realme GT 2 review
The Realme GT 2 is an underrated legend that packs a punch at its price point of around ₹35,000. The phone's design is a head-turner, with a textured finish on the back that feels like paper and a sleek look that's sure to impress. It's also fairly lightweight and slim, making it comfortable to hold. The 6.6-inch Samsung E4 AMOLED panel is a highlight of the phone, offering brilliant colors, good viewing angles, and a super smooth 120Hz high refresh rate. However, the bezels aren't as skinny as the GT 2 Pro, which might make one-handed operation slightly tricky. Camera-wise, the Realme GT 2 has made some strides with a 50MP Sony IMX 766 primary sensor that takes good pictures in well-lit outdoor scenarios and mixed lighting conditions. The HDR feature works well too, but the ultra-wide lens and macro camera are a bit of a letdown. Performance is also solid, thanks to the Snapdragon AAA chipset, up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM, and up to 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. Day-to-day tasks, app switching, and multitasking cause no stress to the phone, even with graphics-intensive titles like Call of Duty Mobile. The smooth user experience is also helped by Android 12 and Realme UI 3.0, which offers plenty of customization options and handy features. The battery size has been bumped up to a bigger 5000mAh unit, which mostly gives you a full day of battery life with moderate usage patterns. Overall, the Realme GT 2 is an impressive package that offers more value for money than most of its rivals, including the OnePlus 9RT.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme GT 2 boasts an impressive build quality that's sure to turn heads. Its design is a masterclass in minimalist chic, with a textured finish on the back that feels almost like paper - hence the "Paper White" variant name. This biopolymer material isn't just aesthetically pleasing; it's also eco-friendly, derived from renewable sources like paper pulp and designed to reduce carbon emissions during manufacturing. Weighing in at 194.5 grams, the GT 2 is lightweight yet sturdy, with a decently slim profile of 8.6 millimeters. The textured back provides a comfortable grip in the hand, making it easy to hold onto despite its sleek design. While I'm impressed by how well this white-colored phone resisted dirt and dust during my usage, I remain skeptical about its long-term durability. The GT 2's design is undeniably stunning, with clean lines and a futuristic vibe that's hard to ignore. The Paper White variant stands out particularly, with its unique finish adding a touch of sophistication to an already impressive package. Realme has clearly taken the time to perfect the look and feel of their flagship device. One minor quibble I have is that the phone's display bezels aren't as slim as some of its rivals, including the GT 2 Pro. This means one-handed operation can be a bit tricky at times, requiring you to adjust your grip to access higher parts of the screen. However, this is a minor gripe in an otherwise exemplary design. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed by the Realme GT 2's build quality and design. It's a true showstopper that justifies its premium price point with style and substance.
Battery Life
One aspect where the Realme GT 2 truly shines is its battery life. With a massive 5000mAh unit, this phone has been able to provide me with a full day of juice, even with heavy usage patterns and a 120Hz refresh rate. In fact, during my testing period, I was able to squeeze out an extra hour or two of battery life, thanks to the efficient software optimization. The included 65W fast charger also deserves a special mention. With this adapter, you can go from flat to full in just 35-40 minutes. This is incredibly impressive and makes it easy to top up your phone's battery throughout the day. While some might argue that the battery life could be even better, I believe Realme has done an excellent job of balancing performance with power efficiency. The result is a phone that can handle demanding tasks and games without sacrificing its endurance. In short, if you're looking for a device that will last you all day, without needing to be plugged in or topped up excessively, the Realme GT 2 is an excellent choice. Its battery life is one of the standout features of this phone, making it a reliable companion for those who need a device that can keep up with their busy lifestyles. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Realme GT 2's battery performance and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking a long-lasting smartphone experience.
Display
The Realme GT 2 boasts an impressive 6.6-inch Samsung E4 AMOLED panel, featuring an FHD+ resolution with brilliant colors, good viewing angles, and a super smooth 120Hz high refresh rate. The display is a joy to use, whether you're watching content on OTT platforms or scrolling through apps endlessly. The widevine L1 certification for Netflix ensures seamless video playback, although HDR is limited to apps like YouTube and Amazon Prime Video. The screen is completely flat, which I appreciate, but the bezels aren't as skinny as the GT 2 Pro's. One-handed operation is manageable, but you'll still need to shuffle your hand to reach higher parts of the screen. The display's performance is top-notch, with vibrant colors and crisp details. However, it does show some minor limitations. While the main camera sensor takes excellent pictures in well-lit outdoor scenarios, the ultra-wide lens suffers from a noticeable lack of detail due to its lower resolution. The 2-megapixel macro sensor also produces less-than-sharp images. In terms of display quality, the Realme GT 2 delivers an exceptional experience. Its AMOLED panel is a highlight of the device, offering a perfect blend of color accuracy, brightness, and smoothness. If you're in the market for a new smartphone with a top-notch display, the Realme GT 2 should definitely be on your radar. In summary, the Realme GT 2's display is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, offering improved colors, contrast, and refresh rate. While it may not be perfect, it's one of the best displays in its class, making it a compelling choice for anyone looking for a high-quality smartphone experience.
