Realme Neo 8 Unboxing & First Impressions ⚡ SD 8 Gen 5, 8000mAh Battery, 3.5x Telephoto & More

Last Updated: February 8, 2026 | Unboxing & Hands-On Review | 15 min read

🔥 Why the Realme Neo 8 Could Be India’s Most Exciting Phone of 2026

The last 2-3 weeks have been absolutely wild. While China has been flooded with phone launches, India’s been silent — until now. Everything changes after February 15th, and one phone stands out above the rest.

The Realme Neo 8 (launching in India as the Realme GT 8 or GT 8T) is about to shake up the under-₹40,000 segment in ways we haven’t seen before.

Here’s why: In China, this phone costs CNY 2,399 (approximately ₹33,000). If Realme brings it to India under ₹40,000, it will directly compete with the iQOO 15R and OnePlus 15R — both priced significantly higher — while packing a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset.

This isn’t just another mid-range phone. This is a value bomb.

Unboxing: What’s in the Box

The Package

The Realme Neo 8 arrives in a sleek black box with minimalist branding. Here’s what you get:

In the Box:

• ✅ Realme Neo 8 smartphone
• ✅ 80W SuperVOOC fast charger (USB Type-A)
• ✅ USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable
• ✅ Clear TPU case (transparent, not opaque — this is the 2026 trend)
• ✅ SIM ejector tool
• ✅ Documentation & warranty card

Notable: The included clear case is actually premium-quality TPU that shows off the phone’s transparent design elements. Most brands have switched to opaque cases, so this is a nice touch.

First Impressions

Holding the Neo 8 for the first time, three things immediately stand out:

1. The design is genuinely unique — this doesn’t look like every other phone
2. The weight distribution is excellent despite being 218 grams
3. The build quality feels premium — glass back, metal frame, solid heft

Let’s dive into the details.

Design & Build Quality: Gaming Vibes Done Right

The Aesthetic

The Realme Neo 8 embraces a futuristic gaming aesthetic without going overboard. The transparent back panel with RGB LED elements gives it a distinct identity.

Color Options:

• Cyber Purple (what we have)
• Origin White
• Mecha Gray (looks stunning, highly recommended)

Design Highlights:

• Transparent 3D partitioning process with 11 different engraved textures
• “Make it real” nameplate subtly integrated into the design
• RGB LED ring (Awakening Halo) around the camera module
• Square LED indicator that lights up for notifications, calls, music

Physical Specifications

How It Feels

Despite the 218-gram weight, the Neo 8 doesn’t feel cumbersome. The weight distribution is balanced, and the 8.3mm thickness is remarkable considering the massive battery inside.

For users with larger hands, this phone feels perfect. The grip is secure, and the rounded edges make extended use comfortable.

The RGB LED Feature

The Awakening Halo LED ring isn’t just for show. It serves functional purposes:

• E-sports lighting effects during gaming
• Notification alerts (customizable colors)
• Music visualizer that syncs with audio
• Lucky color flip function (yes, for lottery scenarios — this is a Chinese feature)

Will this make it to the Indian variant? We’ll find out soon.

Durability

IP66 + IP68 + IP69 rating means this phone can handle:

• Dust protection (IP6X)
• Submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes (IP68)
• High-temperature, high-pressure water jets (IP69)

This is flagship-level protection at a mid-range price.

Display: One of the Brightest Ever at 6,500 Nits Peak

The Specs That Matter

Display Type: Samsung M14 AMOLED (custom panel)
Size: 6.78 inches
Resolution: 1.5K (2772 x 1272 pixels)
Refresh Rate: 165Hz native
Touch Sampling Rate: 3,800Hz instantaneous
Peak Brightness: 6,500 nits (local peak)
Sunlight Brightness: 3,800 nits (outdoor)
Global Peak Brightness: 1,800 nits
Manual Brightness: 1,000 nits
Color Gamut: 113% DCI-P3, 103% P3 @ 3,800 nits
HDR Support: HDR10+

Why This Display Is Special

6,500 nits peak brightness makes this one of the brightest smartphone displays ever made. But here’s the impressive part:

At 3,800 nits outdoor brightness, the display maintains 103% P3 color gamut coverage.

Most displays wash out colors when cranked to maximum brightness. The Neo 8 doesn’t. Color accuracy remains exceptional even in direct sunlight.

