Updated 11 December 2023: This first look was released on 1 March 2023, in conjunction with this device entering the Malaysian market on 20 December, it has been updated with comparisons with competitors. Other additional information we will include in the launch news and full review soon
Realme has already launched their new flagship device for this year, the Realme GT3. The device is the rebranded Realme GT Neo5 for the global market. This is also the first Realme device to have an RGB lighting system and is the world's first device with the fastest charging system to date.
I who am currently in Barcelona for the launch event of this device taking place at MWC 2023 was given the opportunity to use this device for about a day. My experience of using it in this short period of time was surprising and I didn't think that Realme had changed and this device might change the perception of many people towards this brand that is sister to Oppo and OnePlus.
SPECIFICATIONS
Realme GT3 240W
6.74-inch OLED screen, 2772 x 1240, 1.5K,
144Hz, HDR10+
Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor (4nm)
1 X 3.19 GHz Cortex X2 chip
3 X 2.75 GHz Cortex A710
4 X 2.00 GHz Cortex A510
Adreno 730 Graphics Chip
RAM 8/12/16 GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage 256GB UFS 3.1
Primary Camera 50 MP, f/1.88 (Wide Angle)
8 MP, f/2.2 (Ultra Wide Angle)
2 MP, f/3.3, (Microscope)
Street Photography 3.0
16 Megapixel Front Camera
4600 mAh battery
240W wired charging
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM Nano /5G
NFC Yes
Infrared Yes
Waterproof None
Fingerprint Scan System under the screen
Sale Price Starts at $649
*RM2912 (direct exchange)
SCREEN
Realme GT3 uses a 6.74-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2772 x 1240 1.5K. The device's screen also supports a very fast 144Hz refresh rate. But due to not using an LTPO panel, the refresh rate can only change between 40Hz/45Hz/60Hz/72Hz/90Hz/120Hz/144Hz only.
The screen design of this device looks ordinary, nothing unique at all – with a hole in the top center and a bezel that we have seen on many other Realme devices. But what I didn't expect was that the 144Hz refresh rate on this device was really fast. This is because it is helped by a dedicated chip on the screen to make it work.
As far as my usage over the course of a few hours with many apps running in the background and benchmarks running, the screen never lags once and remains fast. Colors are just average as we are used to seeing HDR10+ screens, but the high brightness support is very helpful for using this device in bright sunlight.
DESIGN
At a glance from the front, the design of this Realme GT3 looks ordinary. But there is one feature on the back panel of this device that reminds me of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra from two years ago, which is the giant camera bump. There are three cameras inside two circles on the left and a glass panel on the right.
Only on Realme, this glass panel is not a screen but a transparent window called Pulse Interface Design. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 logo appears to be surrounded by a 25-color RGB light ring that reminds me of the shape of the Glyph Nothing Phone (1) lamp, only simpler and mini-sized.
In my hands this is the GT3 in Pulse White which uses a matte finish that gives a good grip in the hand. There is absolutely no fingerprint dirt trapped and most importantly easy to handle without feeling slippery. The soft texture is also nice to hold and it makes me not want to use a protective frame.
The frame of the device is also different from others, because it does not use a glossy finish as usual but uses a dull finish more or less the same as the back panel. On the right side there is a power button only. On the left there is only a volume button while above there is a microphone hole, a speaker grill and an infrared emitter. Yes, Realme devices have an IR transmitter to make them a remote control. Finally, below there is a USB-C port, a SIM card slot and a speaker grille as well.
The whole device still maintains the familiar design of Realme devices, but with a camera bump that allows people to tell which model is which. Especially with a unique RGB light feature that can change color according to device use or receiving notifications.
USAGE EXPERIENCE
What I can share about the experience of using this device in a short time is, GT3 is like a "child" born if Oppo and OnePlus get married. 240W SuperVOOC fast charging technology from Oppo and Realme UI 4.0 based on Android 13 which is very similar to Oxygen OS 13 on OnePlus 11.
