realme GT Neo 5 review
The Oppo family has been on a roll lately, with the OnePlus 11R and Realme GT Neo 5 hitting the market as top-notch budget options. The latter stands out for its impressive value proposition, boasting a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen1 chip, 144Hz display, and super-fast charging capabilities. But does it live up to its promise? I put the Realme GT Neo 5 through its paces to find out. Here's my take on this exciting new device.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme GT Neo 5 has been making waves in the tech world with its impressive specs and features, but what really caught my attention is its build quality and design. As soon as I laid hands on this device, I was impressed by its solid construction and premium feel. One of the standout features of the GT Neo 5's design is its unique transparent area to the right of the camera module. This subtle touch adds a level of sophistication to the phone's design, and it's a nice nod to the brand's confidence in delivering top-notch performance at an affordable price. The area is not just for show; it houses a 25-color RGB light ring that serves as a notification light. The GT Neo 5's screen is another highlight, with a vibrant and bright display that matches the standards set by other high-end devices. While some may bemoan the lack of a curved screen on this phone, I think the flat design works well in its favor. The overall build quality is excellent, with a weighty feel to it that inspires confidence. The Realme GT Neo 5 also boasts an infrared emitter, which adds another layer of functionality to this already impressive device. The camera module itself is sleek and unobtrusive, with the main camera featuring a high-quality sensor that takes great pictures in most situations. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed by the design and build quality of the Realme GT Neo 5. This phone feels like a premium device, despite its affordable price tag, and it's definitely one to consider if you're looking for a solid mid-range smartphone experience.
Battery Life
While the Realme GT Neo 5 has received praise for its impressive specs and features, I'd like to focus on one aspect that truly sets it apart from other smartphones in its class: battery life. Specifically, the phone's charging speed is a game-changer. The GT Neo 5 comes with a 240W fast charger, which is by far the most powerful phone charger available today. This means that you can get your phone fully charged in just 9 minutes, making it perfect for those who need to top up their device quickly. In comparison, other smartphones in this price range usually come with 18W chargers, which take significantly longer to charge. The phone's charging speed is not the only impressive aspect of its battery life. The GT Neo 5 also offers a more-than-adequate 5000mAh battery capacity, ensuring that you can use your device throughout the day without needing to recharge it frequently. While I did prefer the 150W version for its slightly longer battery life, the 240W charger on the GT Neo 5 makes up for the slight difference. Overall, the phone's exceptional charging speed and decent battery capacity make it a formidable competitor in the mid-range market. If you're looking for a device that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, the Realme GT Neo 5 is definitely worth considering.
Display
The Realme GT Neo 5 boasts an impressive display that rivals its more expensive counterparts. The phone features a 1240p screen from TEMA, which is the same panel used in the OnePlus 11R. While both displays are excellent and bright, there are some notable differences between them. One of the standout features of the Realme GT Neo 5's display is its higher refresh rate, which tops out at 144Hz compared to the 120Hz found on the OnePlus 11R. This means that users can enjoy smoother visuals and faster scrolling through their favorite apps. Additionally, the Realme GT Neo 5 allows users to set different refresh rates for each app, giving them more control over their viewing experience. In terms of display quality, the Realme GT Neo 5's panel is comparable to other high-end displays. The screen is vibrant and colors are accurately represented, making it ideal for watching videos or browsing through photos. Furthermore, the phone's display is also capable of reaching very high brightness levels, which is essential in bright environments. Overall, the display on the Realme GT Neo 5 is a highlight of the phone, offering users an immersive viewing experience that rivals more expensive devices. The higher refresh rate and customizable refresh rates make it stand out from other budget phones, making it a great option for those looking for a device with a high-quality display. One potential drawback to mention is that while the Realme GT Neo 5's display is excellent in its price range, it may not be as good as some of the more expensive flagship phones on the market. However, considering the phone's affordable price point, the display is truly impressive and a major selling point for this device.
Camera
The Realme GT Neo 5 has been making waves in the tech world with its impressive specifications and affordable price tag. As part of my review process, I delved into the phone's camera capabilities to see how they hold up against other devices in their class. The main camera on the GT Neo 5 uses an IMX 990 sensor, which is a significant upgrade from the previous generation. While it doesn't quite match the Hasselblad collaboration found on some Oppo phones, it still takes excellent photos in most situations. During the day, images are crisp and well-detailed, but things get a bit blurry when zooming in or taking shots at night. Unfortunately, the ultra-wide camera falls short of expectations. It's not bad during the day, but its performance drops significantly at night, resulting in blurry images. I was also disappointed to find that it only supports 1080p at 30fps when recording video, which is a step down from other phones in this price range. On the other hand, the macro camera is a hidden gem on the GT Neo 5. It's a true macro lens that can take detailed photos of small objects, making it perfect for those who want to capture intricate details. However, when recording video with this camera, footage tends to be shaky due to the lack of image stabilization. One notable issue I encountered was a ghosting bug while using the auto mode for video recording. This problem persists even without the bug, making the ultra-wide camera's performance feel inconsistent. Overall, the camera experience on the Realme GT Neo 5 is solid, but not spectacular. While it takes good photos in most situations, its limitations become apparent when pushing the cameras to their limits. If you're looking for a budget phone with great camera capabilities, the GT Neo 5 might be worth considering, but don't expect it to blow your mind.