Real-World Experience

Indoors:

• Vibrant, punchy colors with excellent accuracy
• Deep blacks thanks to AMOLED technology
• Smooth scrolling at 165Hz
• Comfortable viewing for extended Netflix/YouTube sessions

Outdoors (Sunlight):

• Absolutely no visibility issues
• Content remains crisp and clear
• Gaming is perfectly playable outdoors
• No squinting or struggling to see the screen

For multimedia consumption, this display is phenomenal. Whether you’re watching Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, or gaming, the combination of brightness, color accuracy, and smoothness creates an exceptional viewing experience.

165Hz Refresh Rate

The 165Hz native refresh rate is higher than most competitors (which offer 120Hz or 144Hz). Here’s what that means:

• Gaming: Smoother frame delivery in supported games
• Scrolling: Butter-smooth UI navigation
• Animations: Fluid transitions throughout the OS

Over 30 popular games support native 165Hz, including:

• Call of Duty Mobile (full 165Hz)
• PUBG Mobile (144Hz)
• Genshin Impact (high refresh modes)
• And more

Eye Protection Features

• Full-brightness DC dimming (no PWM flicker)
• Hardware-level low blue light
• AI active eye protection that adjusts based on content
• 3,800Hz PWM dimming (when needed)

Verdict: This is one of the best displays in the under-₹50,000 segment, period.

Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Powerhouse

The Chipset

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (3nm)
CPU: Octa-core (1x Cortex-X5 + cores)
GPU: Adreno 840
AnTuTu Score: 3.58 million+ (verified)
Geekbench Multi-Core: ~10,000

What Does This Mean?

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is a flagship-tier chipset — the same chip powering phones priced at ₹60,000+.

For 99.9% of users, this is absolute flagship performance.

Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Elite (in phones like OnePlus 15) is technically faster, but the real-world difference is negligible for daily use.

Memory & Storage

RAM Type: LPDDR5X (not Ultra, but plenty fast)
Storage Type: UFS 4.1 (fastest consumer storage available)

No microSD card slot — storage is not expandable.

Thermal Management

One of the biggest surprises: thermal performance is excellent.

During extended gaming sessions, the Neo 8 doesn’t exceed 41-42°C. That’s impressively cool for a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 device.

Why?

• Large vapor chamber cooling system
• Graphene thermal layers
• Intelligent thermal throttling (customizable in settings)

You can actually customize thermal limits in the Geek Performance Panel without rooting:

• Temperature control: -2 to +2 levels
• CPU/GPU frequency: Manual adjustment based on your needs

Want maximum performance? Crank it up. Want cooler operation? Dial it down. The choice is yours.

Battery: Massive 8,000mAh Silicon-Carbon Beast

The Numbers

Battery Capacity: 8,000mAh (7,760mAh rated)
Battery Type: Silicon-carbon (next-gen tech)
Fast Charging: 80W SuperVOOC
Charging Time: ~50 minutes (0-100%)

Why This Is a Big Deal

An 8,000mAh battery in a phone that’s only 8.3mm thick and 218 grams is engineering excellence.

Traditional lithium batteries at this capacity would make the phone unbearably thick and heavy. Silicon-carbon battery technology allows higher energy density in a smaller package.

Real-World Battery Life Expectations

Heavy Usage:

• Gaming: 8-10 hours screen-on time
• Mixed use (social media, streaming, gaming): 1.5-2 days
• Video playback: 12-15 hours continuous

Moderate Usage:

• Social media, calls, messages: 2-3 days easily
• Light gaming + browsing: 2 days comfortably

Even at 50% battery, you’ll get a full day of use.

The 80W Charging Strategy

You might wonder: Why only 80W when competitors offer 120W or 150W?

Answer: Battery longevity.

Charging an 8,000mAh battery too aggressively degrades it faster. Realme prioritized long-term battery health over charging speed bragging rights.

80W fills this massive battery in ~50 minutes, which is perfectly acceptable given the capacity.