It's no stranger that Oxygen OS and Realme UI all use the Color OS code. But usually Realme UI has their own identity that allows me to distinguish between two different operating systems. You know the OnePlus 11 is one of my favorite devices and the latest Oxygen OS provides a satisfying user experience. Using Realme UI 4.0 on this device seems to make no difference at all.
Maybe you think I'm talking about the interface, but what surprised me is how smooth and fast Realme UI 4.0 is similar to what OnePlus does which they always call Fluid. Absolutely smooth with no lags or lags on every scroll, opening apps and changing settings.
In my interview with Chase Xu, who is the vice president of Realme – he stated that if Realme executives and the majority of their loyal users like Realme UI 4.0 (already tested on many devices) no changes to Color OS should be made. So here I understand, because through it the distribution of updates and the development process of Realme UI can also be faster.
Here's what I found interesting about the GT3 after almost a day of trying it;
Breathing Light
A Glyph-like feature on Nothing but simpler and more colorful. Delivers a transparent back panel.
Adaptive Sleep
A feature to not lock the device as long as the camera detects the user's eyes are looking at the screen.
Screen Refresh Rate
Has application filtering to set individual refresh rates on each application.
GT Mode 4.0
The first mode is easy to activate by increasing the power consumption of the chip.
IR Remote
A smart infrared sensor to turn the device into a remote control.
Realme Lab
Supports Dual-mode audio for two audio accessories tethered to one device. Sleep Capsule to manage the device's memory with optimization every time the application is closed and Heart Rate Measurement to scan the pulse with the under-screen fingerprint scanner.
The Microscope Camera offers a 20x and 40x zoom feature that really works like the Oppo Find X3 Pro device.
The next thing that makes this device interesting to use is the world's fastest 240W fast charging. The SuperVOOC charger used is a USB-C to USB-C type and can charge this device from 0% to 100% in less than 10 minutes. In this test I did in Barcelona, a device that was heavy on parallelizing data to the charging cloud completed in 12 minutes. This is also quite fast, imagine – only about 10 minutes.
A free in-box charger provided with every purchase uses GaN technology. Ua can also be used for 65W Power Delivery charging to laptops or any device that supports USB PD charging.
PERFORMANCE AND BENCHMARKS
The benchmark score on this device is what is expected for a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 device. But since this test was done around Barcelona with weather below 10 degrees, the score might be higher than it should be. But anyway on Geekbench 6, AnTuTu 3D and 3DMark it displays satisfactory scores. This may also not be the final score as the device runs an internal test version of Realme UI 4.0 which is not yet ready for general users. We compared the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip on this device with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip on the OnePlus 11 and iQOO 11 5G.
Geekbench 6
Realme GT3 – 1369/3973
OnePlus 11 – 955/4056
iQOO 11 – 1457/4702 (Geekbench 5)
Antutu 3D
Realme GT3 – 1,079,040
OnePlus 11 – 1,104,135
iQOO 11 – 1457/4702
3D Mark Wildlife Extreme
Realme GT3 – 2803
OnePlus 11 – 3712
iQOO 11 – 3763
The performance of the device with GT mode on, playing games like Asphalt 9 and using the device as if for daily use is really fast and terrible. The 144Hz screen and Realme UI 4.0 optimization made me surprised by what this Realme GT3 device can do. I'll be honest, I can't wait to make this my everyday device to see how far it can go.
CONCLUSION
Realme GT3 is a great flagship device. The DNA of Oppo and OnePlus in this device makes Realme fiercely compete with other devices in the market. My short use of the GT3 so far has convinced me of this brand and I can recommend it to the public as it is a device that everyone should try. Beautiful screen, fast charging, premium finish, solid performance – what Realme has to offer in this device is all balanced.
Stay tuned to us for a full review of this device as I make it a daily device.
Pro
Super fast charging that's almost ridiculous.
The charger provided is a GaN type that can charge many other devices
Realme UI 4.0 is very fast and smooth.
The device's packaging is comfortable in the hand,
Interesting and useful RGB lighting system.
Cons
The overall design looks normal
The identity of Realme is gone, as it is the same as other BBK brands
Worry about the device overheating despite already having safety features.
Battery life may be affected because there is an RGB system.