realme has officially announced a long-term strategic partnership with Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd as it had promised. The collaboration was detailed at a launch event in Beijing, where it was confirmed that the upcoming realme GT 8 Pro will be the first device to feature a camera system co-engineered by the two companies, incorporating features from Ricoh’s acclaimed GR series.
A Strategic Partnership for Mobile Photography
This collaboration is the result of four years of development, aiming to address the specific photographic needs of young smartphone users. Guided by a philosophy realme calls “Snap by No Rules,” the partnership seeks to move beyond conventional imaging standards.
The research and development teams from both realme and Ricoh Imaging have implemented bespoke customizations to integrate Ricoh’s street photography expertise into the smartphone platform.
Co-Engineered Optics at its Core
At the heart of the GT 8 Pro’s new camera system is an ultra-high transparency lens group, co-developed to meet official Ricoh GR optical standards. According to the announcement, this lens has been engineered to deliver high anti-glare performance, increased resolving power, and minimal distortion, ensuring clarity and purity in captured images.
The Authentic Ricoh GR Experience
The realme GT 8 Pro will feature a dedicated “Ricoh GR Mode,” which includes a customized user interface designed to replicate the operational feel of Ricoh GR cameras. Key features of this mode include:
- Fast Operation: The mode offers a fast startup speed and incorporates the signature shutter click sound from the Ricoh GR IV camera.
- Snap Mode: This function allows users to preset a specific focus distance, enabling quick, sharp captures without the need for autofocus.
- Viewfinder Mode: For an unobstructed view, this mode hides all on-screen settings, allowing users to focus solely on framing their shot.
Creative Control with Iconic Tones and Focal Lengths
To provide users with creative flexibility, the GT 8 Pro integrates several classic Ricoh GR features. The camera system offers two signature full-frame equivalent focal lengths: 28mm for capturing wider street scenes and 40mm for a more focused perspective on specific subjects.
The device also comes with five exclusive “Classic RICOH GR Tones”: Standard, Positive Film, Negative Film, Monotone, and High-Contrast B&W. For further personalization, a “Customized Tone” function allows users to adjust effect parameters to create their own unique styles.
Fostering a Community of Creators
The collaboration extends to features designed to build a photography community. The GT 8 Pro will include options for Ricoh GR-style watermarks, dedicated photo albums with GR labels, and the ability for users to share their custom tone recipes with others.
Global Launch and Vision
The realme GT 8 Pro aims to blend Ricoh’s photographic heritage with modern smartphone imaging technology to appeal to both photography enthusiasts and casual users. The device is slated for a global launch after the China launch later this October, with specific dates and availability to be announced later.
Chase Xu, Vice President and CMO of realme, stated:
This strategic partnership with RICOH GR marks a transformative leap in smartphone photography. We are committed to equipping users with a device that embodies freedom, creativity, and authenticity. The GT 8 Pro not only integrates GR’s iconic photography legacy but also sets a new standard for capturing and sharing experiences in the digital age.
Kazunobu Saiki, General Manager of Camera Business Division at RICOH IMAGING COMPANY LTD., said:
Through this strategic collaboration, realme and RICOH GR have transformed decades of GR expertise into the GT 8 Pro. This collaboration transcends mere product innovation; it revitalizes street photography culture for the next generation.