Gaming Features: PC Handheld Mode & 165Hz Gaming

GT Performance Engine

The Neo 8 is powered by Realme’s GT Performance Engine, which optimizes:

• Frame rate stability
• Thermal performance
• Touch response
• Network latency

Native 165Hz Gaming

Over 30 popular games support native 165Hz refresh rate:

FPS Games (165Hz):

• Call of Duty Mobile
• PUBG Mobile (144Hz)
• Free Fire
• Apex Legends Mobile

MOBA & RPG Games:

• Mobile Legends (165Hz)
• Honor of Kings
• Genshin Impact (high refresh modes)

Racing & Sports:

• Asphalt 9 (165Hz)
• Real Racing 3

Game Assist Features

AI-powered gaming enhancements include:

• Enemy spotting assistance (helps identify enemies in PUBG, COD)
• Enhanced audio (footstep detection, directional sound)
• Touch sensitivity boost (for faster response)
• Performance modes (balance battery vs. fps)

The Game-Changer: PC Handheld Mode

This is insane.

The Realme Neo 8 supports native PC gaming via Steam.

How it works:

1. Install the PC Handheld Mode app
2. Log into your Steam account
3. Download PC games directly to your phone
4. Play them natively (not streaming)

Verified to work with 50+ popular PC games, even with poor network conditions.

Will this come to India? Unknown. Realme developed this feature in-house, so there’s hope. It may also roll out to Oppo phones soon.

Gaming Verdict

For mobile gamers, this phone is a beast. The combination of 165Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, Game Assist features, and a massive battery makes it one of the best gaming phones under ₹50,000.

Camera: Surprisingly Good Triple Setup

The Camera Hardware

Rear Cameras:

• 50MP Primary — Sony IMX896 sensor, f/1.8, OIS
• 50MP Telephoto — JN5 periscope, 3.5x optical zoom, f/2.8, OIS
• 8MP Ultrawide — f/2.2, 120° field of view

Front Camera:

• 16MP — Sony sensor, f/2.45

Why This Setup Is Good

Gaming-focused phones usually skimp on cameras. The Neo 8 doesn’t.

The 50MP primary with OIS delivers solid everyday photography:

• Good color reproduction
• Excellent HDR performance
• Decent low-light capability

The 50MP periscope telephoto is the standout:

• 3.5x optical zoom (no quality loss)
• Up to 7x hybrid zoom (usable results)
• OIS ensures sharp shots even at distance

Portraits at 2x, 3x, and 3.5x come out crisp with good subject separation.

Video Recording Capabilities

The ability to shoot 4K 60fps on both primary and telephoto is rare in this price segment.

Camera Features

The camera app is feature-rich:

• AI Landscape mode
• Night mode
• High-resolution mode (50MP full res)
• Panorama
• Food mode
• Pro mode (manual controls)
• Slow motion (1080p @ 240fps)
• Time-lapse
• Long exposure
• Dual-view video
• Underwater mode (works with IP68/IP69 rating)
• AI ID photo
• Text scanner
• Document scanner
• Tilt-shift mode

Basically, every feature you’d want is here.

Image Quality Expectations

Note: This is the Chinese variant, so there’s some white cast (color temperature issues) in our samples. Indian variants typically have better image processing tuned for local preferences.

What we observed:

• Colors: Vibrant, slightly saturated (typical Realme processing)
• Dynamic range: Excellent HDR, good shadow detail
• Portraits: Sharp with natural bokeh
• Low light: Good, though not class-leading

For a performance-focused phone, this camera setup punches above its weight.

Software: Realme UI 7 Based on Android 16

Operating System

OS: Realme UI 7.0
Based on: Android 16
Launch version: January 2026

Update Policy (Expected for India)

• Major Android updates: 4 years
• Security patches: 5 years

This is competitive with Samsung and OnePlus in the update department.

Realme UI 7 Features

What’s new in Realme UI 7:

• Redesigned UI with smoother animations
• Improved AI features throughout
• Enhanced privacy controls
• Better notification management
• Gaming-specific optimizations

Bloatware (Chinese Variant)

The Chinese variant has third-party apps pre-installed (typical for China market phones). The Indian variant will have a cleaner experience with minimal bloatware.

Stock apps you can expect in India:

• Phone, Messages, Contacts
• Chrome, Gmail, Google apps
• Realme Community
• Theme Store
• Likely a few Realme/Oppo apps

Performance

Realme UI 7 is smooth and responsive. Animations are fluid, app switching is instant, and there’s no noticeable lag anywhere in the system.

Connectivity & Sensors

Network & Connectivity

Wi-Fi 7 is a forward-looking feature that ensures this phone stays relevant for years.

