From Artistic Partnerships to AI-Powered Performance: Inside realme’s Bold Strategy to Blend Cutting-Edge Technology with Emotional Design in the GT7 Series

Q1: With design innovation now a strategic focus, can we expect future realme products to follow similar collaborative and design-led approaches?

 A: Absolutely. realme’s trajectory over the past few years underscores a deliberate and strategic shift toward design-led innovation, positioning the brand as a trendsetter in the smartphone industry. Collaborations with esteemed designers and institutions have been central to this evolution. From the realme 11 Pro Series’ partnership with former Gucci designer Matteo Menotto to the 13 Pro’s Monet-inspired visuals co-created with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, realme has consistently infused its devices with artistic and cultural significance. These collaborations are not mere marketing endeavors but integral components of realme’s long-term strategy to produce devices that resonate with users on both functional and emotional levels.

Looking ahead, realme is poised to continue this collaborative approach, delving deeper into realms like fashion, fine arts, luxury, and motorsports to co-create products that align with Gen Z and millennial lifestyles. A testament to this is the realme 14 Pro Series, developed in collaboration with Danish design studio Valeur Designers, renowned for their longstanding partnership with Bang & Olufsen. This series introduced the world’s first cold-sensitive color-changing technology, allowing the device’s back cover to shift hues in response to temperature changes, drawing inspiration from the ocean’s dynamic beauty. Such innovations not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of realme’s products but also reinforce the brand’s commitment to delivering unique, user-centric experiences. As realme continues to explore and integrate diverse design philosophies, consumers can anticipate a future of smartphones that are as expressive and individualistic as they are technologically advanced.

 Q2: Did the GT7 Series challenge your team’s creativity in ways that previous launches didn’t?

 Definitely. Designing a product that embodies both high-performance engineering and luxury craftsmanship meant our teams had to think beyond conventional smartphone design boundaries. Achieving the Aston Martin Green required over a hundred calibrations. The triple-layer engraved emblem and aerodynamic “two-wing” profile were new territories for a smartphone form factor.

These challenges pushed the design and materials teams to experiment, iterate, and refine every detail to meet the standards of both brands. It wasn’t just about delivering a phone, it was about delivering a statement piece.

 Q3: From a design innovation perspective, what does realme consider more important? Is it form, function, or emotional impact? How do you strike that balance?

 For realme, emotional impact is the north star, but it only resonates when both form and function are flawlessly executed. We believe that the most powerful designs are those that make users feel something: aspiration, pride, excitement. That’s where emotion plays in.

Striking that balance means ensuring that design never compromises usability or performance. The GT7 Series is a great example, graphene cooling and 120W charging are highly functional, but they’re wrapped in an emotionally compelling form with storytelling built into every detail, from the paint to the packaging.

 Q4: realme has built a reputation for offering premium experiences at aggressive price points. As the GT7 Series evolves the flagship identity, how is this affecting your overall business strategy?

 The GT7 Series represents a calculated evolution of realme’s identity. We’re not just chasing specs, we’re building a flagship ecosystem where design, AI, and performance converge. This shift allows us to play in the mid-premium and premium space more confidently, while still staying true to our core philosophy of value-driven innovation.

This also means a stronger focus on limited editions, high-visibility collaborations, and experiential marketing, particularly in key growth markets like India, Southeast Asia, and Europe. As we scale upward, we’re bringing our loyal user base along with us by delivering more than just a device, delivering an experience.

Q5: How has realme’s global strategy evolved over the past couple of years, and what role does the GT Series play in strengthening your international presence?

 realme’s global strategy has evolved to balance aggressive local market penetration with globally consistent flagship storytelling. Over the past two years, we’ve deepened our offline footprint, diversified regional portfolios, and invested in user community engagement in key markets like India, Indonesia, and the Middle East.

The GT Series is our global ambassador. It represents the pinnacle of what realme can achieve in performance, design, and innovation. The GT7 launch, especially with its Paris debut, is a statement that realme is no longer just competing, we’re defining what a flagship can be on the global stage.

Q6: How does the realme GT7 Series redefine what a flagship means in today’s competitive smartphone landscape?

 The realme GT7 Series redefines the flagship smartphone by integrating cutting-edge hardware with advanced AI capabilities, setting new benchmarks in performance, photography, and user experience. At the core of the GT7 Series lies the powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset, delivering exceptional processing power and AI performance. Complementing this is a massive 7,200mAh battery, which supports 100W fast charging, allowing users to achieve a 50% charge in just 15 minutes. Despite housing such a large battery, the device maintains a slim profile, thanks to the innovative graphene fiberglass fusion back panel. This material not only contributes to the device’s sleek design but also offers six times better thermal conductivity than traditional glass, ensuring efficient heat dissipation during intensive tasks like gaming or video editing.

