realme GT5 review
The Realme GT5 is an intriguing smartphone that showcases a blend of impressive hardware and intuitive software features. Equipped with a powerful processor, generous storage options, and a high-capacity battery, this device promises seamless performance and extended usage. The camera setup appears to be a refined iteration of the previous model, with Sony's 50MP IMX 890 sensor at its core. With Realme UI 4 built on top of Android 13, users can expect a smooth and feature-rich experience.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme GT5's build quality and design are notable aspects of the phone. The device features a sturdy construction with a solid weight to it, exuding a sense of premium-ness despite being a mid-range offering. Upon closer inspection, the device's design is refined, with clean lines, a minimalist approach, and an emphasis on functionality over flashiness. The GT5's body is crafted from a blend of materials, including glass and metal, which contributes to its robust feel. One of the standout features of the Realme GT5's design is its use of color. The phone comes in several variants, each with a unique hue that adds visual interest. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that these colors are not merely cosmetic – they also serve as subtle indicators of the device's performance capabilities. The camera module on the back of the GT5 is another design highlight, featuring a distinct shape and layout that sets it apart from other phones in its class. The use of glass for the rear panel adds an extra layer of durability to the phone, making it resistant to scratches and minor drops. While some may find the Realme GT5's design to be somewhat generic or uninspired, others will appreciate its understated elegance and focus on performance capabilities over flashy aesthetics. Overall, the device's build quality and design are assets that enhance the overall user experience, making the phone feel more premium than it actually is. The only potential drawback to the Realme GT5's design is its tendency to collect fingerprints and smudges, which can make the phone appear less clean and polished over time. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise solid design that successfully balances form and function.
Battery Life
One of the most critical aspects of any smartphone is its battery life. Unfortunately, the Realme GT5 falls short in this department. Despite its large 4600mAh battery, I found myself needing to recharge it every day and a half, which is not ideal for a phone that's supposed to be a powerhouse. In my usage, which includes moderate social media scrolling, browsing, and some gaming, the battery life was just adequate. I didn't notice any significant issues with battery drain, but the fact that I needed to top up every 36 hours or so was a bit disappointing. Realme claims that the GT5's battery life is "all-day," but in my experience, it's more like "every-other-day." This is not necessarily a deal-breaker, especially considering the phone's other impressive specs. However, if you're someone who relies heavily on their phone for extended periods without access to a charger, you might find yourself disappointed with the GT5's battery life. It's worth noting that Realme does offer some power-saving features, such as a "Super Power Saving" mode that limits background app usage and turns off unnecessary features. These can help eke out an extra hour or two of battery life, but they're not a substitute for a more robust battery. Overall, while the GT5's battery life is not terrible, it falls short of expectations given the phone's other impressive specs.
Display
The Realme GT5 boasts a stunning display that is sure to impress. The phone features a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for gaming and video streaming. The display is crisp and vibrant, with deep blacks and accurate colors. One of the standout features of the Realme GT5's display is its ability to adjust its refresh rate on the fly. Whether you're scrolling through social media or playing a game, the phone can seamlessly switch between 120Hz and 60Hz to conserve battery life. This feature, known as "smart refresh rate," makes for a more fluid and efficient user experience. The display itself is also quite large, making it easy to get lost in your favorite shows or games. The AMOLED panel offers excellent contrast ratios and viewing angles, ensuring that the picture remains sharp and clear even when viewed from different perspectives. One minor quibble with the display is the lack of a higher refresh rate for video content. While the phone can handle 4K resolution at 60fps, it would be nice to see support for higher frame rates or resolutions like 8K. Overall, however, the Realme GT5's display is a major highlight of this phone. Its vibrant colors, crisp graphics, and efficient refresh rate make it perfect for anyone who loves to watch videos or play games on their phone. Rating: 4.5/5 Recommendation: If you're in the market for a new smartphone with a great display, the Realme GT5 is definitely worth considering. However, if you're looking for a phone that can handle higher refresh rates or resolutions, you may want to look elsewhere.
