Smartphones, Tablets & Wearables

Realme GT Master Edition in test

With the Realme GT, the Chinese company already delivered a real flagship in June of this year, whose value for money made the competition tremble. Now Realme has launched a “Master Edition” of the power smartphone. We want to take a closer look at whether it lives up to its name in our practical test.

Variation of the Realme GT

When the Realme GT was launched in June this year, it stunned the entire smartphone world. Experts were already taken at first sight. This was due to the very special look, which was more reminiscent of a sports car than a phone. But as befits a racing car, the device from the Far East also had a lot to offer under the hood.

The design of the Realme GT is anything but discreet. With its Master Edition, Realme is now going for understatement instead of chunkiness.

One success factor of the smartphone was the comparatively low price. The RRP of 349 Euros looks more like mid-range than high-end. To what extent Realme can maintain this all-around positive impression in its Master Edition and what differences there are between the two versions, we will take a closer look in the following.

Technical details

Display 6.43 inches, AMOLED, FHD+ resolution (1,080 x 2,400 pixels), 120 Hz max refresh rate
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 778 G 5G
Camera technology Main camera: 64 MP, ultra-wide lens: 8 MP, macro lens: 2 MP; front camera: 32 MP
Data Services 5G, Bluetooth, Wifi 6, NFC
Connectors 3.5mm jack, USB-C, dual-SIM capable, under-display fingerprint sensor
Operating system Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11
Weight 174 grams
Protection from dust, water, dirt No
Price (MSRP) 6 GB RAM u. 128 GB storage: 349 Euro; 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage: 399 Euro

Scope of delivery

In addition to the smartphone itself, the high-quality cardboard slipcase also contains the matching charging cable with USB-A to USB-C. So far so standard. However, the practical rubber cover, which is supposed to protect the obviously sensitive back of the smartphone, and the massive power adapter, which offers a whopping 65 watts of power, are anything but standard. Fortunately, a practical protective film was already attached to the large AMOLED screen ex-works. Of course, the user manual and other paperwork should not be missing.

Conspicuously inconspicuous

In the Master Edition, not only clear differences to the conventional Realme GT can be noticed visually. Compared to the other devices from the Chinese manufacturer, the Master Edition also presents itself in a strikingly different guise. While models like the Realme 8 Pro and the GT are rather designed as real eye-catchers, the Master Edition is rather inconspicuous and reserved. Thus, we were really amazed when we took the smartphone out of the packaging for the first time.

The back is very inconspicuous. Only when you look closely can you see the Realme logo in the lower left corner.

Turning the Master Edition over once, real Realme fans will miss the otherwise company-typical motto “Dare to Leap”. However, the manufacturer doesn’t do without the company name itself. The signature of the designer Naoto Fukasawa is emblazoned underneath the name in one of the three versions. He gives the smartphone a look that is supposed to remind of a travel case. In contrast to the matte, suitcase-shaped back, the model we tested comes with a glossy back in the color “Cosmos Black”.

As so often, it’s a matter of taste whether you prefer a matte or a glossy back. Certainly, both have their advantages and disadvantages. What you can objectively judge, however, is the attraction of fingerprints. We already had a few tap marks on the Master Edition’s back after a short time. In return, the design of our test model offered a pleasingly good grip, which meant that the device was always bombproof in the hands.

If you are looking for a fingerprint sensor, you will have to give up the search quickly. After all, it is hidden under the display. We will discuss how reliably it works at a later point. A look at the bottom of the Realme GT Master Edition not only reveals the usual charging port. The 3.5 mm jack is also particularly pleasing. In times of AirPods & this is rather exotic than the rule. However, modern smartphones do not only do without an audio jack because of convenient wireless headphones. Above all, the protection against water and dust should be facilitated or improved. The Realme GT Master Edition unfortunately does not offer such protection.

The included case not only offers protection, but also ensures that the smartphone does not wobble too much when it is on the back

The camera module is probably the most defining design element of the back. The massive impression it makes at first sight is also realized in practice. If you place the smartphone’s bottom on a flat surface like a table, it tends to wobble. This is due to the slight protrusion of the module. If you have a problem with this, a suitable case is inevitable. Fortunately, Realme includes this right away.