The GT7 Series excels in photography, featuring a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. Advanced AI features enhance the photography experience: ‘AI Motion Deblur’ ensures clarity in action shots, ‘AI Ultra Clarity’ maintains detail even at high zoom levels, and ‘AI Sketch to Image’ transforms simple sketches into detailed images, catering to creative users. Additionally, the ‘AI Night Vision Mode’ significantly improves low-light photography, capturing vibrant and detailed images in challenging lighting conditions.

But more importantly, it wraps that power in a narrative, co-designed with the Aston Martin F1 team, it gives users not just high-end features but a sense of belonging to something aspirational. It’s a flagship that doesn’t just compete, it captivates.

Q7: As CMO, how do you see realme’s brand positioning evolving over the next few years, especially with this new design-first approach?

We’re moving toward a space where our users don’t just use realme, they identify with it.

Our brand will continue to be youth-centric, but with a sharper focus on sophistication, taste, and individuality. As the market matures, so will we, and GT7 is a strong signal of that transformation.

Q8: Are there any materials or design elements you’re experimenting with that we might see in future realme phones?

 At realme, design and material innovation have always been at the core of our product philosophy. For our upcoming products—especially the P Series, which is proudly ‘Born for India, Made in India’—we’re exploring styles and features that reflect the everyday needs and cultural pride of Indian users.

We’re trying out new materials that not only look good but also make the phones stronger, more comfortable to use, and even more eco-friendly. When it comes to design, we’re taking inspiration from India’s rich traditions—like its art, patterns, and colors—to create phones that feel unique and connected to local culture.

We’re also planning more collaborations with well-known brands and creative partners to bring exciting, fresh ideas into our products. These efforts will help us build smartphones that are not just powerful and stylish, but also truly meaningful for our users in India.

Q9: realme has collaborated with a luxury automotive designer for the GT7 Series. What inspired this crossover, and what design philosophies did both sides bring to the table?

A shared commitment to performance, precision, and design excellence drove the decision to collaborate with the Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team. As realme sought to elevate its flagship offering, it became clear that partnering with a brand synonymous with speed and sophistication would bring a new dimension to smartphone design. Aston Martin’s legacy in motorsport and luxury craftsmanship provided the perfect canvas for co-creating a device that embodies both technological prowess and aesthetic refinement. This collaboration allowed realme to push the boundaries of what a smartphone can be—not just a tool, but a symbol of aspiration and identity.

Q10: As smartphone innovation slows in some areas, where does realme see the next big leap coming from. Is it design, AI integration, or something else entirely?

Yes, to some extent, innovation in mobile hardware has slowed down. Over the years, we’ve seen big improvements in things like processors, cameras, and battery life. But now, most smartphones offer similar performance, and the differences between them are not always easy to notice. That’s why the focus is shifting to other areas—like how the phone looks, how it feels to use, and the overall experience it offers.

For today’s users, especially Gen Z and millennials, a phone is more than just a tool—it’s a part of their lifestyle. They want something that looks stylish, feels premium, and reflects their personality. That’s why design and brand experience are becoming more important than ever. With the GT7 Series, we’ve focused on creating a phone that not only performs well but also stands out with its luxury-inspired design, like the Aston Martin F1 edition. It’s built to be both powerful and beautiful.

At the same time, AI is changing how people use their phones. Features like AI Planner for smart scheduling, AI photo editing, and gaming assistants make the phone more helpful and personal. So, while hardware is still important, the real competition now is about who can offer the best overall experience—through design, smart features, and emotional connection with users.

Q11: How is realme integrating AI into the GT7 Series, and what role do you see AI playing in enhancing the user experience? Not just in photography or performance, but across the entire smartphone ecosystem?

In the GT7 Series, realme has integrated AI in a way that enhances the overall user experience across multiple everyday scenarios. The most prominent example is the NEXT AI suite, which includes a range of intelligent tools designed to make the phone more helpful, intuitive, and personalized.

One of the key features is AI Planner, which can recognize time and location information from your screen and automatically generate schedules. This turns the phone into a smart assistant that helps users stay organized with minimal effort. Another standout is AI Eraser 2.0, which allows users to remove unwanted objects or people from photos with a single tap—making photo editing quick and easy. For gamers, AI Gaming Coach provides real-time support during gameplay, helping users improve their performance and enjoy a smoother gaming experience.

These AI features are designed to work seamlessly across different use cases, from productivity to creativity and entertainment. They are powered by the advanced capabilities of the GT7’s hardware, including the MediaTek Dimensity 9400e chipset, ensuring fast and responsive performance. With the GT7 Series, realme is showing how AI can go beyond just camera enhancements or system optimization—it can become a core part of how users interact with their smartphones every day.

Spokesperson: Chase Xu, Vice President and CMO, realme