Sensors

• ✅ Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor (in-display, 3D)
• ✅ Face unlock
• ✅ Accelerometer
• ✅ Gyroscope
• ✅ Proximity sensor
• ✅ Ambient light sensor
• ✅ Compass
• ✅ Infrared sensor

The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is positioned perfectly — not too low, not too high. It’s fast, accurate, and works even with wet fingers.

India Launch: GT 8 vs GT 8T — What to Expect

The Name Confusion

In India, the Neo 8 will launch as either:

• Realme GT 8 (full spec version)
• Realme GT 8T (slightly toned-down version)

Why the confusion?

The “T” variants are typically lighter versions with some features cut to hit lower price points.

What Might Change for India

Possible differences in GT 8T:

• Display might be LTPS instead of LTPO (small efficiency loss)
• Charging might drop to 67W from 80W
• Storage options might be limited
• Some camera features might be tuned differently
• RGB LED features might be removed

We hope it launches as the full GT 8 without compromises.

Expected India Launch Timeline

Realme has hinted at post-February 15th launches. Based on typical launch cycles:

• India announcement: Late February/Early March 2026
• Availability: March-April 2026

Pricing: The Make-or-Break Factor

China Pricing (CNY)

Expected India Pricing

If Realme is smart, they’ll price this under ₹40,000 for the base variant.

Our prediction:

• 12GB + 256GB: ₹34,999–₹36,999
• 16GB + 512GB: ₹39,999–₹42,999

If it launches above ₹45,000, it loses its value proposition.

The Competition at This Price

Under ₹40,000:

• iQOO 15R — Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, similar specs
• OnePlus 15R — Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, LTPS display
• Nothing Phone 3 — Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Plus

The Neo 8 (GT 8) will compete directly with these.

Why Price Matters

If priced under ₹40,000, this phone is a no-brainer:

• Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 5
• One of the brightest displays ever
• Massive 8,000mAh battery
• Good cameras with telephoto
• 165Hz gaming-focused features

If priced above ₹45,000, it becomes a harder sell against established flagships.

Who Should Buy the Realme Neo 8?

✅ You Should Buy This Phone If:

1. You’re a mobile gamer

• 165Hz display + Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 = gaming beast
• Game Assist features are genuinely useful
• Massive battery means all-day gaming sessions
• Thermal management keeps it cool

2. You want flagship performance under ₹40,000

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 at this price is rare
• 12GB/16GB RAM ensures smooth multitasking
• UFS 4.1 storage is blazing fast

3. Battery life is your priority

• 8,000mAh will last 1.5–2 days easily
• Even heavy users won’t need to charge daily

4. You consume a lot of media

• The 6,500 nits display is perfect for Netflix, YouTube, Prime
• Loud stereo speakers enhance the experience
• HDR10+ support for compatible content

5. You want something that looks different

• The transparent RGB design stands out
• Not another boring glass slab

❌ You Should Skip This If:

1. You’re a photography enthusiast

• The cameras are good, not great
• Flagships like Pixel, iPhone, Samsung have better cameras
• If photography is your priority, look elsewhere

2. You want the absolute best performance

• Snapdragon 8 Elite (in OnePlus 15, etc.) is faster
• The difference is small, but it exists

3. You prefer compact phones

• At 6.78 inches and 218 grams, this is a big phone
• Not for one-handed use enthusiasts

4. You need wireless charging

• No wireless charging on the Neo 8
• You’ll need to plug in

Final Verdict: Should You Wait for the Realme Neo 8 (GT 8)?

Absolutely yes — if you’re in the market for a performance phone under ₹40,000.

The Realme Neo 8 offers a rare combination:

• ✅ Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 performance
• ✅ One of the brightest displays ever made (6,500 nits peak)
• ✅ Massive 8,000mAh battery for 2-day battery life
• ✅ 165Hz gaming-optimized display
• ✅ Good cameras with telephoto lens
• ✅ IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance
• ✅ Premium build quality

The only thing that can ruin this phone is pricing.

If Realme launches it under ₹40,000, it’s a no-brainer purchase. If they get greedy and price it at ₹45,000+, the value proposition weakens significantly.

Our recommendation: Wait for the official India launch announcement. If the price is right, this could be the best value flagship of 2026.

What do you think? Will you wait for the Realme GT 8? Let us know in the comments!

Disclaimer: Specifications, features, and pricing are based on the Chinese launch and may differ for the Indian market. Final India pricing, availability, and variant options will be confirmed at launch.