- Realme has unveiled the “Race,” one of the first phones to use the Snapdragon 888 chipset.
- Details are scarce, but it will boast gaming-friendly performance and speedy 5G.
- New details of a “Koi phone” have now also emerged.
Update: December 24, 2020 (1:10 AM ET): Realme has teased a new Snapdragon 888 phone apparently inspired by koi. Dubbed the “Koi phone” on Weibo, the device will also sport Qualcomm’s latest high-end chipset judging by the “888 red envelopes” or prizes the company is giving away.
Realme previously confirmed that the Race name is just a codename, so it’s possible that Koi is the final name (or that we’re looking at two different phones). Nevertheless, it seems the firm’s early 2021 flagship could make a splash either way.
Original article: December 1, 2020 (1:15 PM ET): Qualcomm only just unveiled the Snapdragon 888, but that isn’t stopping phone makers from boasting about using the new chip. Realme has teased the “Race,” its codename for a new flagship-class smartphone that will be one of the first phones to use the Snapdragon 888 inside.
The company isn’t sharing many details about the phone — not surprising when Qualcomm itself won’t share more about the Snapdragon 888 until a December 2nd event. It’s poised to be a powerhouse for “gaming, video, and communication,” however, and you can expect speedier 5G through the X60 modem.
The “leaks” attached to the announcement provide a few extra clues. The design appears to have quad rear cameras, and it won’t skimp on memory. Realme hinted the phone would pair the Snapdragon 888 with 12GB of RAM, so this will be a higher-end handset aimed at enthusiasts. You can also expect 256GB of storage and Realme’s version 2.0 UI.
Qualcomm said the 888 would boast faster graphics with high refresh rates, better AI performance and updated image processing power.
The firm didn’t reveal a price or release date for the Race. We wouldn’t count on it being the very first to ship, however. Samsung’s Galaxy S21 is rumored to debut as soon as January, and it might well beat Realme’s phone in bringing the Snapdragon 888 to market. Don’t be surprised if you have to wait a few months to get this device in your hands.
Related: Realme X2 Pro review
