Realme is doubling down on design-led smartphones. Ahead of its January launch, the company has confirmed a renewed collaboration with world-renowned designer Naoto Fukasawa, bringing the new Urban Wild design language to the upcoming Realme 16 Pro Series and Buds Air8.

This marks the first time Fukasawa has worked on Realme’s number series, following previous collaborations on devices like the Realme GT and GT 2 Pro. The goal this time is to merge natural tactility with modern urban craftsmanship—an approach Realme describes as finding a “field of freedom” within city life.

Urban Wild design: natural texture, urban precision

At the heart of the Realme 16 Pro Series is what the brand calls Urban Wild design. The look and feel draws inspiration from natural materials—think wheat fields and river-smoothed stones—while pairing those organic cues with sharper, urban details, such as a polished Metal Mirror camera module.

Realme says this builds on Fukasawa’s long-standing “without thought” design philosophy, where products feel intuitively right the moment you see or hold them. The result is a phone that aims to feel organic in the hand but visually refined, blending softness with precision.

Master Design colours inspired by nature

The 16 Pro lineup introduces two new Master Design colours shaped by nature’s palette. Master Gold, available on both the Realme 16 Pro and 16 Pro+, takes cues from golden wheat, offering a warm tone with a tactile finish. Master Grey, exclusive to the Realme 16 Pro+, is inspired by river-polished pebbles, delivering a smoother, more subdued aesthetic.

Both finishes rely on multi-dimensional colour tuning designed to restore what Realme calls nature’s “purest tones,” while still fitting into a modern flagship look.

Bio-based materials and refined ergonomics

Realme is also leaning heavily into materials this year. The 16 Pro Series pioneers an industry-first bio-based organic silicone made from renewable plant-based straw, developed through a clean production process. The material is designed to be soft, skin-friendly, and elastic, while also resisting aging, dirt, bacteria, and everyday abrasion.

That material wraps around an all-new All-Nature Curve design, with smooth lines flowing continuously from the back panel into the mid-frame and display. Despite the layered craftsmanship, Realme says the phones remain slim at just 8.49mm, prioritising comfort and everyday usability.

Metal Mirror camera and luxury finishes

On the more technical side of the design, the camera module gets a significant visual upgrade. The Metal Mirror Camera Deco uses luxury PVD craftsmanship inspired by watchmaking, producing a high-gloss mirror finish that’s still reinforced with nanoscale metal coating for durability and scratch resistance.

Paired with a metallic mid-frame, the Volcanic Camera Deco is designed to integrate seamlessly with the rear panel, reinforcing the contrast between natural textures and urban luxury.

Buds Air8 carry the same Master Design

The design language extends beyond smartphones. Realme Buds Air8 will launch alongside the 16 Pro Series, adopting the same Master Design aesthetic in a more compact form. Available in Master Gold, Master Grey, and Master Purple, the earbuds also use bio-based organic silicone for comfort.

The charging case mirrors the phone’s camera design, featuring 45-degree beveled edges and flowing curves intended to deliver a cohesive, premium look across the ecosystem.

A familiar design focus for Realme

This renewed emphasis on materials and aesthetics follows Realme’s recent push into more premium experiences. We saw a similar ambition with the Realme 15 Pro, which TalkAndroid previously covered for its refined design direction and balanced flagship positioning. The 16 Pro Series looks set to take that philosophy further, with a stronger focus on tactile materials and visual identity.

The Realme 16 Pro Series and Buds Air8 will be unveiled in full at Realme’s launch event on January 6, 2026. If the design story translates into the same kind of real-world appeal we saw with the 15 Pro, this could be one of Realme’s most distinctive releases yet.