Realme GT Neo 3 (150W) Review: The Speedy Successor Thats Still Playing Catch-Up

The Realme GT Neo 2 (Review) marked its debut as the initial smartphone of the Neo range in India. Though its camera capabilities left something to be desired, it emerged as a solid mid-range option for gaming thanks to its Snapdragon 800-series SoC, robust cooling features, and a competitive starting price of Rs. 31,999.

Recently, Realme unveiled its successor, the GT Neo 3, which showcases an enhanced main camera equipped with OIS and a new processor. This model also includes a special version with 150W fast charging capabilities, which will be the focus of today’s review. Does the Realme GT Neo 3 (150W) represent progress for the GT Neo lineup, and can it match the value proposition of its predecessor? Let’s see how it stacks up against other high-end smartphones in this category.

Pricing of Realme GT Neo 3 (150W) in India

The Realme GT Neo 3 (150W) is priced at Rs. 42,999. This variant features a 4,500mAh battery and includes a 150W charger within the package. The 80W edition is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery and comes with an 80W charger. Two versions of this smartphone are available: one with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage for Rs. 36,999, and another with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage for Rs. 38,999. Each version can be chosen in three colors: Asphalt Black, Nitro Blue, and Spring White. The latter two exhibit racing stripes on the back, while the black model presents a minimalistic look for those desiring subtlety.

Design of Realme GT Neo 3 (150W)

The design of the Realme GT Neo 3 closely resembles that of the GT Neo 2. Changes include a fresh finish on the rear panel, a new arrangement for the rear cameras, and a centrally located hole-punch for the selfie camera. Realme has replaced the eye-catching dual-tone rear glass of the GT Neo 2 with a more understated matte AG glass, which unfortunately acts as a significant magnet for fingerprints.

The Realme GT Neo 3 (left) maintains a similar look and feel to the GT Neo 2 (right)

 

The GT Neo 3 certainly feels more upmarket compared to the OnePlus 10R, which is its counterpart that I reviewed previously, and it offers a better tactile experience. At 188g, it feels reasonably lightweight but might be cumbersome for one-handed usage. The expansive display is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and does attract fingerprints, though these are easily removable. The AMOLED display with a hole-punch design features thin bezels all around, enhancing its premium aesthetics.

The Realme GT Neo 3 boasts a sleek matte-finished glass back, contributing to its premium appearance

 

The mid-frame of the Realme GT Neo 3 is constructed from polycarbonate. Similar to the back panel, it also features a matte texture, which can make it quite slippery in hand. Fortunately, Realme has included a tinted, clear TPU case in the packaging that provides ample grip while allowing the stylish design to be visible.

Specifications and Software of Realme GT Neo 3

The Realme GT Neo 3 runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 8100 SoC. Additionally, Realme has incorporated a dedicated imaging chipset known as the Dedicated Display Processor, which is designed to enhance gaming performance while minimizing power consumption. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, a Type-C port, and compatibility with standard satellite navigation systems. The in-display fingerprint sensor operated consistently and effectively.

Realme has adeptly blended Android 12 with its Realme UI, offering a visually clean experience with elements of Material You. The Realme UI 3.0 on the GT Neo 3 appears near stock, with only subtle differences in the icon design compared to Pixel devices. All Android 12 widgets functioned flawlessly, and the theming engine adjusts the keyboard, widgets, and icon colors in accordance with the selected wallpaper. The Personalisation section found in the Settings app closely resembles that of OnePlus and Oppo devices, allowing customization of icon shapes, quick settings, accent colors, and system fonts.

The Realme GT Neo 3 operates on Realme UI 3.0, which is founded on Android 12

 

As is common with Realme devices, there’s a substantial presence of pre-installed third-party applications. Nonetheless, they did not interfere with my overall software experience and could be removed if desired. However, I found the periodic notifications from the Themes Store app regarding new themes and wallpapers mildly bothersome.

Performance of Realme GT Neo 3 (150W)

The Realme GT Neo 3 features a 6.7-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The screen brightness was ample when exposed to direct sunlight, and the displayed content remained sharp and easily readable. Colors appeared vibrant in the default Vivid mode, although adjustments could be made. The refresh rate is adaptive, toggling between 60Hz and 120Hz based on the active application. While this worked seamlessly during movie viewing (at 60Hz) and while navigating the user interface (at 120Hz), the display remained locked at 60Hz even in games that typically support 120Hz, which was somewhat disappointing.

The Realme GT Neo 3 delivers a high-quality 120Hz AMOLED display

 

Furthermore, it lacks HDR10 certification for video streaming apps like Netflix; still, regular content appeared sharp with reasonable black levels. The device is equipped with stereo speakers that produced loud and clear audio, enriching both video and gaming experiences.

Although the software experience on the Realme GT Neo 3 felt smooth and responsive, benchmark results were comparable to smartphones featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 SoC. The device scored 8,10,225 points in AnTuTu and achieved 969 and 4,065 points in Geekbench’s single and multi-core benchmarks, respectively. The graphic benchmarks indicated that the Dimensity 8100 SoC struggled to perform optimally, likely due to gaming frame rate caps. The GT Neo 3 managed 54fps and 60fps in GFXBench’s T-rex and Manhattan 3.1 tests, while the Snapdragon 888-powered Xiaomi 11T Pro (Review) achieved 121fps and 100fps, respectively.

