Realme GT 2 Pro Review: Geared up

Realme used to be a number of the first firms to reassure lovers that it will be slipping the newest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor into its subsequent flagship; after the silicon used to be unveiled on the finish of 2021.

Sure sufficient, the Realme GT 2 Pro used to be introduced in China promptly afterwards wearing the chip, happening sale within the area on the flip of the brand new yr.

Fans in the remainder of the arena, alternatively, had been left ready till the corporate made its Mobile World Congress debut in past due February, the place the GT 2 Pro’s global availability used to be showed for 8 March.

Now that the phone is right here, it is a topic of working out whether or not the Pro moves the function worth/efficiency balancing act that the corporate’s quick lineage of current flagship telephones is understood for or whether or not it gives a extra aggressive package deal in opposition to the broader flagship marketplace.

Design & construct

• Unique biopolymer end on Master Edition
• Glass-backed fashions weigh 10g extra
• Still no IP score or wi-fi charging

Paper is not the primary subject material chances are you’ll call to mind in relation to smartphone fabrics however that is precisely what Realme’s design staff used because the jumping-off level for the end at the GT 2 Pro (in addition to the usual GT 2).

While the phone can also be had in a somewhat pedestrian Steel Black in Europe (in addition to Titanium Blue in China) with a traditional glass again, Realme has additionally given the GT 2 Pro the Master Edition remedy by means of as soon as once more partnering with Japanese dressmaker Naoto Fukusawa to create a singular set of finishes that pull clear of conventional smartphone tropes.

The model of the GT 2 Pro that you’ll be able to most likely see in any promotional imagery is the Master Edition variant; wearing both the Paper White or Paper Green colourway. The first phone to characteristic a again fabricated from biopolymer, the frivolously grooved texture throughout this plastic is supposed to awaken the texture of paper.

In apply, I’ll concede that possibly the feeling may well be attributed to coarse, closely recycled paper, however no longer your moderate sheet of notepad A4.

As for the aesthetics at play, the feel provides a pleasing quantity of grip that differs from typical glass of plastic-backed telephones, whilst diffusing gentle in some way that provides the phone a blank and fingerprint-free look from any perspective.

Rendered in both a heat white or a mint inexperienced, alternatively, this faded end does glance as regardless that it will cling onto dirt inside of the ones minute grooves after prolonged use, which itself may well be tough to wash.

While Realme’s Master Edition telephones steadily characteristic Fukusawa’s signature someplace on their our bodies, the best way wherein the GT 2 Pro’s again provides his John Hancock a devoted plinth subsequent to the digicam module turns out slightly gaudy; encroaching at the phone’s in a different way blank {hardware} format.

It’s no longer even one thing you’ll be able to cover with the integrated darkish gray case, as whilst that covers the all-important end with a near-featureless outer shell, it inescapably options its personal plinth, once more embellished with the dressmaker’s signature.

The silver steel body that surrounds the phone and leads into its rounded biopolymer again is typically great to deal with, from an ergonomic viewpoint; even supposing it does not give this flagship relatively as top class a end as its status implies.

Details like a knurled steel energy key and black surrounds on each and every rear digicam sensor are preferred too, whilst Realme nonetheless hasn’t observed are compatible to stretch for different flagship-class {hardware} characteristics, like wi-fi charging fortify or IP-certified water and mud resistance.

Display & audio

• Largest and sharpest display on a Realme phone but
• 6.7in 120Hz WQHD+ LTPO 2.0 E4 AMOLED show
• Protected by means of Gorilla Glass Victus
• Balanced stereo audio system

While Realme’s 2022 flagship comes with the usual fare of anticipated upgrades, one space that the GT 2 Pro punches up extra so than its predecessors is with the show generation at paintings; which Realme has jointly branded as its ‘Super Reality Display’.

There’s a flat 6.7in panel at the phone’s entrance, safe by means of the newest Gorilla Glass Victus. It’s technically the most important display on a Realme phone but, with the corporate’s handsets in most cases topping out at 6.6in, however that is not what truly units it aside.

As with ultimate yr’s Realme GT, the 2 Pro gives up wealthy, colourful and super-smooth 120Hz AMOLED visuals however its upgraded panel is dependent upon a brand new LTPO 2.0 procedure (most effective lately discovered on a handful of alternative telephones, together with the OnePlus 10 Pro), facilitating variable refresh charge fortify proper right down to 1Hz, for advanced energy potency.

What’s extra, the display at the GT 2 Pro could also be the primary instance of Realme breaking previous Full HD+ decision, with WQHD+ (1440×3216) visuals additionally making this the sharpest panel on a Realme phone up to now. The collective impact is that the GT 2 Pro options Realme’s perfect show ever; an expansive and detailed panel with gratifying fluidity that is nice for taking part in media.

