In the latest installment of smartphone brand partners with iconic imaging brand, Realme and Ricoh are entering a long-term strategic partnership. The deal has apparently been in the works for four years and will culminate with the launch of the upcoming Realme GT 8 Pro, which will be the first device to offer extensive camera customization and features co-developed alongside Ricoh.
These include innovations in optics, color algorithms, imaging tones and a custom-made camera UI which is said to mimic the look and feel of Ricoh GR series cameras. Realme’s GT 8 Pro will also bring custom photographic film filters, five imaging tones with a focus on street photography, just like the Ricoh GR cameras.
Realme saw that young people struggled with two main pain points in mobile photography: increasingly similar hardware and over-processed algorithms that stripped photos of authenticity.
People are getting tired of the same ‘perfect style’ photos. More and more, everyone wants to show their own style, instead of copying the same look.
Ricoh Imaging and Realme share a base of young, creative users. Our collaboration is not only about innovation in products, but also about culture to inspire a new generation to enjoy street photography and discover the beauty of everyday life. – Chase Xu, Realme VP and CMO
The two brands will host a dedicated event on October 14 where they will provide more details on the partnership.
Kazunobu Saiki, Ricoh Imaging GM of Camera Business Division and Chase Xu, Realme VP and CMO
Realme GT 8 Pro is expected to feature a 50MP LYT-808, 1/1.4″ main shooter, alongside a 50MP ultrawide (likely the Samsung ISOCELL JN5), and a 200MP, 1/1.56″, HP5 periscope telephoto with telemacro capabilities.
Realme is expected to unveil the GT 8 series in China later this month while the international launch is rumored to be taking place in November.
