Is the Realme GT 6T a True All-Rounder or Just Another Mid-Range Contender?

Realme unexpectedly paused its GT range of mid-tier smartphones following the release of the GT Neo 3. The Neo line didn’t achieve the same level of popularity as the earlier GT models (such as the suitcase-inspired Master Edition) due to their inability to deliver comprehensive performance relative to their higher cost. In 2024, Realme opted to bring back its GT lineup, introducing not one but two new devices. The first is the premium GT 6, followed by the Realme GT 6T, marking the debut of the brand’s T-series. The latter aims to provide solid all-around performance at a competitive price point and appears to fulfill many criteria on paper. But does it truly perform as a versatile device? And how does it compare to the newly launched OnePlus Nord 4? Read on for the details.

Review of the Realme GT 6T: Design: Balancing Act

• Dimensions — 162mm x 75.1mm x 8.65mm
• Weight — 191g
• Durability — IP65 (dust and water resistant)

The Realme GT 6T comes in three colors: Fluid Silver, Miracle Purple, and Razor Green. I tested the Fluid Silver variant with 12GB RAM and 512GB of storage priced at Rs. 35,999.

The design is a harmonious blend of utility and aesthetics. I appreciate the dual-tone effect on the back panel, highlighting a mirrored section around the trio of camera cutouts, contrasted by a misty metallic finish that sparkles when light catches it at certain angles.

The Realme GT 6T features a dual-tone design on its plastic rear.

 

The edge-to-edge frame is flat on all sides, especially noticeable at the top and bottom. Although the sides appear slim, leading to the convergence of the front and back panels, Realme managed to fit the power and volume buttons on the right side, keeping the left side unblemished. The flat sides with beveled edges enhance grip on the otherwise slick phone.

While the design of the Realme GT 6T closely resembles the more upscale GT 6, the materials and finishes have been scaled back. The rear panel of the GT 6T is pliable and can be easily pressed, lacking the rigidity of glass or high-end polycarbonate—it feels more like soft plastic.

Realme’s choice of this material may be intended to reduce weight or create space for its comprehensive VC cooling system, but it does come across as somewhat cheap for a mid-range device. Additionally, the glossy finish contributes to the phone’s slipperiness. The combination of plastic and gloss makes it a magnet for dust and fingerprints. In humid locations like Mumbai, the rear panel becomes dirty and grimy within seconds.

The plastic rear panel of the Realme GT 6T is a notable dust and fingerprint magnet.

 

Despite the yielding nature of the rear panel and the polycarbonate frame, I was surprised to discover the device comes with an IP65 rating, ensuring decent protection against dust and water splashes. Just keep in mind that water damage is not covered under warranty.

Review of the Realme GT 6T: Display: Attractive and Responsive!

• Display — 6.78 inches, 1,264 x 2,780 pixels, full-HD+, 120Hz
• Display type — 3D curved, AMOLED (8T LTPO)
• Display protection — Gorilla Glass Victus 2

The expansive display features 3D curved edges, which Realme utilizes by incorporating a slide-out interface. Known as the Smart Side-bar, this feature enhances multitasking by sliding out from the curved edge. The curves not only make the display’s black bezels appear thinner and more uniform (although they are thicker physically on the sides) but also lend the device a sleek profile, despite its 8.65mm thickness.

The Realme GT 6T’s 3D-curved AMOLED panel contributes to a sleek look.

 

As an LTPO AMOLED screen, it can reduce the refresh rate to 1Hz when idle and ramp it up to 120Hz, 60Hz, or 30Hz as needed, thus optimizing battery life. The display remains unmistakably visible even under direct sunlight and boasts an additional brightness mode for extra clarity when required. It also holds HDR10 and Dolby Vision certifications, displaying supported content through streaming services seamlessly. Colors appear accurate in the Pro (Cinematic) screen color mode. HDR images from the device’s cameras also look impressive on the Pro-XDR compatible display.

Review of the Realme GT 6T: Software: A Bit Cluttered

• Software — Realme UI 5.0
• Version — Android 14
• Latest security patch — June 5, 2024

The software interface is characteristically Realme, offering customization options and settings similar to those found on OnePlus and Oppo devices. This also indicates that Realme includes updated AI features and enhancements.

The AI Eraser tool for photo editing can be unreliable. (Left: Original, right: edited)

 

One such feature is AI Smart Loop, which identifies content you long-press and, with the aid of AI, predicts suitable recommendations (or applications). This works for images, text selections, and screenshots, but I found it rather unhelpful as the suggestions were consistently similar. Similarly, AI Smart Removal struggled to accurately remove objects, even in straightforward instances.

The Realme GT 6T is pre-loaded with numerous third-party applications.