Unfortunately, the lackluster graphic performance extended beyond synthetic tests, as real-world gaming proved subpar unless GT Mode was activated. In standard mode, both Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends exhibited stuttering and frame drops at high graphic settings but performed better at medium settings. In GT Mode, higher settings were more manageable, although I still encountered some lag and fluidity issues. Shockingly, I even noticed a 60fps option while playing Asphalt 9: Legends, a feature I’d only seen on Snapdragon models until now.

Titles like Asphalt 9: Legends ran more smoothly when GT mode was activated

 

Battery performance was commendable. The Realme GT Neo 3 lasted about a day and a half with vigorous gaming and camera usage on a single charge. In our HD video loop test, it ran for an impressive 19 hours and 26 minutes—quite commendable for a premium device.

The 150W charger recharged the device from zero to full in a mere 16 minutes using Rapid charging mode. While this is one of the swiftest charging times we’ve encountered, the GT Neo 3 did become noticeably warm during the process, which caused some concern. Nonetheless, Realme ensures that multiple safety features are in place to prevent any issues. Like the OnePlus 10R Endurance Edition, the GT Neo 3 notifies you via a pop-up message on the screen when the phone heats up during Rapid charging.

Camera Features of Realme GT Neo 3

The primary lens of the Realme GT Neo 3 features optical image stabilization (OIS) and sports a premium 50-megapixel Sony IMX766 sensor, in contrast to the 64-megapixel sensor found on the GT Neo 2. It is accompanied by an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor and a 2-megapixel macro lens, both equipped with fixed-focus systems. A 16-megapixel front camera is dedicated to selfies, now utilizing a Samsung sensor with a wider aperture and field of view than its predecessor.

The Realme GT Neo 3 is equipped with three rear cameras, one of which is now OIS-compatible

 

Consequently, daylight results from the main camera have noticeably advanced compared to the GT Neo 2. Landscape images were well-exposed and displayed a commendable dynamic range. The primary camera’s photos contained good detail, although they appeared somewhat oversaturated relative to those captured by the ultra-wide camera.

The ultra-wide lens allows for a broad 120-degree perspective, but these images often suffered from limited dynamic range and resulted in blurry objects at the frame’s edges. Close-up shots of flowers captured with the main camera were sharp yet somewhat saturated. The 2X digital zoom proved beneficial, but with slightly reduced detail.

Realme GT Neo 3 daylight camera samples: (Top to bottom) Ultra-wide-angle shot, primary camera shot, close-up from primary camera (tap to see full size)

 

Color accuracy improved in the phone’s Portrait mode, providing a more natural appearance. The edge recognition was satisfactory, maintaining a well-exposed background. Self-portraits appeared slightly oversharpened and overly vibrant, with bright backgrounds frequently overexposed. Switching to Portrait settings significantly enhanced dynamic range for selfies, but edge detection was average. The macro camera delivered average photos but exhibited noticeable purple fringing around its edges, while its fixed-focus design proved unwieldy.

In low-light conditions, the primary camera maintained decent detail and dynamic range. The camera automatically extended exposure times as needed when using Auto mode, resulting in images similar to those captured in dedicated Night mode. However, Night mode shots tended to excessively brighten the scene and overexpose lighter areas. Low-light selfies were lackluster, appearing soft and low in detail. Portrait selfies were noisy, while Night mode selfies lacked sharp textures on subjects.

Realme GT Neo 3 low-light camera samples: (top) Night mode, (bottom) Low-light selfie portrait (tap to see full size)

 

Video recording quality is generally satisfactory. Daylight footage captured at 1080p seemed decent but lacked clarity. Videos recorded in 4K offered improved detail but suffered from limited dynamic range, and stabilization was inadequate, leading to a shaky appearance. Utilizing the AI highlight function did enhance dynamic range somewhat, yet videos were not as crisp or smooth as those captured without this feature, limited to 1080p at 30fps. In low-light conditions, 1080p videos showed restricted dynamic range and appeared soft, while 4K 30fps footage presented the best quality despite lacking adequate stabilization.

While the primary camera’s image quality is a considerable upgrade from the Realme GT Neo 2, it’s important to note that this sensor is also utilized in less expensive models, such as the Realme 9 Pro+ 5G (Review). Although I appreciated the quality of images taken, it’s not quite comparable to what I’ve experienced with competing devices like the iQoo’s 9 SE (Review).

Conclusion

I concur with Realme’s assertion that the GT Neo 3 (150W) focuses on speed. It showcases a race car-inspired exterior, a rapid 150W charging system, a sharp 120Hz display, and a chipset that delivers satisfying performance. Furthermore, its camera capabilities have improved significantly over the GT Neo 2.

Sadly, for the GT Neo 3, possessing more features does not equate to a highly competitive device. Even with enhancements compared to its predecessor, the GT Neo 3 seems to be catching up to rivals, unless one compares it to the OnePlus 10R Endurance Edition (Review), which amounts to fundamentally the same device under a different moniker.

The 150W charging feature of the Realme GT Neo 3 does raise concerns about heat generation, and the 120Hz refresh rate isn’t fully usable in the majority of games tested. Additionally, in terms of raw performance, the SoC falls short compared to competitors, many of which utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. On top of that, the phone lacks several hardware elements, such as an IP rating or wireless charging, which are features provided by other contenders like the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G (Review) and the Apple iPhone (2022) (Review) within a similar pricing bracket.

Even the standard 80W model of the Realme GT Neo 3 seems pricey, especially considering that iQoo’s 9 SE (Review) offers superior core components and camera output at a lower entry price. There’s minimal incentive to consider the Realme GT Neo 3 (150W) at its current cost unless you are a dedicated Realme enthusiast or prioritize the fastest charging speed available.

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