On May 20, 2025, realme—a brand that’s particularly popular among young Indian consumers—announced a bold, three-year strategic partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One Team. And honestly, it’s quite the leap. The collaboration aims to fuse realme’s forward-looking tech with the legacy and sheer precision of Aston Martin’s racing heritage.
At the heart of this venture is the soon-to-launch realme GT 7 Dream Edition. This co-branded smartphone, designed to reflect the DNA of both brands, is more than just a new gadget. It’s a statement—realme is eyeing the future with something a bit more ambitious in mind.
The Vision Behind the Alliance
realme has long touted its commitment to pushing the envelope when it comes to user expectations. Now, by teaming up with Aston Martin Formula One—a name that pretty much stands for elite performance and design excellence—they’re aiming to offer something beyond the usual. Perhaps even a bit aspirational.
Sky Li, CEO of realme, underscored the significance of this move. He remarked that only realme’s most refined products earn the right to “take flight” with the iconic “scarab wings.” It’s a metaphor, sure, but it signals an intention to combine top-tier design with premium craftsmanship on a global stage.
On the other side, Matt Chapman, Head of Licensing and Merchandise at the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team, welcomed the new partnership warmly. He pointed out that the GT 7 Dream Edition embodies both innovation and high performance. What’s more, it marks a first for the team: their inaugural co-branded smartphone.
Introducing the realme GT 7 Dream Edition
So what makes this device stand out? For starters, the GT 7 Dream Edition isn’t just about specs. It’s about identity. The phone is set to maintain the hallmark performance of the GT series, but with stylistic upgrades that tip their hat to its new motorsport partner. Think Aston Martin Green and a sleek two-wing design that borrows from the F1 aesthetic.
But this isn’t a one-off. The collaboration is designed to be ongoing, with plans already in place for two co-branded smartphones each year. That kind of long-term vision hints at a much deeper fusion of design philosophies and performance values.
Global Launch and Broader Ambitions
Mark your calendars: May 27th is when the global launch of the GT 7 Series takes place in Paris. That event is expected to showcase more than just the Dream Edition—likely offering a broader look at the GT 7 family and what consumers can expect going forward.
Since its launch in 2018, realme has made impressive strides. By 2023, it had crossed the 200 million user threshold, securing top-five smartphone brand status in 21 countries. In India alone, shipments hit 100 million in just five years. The brand’s mission to act as a “tech popularizer” for the younger generation seems to be working.
In 2024, the realme Number Series saw an 18% year-over-year growth. Targeting younger audiences with solid cameras, sleek designs, and reliable performance, the brand carved out nearly 30% of the entry-premium segment. That’s no small feat.
Pushing Technological Boundaries
realme has also been making waves on the innovation front. Their 5G smartphone shipments surged by 168% in Q1 2024. Other noteworthy advancements include the lightning-fast 320W Supersonic Charging, an Interchangeable-Lens Concept paired with the HyperImage+ engine, and even a 10x optical telephoto zoom.
Then there’s their push into AI: features like AI Voice-based Retoucher and AI Video Eraser point toward a future where smartphones aren’t just smart—they’re creatively intuitive.
With over 550 after-sales service centers and partnerships with major e-commerce and telecom operators, realme isn’t just expanding. It’s embedding itself deeper into the tech ecosystem.
A Diverse Portfolio for a Global Audience
realme’s product range has something for almost every kind of user:
- GT Series: Flagship-level performance powered by AI.
- Number Series: Balanced performance and camera capabilities.
- P Series: Performance meets style, with extended battery life.
- Narzo Series: Gamer-focused, with high refresh rates and performance tweaks.
- C Series: Designed for younger users seeking value tech.
The partnership with Aston Martin Formula One could very well be the catalyst that transforms realme from a “fast-growing” brand into one of the world’s tech powerhouses. Or at the very least, it makes things a lot more interesting.
