standard 50MP f/1.8 main module, there’s also another 50MP f/2.0 ultra-wide lens.

But, the star of the show has got to be its 200MP f/2.6 3x periscope shooter — which also shares a large 1/1.56-inch image sensor as its wide (main) camera.

It’s also enabled by both OIS and EIS for that shake-free close-ups.

The realme GT 8 Pro also gives possible users utmost freedom between 8K/30fps video recording or 4K/120fps — either in flat 10-bit Log profile or in Dolby Vision format.

The Latest Grand Tourer

The realme GT 8 Pro is the brand’s grandest flagship smartphone so far.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

It’s the fourth smartphone in the list to run Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 3nm SoC headlined by the Xiaomi 17 series then followed by the HONOR Magic8 series and iQOO 15 respectively.

More flagship-grade specs are found within.

You can choose between 12 or 16GB of LPDDR5X memory with plethora of storage options between 256GB / 512GB / 1TB in a newer UFS 4.1 protocol.

realme GT 8 Series

There’s even a 7000mm Vapor Cooling (VC) chamber for in-demand gaming.

Up front, there’s a large 6.79-inch 144Hz 2K AMOLED display based on BOE Q10+ panel.

It’s capable of displaying 10-bit color depth, support of up to 1.07 Billion Colors, and up to 4000 nits of outdoor brightness (and a whopping 7000 nits local peak).

It also goes as low as 1 nit to protect your eyes when using it at dimly-lit surroundings.

Pixel density is 508ppi (Pixels per inch) with streamlined R-corners for that uniformed rounded rectangle look.

Beneath the display is (thankfully) an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor.

Thanks to the continuous push of Si/C tech, battery capacity is pretty massive at 7000mAh which is promised to last for 2.3 days and rated to last for five long years. It can also withstand cold conditions of -15ºC.

It’s joined by a super fast 120W charging (that’s also UFCS integrated) then paired by 50W wireless charging.

For third-party charging adapters, they can still be used and maximized with 55W USB-C PPS and 14.4W QC.

realme GT 8 Series

To finish it off, it boasts triple IP69 + IP68 + IP66 water and dust resistance ratings.

Lastly, it runs the latest realme UI 7.0 based on Android 16 with revamped looks and smarter AI tools in mind.

Base GT 8 ain’t left behind

As expected, the vanilla variant is as capable as its Pro sibling.

Aside from the absence of that swappable camera cutout mechanism, almost 90 percent of their specs are identical.

realme GT 8

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Still, there are notable differences. The base GT 8 has last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, “slower” 100W fast charging without USB-C PPS support, even the absence of wireless charging.

Camera systems are also different: 50MP 3.5x periscope shooter, a lot smaller 1/4.0-inch 8MP UWA, and a 16MP front-facing camera (versus 200MP 3x periscope, 1/2.88-inch 50MP UWA, and 32MP selfie on the Pro).

Finally, not a stark gap but GT 8 has UFS 4.0 internal storage protocol (over UFS 4.1).

Pricing and Availability

The realme GT 8 series are available in three color choices alongside five configurations.

realme GT 8 Pro

GT 8 Pro (Blue, White, Green)

  • 12+256GB =  CNY 3999 (US$ 565 / EUR 485 / GBP 420 / SG$ 730 / MYR 2365 / PhP 32,680 / INR 49,615)
  • 16+256GB =  CNY 4299 (US$ 605 / EUR 520 / GBP 455 / SG$ 785 / MYR 2540 / PhP 35,130 / INR 53,335)
  • 12+512GB = CNY 4499 (US$ 630 / EUR 545 / GBP 475 / SG$ 820 / MYR 2660 / PhP 36,765 / INR 55,815)
  • 16+512GB = CNY 4699 (US$ 660 / EUR 570 / GBP 495 / SG$ 860 / MYR 2780 / PhP 38,400 / INR 58,300)
  • 16+1TB = CNY 5199 (US$ 730 / EUR 630 / GBP 550 / SG$ 950 / MYR 3075 / PhP 42,485 / INR 64,500)

GT 8 (White, Green, Navy)

  • 12+256GB =  CNY 2899 (US$ 405 / EUR 350 / GBP 305 / SG$ 530 / MYR 1715 / PhP 23,690 / INR 35,965)
  • 16+256GB =  CNY 3199 (US$ 450 / EUR 390 / GBP 340 / SG$ 585 / MYR 1890 / PhP 26,140 / INR 39,690)
  • 12+512GB = CNY 3399 (US$ 480 / EUR 410 / GBP 360 / SG$ 620 / MYR 2010 / PhP 27,775 / INR 42,170)
  • 16+512GB = CNY 3599 (US$ 505 / EUR 435 / GBP 380 / SG$ 660 / MYR 2130 / Php 29,410 / INR 44,650)
  • 16+1TB = CNY 4099 (US$ 575 / EUR 500 / GBP 430 / SG$ 750 / MYR 2430 / PhP 33,495 / INR 50,850)

* These are just approximate, rounded-off pricing conversions

Much like any China-exclusive announcement, global pricing and availability are yet to follow.

News

Is the Pixel 11 copying a feature from Nothing?

A new ad is hinting at something like the Glyph interface.

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August 12 cannot come soon enough. On that date, Google is set to launch the upcoming Pixel 11 series. There isn’t much to indicate that the brand is changing the formula this year. Now, a rampant rumor, now seemingly confirmed by Google’s own ad, is hinting that a popular feature from Nothing is making its way to the Pixel.