AMOLED panel with rich luminosity

In terms of display, nothing has changed in the Master Edition compared to the standard version at first glance. It measures a full 6.43 inches in the special version as well. Similarities are not only found in the size, but also in the increasingly important discipline of the refresh rate. With a rich 120 hertz, both smartphones play in the upper class. You will especially benefit from the high Hertz rate if you like smooth scrolling without annoying stutters.

The display scores with smooth moving images when scrolling. Thanks to 1,440p and AMOLED, it not only scores with a sharp, but also high-contrast image.

Gaming fans will also be happy about the smooth motion picture reproduction in fast games. Those who like to use their smartphone outdoors will be positively surprised by the high display brightness. We hardly ever had a problem recognizing the screen content in the test. They are also wonderfully sharp. After all, Realme relies on a resolution of 1,440p (FHD+).

The camera performance

Looking at the smartphone market, you quickly get the feeling that camera hardware has so slowly reached its zenith. For this reason, more and more manufacturers rely on sophisticated camera AI that gets the best out of the snapshots with the help of subsequent software processing. The Realme GT Master Edition also offers some exciting modes that prove to be extremely useful, especially in practice.

The camera module is made up of three different lenses

But let’s first take a look at the installed lenses. There are a total of three of them in the camera module of the Realme GT Master Edition. Besides the main camera (64 MP), the Chinese also install an ultra-wide-angle lens (8 MP) and a macro camera (2 MP). This corresponds exactly to the camera hardware that is also used in the standard version of the Realme GT.

The portrait mode conjures up nice blur effects. However, it sometimes works a bit unreliably.

For this reason, we were not at all surprised that the Master Edition can also shoot good to very good pictures. Especially in bright light conditions, the smartphone scores with sharp and colorful results. However, the problems of the predecessor are also found here. You have to reckon with very pixelated results in the zoom function. This is especially true when you use the maximum twenty-fold zoom.

While the technology itself is not in the big league of Samsung, Huawei and Apple, the camera software modes are quite impressive. For example, the Realme GT Master Edition offers a night mode that noticeably improves the picture quality in rather poor light conditions. Besides the night mode, you also get special modes that are suitable for photographing streets.

Especially street art fans and travel lovers will be pleased. Realme itself emphasizes that the special street mode was developed in cooperation with professional street photographers. However, we would have liked the software to provide a bit more support and assistance for the user. After all, the photos often turn out to be an experiment based on the principle of “trial and error”.

In 64-MP mode, the pictures are very detailed.

However, those who have a bit of an idea about photography will be able to really let off steam here. From the ISO value to the white balance, you can adjust quite a few details according to your wishes. We do not only like the photos, but also the videos that the camera produces. A maximum resolution of 4K at 30 FPS is possible here.

Of course, a front camera should not be missing either. Here, Realme relies on a small punchhole, which is located in the upper left corner. The performance is really remarkable with 32 MP and does not have to hide behind other flagships. This is the first real improvement compared to the standard version of the Realme GT. The latter offered a selfie camera with “only” 16 MP resolution.

The front camera of the Master Edition also delivers good results. Instagram fans will be happy about the now market-typical portrait mode, which conjures up a targeted blur. However, you should mess around a bit in the default settings before you get started. After all, selfies can look a bit unnatural if you leave everything as it is. In particular, the delineations between sharp and blurred regions are too abrupt, which might piss some people off.

Less performance than standard version

Even if it may sound surprising: the Master Edition of the Realme GT offers less performance than the classic version does. This already becomes clear when looking at the installed processor. While the Realme GT relies on a powerful Snapdragon 888 from Qualcomm, the Master Edition is “only” equipped with the Snapdragon 778G. What applies to the CPU performance also applies to the installed working memory. You can choose between 6 GB or 8 GB.