There’s additionally numerous regulate over the viewing revel in, with dynamic refresh charge and determination enabled by means of default, however the solution to specify positive increments of each.

Options for symbol and video enhancement, fine-grain regulate over color profiles, eye convenience and darkish modes with scheduling choices, an always-on show mode with customisable parts and extra additionally characteristic.

As for the audio setup, a suite of Dolby Atmos-certified audio system ship one of the crucial maximum balanced stereo separation from any phone I’ve lately examined, with maximum others dispensing a treble/bass bias between the earpiece speaker and the down-firing speaker grille alongside the instrument’s backside edge.

The sound from GT 2 Pro is flatter than was hoping however blank and effectively outlined, which means it is larger fitted to playing video games and media with out headphones, in comparison to a large number of possible choices.

Software & options

• Runs Realme UI 3.0 atop Android 12 at release
• Upgraded promise of 3 years OS & 4 years safety updates
• Feature-packed person revel in is also intimidating for rookies

While no longer the primary, the GT 2 Pro is likely one of the preliminary snatch of Realme telephones (along the likes of the new 9 Pro+) to show off the corporate’s newest skinned revision of Android: Realme UI 3.0 (operating atop Android 12).

It contains new tweaks to Realme-specific parts, like app icons with extra intensity to their designs and richer capability from the Smart Sidebar (which helps you to temporarily get entry to apps and make a selection options from any place inside the UI, in addition to in an instant beginning split-screen multitasking or floating window apps).

At the similar time, Realme UI 3.0 comprises local Android 12 options too, together with extra complex privateness controls, what Realme calls the ‘sensible theming engine’ to higher color UI parts the usage of palettes auto-generated in accordance with your number of wallpaper and extra.

If you might be unfamiliar with Realme UI, whilst it is indisputably one of the most heavier and extra stylised skins in the market as opposed to Google’s local Pixel launcher, it is arguably cleaner to take a look at and more uncomplicated to navigate than it is ever been. It additionally packs in a deep stage of fine-grain regulate over customisation, together with a bevvy of distinctive options that make for a extra versatile and purposeful revel in general. Just be ready for a little of a studying curve in case you are a newcomer.

Arguably one of the most largest enhancements that the GT 2 Pro ushers in is Realme’s technique to tool updates. While price for cash has constantly been a cornerstone of the Realme revel in, up till now its telephones have, at perfect, landed with most effective two main OS updates and 3 years of safety updates; the naked minimal for many Android telephones and a cycle dictated by means of Realme’s working out of customers’ basic improve cadence.

It’s breaking that pattern with the GT 2 sequence, alternatively, committing to an extra yr of each and every, which means 3 years of main OS updates and 4 years of Android safety patches.

While this does not but put Realme relatively on-par with the likes of Samsung, as one of the most perfect manufacturers round for Android updates, it is a step in the precise path that suggests larger price for cash for customers and a greener technique to the instrument existence cycle on Realme’s phase; one thing it is willing to spotlight in a large number of techniques with the GT 2 line.

Performance

• First phone on sale in Europe with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip
• Gaming efficiency is inexplicably capped at 60fps
• GT Mode 3.0 does not serve as as marketed
• Prone to warmth build-up when gaming

The opening pitch of the Realme GT 2 Pro (prior to the phone had even been formally named) used to be that it will be among the primary telephones on the earth to show off Qualcomm’s freshly-minted Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 silicon, and it nearly used to be.

While Motorola nabbed the crown of ‘World’s First’ with the release of the Edge X30 in China, Realme has controlled to pip sister producer Oppo to the publish by means of getting the GT 2 Pro out to marketplace in Europe forward of the Find X5 Pro.

As for a way the GT 2 Pro handles, the 8 Gen 1 is, as anticipated, exceptionally succesful; making sure that Realme UI 3.0 person revel in flys at 120Hz and taking over split-screen and floating window multitasking as though they had been not anything. It’s additionally the primary phone to obtain Google’s Performance category 12 certification, which will have to imply better-standardised app optimisation that may larger leverage the GT 2 Pro’s energy.

In day by day use, you might be not going to really feel any main efficiency advantages over the usual GT 2 (with its Snapdragon 888 SoC), alternatively, by means of factoring within the advanced tool fortify that this sequence after all comes with, the phone’s long-term price is best justified. Those who stay the GT 2 Pro for everything of its supported lifetime will have to in finding extra constant efficiency with much less degradation, in comparison to gadgets with lesser chipsets.

In synthetic trying out, the 12GB RAM style has numerous energy at its disposal, matching different fresh similarly-specced competition in relation to CPU efficiency. The identical is right of graphical skill too, alternatively, Realme has made a odd name that limits the veracity of our effects, in addition to real-world gaming stories.

