Once again, the rumors were true – the Realme 16 Pro series will in fact get official on January 6. Today the brand has officially confirmed this, while at the same time teasing a design by the world-renowned Naoto Fukasawa.
If the name sounds familiar, that’s because he partnered with Realme before, designing special versions of the Realme X, Realme X2 Pro, Realme GT, and Realme GT 2 Pro. This time around he’ll be involved with the upcoming Realme Buds Air8 design too, aside from that of the phones. The earbuds are going to be unveiled along with the 16 Pro series handsets.
For the Realme 16 Pro series and Buds Air8, Realme and Naoto Fukasawa are exploring a “spiritual utopia” within modern urban life, which gives rise to something they’re calling Urban Wild Design. This “merges nature’s raw spirit with contemporary urban aesthetics”, the official press release says. We should expect something “organic in texture yet refined in form, like an invitation to find your field of freedom within the pulse of the city”.
There will be two nature-inspired hues, Master Gold and Master Grey. The former will be offered for both the Realme 16 Pro and the 16 Pro+, while Master Grey will be exclusive to the Realme 16 Pro+. Master Gold “evokes the warmth and delicate texture of golden wheat, inviting the touch and stirring the senses”. Master Grey, on the other hand, “is inspired by river-polished pebbles”, with a smooth, “softly glowing surface” that feels “both natural and refined”.
The Realme 16 Pro series will use bio-based organic silicone, an industry-first. This is a material that “combines sustainability, comfort, and durability”, made from plant-based straw, offering “a soft, skin-friendly texture with natural elasticity”. It resists dirt, bacteria, and abrasion.
The phones will have continuous lines “flowing seamlessly from the back panel to the mid-frame and display, creating a visually elegant and naturally comfortable in-hand experience”, while being 8.49mm thick.
The camera module will use PVD coating “inspired by fine watchmaking” (although PVD is most often used in cheaper watches to imitate the look of real gold). Expect a high-gloss mirror finish somewhere on the camera island, which also “integrates seamlessly with the back panel”. There’s even a “luxury metallic mid-frame”, though we’re not sure what makes it “luxury” exactly.
The Realme Buds Air8 will carry the same design language as the phones, and will be offered in Master Gold, Master Grey, and Master Purple. They use the same bio-based organic silicone, while the charging case “takes cues from the 16 Pro series camera module”, incorporating 45-degree beveled edges and “flowing rounded corners” that connect the top and sides, “delivering a diamond-level dazzling appearance”.
