Photo credit: Realme

Shenzhen, China – October 10, 2025 — realme is taking smartphone photography to the next level with a long-term partnership with RICOH Imaging, the company behind the iconic GR camera series. The collaboration—four years in the making—will officially debut on October 14 with the launch of the realme GT 8 Pro, promising a fresh era for mobile street photography.

To mark the announcement, the two brands released a short film titled “4 Years in One Snap,” showcasing their journey of co-engineering and teasing what’s to come in their first joint creation.

A Partnership Rooted in Real Photography

realme Vice President and CMO Chase Xu and RICOH Imaging’s Kazunobu Saiki, General Manager of the Camera Business Division, sat down to share how this partnership came to life.

Xu explained that realme wanted to address two frustrations young users often face in smartphone photography—generic hardware and overly processed images.

“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,” Xu said.

RICOH’s GR series, widely known as a “street photography hero,” became the perfect inspiration. Its quick response and authentic tones have made it beloved among photographers for years.

“RICOH Imaging and realme share a base of young, creative users,” Saiki added. “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.”

Bringing the GR Legacy to Your Pocket

The realme GT 8 Pro will be the first smartphone to carry RICOH’s GR heritage. According to both brands, the phone will feature deep imaging customizations, including new optical technology, color tuning, imaging tones, and even a GR-inspired camera interface that mirrors the experience of using a real RICOH camera.

Users can expect the iconic film-like aesthetic of the GR series, along with five signature image tones designed for authentic expression. The goal is to help young people capture life as it is—real, raw, and full of emotion.

“Snap by No Rules”

Beyond specs, the partnership is about a shared philosophy: photography without boundaries.

“It’s a fresh, young way to take photos. You don’t wait or try to make the perfect shot but just press the button and capture the moment—Snap by No Rules,” Xu said.

Saiki added,

“Through this collaboration, we hope that even those who don't usually use dedicated cameras would experience snapshot photography with the GT 8 Pro.”

As the countdown to October 14 begins, this collaboration between realme and RICOH Imaging is shaping up to be more than just a tech partnership—it’s a cultural movement. The brands aim to inspire the next wave of mobile photographers to see art in everyday life, one spontaneous shot at a time.