Whether to verify a constant revel in throughout various kinds of video games or as a method of warmth control, each graphical benchmarks and video games all max out at 60fps; even titles that experience confirmed to fortify uncapped body charges when examined on different telephones (like Real Racing 3 and Alto’s Odyssey) remained locked at a most 60fps.

Frames hardly dipped under this throughout key gameplay moments, making certain a degree of consistency and predictability in aggressive play that no longer all flagships can promise, alternatively, the transfer to artificially lock-off efficiency on this manner prevents customers from playing positive titles to their fullest.

Being a member of the GT circle of relatives, the GT 2 Pro additionally includes a devoted ‘GT Mode’ (model 3.0 on this example); intended to up GPU efficiency whilst gaming, on the expense of upper energy intake. Despite a flashy animation when activating the mode, alternatively, real-world CPU and GPU efficiency, in addition to body charge, did not seem to range or fortify in any respect, giving the impact that, until tied to precise video games that Realme hasn’t disclosed, GT Mode does not ship further efficiency, as marketed.

Despite the inclusion of a stainless-steel vapour cooling machine that is significantly higher than earlier iterations – integrating each copper parts and customized cooling gel into its design – the GT 2 Pro did turn into noticeably scorching to touch after extended gaming periods; extra so than the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy S22+ or Google’s Pixel 6 Pro for instance, in spite of identical stipulations.

Beyond uncooked energy, the GT 2 Pro additionally options ‘HyperSmart Antenna Switching’ to intelligently soar between the phone’s 12 antennas for the most productive connection high quality, there is a higher NFC touch space for more uncomplicated interplay and the phone boasts rapid UFS 3.1 garage, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and 5G.

Battery

• 5000mAh battery
• 65W ‘SuperDart’ speedy charging
• 59% rate in quarter-hour, 100% rate in 35

With the most important and perfect decision show of any Realme instrument up to now, the promise of enhanced gaming efficiency and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 to energy, it is a excellent factor that Realme selected to incorporate a sizeable 5000mAh battery throughout the GT 2 Pro too.

Beyond its massive capability cellular, options like that LTPO 2.0-supported variable refresh charge indisputably assist give a contribution to the phone’s first rate longevity.

In benchmarks, the GT 2 Pro outpaced key competitors from Samsung, Google, Vivo and past, whilst real-world screen-on time of over 7.25 hours interprets to a at ease day and a part of use, together with a place of gaming, with out fear.

To assist organize battery anxiousness even additional, the corporate’s SuperDart speedy charging additionally options, with the 65W energy adapter refilling the phone to complete in slightly below 35 mins, as marketed.

Based at the divulge of 150W UltraDart speedy charging at MWC 2022 –  destined for the coming near near GT Neo 3 –  Realme could also be obviously mindful of maintaining battery well being over the years, which means degradation should not be any place close to as drastic as chances are you’ll be expecting from a phone that may recharge so temporarily.

Camera

• 50Mp f/1.8 major sensor w/ OIS
• 50Mp f/2.2 ultrawide sensor 150˚ FoV
• 3Mp f/3.3 microscope sensor w/ up to 40x magnification
• 32Mp f/2.4 hole-punch selfie digicam

One of probably the most outstanding shortcomings of Realme’s earliest gadgets used to be their cameras and the GT 2 Pro represents an formidable step up on this division.

The digicam machine is punctuated by means of a couple of 50Mp sensors at the again, supported by means of a specifically inventive photographic toolset; together with one of the most first 150° ultrawide perspective sensors on a phone, in addition to a tertiary 3Mp ‘microscope’ sensor, that may seize pictures at up to 40x magnification (paying homage to the setup discovered on ultimate yr’s Oppo Find X3 Pro).

Sony’s IMX766 has lengthy been a well-liked imaging sensor, no longer simply among Realme’s most up-to-date telephones (first utilized by ultimate yr’s GT Master Edition), however throughout a complete host of gadgets related to BBK Electronics; together with fresh choices from Oppo, OnePlus and Vivo as properly.

It’s a well-rounded sensor, specifically on the subject of color replica, alternatively, bits and bobs from the phone’s usual 12.6Mp pixel-binned photographs do not cling up beneath scrutiny. What’s extra, whilst dynamic vary is best than ever from a Realme phone’s digicam, darker spaces do breed extra grain than was hoping.

(*2*)

For any misgivings symbol high quality does provide regardless that, the GT 2 Pro’s digicam machine makes up for it in its versatility. With no devoted telephoto snapper, zooming comes on the expense of high quality however you’ll be able to transfer the opposite direction, due to that 150° ultrawide snapper, which artificially allows you to seize at various focal levels, together with a full-blown fish eye mode.

The microscope digicam, in the meantime, is just too low-resolution to be anything else greater than a novelty however, supplied there is numerous gentle (helped by means of the phone’s personal twin LED flashes), you’ll be able to take some fascinating and crowd pleasing photographs.