Besides the transparent rear, Nothing prides itself with numerous iterations of the Glyph interface, a lighting system that serves as customized notifications for your phone. It’s mostly a novelty, but the feature is a unique take in a smartphone market plagued with too much sameness. It looks like Google wants to take a page from that same notebook.

For a while now, it’s been rumored that Google is adopting a version of the feature for the Pixel 11 series. The so-called Pixel Glow will reportedly add a light-based notification feature. Now, Google itself has seemingly confirmed the rumors.

In a new ad, titled “The Obvious Next Move,” Google is teasing a new feature coming to the flagship series. Though the ad leaves the feature untitled and without a description, it’s clear that it’s a circular glowing thing similar to Nothing’s take. The glowing thing is right on the Pixel’s iconic camera bar, just like Nothing.

But again, Google didn’t name the feature. However, if it helps, the ad says that we already use the Pixel for Gmail, Maps, Search, Calendar, and Docs, so the next evolution is whatever is depicted in this ad. August 12 really cannot come soon enough.

SEE ALSO: Google will host its Pixel 11 event on August 12

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HONOR debuts refreshed brand identity ahead of Robot Phone launch

New imaging engine announced; HONOR, ARRI team up to bring cinematic workflow to mobile creation

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Ahead of the launch of its Robot Phone, HONOR has revealed a refreshed brand identity, including a new logo and the slogan “Dare to Be.”

The brand new logo represents breaking through an endless circle, as mentioned on the description in HONOR’s posts.

It’s about forging a path unlike any other, and continuously innovating instead of settling. This way, it also represents HONOR’s long-term vision for the AI era and its ambition to build an intelligent ecosystem that extends beyond smartphones.

The HONOR Robot Phone is set to launch in China on August 12. It will officially bring an entirely new form factor for smartphones, designed to redefine the relationship between AI and mobile devices.

More recently in Hengdian, China, HONOR hosted the HONOR Imaging Technology Launch where the company introduced its latest mobile imaging technologies.

During the event, HONOR introduced the Optics-Intelligence Evolution principle behind its imaging strategy.

It also showcased its HONOR AiMAGE chip-device-cloud imaging engine, and announced a joint imaging technology lab with ARRI.

New AiMAGE imaging engine

Instead of only focusing on camera specifications, HONOR is building a more complete mobile imaging technology system across professional image capture, AI-powered processing, cinematic color science, and creator-focused workflows.

To support such workflows, HONOR has built a chip-device-cloud AiMAGE imaging engine. This connects the full imaging chain from physical capture to intelligent creation.

HONOR is developing a self-developed Transformer-based native AI ISP to reconstruct the image processing pipeline from the ground up.

This works alongside a next-generation pixel array and EVS sensor technology, designed to improve original image capture.

On the device side, HONOR is combining physical imaging hardware with real-time algorithms. As with the upcoming HONOR Robot Phone, there’s a titanium alloy three-axis gimbal, precision sensing hardware optical technologies, and real-time image processing algorithms.

Lastly, on the cloud side, HONOR is expanding imaging capabilities through RAW-domain image enhancement, spatial imaging technologies, and Imaging Agent tools.

ARRI image science, professional workflows for mobile creation

Furthermore, the partnership with ARRI enables HONOR to integrate selected elements of professional cinema workflow into mobile imaging.

This includes ARRI LogC3, ARRI Wide Gamut 3, and ARRI Looks. These bring a more professional color and workflow foundation to the Robot Phone.

Unlike simple filters, LogC3 and Looks are part of a professional imaging workflow. The former is designed to preserve more brightness and color information for post-production.

Meanwhile, Wide Gamut 3 provides broader color space. ARRI Looks, on the other hand, helps creators apply controlled cinematic styles.

Together, these add-ons support a workflow that gives creators greater flexibility from capture to editing, while helping mobile footage retain more creative information.

To deepen the connection, HONOR and ARRI have also announced a joint imaging technology lab.

This will focus on three key areas:

  • sensor-level optics and dynamic range;
  • end-to-end cinema industry workflow from capture to post-production; and
  • imaging realism and aesthetic standards in the AI era
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Entertainment

UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony hits Makati in October

Determination arrives in October.

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For so small of a game, UNDERTALE quickly made it into the gaming world’s hall of fame. Despite being only a decade old, the small title has had a major influence for modern-day gamers because of its unique gameplay, its lo-fi art, and, of course, its catchy soundtrack. If you’re a fan of UNDERTALE’s soundtrack, a unique concert experience is headed your way.

On October 17, Film Concerts PH, in partnership with SOHO Live, is hosting UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.

The concert will be performed by the Filharmonika Orchestra and conducted by Thanapol Setabrahmana. Personally curated by creator Toby Fox and developed by Lambert Jackson with Materia Music, the concert experience showcases the game’s most recognizable tunes laid over gameplay footage playing simultaneously. Plus, for the world tour, the experience will have expanded scoring.

In the game, you play as a small child stuck in the mysterious Underground filled with interesting characters and monsters. Unlike traditional RPGs, UNDERTALE asks players to choose between building relationships and chasing after wins. It’s a unique experience that’s defined by whether you chose to make friends or fought your way to the top. It teaches players to value different ways to solve problems, all while showering them with its one-of-a-kind humor.

Pre-sales for the concert, exclusively for members of the Film Concerts PH community, start on August 4. Public sales, however, will start on August 11 via Ticketmelon.

SEE ALSO: The hunt begins: The Witcher in Concert hits Manila with surprises in tow

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