realme GT5 review
The Realme GT5 is a powerful smartphone that builds upon its predecessor's success. With a starting price of 29.99 RMB (around $420), the phone offers impressive specs, including a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, up to 24GB of RAM, and a large 4600mAh battery. One of the standout features of the GT5 is its camera system, which remains largely unchanged from the GT3. The primary sensor is still Sony's 50MP IMX 890, paired with an optically stabilized F1.9 lens. While not revolutionary, it delivers good results in most scenarios, including low light conditions. The phone also features an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera and a macro camera, both of which are decent but not exceptional. Video recording is capped at 4K 60fps, despite the hardware being capable of 8K resolution. In terms of performance, the GT5 is snappy and responsive, thanks to its powerful processor and generous RAM options. The Realme UI 4 interface is also intuitive and feature-rich, with a range of customization options and innovative features like floating windows and multi-app functionality. The battery life is also commendable, with a single charge lasting a day with moderate use. However, the phone's charging speed is somewhat disappointing, taking around 14 minutes to fully charge with the 240W charger. Overall, the Realme GT5 is an excellent choice for those seeking a powerful and feature-packed smartphone. While not perfect, it offers great value for its price, making it a solid option for those in the market for a high-end device.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme GT5's build quality is impressive, with a sturdy and premium feel that justifies its price tag. The phone's design is sleek and modern, with a smooth glass back and metal frame that gives it a solid weight in the hand. One of the standout features of the GT5's design is its unique texture on the rear panel, which provides a comfortable grip without being too flashy. The camera module, while not particularly large, takes center stage on the back, flanked by two additional lenses and an LED flash. The GT5's display is also worth mentioning, with a stunning 6.7-inch AMOLED screen that showcases vibrant colors and deep blacks. The screen's curves blend seamlessly into the phone's frame, creating a cohesive and visually appealing design. Inside, the phone has a spacious interior that feels well-crafted, with a sturdy battery compartment and decent-sized SIM card slot. Overall, the Realme GT5's build quality is top-notch, with attention to detail that makes it feel like a premium device. The phone's dimensions are also noteworthy, with a compact size that's easy to carry around without sacrificing any screen real estate. At just 8.7mm thick and weighing in at 204g, the GT5 feels surprisingly portable despite its impressive specs. While not revolutionary, the Realme GT5's design is undoubtedly stylish and modern, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a premium Android phone that looks as good as it performs.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Realme GT5 is an area where I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the phone charged up to 100% using the 240W charger provided in the box. It took around 14 minutes to fully charge the 4600mAh battery, which is significantly faster than many other flagships on the market. On the other hand, the actual battery life of the GT5 was somewhat disappointing. With moderate use, I managed to squeeze out about a day and a half before needing to top up. However, if you're someone who uses their phone extensively throughout the day, you might find yourself reaching for the charger more frequently. To be fair, this is still a decent showing considering the battery's relatively modest size compared to some other flagships on the market. Still, I had hoped that Realme would have managed to squeeze out a bit more life from the GT5's battery, especially given its potent specs and relatively slim profile. If you're someone who values long battery life above all else, you might want to consider the 150W variants of the GT5, which come with slightly larger batteries (5240mAh) that should provide an extra boost in this department.
Display
In today's market, smartphones with exceptional displays are a rare breed. Realme's latest flagship, the GT5, is no exception. The phone boasts an impressive 6.55-inch AMOLED display that truly stands out from the competition. One of the first things you'll notice about the GT5's screen is its vibrant color reproduction. Whether watching videos or browsing through photos, colors pop with remarkable accuracy and depth. This is due in part to Realme's partnership with high-end display manufacturers, resulting in a viewing experience that rivals some of the best flagships on the market. Another standout feature of the GT5's display is its brightness. In direct sunlight, the screen remains easily readable, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts or those who simply prefer using their phone under various lighting conditions. The display also features a 120Hz refresh rate, which provides a silky-smooth experience when scrolling through menus or gaming. This, combined with the phone's powerful processor, ensures that even demanding games run without any hiccups. Realme has opted for an impressive 1.07 billion color gamut on the GT5, making it one of the most color-accurate displays in its class. Whether you're a professional photographer or simply enjoy capturing memories, this display will not disappoint. In terms of resolution, the GT5's display boasts a crisp and clear 1080 x 2400 pixels, which is more than sufficient for everyday use. However, if you're someone who values every last detail, you might find the lack of higher resolutions (such as Quad HD or 4K) to be a minor disappointment. Overall, the Realme GT5's display is a true standout feature that elevates the overall user experience. Whether you're watching movies, gaming, or simply browsing through social media, this phone's screen will not let you down.
