Realme Watch S5 and Buds Air8 Pro Launch on May 22

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Realme Expands Its Ecosystem With Watch S5 and Buds Air8 Pro Ahead of May 22 Launch

Realme is preparing for a major ecosystem-focused product event next week, and the company is not limiting the spotlight to smartphones alone. Alongside the upcoming Realme 16T 5G, the brand has officially confirmed the debut of two new AIoT products in India — the Realme Watch S5 smartwatch and the Realme Buds Air8 Pro true wireless earphones.

Set to launch on May 22, the new devices reflect Realme’s continued push into connected consumer technology, blending AI-powered features, premium audio hardware, advanced health tracking, and extended battery life into products designed for everyday use. The launch also highlights how smartphone makers are increasingly building integrated ecosystems that extend far beyond handsets.

According to official teasers and product details released ahead of the announcement, Realme is targeting users who want stronger device interoperability, smarter AI functions, and more premium experiences without entering ultra-premium pricing territory.

Realme will launch the Watch S5 and Buds Air8 Pro in India on May 22 with AI features, 55dB ANC, AMOLED display, and long battery life.

Realme Buds Air8 Pro Pushes Premium Audio Features Further

The Realme Buds Air8 Pro appears to be the company’s most feature-packed wireless audio product yet. The earbuds are designed around a strong emphasis on immersive sound and adaptive noise cancellation, areas where competition in the TWS market has intensified dramatically over the past few years.

Realme confirmed that the Buds Air8 Pro will feature a dual-driver setup combining 11mm and 6mm drivers alongside dual DAC architecture. The company says the system is tuned for deeper bass, clearer vocals, and more detailed audio reproduction across music, gaming, and voice calls.

Support for Hi-Res Audio Wireless and LHDC further positions the earbuds in the premium audio category. Realme also confirmed support for 24-bit audio depth, a 192kHz sampling rate, and transmission speeds reaching up to 1Mbps, specifications that audiophiles typically associate with higher-end wireless products.

One of the headline features is the company’s “55dB Ultra Depth Noise Cancellation.” Realme claims the earbuds can dynamically adapt to surrounding noise conditions, helping users reduce distractions while commuting, working, or gaming. The system also supports a 5,000Hz noise cancellation bandwidth.

AI Features Become a Central Selling Point

Artificial intelligence is becoming a major differentiator in modern consumer electronics, and Realme is leaning heavily into that strategy with the Buds Air8 Pro.

The earbuds include AI Call Noise Cancellation powered by a six-microphone system, with three microphones built into each earbud. Bone-conduction voice pickup technology is also included to improve voice clarity in noisy environments. Realme claims the system can suppress wind interference at speeds of up to 10m/s.

Beyond calls, the earbuds also integrate “Next AI” capabilities, including live translation support for more than 30 languages and AI-powered question answering features. These additions indicate how AI assistants are rapidly expanding beyond smartphones into wearables and audio devices.

For users increasingly operating across multiple devices, the Buds Air8 Pro will support simultaneous connection with up to three devices, including phones, tablets, and PCs. That feature could appeal strongly to hybrid workers and gamers who frequently switch between platforms.

Gaming and Entertainment Features Target Younger Consumers

Realme has traditionally marketed many of its products toward younger audiences, and the Buds Air8 Pro continues that strategy with gaming-focused enhancements.

The earbuds will include a low-latency gaming mode rated at either 45ms or 55ms depending on the usage mode referenced in different teasers. This is designed to reduce audio lag during mobile gaming sessions, improving synchronization between visuals and sound effects.

Additional entertainment features include:

  • 3D Spatial Audio
  • Golden Sound tuning
  • Personalized audio profiles
  • Touch controls
  • IP55 dust and water resistance

The earbuds will launch in two color options — Master White and Master Black.

Battery Life Could Be a Major Competitive Advantage

Battery endurance remains one of the most important factors in the TWS segment, and Realme appears determined to compete aggressively here.

The Buds Air8 Pro is advertised to deliver:

  • Up to 12 hours of playback on a single charge with ANC disabled
  • Around 6 hours with ANC enabled
  • Up to 50 hours total playback with the charging case under AAC playback conditions
  • Around 20 hours total usage with ANC and LHDC enabled simultaneously

Those figures place the earbuds among the stronger battery performers in the mid-range premium wireless category.

Realme Watch S5 Focuses on Fitness, Health, and Longevity

Alongside the earbuds, Realme is also expanding its smartwatch portfolio with the Watch S5, a wearable aimed at fitness-conscious users and consumers looking for long-lasting battery performance.

The smartwatch features a 1.43-inch circular AMOLED display with:

  • 466 × 466 resolution
  • 60Hz refresh rate
  • 1,500 nits peak brightness
  • Always-On Display support
  • Smart Night Vision technology

Realme appears to be positioning the Watch S5 as both a fitness companion and a lifestyle wearable, combining sleek aesthetics with extensive tracking capabilities.

The smartwatch will be available in Rock Grey and Sand White color variants and includes a triple-button layout with a rotating crown. Realme says the device weighs 32g and measures 11.8mm thick, while the rear surface features a “High-Gloss Ceramic Texture.”

More Than 110 Sports Modes and Advanced Health Tracking

Fitness tracking remains central to the smartwatch experience, and Realme is emphasizing versatility with support for more than 110 indoor and outdoor sports modes.

Health features include:

  • Heart rate monitoring
  • Blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking
  • Sleep analysis
  • Stress monitoring
  • Women’s health tracking
  • Ambient noise alerts

The Watch S5 also includes independent GPS functionality with support for five GNSS satellite systems, allowing users to track runs and outdoor workouts without needing a connected smartphone.

Water resistance is rated at 5ATM, enabling swimming support, while wet-hand touch controls aim to improve usability during workouts and rainy conditions.

AI Assistant Integration Signals Realme’s Broader Strategy

The Watch S5 also introduces AI-centric functions, including:

  • One-touch AI assistant access
  • Smart voice replies
  • Call relay functionality
  • App ecosystem integration
  • Customizable watch faces

These additions suggest Realme is increasingly positioning AI as a core part of its ecosystem strategy rather than simply a smartphone feature.

The company has repeatedly highlighted cross-device connectivity between the Watch S5, Buds Air8 Pro, and the upcoming Realme 16T 5G smartphone. This mirrors a broader industry trend where manufacturers are building interconnected hardware ecosystems to improve customer retention and long-term engagement.

Battery Life Could Be the Watch S5’s Biggest Selling Point

Smartwatch battery life remains a pain point for many users, particularly with AMOLED displays and GPS-heavy usage. Realme is attempting to differentiate the Watch S5 with a claimed battery life of up to 20 days on a single charge.

If real-world performance approaches those claims, the Watch S5 could attract users who prefer wearables that require less frequent charging compared to many mainstream smartwatches.

The Bigger Picture: Realme’s Expanding AIoT Ecosystem

The launch of the Buds Air8 Pro and Watch S5 reflects Realme’s broader ambitions in the AIoT market. Rather than focusing solely on smartphones, the company is increasingly building an ecosystem of interconnected products that work together through shared software features and AI-driven functionality.

This strategy has become increasingly important across the consumer electronics industry, where ecosystem lock-in and seamless device integration now influence purchasing decisions as much as hardware specifications.

Realme’s upcoming May 22 launch event therefore represents more than a product refresh. It signals the company’s intention to compete more aggressively in wearables, smart audio, and AI-powered connected devices.

Pricing and full availability details for the Realme Buds Air8 Pro, Watch S5, and Realme 16T 5G will be officially announced during the launch event next Thursday.

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