Price and Value
The Realme GT Neo 5 has been making waves in the tech world with its impressive specs and affordable price tag. As a budget phone, it's hard to believe that it can offer such great value for money. Priced very competitively, the Realme GT Neo 5 is an excellent option for those looking for a mid-range phone without breaking the bank. It's cheaper than both the OnePlus H2 and K60, making it an attractive choice for anyone on a budget. The phone boasts impressive specs, including a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen1 chip, which provides fast performance and efficient battery life. The screen is also top-notch, with a refresh rate of 144Hz that makes it ideal for gamers and video enthusiasts. One of the standout features of the Realme GT Neo 5 is its charging speed. With a whopping 240W charger, you can get your phone fully charged in just 9 minutes. This is the fastest charging phone on the market, making it perfect for those who are always on-the-go. In terms of value, the Realme GT Neo 5 is hard to beat. It offers excellent performance, a great screen, and fast charging at an affordable price point. If you're in the market for a new mid-range phone, the Realme GT Neo 5 should definitely be on your radar. Overall, the Realme GT Neo 5 is a budget phone that packs a punch. With its impressive specs, fast charging capabilities, and affordable price tag, it's an excellent choice for anyone looking for a great value for money.
Performance
The Realme GT Neo 5 has been making waves in the mid-range smartphone market with its impressive specs and features. As someone who's used to testing various devices, I was excited to put this phone through its paces. One of the standout aspects of the GT Neo 5 is its performance. Despite using a down-clocked version of the Snapdragon A+ Gen1 chip, the device still delivers surprisingly good gaming performance. In my tests, the phone managed to maintain an average frame rate of around 45 FPS, even when pushing the limits with demanding games. What's more impressive is how well the Neo 5 handles the heat generated during prolonged gaming sessions. The temperature remained relatively low, which was a pleasant surprise considering the device's budget-friendly price tag. Another area where the GT Neo 5 shines is its charging capabilities. With support for up to 240W fast charging, this phone can go from zero to fully charged in just 9 minutes – an astonishing feat that leaves many other devices in the dust. In terms of gaming experience, I found the Neo 5's performance to be significantly better than some of its peers, including the OnePlus H2 and Oppo K60. The device also features a range of gaming-related modes, such as Game Interpolation and Ultra Steady Frames, which further enhance the overall gaming experience. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Realme GT Neo 5's performance capabilities, especially considering its affordable price tag. While it may not match the performance of pricier flagships, this device is an excellent option for those seeking a budget-friendly phone that can handle demanding tasks with ease.
Pros
1. The Realme GT Neo 5 has a very unique design, with a transparent area to the right of the camera module that allows you to faintly see the Snapdragon A+ G1 chip inside.
2. It has a super low price compared to other phones in its range, making it an excellent value for money.
3. The phone's charging speed is incredibly fast, with 240W charging capabilities that can fully charge the battery in just 9 minutes.
4. The GT Neo 5 has a surprisingly good gaming performance, even with a down-clocked version of the Snapdragon A+ G1 chip.
5. It also features an infrared emitter and a 25-color RGB light ring that acts as a notification light.
6. The phone's display is excellent, with a 1240p screen from TEMA and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz.
7. The GT Neo 5 has a true macro lens camera that can be used as a microscope to take interesting photos.
Cons
1. The main camera performance is not the best, with occasional blurry shots when zooming in too much.
2. The ultra-wide camera only records at 1080p 30fps and lacks image stabilization, leading to shaky footage.
3. There's a ghosting bug when using the auto mode for video recording with the ultra-wide camera.
4. The battery capacity is smaller than some other phones in its range, despite the fast charging capabilities.
5. The phone's design may not appeal to everyone, with a unique look that might be off-putting to some users.
6. The GT Neo 5 doesn't have any significant advantages over other mid-range phones in terms of camera quality or battery life.
7. The phone's charging speed is so fast that it requires careful handling of the charger to avoid overheating.