Freshly launched Realme GT 8 starts at $499 for global buyers via import

Realme has launched its first Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 flagship phone, the Realme GT 8 Pro. Alongside it, the brand has also introduced a new sub-flagship smartphone, which features the last-gen flagship SoC from Qualcomm. This affordable phone is now available for import from Giztop.

On the website, the base configuration of the Realme GT 8, which comes with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, goes for $499. In comparison, the same config launched in China with a price tag of CNY 2,899, which is around $407. The top-end option, on the other hand, is available on Giztop for $729.

For reference, the top-end configuration of the Realme GT 8 comes with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. This configuration is available in China at CNY 5,199, about $730. Now, while the import prices of this sub-flagship phone are decent, there are some factors that potential buyers should consider.

One of them is the fact that the imported Realme GT 8 will come with the Chinese firmware. Although there will be support for multiple languages, it can have China-specific apps and features, which will basically be bloatware for the global market. Some features that work on international smartphones, such as Android Auto, may not work with the imported phone.

Another big consideration is the warranty. Even though the Giztop's policy seems decent, it won't be the same as claiming the official warranty. As for the phone itself, besides the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Realme GT 8 comes with a large 7,000 mAh battery with support for 100 W fast charging (100 W Anker Prime charger curr. $59.99 on Amazon).

The Ricoh-tuned camera setup on the rear is another highlight of this affordable sub-flagship phone. Check out our launch coverage to learn more about the Realme GT 8.