We tested the Realme GT 3: is the world’s fastest charge enough to stand out?

Realme seems to know more than anyone that the competition in the high-end segment, where smartphones stand out mainly for their photographic section, is getting more and more difficult. Thus, the only option to try to gain a foothold in this hard-fought product category dominated by Samsung, Apple or Xiaomi is to bet on a smartphone that basically excels in another area. The one chosen by the Asian company owned by the BBK group with its new Realme GT 3 This is, of course, very interesting.

Realme’s new flagship arrives, announced during Mobile World Congress 2023 with fast charging up to 240W as a feature of the star. The world’s fastest, commercially available, surpassing, of course, the 150W UltraDart technology that Realme introduced at last year’s Mobile Phone Congress.

Charging power, of course, is not a decisive factor when buying a smartphone, so Realme GT 3 also excels in other areas that perhaps they can convince someone when it comes to acquiring this model over their other competition.

One of them is its designwhich is also inspired by another key point of this Realme GT 3: performance. In fact, Realme’s new mobile has a somewhat striking rear and, above all, is very different from other high-end smartphones from more traditional manufacturers for a reason.

design and performance

Along with the photo module, Realme has included in its Realme GT 3 a kind of window where you can see the processor – or at least a sticker depicting the processor. It’s under slightly opaque glass, and the silkscreen on the chip is only visible under direct light, so it’s pretty thin; what I think is perfect. Mainly because the aesthetic reflects one of the keys to this smartphone. Also, because it boasts a playful design, but not ostentatious.

To the window that shows the Realme GT 3 processor, in addition, surrounded by RGB LED strip which only turns on momentarily when GT mode is enabled, a feature that allows you to maximize CPU and GPU performance.

If you are wondering what is the processor that can be seen on the back of this smartphone, this is Snapdragon 8+ first generation. Of course, the SoC that is included in this device is accompanied by various versions of RAM ranging from 8 GB to 16 GB, as well as a 256 GB internal storage option.

This, of course, is more than enough configuration to perform any task without problems. In fact, Realme GT 3 can run all kinds of games with complete smoothness without having to activate GT mode. The performance may not match other recently announced high-end models such as the Honor Magic 5 Pro; but Realme has another trump card: load.

Here’s how the 240W Realme GT 3 works

Let’s go in parts. Realme GT 3 has 4600 mAh battery, the capacity is more than enough to last through the day with average usage. That is to say, browsing social networks, occasionally taking photos, watching videos, etc. With more intensive use, which includes games with maximum graphics, it is also possible to reach the end of the day, but with a significantly lower percentage, around 10% or 5% batteries. This is problem? Realistically, and given the download speed, no.

The 240W Realme GT 3 can charge up to 50% battery in just 4 minutes. 100% completed in just over 9 minutes. It is very curious to observe how quickly the percentage of the smartphone’s battery charge increases when the charger is connected.

This is without a doubt a significant advancement compared to other high-end smartphones, especially considering that a mobile phone with a powerful enough charger, such as the 120W Xiaomi 12, takes about 20 minutes to charge. However, it is important to mention that the terminal gets a little warm when connected to the chargerbut nothing alarming. In fact, Realme claims that this is normal. Once charging is complete, it takes a few minutes without using the device for it to return to its normal temperature.

However, Is it safe to always charge the terminal with this power? The company claims that with a 120W charger, up to 1,600 charge cycles are possible before battery capacity drops to 80%, so everyday use of this charger shouldn’t be a problem.

Its screen is fast too, albeit in a different way

Another not so relevant feature of the Realme GT 3, but also interesting, is its screen. The terminal, in particular, has a 6.74-inch AMOLED panel. It has a resolution of 1240 x 2772 pixels and also refresh rate 144 Hz. It’s a great screen with very well calibrated colors and a clarity that won’t leave you indifferent.

Its high refresh rate also greatly improves the user experience. Of course, there is no significant difference compared to 120 Hz, maybe yes, because most applications or even the operating system itself are not compatible with this refresh rate, or because I am very used to 120 Hz and the transition to 144 Hz is not so noticeable .

Three cameras with a very familiar setup

Where Realme was more conservative compared to the previous generation and where they didn’t choose to stand out from the rest is in the photographic section. Note that this does not mean that it is bad. In fact, the Realme GT 3’s camera setup is quite interesting.

We find ourselves, on the one hand, with 50MP main sensor permissions, and 8MP ultra wide camera. Realme GT 3 also has third additional 2-megapixel sensordedicated to macro photography.

How do these cameras behave? The Realme GT 3’s main sensor does a good job in good light. It manages to capture decent detail and colors that aren’t oversaturated. The stability of the main sensor, in addition, is not bad. The ultra-wide camera, as usual, tends to lose a lot of detail compared to the 50MP sensor, the tone is also slightly different when we take images with this second sensor, although this is something that can be easily edited afterwards.

Is the Realme GT 3 an interesting bet in the high range?

Realme will be selling the Realme GT 3 worldwide for $649 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage version. In Europe, its price is still unknown, since the release date has not been determined, but it is likely that it will be in the region of 700 or 750 euros. Now, is this an option to consider in the upper range?

The Realme GT 3 has features that could be an advantage over other competitor smartphones. For example, its main competitor, the Xiaomi 12T Pro, does not have such powerful fast charging, nor such a flashy design, nor a 144Hz screen. The problem is that those 240W or that higher refresh rate, despite the fact that they very pleasant moments, they fail to make up for the areas in which the 12T Pro showcases this Realme mobile: its camera, which delivers better results; and its 5000 mAh battery.

Xiaomi 12T Pro, in addition, has a fairly powerful charging. The difference is just a few minutes. On the other hand, 144 Hz is barely noticeable compared to 120. And all this for about 740 euros on portals like Amazon.

Therefore, unless Realme decides to launch its new smartphone at a much more attractive price than those 740 euros for which you can buy a Xiaomi mobile, Realme GT 3 will find it difficult to compete in the high-end range, despite the fact that its design likes , its screen very good, and its performance leaves no one indifferent.