Realme is a brand that believes in providing clients with a variety of options at various pricing points. The Realme GT Neo 2 5G is the latest addition to the brand’s device portfolio, which has recently replaced its flagship X series with the GT series.
On paper, this tablet, like other GT devices, boasts excellent specs such as a 120Hz AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 870, Vapor Cooling System, and more.
Is the Realme GT Neo 2 5G, on the other hand, the greatest Realme device in 2021? Is it a viable competitor in this crowded field? Is this the flagship killer we’ve been anticipating? In our Realme GT Neo 2 5G review, we’ll discover out.
In a crowd, stands out
Realme sent us the smartphone in Neo Green, and the device’s overall aesthetic is not to be overlooked. The back of the shirt is green with a broad black stripe and a small layer next to it with “Dare to leap” logo. Except for the Dare to Leap text, I truly enjoy the style, and the Neo Green colour is a breath of fresh air in a time when everyone is following the traditional design path. People have approached me and inquired what gadget I’m using on multiple occasions because the device’s design is so appealing, so that’s something.
However, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as some may find the color a bit too flashy and attention-seeking. However, you can always opt for the Neo Black color variant if you want something more subtle. There is also a Neo Blue color option if you are looking for one.
The design is appealing, but how is the construction? Is it strong enough, or did Realme cut corners to meet its budget targets? Well, I’m pleased to inform that the device is of high quality. The back is entirely comprised of glass, and because to the matte texture, fingerprints and smudges were not an issue. The frame, on the other hand, is entirely composed of plastic rather than aluminium, which detracts from the quality feel in the hand. At 200 g, it’s also a little heavy and bulky. Despite this, the device is really well made and feels wonderful in the hand.
The volume rocker is located on the left side of the handset, while the power button and SIM card tray are located on the right. Unfortunately, the device only accepts two nano sim cards and does not offer memory extension through a Micro SD card.
On the bottom, there’s a USB Type-C port, a microphone, and a speaker grill. Because of the AMOLED display, there is a fingerprint scanner underneath the display that swiftly and correctly unlocks the device.
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120Hz AMOLED Goodness
By far, the biggest highlight of the Realme GT Neo 2 is the display. So let us take a look at the specifications first. The device features a 6.62-inch E4 AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a rich touch sampling rate of 600 Hz(in GT mode)
“Gorgeous” is the right word to describe the Realme GT Neo 2’s display. On the smartphone, anything and everything appears just gorgeous, whether you’re watching movies or TV shows.
Realme claims that depending on the work at hand, the gadget can autonomously adjust between 30, 60, 90, and 120 Hz. Nonetheless, I quickly altered the settings to force 120 Hz because the automated mode was rather choppy, and I often found it aggressive.
The volume rocker is located on the left side of the handset, while the power button and SIM card tray are located on the right. Unfortunately, the device only accepts two nano sim cards and does not offer memory extension through a Micro SD card.
On the bottom, there’s a USB Type-C port, a microphone, and a speaker grill. Because of the AMOLED display, there is a fingerprint scanner underneath the display that swiftly and correctly unlocks the device.
It performs admirably and even better manages thermals.
Realme chose the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G for the Realme GT master edition and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 for the Realme GT, and now the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 has been chosen for the Realme Neo 2. And I’m delighted the company chose the Snapdragon 870 over the flagship Snapdragon 888 because it provides more consistent performance.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m not suggesting the 870 is superior to the 888, but it can handle anything you throw at it, including gaming, without breaking a sweat. Apps loaded quickly, and navigating the UI was a breeze thanks to the fast UFS 3.1 memory. Furthermore, Realme claims to have used a vapour cooling mechanism to keep temperatures under control, and the gadget ran generally cool with no difficulties with overheating.
The device comes with either 8 GB or 12 GB of DDR4X memory; we tested it with 8 GB RAM and found it to be adequate. The Realme GT Neo 2 5G will not disappoint you if you are seeking for a smartphone to play games on. We tested regular games like Call of Duty mobile, BGMI (PUBG), Asphalt 9, and a few more, and the device maintained a consistent 60 frames per second for the majority of the time. Although 60 frames per second is quite fluid, we would have preferred to see 90 frames per second support in BGMI, as seen on the Realme X7 Max, because the hardware is capable of it.
Software that is optimised but contains a lot of bloatware
Realme GT Neo 2 comes pre-installed with Realme UI 2.0, which is based on Android 11. The software was identical to that of any other Realme device. The UI animations are quick, and the software has a lot of functions. We did, however, encounter a few minor flaws that we hope will be addressed in the future.