 

This model comes loaded with a plethora of bloatware and pre-installed third-party apps, some of which cannot be removed. I also noticed a duplication of several applications: two SMS apps (Google Messages and Messages), two file managers (Google Files and My Files), two browsers (Internet and Chrome), and even two gallery apps (Google Photos and Photos). This may overwhelm users who prefer a near-stock Android experience.

Review of the Realme GT 6T: Performance: No Issues Here

• Processor — Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4nm)
• RAM — 8/12GB LPDDR5X
• Storage — 256/512GB UFS 4.0

With a high-end mid-range processor in the Realme GT 6T, I didn’t anticipate any performance issues, and there were none encountered.

During general daily use, my experience with the 12GB RAM variant of the phone was smooth, without slow-downs or lags. The animations and transitions appeared fluid, thanks to the responsive LTPO screen, and apps remained in memory for extended periods.

The Realme GT 6T’s extensive vapor chamber cooling system keeps it cool under pressure.

 

Gaming was also smooth and stable while playing Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt Legends Unite. With the substantial vapor cooling chamber, heat-related issues were non-existent, even when using demanding applications outdoors.

Benchmarks indicate that the phone actually performed better than the OnePlus Nord 4, as revealed in the table below. However, the Poco F6, priced similarly, performed better thanks to its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset.

 

Review of the Realme GT 6T: Cameras: Adequate Performance

• Main camera — 50-megapixel (OIS), f/1.88 aperture, AF
• Ultra-wide camera — 8-megapixel, f/2.2 aperture, FF
• Selfie camera — 32-megapixel, f/2.4 aperture, FF

The primary camera of the Realme GT 6T captures 12-megapixel binned images, which demonstrate good detail retention and dynamic range, allowing for visibility in both shaded and brightly lit areas. However, colors may appear somewhat oversaturated, and utilizing the 2X digital zoom reveals a noticeable decline in quality, particularly in low-light settings.

The Realme GT 6T is equipped with a pair of rear-facing cameras.

 

At the native focal length (1X), image quality is commendable during nighttime photography. While not overly sharp, images are minimal in noise. Color accuracy is decent too, though the camera occasionally tends to smoothen textures in some environments, creating a watercolor effect.

In portrait mode, edge detection is satisfactory, yet I noticed minor inaccuracies in more detailed scenes. Selfies taken with the main camera exhibit sharpness, detail, and excellent dynamic range in daylight but are fairly average in low-light conditions due to texture smoothing and considerable noise reduction.

Captured daylight samples from the Realme GT 6T. Top to bottom: Ultra-wide camera, primary camera, 2X digital zoom (tap images to enlarge)

 

The ultra-wide camera delivers average results, appearing soft and lacking clarity even in daylight. Noise is well managed, but longer exposure times and an inferior lens setup lead to blurry outcomes.

Selfie and low-light photo samples from the Realme GT 6T (Tap images to enlarge)

 

Videos recorded at 1080p tend to appear scaled down with a lack of detail during daylight filming. However, 4K videos show improved quality, albeit some flickering occurs when capturing intricate textures or patterns. Additionally, shadows exhibit visible noise, which was somewhat surprising. Low-light video recordings only manage to be acceptable, characterized by significant noise.

Review of the Realme GT 6T: Battery: Extremely Fast Charging

• Battery capacity — 5,500mAh
• Charging rate — 120W (wired)

The Realme GT 6T includes a 120W wired charging adapter in the package.

 

Expectedly, battery performance is impressive. The robust dual-cell battery charges rapidly and can last up to two days with moderate (non-gaming) use. When utilizing the camera and engaging in gaming, the device can extend its life slightly beyond a day. In our video loop test, the phone achieved an impressive 24 hours and 32 minutes. Charging speed is equally remarkable, reaching 93 percent (from a completely drained state) in just 30 minutes and fully charging in 38 minutes.

Conclusion of the Realme GT 6T Review

The Realme GT 6T turns out to be quite distinct from its pricier counterpart, the Realme GT 6. While it matches the older GT Neo models in gaming performance, the 6T seems to perpetuate the same shortcomings of its predecessors, making it challenging to endorse it as a truly versatile device. The commendable battery life and rapid charging remain strong points in favor of the GT 6T, but it’s likely that most users will expect more from its camera capabilities, especially considering its Rs. 32,999 price tag.

If you desire superior quality and a reliable software experience, the OnePlus Nord 4 (Review) comes highly recommended, thanks to its all-metal construction that exudes a premium vibe. The Poco F6 (available from Rs. 29,999) matches the 6T’s feature set but, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, offers a superior choice for gaming-focused users.

For enhanced camera performance, consider Realme’s new 13 Pro+ 5G (Review), which coincidentally is priced equivalently. It provides a capable processor and impressive telephoto capabilities akin to its predecessor.