Street mode, offered to the GT sequence ultimate yr, additionally seems at the GT 2 Pro, providing up a variety of curated filters optimised for the excessive distinction situations that the meant environments in most cases provide.

The energy to be had from the GT 2 Pro additionally facilitates technical feats like 8K video at 24fps and better constancy symbol seize, with the choice of 10-bit color.

With three-D Photo mode you’ll be able to even upload Hitchcockian digicam strikes, to deliver nonetheless photograph to existence (even supposing the standard of effects varies lovely wildly in apply). AI enhancement is to be had too, even though whether or not pictures glance larger with this option on or off would possibly merely fall to non-public choice.

Selfies, which seem fair and well-detailed out the gate, can also be supported thru real-time retouching, even though pass too a ways with the sliders and you’ll be able to finish up having a look like an alien.

Price & availability

Before the GT 2 Pro’s first authentic debut, corporate CEO Sky Li went on document to mention that this will be the first instrument from the corporate to damage america$800 mark, which solidified Realme’s obvious intent to make a extra top class instrument which extra without delay competes with high-end competition from the likes of Samsung and past.

While its beginning Chinese price ticket undercut this threshold (at ¥3,899 – roughly £455/€545/US$615/₹45,730/AU$850), across the world the phone begins at €749 (which kind of converts to US$830) for the 8GB RAM/128GB garage SKU, whilst the top-tier style examined right here, with 12GB RAM and 256GB garage sells for £699/€849.

In a odd manner, its maximum like-minded rival is also ultimate yr’s Find X3 Pro, which clearly runs on an older core chipset however gives a identical digicam association, paired to Oppo’s arguably awesome symbol processing. What’s extra, this present day the X3 can also be discovered with cash off that makes it a extra aggressive selection in opposition to the GT 2 Pro’s nice price, in spite of its older {hardware}.

If you might be after one thing extra recent, there are not many choices in the market at this time with the similar stage of energy and current-gen {hardware} that may fit the GT 2 Pro on worth. Notable possible choices come within the type of Oppo’s aforementioned Find X5 Pro or anything else from Samsung’s Galaxy S22 vary, either one of which get started at the next worth than even the top-spec 12GB RAM SKU of the Realme.

Provided you might be prepared to sacrifice the flexibility of the GT 2 Pro’s digicam revel in for larger high quality photographs general, then the usual Google Pixel 6 is also a more sensible choice; particularly as it is one of the most few flagships that, strangely, can compete with the GT 2 Pro on worth.

For the time being, the most productive position to select the Realme GT 2 Pro up in European markets is direct from Realme’s personal web site (Spain, UK).

Verdict

While the Realme GT 2 Pro has its flaws, what it truly represents is a renewed commentary of intent from the corporate.

Not most effective is it among the primary telephones on the earth to supply a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, it is the first instance of Realme pushing previous Full HD+ decision (whilst additionally showcasing complex LTPO 2.0 tech) in an effort to ship a extra top class revel in to customers. It additionally ushers in advanced long-term tool fortify, additional bettering the corporate’s current value-for-money proposition.

The corporate hasn’t stopped there, alternatively, with inexperienced credentials that come with integrating biopolymer into the phone’s design, the transfer to close plastic-free packaging (21.7% down to simply 0.3%) and the truth that, in relation to sustainability, the GT 2 Pro could also be the arena’s first TCO 9.0-certified phone.

The Realme GT 2 Pro pushes the envelope, however no longer essentially within the techniques chances are you’ll be expecting, and whilst the digicam may well be larger and conventional top-tier flagship options (like water resistance and wi-fi charging) are nonetheless lacking, on the very least, this phone is a promising signal of what is to return.

Specs

Realme GT 2 Pro: Specs

• 6.7in WQHD+ LTPO 2.0 1Hz to 120Hz AMOLED show
• Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
• 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
• Stainless metal vapour chamber cooling
• 8GB or 12GB LPDDR5 RAM
• 128GB, 256GB or 512GB UFS 3.1 garage
• 50Mp major f/1.8 Sony IMX766 sensor w/ OIS
• 50Mp ultrawide f/2.2 w/ 150° FoV
• Up to 40x magnification microscope digicam
• 32Mp front-facing f/2.4 Sony IMX615 sensor w/ 80.6° FoV
• Android 12 w/ Realme UI 3.0
• Stereo audio system w/ Dolby Atmos
• USB-C
• 5G
• Bluetooth 5.2
• WiFi 6
• NFC
• 5000mAh battery
• 65W speedy charging
• 163.2mm x 74.7mm x 8.18mm
• 189 grams (Master Edition), 199 grams (usual fashions)
• Master Edition colors: Paper White, Paper Green
• Standard colors: Titanium Blue, Steel Black