realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition review
The Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is a flagship smartphone that boasts impressive specifications at an affordable price. Equipped with a high-quality AMOLED display, powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, and advanced camera system, this device offers exceptional performance, image quality, and user experience. With a sleek design, long-lasting battery life, and fast charging capabilities, the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is a compelling option for those seeking a premium smartphone without breaking the bank.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is the second flagship device from Realme, and it's undeniable that this smartphone has a lot to offer for its affordable price tag. One of the first things you'll notice about this phone is its build quality and design. Externally, the smartphone has a simple yet elegant style with smooth edges that make it comfortable to hold in your hand. The case materials are excellent, featuring frosted glass on the back and a metal frame running along the center. This gives the device a premium feel without breaking the bank. In terms of dimensions, the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is not compact, but its average size makes it easy to carry around in 2023. The weight distribution is also well-balanced, making it easy to handle and maneuver with one hand. The display itself is a highlight of this phone, featuring a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with full HD Plus resolution and a 120Hz frequency. This means that scrolling through menus and using the phone's interface is fast, smooth, and visually stunning. Another notable feature of the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is its use of top-grade materials in its design. The frosted glass on the back provides a tactile experience, while the metal frame adds strength and durability to the device. Overall, the build quality and design of the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition are impressive for a phone at this price point. The smartphone feels solid in your hand, and its materials exude a sense of quality that's hard to find elsewhere. If you're looking for a phone with excellent build quality and design without breaking the bank, then the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is definitely worth considering.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is a significant aspect that deserves attention. Equipped with a 5000mAh battery, this smartphone promises to last throughout the day and even into the next. In our tests, we found that the phone can easily go for one to one and a half days without needing to be recharged, even with heavy usage. We enabled the always-on display, light same, and 120Hz refresh rate during testing, which typically drains batteries quickly. The phone's battery life is further aided by its power-efficient hardware, including the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor and LPDDR5X memory. Additionally, the phone comes with a 100W fast charger that can fill up to 50% of the battery in just 26 minutes. In terms of autonomy, our tests revealed that the phone's display can operate for six to nine hours straight, while the overall usage time is around one and a half days. While we didn't push the phone to its limits, it's clear that the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition has sufficient battery life to last throughout most users' daily activities. However, heavy gamers or power users might need to be more mindful of their usage patterns to avoid running out of juice.
Display
The display is a crucial aspect of any smartphone, and the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition does not disappoint. The device boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. This means that scrolling and interacting with the screen are fast, smooth, and pleasurable. One notable feature of this display is its ability to support DCI-P3, SRGB, and HDR color profiles. The result is a vibrant, contrast-rich, and saturated display that reproduces colors accurately. The brightness level is also sufficient for both indoor and outdoor use, making it ideal for everyday usage. The presence of a separate processor dedicated to the display ensures seamless performance, even in demanding scenarios. Additionally, the display supports PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) and DC dimming, which can be enabled through the developer options for those who may experience eye strain. One might argue that the display is not the most compact or impressive aspect of this device, but it's hard to deny its overall quality. The screen real estate offers a good balance between size and portability, making it suitable for various use cases. In terms of customization, the display allows for detailed adjustments, catering to individual preferences. Overall, the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition's display is an excellent addition to this device, providing users with a high-quality visual experience that enhances their overall interaction with the smartphone.
Camera
The camera on the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is one of its most impressive features. The smartphone boasts a triple-camera setup, consisting of a 50-megapixel primary sensor with an IMX 766 image sensor and optical stabilization, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens without autofocus, and a 2-megapixel microscope camera that allows for up to 40 times magnification. The primary camera delivers excellent results, with good detail, color accuracy, and contrast. The images are well-exposed, even in challenging lighting conditions, and the level of noise is minimal. The ultra-wide-angle lens also takes great photos, although it can struggle with depth of field and distortion in some cases. One standout feature of the camera system is the microscope mode, which allows for incredibly detailed close-up shots. This is not only useful for capturing fine details but also provides an interesting perspective on everyday objects. The camera app is well-designed, making it easy to navigate and access various modes, such as night mode, portrait mode, and more. The interface is clean, and the settings are intuitive. In terms of video recording, the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition can shoot in full HD at up to 60 FPS or 4K at 30 FPS, with both optical and software-based stabilization available. This makes for smooth and stable footage, even when moving around or walking quickly. However, there are some areas where the camera falls short. While it performs well in bright lighting conditions, low-light performance could be improved with future software updates. Additionally, the front-facing camera is unremarkable, producing average selfies that lack detail and sharpness. Overall, the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition's camera system offers a great balance of features, image quality, and versatility. While it may not excel in every department, it is still an impressive offering that will satisfy most users' needs. With some optimization in low-light conditions and a minor improvement to the front-facing camera, this phone could become even more compelling.
Price and Value
The Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is a flagship smartphone that boasts impressive features at an affordable price point. With a starting price of $550 for the top-of-the-line model, this device offers exceptional value for those seeking a high-performance phone without breaking the bank. Compared to its competitors such as Google Pixel 6, Samsung S21 FE, and OnePlus 10 Pro, the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition holds its own in terms of performance. Powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, this device delivers lightning-fast speeds and seamless performance, making it an excellent choice for gaming enthusiasts and heavy users. The smartphone's camera capabilities are also noteworthy, featuring a 50MP primary sensor with optical stabilization, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP microscope lens. While not perfect, the camera produces impressive results, especially considering its price point. Another highlight of this device is its AMOLED display, which offers vibrant colors, high contrast ratios, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The smartphone's battery life is also commendable, with a 5000mAh cell that provides a day or two of moderate use, depending on your usage patterns. While not perfect, the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is an excellent choice for those seeking a flagship experience without the hefty price tag. Its performance, display, and camera capabilities make it a strong contender in its class, and its price point is remarkably attractive considering what you get. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and want to save some money while still getting a high-quality device, the Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is definitely worth considering.
Performance
The Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition is touted as a flagship device that packs a punch in terms of performance, all while keeping costs low. Under the hood lies a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5X memory and 256GB of UFS 3.18 storage. In our tests, the smartphone delivered outstanding performance, with benchmark scores exceeding 1 million points. Application launch times were lightning-fast, and switching between tasks was seamless. The phone also handled demanding games with ease, running them at high and maximum settings without any noticeable lag or heating issues. The inbuilt AGT mode further boosts performance when needed. The phone's Android 12 and Realme UI 3.0 software setup provides a smooth and intuitive user experience. Updates to Android 13 will soon be available, ensuring the device stays current with the latest security patches and features. Although only available in the Chinese version at the moment, English support for Google services and the Play Store makes it easy to install APK files and remove unnecessary apps. In terms of performance, this phone is a powerhouse. The Realme GT 2 Master Explorer Edition's exceptional processing capabilities make it an excellent choice for those seeking a high-performance device without breaking the bank. While there may be some minor quirks with the camera and software setup, overall, the phone's performance is top-notch. If you're in the market for a budget-friendly flagship that delivers on power, this device should certainly be on your radar.