The Realme GT Neo 2 has the same amount of bloatware as any other inexpensive Realme handset. Constant notifications from system programmes like the Theme Store also detract from the overall software experience. Fortunately, most of the bloatware can be removed.
Notifications from popular apps like Whatsapp, Slack, and Gmail were also a problem for me. Realme seemed to be a little too active with battery management, as notifications from these apps were always delayed. As a result, I occasionally missed essential emails. However, this is a minor issue that may be resolved with an OTA update.
The roadmap for Realme UI 3.0 based on Android 12 has already been disclosed, and if you’re interested, early access for the Realme GT Neo 2 will begin in November 2021.
Sub-par Nights with Good Daylight
A primary 64MP sensor (Samsung GW1) with an F/1.8 aperture is included in the device. The primary camera has a resolution of 16 megapixels, and the images are quite good in favourable lighting. Overall, the images are decent, but they are a little over-sharpened at times. In my perspective, the dynamic range could have been improved.
Indoors, the images are mediocre at best, with some detail and overall sharpness being lost. The smartphone, on the other hand, performs admirably in extremely low-light situations, particularly when using the specific night mode.
An 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera is one of the other sensors, although it’s nothing special. Colours suffer, and they’re a little over-sharpened, exactly as the primary cameras.
Finally, there’s a 2MP macro lens that does a fantastic job. If you hold the smartphone steady in the sunshine, it’s fine, however, after dusk, it’s barely useable. A telephoto lens would have been preferable to the macro camera in my opinion. The device, on the other hand, can record in 4K at 60 frames per second, and the video recordings have shown to be quite steady.
The 16MP front camera performed admirably for selfies. The images come out well, with enough detail and clarity. I did notice some backdrop adornment, though, as with previous Realme gadgets.
Many people are curious how the cameras compare to the OnePlus Nord 2. I’m afraid I don’t have the OnePlus Nord 2 with me to make a comparison. Still, my buddy Srivatsa, who is an expert photographer and has used both devices at the same time, claims that the Nord 2 outperforms the GT Neo 2.
It only takes 33 minutes.
The 5000mAh battery in the Realme GT Neo 2 5G performed admirably in my tests, and there is nothing to complain about. The battery was good at first, but I got an update that was supposed to increase system stability. The battery life improved dramatically after the upgrade. I was able to utilise the screen for an average of 6-7 hours with moderate to heavy use, and the IDLE was also nicely managed.
The gadget is capable of 65W Super Dart Charging, which is lightning quick. I was able to charge the device from 0% to 100% in about 33 minutes, which is excellent and comparable to the OnePlus Nord 2 and iQOO 7. It’s worth noting that the provided charger doesn’t allow USB power delivery, and the cable is USB A to Type-C on both ends rather than Type-C.
The sound quality of the speakers was outstanding. Unlike the Realme GT master edition, which lacked stereo speakers, this device does not have them. When watching videos or playing games on the Realme GT Neo 2 5G, the dual speakers make a significant difference. As a result, there are no grievances.
Like the competition, it supports 5G.
The Realme GT Neo 2 supports 5G, as its name suggests, making it future-proof. However, 5G will take some time, especially in India, and you should not buy products only because they enable 5G. If you’re curious about the band, the device supports 10 5G bands, which is becoming more common these days.
There’s also carrier aggregation and WiFi 6 support, which is great. In addition, the call quality was decent, and the person on the other end never complained, and the handset quality was also acceptable. Considering the price, I also enjoyed the device’s feel.
Is the Realme GT Neo 2 5G a good buy?
The Realme GT Neo 2 5G is available in three colours: Neo Green, Neo Blue, and Neo Black, as well as two storage and RAM combinations. The 8+128GB model costs Rs. 31,999, while the 12+256GB model costs Rs. 35,999. With some party tricks in its sleeve, the gadget fits wonderfully in Realme’s device portfolio alongside the Realme X7 Max and the Realme GT master edition.
It is up against the Oneplus Nord 2 and the iQOO 7 in terms of price. The OnePlus Nord 2 has a powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset but a 90Hz display rather than a 120Hz display, whereas the iQOO 7 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset. The popular Xiaomi Mi 11X, which has identical features, is also a competitor.
The Realme GT Neo 2 5G is competitively priced and a strong challenger. It’s difficult to select between the two, and it all comes down to personal preference.
If you want a device with a good display, good performance, and a good design that can handle average cameras, the Realme GT Neo 2 5G is a fantastic choice.