Camera
The Realme GT 2 has made significant strides in the camera department, and it's hard to deny its impressive capabilities. The phone sports a 50-megapixel Sony IMX 766 primary sensor, which is a notable upgrade from its predecessor. This new sensor delivers high-quality images with excellent color accuracy and detail. The main camera takes stunning shots in well-lit outdoor scenarios, and when shooting in mixed lighting conditions, the HDR feature works beautifully to balance out the exposure. The colors are sharp and punchy without being over-saturated, making it a joy to capture moments with this camera. One of the standout features is the optical image stabilization (OIS), which ensures that even low-light shots turn out clear and crisp. However, when shooting in extremely low light conditions, the images may still suffer from some noise or softness. The ultra-wide lens remains unchanged from its predecessor, featuring an 8-megapixel sensor with a 119-degree field of view. While it performs well, there's a noticeable lack of detail compared to the main camera. The macro sensor is still a 2-megapixel unit, which may not be as effective in capturing close-up shots. Low-light performance has been improved significantly with the dedicated night mode, which enhances exposure and adds sharpness to images. However, it does have a tendency to pick up lens flare, especially when there are stray light sources present. The front-facing camera takes good selfies, both indoors and outdoors, with accurate skin tones and plenty of detail. Unfortunately, it only shoots videos at 1080p, which feels like an oversight given the rest of the phone's capabilities. Overall, the Realme GT 2's camera is a significant improvement over its predecessor, delivering excellent image quality in various lighting conditions. While there are some areas where it could be improved, such as the ultra-wide and macro sensors, the main camera is more than capable of capturing stunning shots that will make you feel like a pro photographer.
Price and Value
Priced around Rs. 35,000, the Realme GT 2 is an intriguing offering in the mid-range smartphone segment. On paper, it checks all the right boxes – a powerful chipset, impressive cameras, and a vibrant AMOLED display. But does it live up to its price tag? I spent over a week with the phone to find out. The Realme GT 2 offers a great value proposition for those on a budget. Its design is sleek and premium, with a textured back that feels almost like paper (biopolymer derived from renewable sources). The phone's build quality is solid, and it's fairly lightweight considering its hardware. However, I'm not sure how well the white variant will hold up to daily wear and tear. The camera setup has seen significant improvements, especially with the 50-megapixel Sony IMX 766 primary sensor. Image quality is impressive, and the HDR feature works well in mixed lighting conditions. The ultra-wide lens and macro sensor are decent but not exceptional. However, given the price point, I'd say the main camera more than makes up for any shortcomings. In terms of performance, the GT 2 runs smoothly on the Snapdragon AAA chipset, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. The phone handles day-to-day tasks, gaming, and even graphic-intensive titles like Call of Duty Mobile without any issues. Android 12 and Realme UI 3.0 provide a snappy user experience, with plenty of customization options. Now, about that price: Rs. 35,000 is an excellent value for what the Realme GT 2 offers. It's more than just a mid-range phone – it's a genuine flagship contender in its own right. If you're looking to upgrade without breaking the bank, the GT 2 should definitely be on your shortlist. To put it simply, the Realme GT 2 is an underrated legend that offers incredible value for money. It's one of those rare phones that checks all the boxes and then some – and at a price point that's within reach of most buyers.
Performance
The Realme GT 2 is a powerhouse when it comes to performance. Powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, this phone is capable of handling even the most demanding tasks. In my testing, I found that the GT 2 handled day-to-day tasks, app switching, and multitasking with ease, without any signs of lag or stress. Even graphic-intensive titles like Call of Duty Mobile ran smoothly on the device, with no major frame drops or heating issues. The phone's smooth user experience is also thanks to its snappy software, running on Android 12 and Realme UI 3.0. While there are some bloatware apps, they can be easily uninstalled or disabled. The UI animations are quick and responsive, and the device offers a good range of customization options and handy features. One notable omission is the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack, which may be a deal-breaker for some users. However, this doesn't detract from the phone's overall performance capabilities. In terms of power consumption, the GT 2's 5000mAh battery performed well in my tests, lasting a full day with heavy usage patterns and moderate use cases. The phone also charges at an impressive 65 watts, which gets you from flat to full in around 35-40 minutes. Overall, the Realme GT 2's performance is one of its standout features, making it a compelling choice for anyone looking for a powerful smartphone without breaking the bank.
Pros
1. The Realme GT2 has a stunning design that turns heads, with a textured finish on the back that feels almost like paper.
2. It features a large and beautiful 6.6-inch Samsung E4 AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, brilliant colors, good viewing angles, and a super smooth 120Hz high refresh rate.
3. The camera performance is significantly improved, especially with the 50-megapixel Sony IMX 766 primary sensor that takes excellent photos in well-lit outdoor scenarios and mixed lighting conditions.
4. The phone's performance is snappy and efficient, even with demanding tasks like gaming, thanks to the Snapdragon AAA chipset and up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM.
5. It has a long-lasting 5000mAh battery that easily lasts a full day with heavy usage patterns, and supports fast charging at 65W.
6. The phone's software is great, with a clean and user-friendly interface, smooth animations, and plenty of customization options.
Cons
1. The camera can be inconsistent, especially in low light conditions, with noticeable lens flare and sometimes inaccurate colors.
2. There's no microSD card expansion, just enough space for two nano SIM cards.
3. The phone lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, which might be a disappointment for those who prefer wired audio.
4. While the fingerprint scanner is accurate, it's not mentioned if there's an official IP rating or any water resistance features.