However, it becomes clear that it is still a powerful smartphone when you look at the benchmarks:

Benchmarks are one thing, but how does it prove to be used in everyday life? Not least thanks to the high refresh rate, we enjoyed buttery smooth animations and scrolling. Otherwise, the Master Edition also delivered a smooth performance across the board. The Snapdragon 778G’s performance does a great job here. However, fans of demanding mobile games should quickly notice a difference to higher-performance smartphones.

The fingerprint sensor underneath the display always worked reliably and quickly.

Especially performance-hungry games, such as Genshin Impact, are a real challenge for the Realme GT Master Edition. More than the low graphics settings are not possible here. Thus, those who like to play more complex games on the smartphone should look for an alternative. The classic Realme GT might be the better choice.

There are three different unlock methods to choose from. In addition to the classic password, you can also use the fingerprint sensor underneath the display or unlock via face scan.

Of course, a smartphone in 2021 cannot be without 5G. The Master Edition supports the latest mobile standard. It also scores with fast wireless standards otherwise. Besides Wifi 6, Bluetooth is also on board. In addition to 8 GB of RAM, our test device also had 256 GB of internal storage on board. The cheaper basic version comes with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.

A whopping 65 watts of charging power

While Apple does not include any charging plugs in the scope of delivery of its iPhones anymore, Realme has gone the extra mile with the Master Edition of the GT. The included power plug offers a full 65 watts of power. This allows the smartphone’s 4,300 mAh battery to be fully recharged after just under 30 minutes.

Realme calls the technology of the 65 watt power supply “SuperDart”.

Overall, the Master Edition proves to be a pleasingly enduring smartphone. Even when streaming Netflix at the highest display brightness and maximum refresh rate, the battery lasted for almost ten hours. This is probably due to the choice of the slightly weaker but more energy-efficient Qualcomm chip. Wireless charging via Qi is not possible.

Conclusion: Is the Master Edition worth it?

Our test made it clear that Realme wants to make design fans happy above all with its Master Edition of the GT. In particular, the chic finishes by Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa certainly justify this concern. The matte back, reminiscent of a suitcase, stands out pleasantly fresh from the many other standard designs of the packed smartphone market. However, the back will probably prove to be rather sensitive in both designs. If you want to prevent damage, you will have to use the included case. Unfortunately, the design aspect is also gone.

The Master Edition is just as good as the standard version in terms of display quality. The AMOLED panel not only conjures up colorful and high-contrast screen content. On top of that, the 120 hertz ensure that nothing jerks here. You can scroll through Android 11 as smoothly as butter. There are simply no differences to upper-class smartphones. Only in gaming does the Master Edition have to admit defeat to other flagships, but also to the classic Realme GT. However, this is only noticeable in really graphics-hungry games and should not bother the average user. This is still a really powerful smartphone.

While many flagships do without the usual 3.5 mm jack, the Realme GT Master Edition still uses it. Among other things, this might be due to the fact that the smartphone does not offer protection against water and dust anyway. A big plus point in terms of features is probably the powerful power supply. With 65 watts, the battery is fully recharged within just under half an hour. In summary, the Realme GT Master Edition is probably best classified in the upper mid-range. However, it does not have to hide from the very big ones in some disciplines, such as the display performance. Nevertheless, we find it a bit surprising that Realme has shifted down a gear in terms of performance.

Realme GT Master Edition

Workmanship
Hardware
Multimedia
Performance
Battery
Value for money

88/100

Much remains the same, but Realme puts the brakes on the performance a bit. If design is more important than power, you should definitely take a look at the Master Edition. Everyone else should go for the great standard version.

Simon Lüthje

I am co-founder of this blog and am very interested in everything that has to do with technology, but I also like to play games. I was born in Hamburg, but now I live in Bad Segeberg.

Related Articles

Neue Antworten laden...

Avatar of Basic Tutorials
Basic Tutorials

Neues Mitglied

3,247 Beiträge 1,471 Likes

With the Realme GT, the Chinese company already delivered a real flagship in June of this year, whose value for money made the competition tremble. Now Realme has launched a „Master Edition“ of the power smartphone. We want to take a closer look at whether it lives up to its name in our practical test. … (Weiterlesen...)

Antworten Like

Back to top button