realme has officially announced the India launch date for two new AIoT products: the realme Buds Air8 Pro and the realme Watch S5. Both devices go live on May 22, 2026, at 12 PM, alongside the much-anticipated realme 16T 5G. Pricing and full specs will be revealed on launch day.
If you have been sitting on the fence about upgrading your earbuds or smartwatch, this launch is worth watching closely.
Table of contents
realme Buds Air8 Pro: 55dB ANC Earbuds with Dual DAC Drivers
The realme Buds Air8 Pro is being positioned as the segment’s top pick for active noise cancellation, and the spec sheet gives that claim some real weight.
It packs 55dB Ultra Depth Noise Cancellation that adapts in real time to what is happening around you. Whether you are on a packed Mumbai local or sitting in a noisy office, the ANC adjusts to the environment rather than applying a flat filter. That is a genuinely useful difference.
The audio hardware here is built around a Premier Dual DAC Drivers system, which combines a woofer-style driver for bass response with a tweeter for treble clarity. The result, on paper at least, is a fuller soundstage with deeper lows and more precise highs. The kind of setup you typically see on earbuds costing considerably more.
Then there is AI Call Noise Cancellation, which isolates your voice during calls by filtering out background sound. Practically speaking, you can take a call in a crowded space without the other person drowning in noise.
The buds also carry Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification and support LHDC codec for high-bitrate streaming at 24-bit/96kHz quality.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| ANC Depth | Up to 55dB Ultra Depth Noise Cancellation |
| Audio Drivers | Premier Dual DAC Drivers (Woofer + Tweeter) |
| Call Quality | AI Call Noise Cancellation |
| Audio Codec | LHDC (Hi-Res Audio Wireless Certified) |
| Launch Date | May 22, 2026, 12 PM |
The standard realme Buds Air 8 (non-Pro) is already available on Amazon India and gives you a good idea of the brand’s audio direction. You can check it out here before the Pro variant goes live:
Check realme Buds Air 8 on Amazon India
For the realme Buds Air8 Pro, the Amazon listing is expected to go live on or after May 22. You can bookmark the search page here:
Browse realme Buds Air8 Pro on Amazon India
realme Watch S5: 20-Day Battery Smartwatch with 110 Plus Sports Modes
The realme Watch S5 is built for people who actually use their smartwatch all day, every day, without babysitting the battery percentage.
20-day battery life. That is the headline. For reference, most smartwatches in this segment run out in 7 to 10 days with regular use. The Watch S5 nearly doubles that, which means you are charging it roughly twice a month. Practical, low-fuss, and exactly what an everyday fitness companion should be.
Add 110+ sports modes to that, and you have a watch that can log almost any activity you throw at it, from running and cycling to yoga and swimming.
The device is also designed to slot into the broader realme ecosystem, syncing cleanly with the realme 16T 5G and other realme devices for a more connected, cross-device experience.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | Up to 20 days |
| Sports Modes | 110+ |
| Ecosystem | Works with realme 16T 5G and realme devices |
| Launch Date | May 22, 2026, 12 PM |
The realme Watch 5 (previous generation) is currently available on Amazon India and is worth a look if you want to understand what the S5 is building on:
Check realme Watch 5 on Amazon India
Once the Watch S5 listing is live, you can find it here:
Browse realme Watch S5 on Amazon India
realme 16T 5G: The Smartphone Launching with Both Devices
Both the Buds Air8 Pro and Watch S5 launch alongside the realme 16T 5G, which is shaping up to be one of the more interesting mid-range 5G phones of 2026. The phone carries an 8,000mAh silicon carbon battery with 45W fast charging, bypass charging, and reverse charging. realme is calling it a three-day battery phone for heavy users.
Colour options confirmed so far: Starlight Black, Starlight Red, and a blue shade. Pricing drops on May 22.
The realme 16T 5G will be available via Flipkart and the realme India official store. Amazon listing details are expected to follow after launch.
Browse realme 16T 5G on Amazon India
realme India: By the Numbers
realme launched in 2018 and now operates across 61 global markets. By 2023, it had crossed 200 million users worldwide and ranked among the top five smartphone brands in 21 countries. In India alone, the brand crossed 100 million shipments in its first five years.
The 5G push has been aggressive. realme’s 5G smartphone shipments saw 168% year-on-year growth in Q1 2024. The Number Series, which includes the 16 lineup, grew 18% year-on-year in 2024 and captured close to 30% of the entry-premium segment.
That kind of market position means realme is not experimenting anymore. The Buds Air8 Pro and Watch S5 reflect a brand that knows its audience and is pricing aggressively to stay there.
Key Takeaway Before May 22
Three products. One launch. May 22, 12 PM.
The realme Buds Air8 Pro targets anyone who wants flagship-grade ANC and audio quality without spending flagship money. The realme Watch S5 is for people who want a reliable fitness companion that does not demand constant charging. And the realme 16T 5G anchors the ecosystem with a battery that simply refuses to die.