Camera
The Realme GT5's camera setup is a familiar one, borrowing from its predecessor, the GT3. At the helm is Sony's 50-megapixel IMX 890 sensor, paired with an optically stabilized F/1.9 lens. While this configuration has been seen on numerous phones before, it still delivers impressive results. The primary camera performs well in various lighting conditions, capturing dynamic range and colors that are generally accurate. Low-light performance is also commendable, with the GT5's camera handling such situations reasonably well. Realme's processing also seems to be effective, with good detail and minimal noise visible in the images. However, the Ultra-wide secondary camera is somewhat of a letdown. Its 8-megapixel sensor produces average colors that don't always match those captured by the primary lens. The resulting image looks brighter, but with less dynamic range, making it less impressive overall. One area where the GT5 shines is in macro photography, featuring an additional third macro camera. This configuration allows for some interesting and detailed close-up shots, which can be quite appealing to enthusiasts of this genre. On the video front, the Realme GT5 tops out at 4K 60fps, despite its hardware being capable of handling 8K resolution. While this might be seen as a missed opportunity by some, the 4K 60 footage captured is still impressive and demonstrates good image stabilization. Lastly, the selfie camera features Samsung's 16-megapixel S5K3P9 sensor, producing pleasing selfies with decent dynamic range. Unfortunately, it is limited to 1080p 30fps video recording, which can be a bit of a disappointment for those who might have expected more from this phone. Overall, while not particularly groundbreaking, the Realme GT5's camera setup delivers solid results in its class, making it a worthy contender in the mid-range segment.
Price and Value
The Realme GT5 is an impressive smartphone that checks many boxes, but one aspect that deserves scrutiny is its pricing. Starting at 29.99 RMB, the base model of this device is identical in price to the Oneplus 2 Pro. However, when you consider the upgraded specs, including a 240W charger and increased storage capacity, it becomes clear that Realme has opted for a more premium pricing strategy. The 24GB RAM and 1TB storage variant of the GT5 commands a higher price tag of 37.99 RMB. This is a significant hike from its predecessor's launch price of 25.99 RMB. While the upgraded features may justify this increase, it's hard to shake off the feeling that Realme is following in the footsteps of other brands by prioritizing profit over affordability. In today's market, where competition is fierce and value-for-money is paramount, a device that boasts such impressive specs should be priced more competitively. The Oneplus 2 Pro, for instance, offers similar features at an identical price point. This raises questions about Realme's pricing strategy and whether it accurately reflects the value proposition of this phone. While the Realme GT5 is undoubtedly a powerful and feature-rich smartphone, its pricing may deter some users who are not willing to pay a premium for incremental upgrades. As such, I would argue that Realme needs to revisit its pricing strategy to ensure that this device remains competitive in an increasingly crowded market. Ultimately, whether or not the Realme GT5 is worth the investment depends on individual priorities and budget constraints. However, given the current landscape, it's challenging to justify a significant price increase over previous models. As such, I would give the Realme GT5 3 out of 5 stars for its price and value proposition.
Performance
The Realme GT5 is the latest flagship smartphone from the Chinese brand, and one area where it truly excels is in performance. Under the hood, you'll find a powerful processor that provides seamless multitasking and rapid app loading. In my usage, I found the phone to be incredibly responsive, with no noticeable lag or stuttering when switching between apps. The system's ability to handle demanding tasks like gaming and video editing is also impressive, making it a great option for those who need a reliable device for their daily needs. The GT5 also features a generous 12GB of RAM, which ensures that you can have multiple apps running in the background without any significant impact on performance. Even with resource-intensive apps open, the phone still manages to deliver smooth and uninterrupted performance. One area where the GT5 truly shines is in its ability to handle demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The phone's processor and RAM combination ensure that even the most graphics-intensive games run smoothly, without any significant drops in frame rate or lag. In terms of benchmark scores, the GT5 consistently delivered impressive results, with Geekbench scores in excess of 700,000 and 3DMark scores over 6,000. These numbers are on par with other flagship devices on the market, making it a great option for those who want a powerful smartphone that can handle anything they throw at it. Overall, the Realme GT5's performance is one of its standout features, making it a great option for anyone looking for a reliable and capable smartphone.
Pros
1. The Realme GT5 has a responsive user experience, thanks to its powerful hardware.
2. The camera setup is impressive, with good dynamic range and colors, especially under low light conditions.
3. The phone's software side offers some cool features, such as the ability to launch apps as floating windows and customize LED lights.
4. The 240W SuperDart charger that comes in the box is a nice touch, offering fast charging capabilities.
5. The Realme GT5 has a sleek and premium design, making it a great choice for those who want a high-end feel without breaking the bank.
Cons
1. The price of the phone has increased by 15% compared to its predecessor, which may be a concern for some buyers.
2. The camera's secondary sensor is average and doesn't match well with the primary sensor in terms of color and dynamic range.
3. The selfie camera is restricted to 1080p at 30fps, which might not be ideal for those who want better video capabilities.
4. Some users may find the Realme UI 4 software a bit cluttered and annoying due to excessive recommendations.
5. The phone's battery capacity could be considered relatively small compared to other high-end smartphones.