Racing yellow. That’s not a colourway you associate with a smartphone. Even before I got my hands on Realme’s new flagship, I was already intrigued with this bright yellow shade. It more than lives up to the hype. This is one of those smartphones that stands out in a crowd, a likely conversation starter. That conversation is also likely to revolve around GT and why Realme picked this suffix for it’s latest device.
GT is probably the most used term to describe any automobile with a sporty twist. Originally an Italian automobile term (GT stands for Gran Turismo or grand touring) used to describe the perfect blend between a sports car and a luxury car. An automobile that had all the luxury trimmings and yet one that could transform into a speed demon when you so desire. The Italian who originally thought up the term GT almost a hundred years ago, couldn’t have imagined it used so widely not just by auto makers but now also be smartphone manufacturers.
In some sense Realme’s GT 5G takes the same cues – a device that’s good looking and yet has the ability to satisfy your need for speed when you go into extreme gaming mode. One of the first games I installed and checked out was Asphalt 9. It showcased the device’s raw firepower. The GT is powered by Qualcomm’s best of breed Snapdragon 888 processor and features 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage under the hood (There’s also an 8GB/128GB variant). Add the 120Hz display and the gameplay should satisfy most serious gamers. I took it to full throttle by tweaking the controls, you can choose from GT mode and Game focus mode. The device notched up an impressive score of 3236 on our Geekbench (Multi-core) benchmark test.
These modes and sustained gameplay impact battery life but most regular users should comfortably sail through a day with the 4500 mAh battery. Realme’s in-box 65W charger features the brand’s proprietary SuperDart Charge solution that takes the device from 0 to 100% in 30 minutes flat, living up to the GT moniker.
Even before you dig deep into the features, it’s the form factor that makes a big impact. It weighs under 190gm despite a large 6.43-inch Super AMOLED FHD+ display (2400 x 1080 pixels). Realme stretches the screen: body ratio beyond 91% while a plastic frame keeps it light. The plastic doesn’t dampen the build quality. This device is finished in yellow vegan leather with a black stripe (in a glossy glass finish) that adds to the sporty vibe. This splash of glass also features the rear camera module. This faux leather back is easy to grip and I think most folks are likely to use this phone without a back case. It’s clearly a case of ‘you got it you flaunt it’. The brand’s custom Realme UI is fairly uncluttered but we wish there weren’t so many pre-loaded apps on the device.
While the device scores on the form factor and performance fronts, the camera is a mixed bag. Results are good if you opt for the 64MP mode that harnesses the primary lens but drop a notch in other modes. Lowlight images are decent while the super macro images are average. An 8MP ultra-wide angle lens and a 2MP macro lens complete the rear camera set up, there’s also a 16MP selfie shooter in the mix.
The Realme GT 5G lands at a price point (Rs 35,000 – 45,000 band) that was once OnePlus turf. This is flagship killer territory and consumers have multiple options at this price point. This device comes with some useful touches (like the 3.5 mm headphone jack) and deserves your attention for its form factor and overall performance.
The Realme GT 5G costs Rs 37,999 (8GB/128GB) or Rs 41,999 (12GB/126GB). It’s available in three colours – Racing Yellow, Dashing Silver and Dashing Blue.