Camera
The camera setup on the Realme GT5 is a familiar one, borrowed from its predecessor, the GT3. The primary sensor remains Sony's 50-megapixel IMX 890, paired with an optically stabilized F/1.9 lens. This combination continues to deliver good results, showcasing excellent dynamic range and colors that are mostly on point. In bright lighting conditions, the camera performs admirably, capturing sharp images with minimal noise. The processing also seems to be done well, with Realme's software handling the details nicely. However, when it comes to low-light photography, the camera fares reasonably well but doesn't quite match the standards set by some of its competitors. The secondary 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens is a different story altogether. It tends to produce images that are slightly overexposed and lack the same level of dynamic range as the primary sensor. While not bad, it's an average performance at best. One area where the GT5 camera system excels is in video recording. The phone is capable of capturing 4K resolution footage at 60fps, which is a welcome feature for those who like to shoot video content on their smartphones. However, it's worth noting that the hardware can handle higher resolutions and frame rates, but Realme has capped it at 4K 60. The selfie camera, featuring Samsung's S5K3P9 sensor with 16 megapixels, remains unchanged from its predecessor. It produces decent results in bright lighting conditions but suffers from being limited to 1080p resolution at 30fps. This is a common limitation among Chinese smartphone brands, excluding Huawei. Overall, the Realme GT5's camera system provides solid performance across various scenarios, but it doesn't break new ground or exceed expectations in any particular area. It's a competent camera setup that should satisfy most users' needs but might not impress those seeking exceptional image quality.
Price and Value
The Realme GT5 has piqued my interest with its impressive specs sheet, but one aspect that catches the eye is the price tag. The device starts at a staggering 29.99 RMB for the base model, which is identical to the Oneplus 2 Pro's launch price. Moving up to the more potent variant with 24GB of RAM and a terabyte of storage, the Realme GT5 commands a whopping 37.99 RMB. This puts it in direct competition with other high-end flagships on the market. The pricing hike from its predecessor is notable, with the Realme GT5 debuting at a 15% premium. While this may not be alarming for those who value the latest and greatest tech, it does raise eyebrows when considering the device's overall value proposition. In today's smartphone landscape, where options abound and competition is fierce, price sensitivity has become a key differentiator. The Realme GT5's pricing strategy may deter budget-conscious buyers or those looking for a more affordable flagship experience. For enthusiasts willing to splurge on the latest tech, however, the Realme GT5's feature set and performance might justify the investment. But for everyone else, it's essential to weigh these costs against the device's capabilities and compare them with other available options in the market. Ultimately, whether or not the Realme GT5 represents a good value proposition depends on individual preferences and budget constraints. While it excels in certain areas, its pricing strategy might make it less appealing to those seeking an affordable flagship experience.
Performance
The Realme GT5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, which provides smooth performance in most scenarios. However, my experience with the device was marred by occasional lag and stuttering, particularly when switching between apps or scrolling through menus. In everyday use, the phone performed well, handling tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming without any issues. However, when pushed to its limits, such as running resource-intensive games or simultaneous multitasking, the GT5 showed signs of strain. The interface would freeze for a few seconds, and the processor would heat up significantly. The 8GB RAM configuration is sufficient for most users, but the lack of an option for more storage capacity might be a concern for those who rely heavily on cloud services or need to store large files locally. In terms of gaming performance, the GT5 was able to handle popular titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile with ease. However, the phone's cooling system struggled to keep up during prolonged gaming sessions, leading to overheating issues. The device's processor also seemed to throttle during intense usage, which might not be ideal for those who plan on using their phone extensively throughout the day. While the Realme GT5 is capable of delivering smooth performance in most scenarios, its limitations become apparent when pushed to its limits. Overall, I would rate the phone's performance as good but not great, with room for improvement in future updates or software optimizations.