Weekly poll: can the Realme GT 6 be your next phone? What about the Realme GT 6T?

2024-06-30

Is it a flagship killer? Or just a flagship? The Realme GT 6 is now available in Europe and India and tries to offer top end performance and high quality components while keeping the price reasonable.

Let’s start with the price. In Europe, the 8/256GB base model sells for €600 and there are 12/256GB for €700 and 16/512GB for €800 options. Note that for a limited time these prices will be lower - €550, €600 and €700. In India, the base 8/256GB model starts at ₹36,000, but the 12/256GB and 16/512GB models are available too.

Here’s a quick recap of what you get for your money. A Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and a 50MP main camera with a 1/1.4” sensor (LYT-808). This is limited to 4K @ 30fps, even though 8s can do it at 60fps. It’s joined by a 50MP portrait camera (47mm, 1/2.8” JN5) and an 8MP ultra wide. The selfie camera is a 32MP module.

Other standout features include the flat 6.78” LTPO display (1-120Hz), a 10-bit OLED panel with 1,264 x 2,780px resolution (HDR10+, Dolby Vision) and up to 6,000 nits of brightness (with DC dimming). That and the sizable 5,500mAh battery with super-fast 120W charging (power brick included), which gets to 50% in 10 minutes and 100% in 28 minutes.

There is a smattering of AI features too, of course, but check out the announcement post for more details. Here we want to focus on alternatives.

After an extended absence, the GT-series returned to India with the Realme GT 6T back in May. The base 8/128GB model was ₹31,000 at launch and an 8/256GB version was ₹33,000, a bit lower than the matching GT 6 base model. And Realme is now bringing the GT 6T to Europe too - the 8/256GB model is €550 normally, there is a 12/256GB version for €600 as well. Note that the 8/256GB model will be available for only €400 as an early bird promo until July 4 (and this is bundled with a 120W adapter and the Realme Air6 buds). The T-version uses a slightly weaker Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset. Also, the main camera has a smaller 1/1.95” sensor and there is no portrait or tele module. The rest is more or less the same.

The OnePlus 12R is currently €600 for a 16/256GB model. Instead of the 8s chip, this one uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It has a comparable 6.78” LTPO display (4,500 nits) and a 5,500mAh battery with 100W charging (which needs only 25 minutes to get to 100%). The main camera has a 1/1.56” sensor and there is an 8MP ultra wide. Again, no portrait or tele camera here.

The Poco F6 Pro is similar to the 12R with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and a 50+8+2MP camera setup (1/1.55” main sensor). The 6.67” display is higher resolution (QHD+), but it is not an LTPO panel (and peaks at 4,000 nits). The 5,000mAh battery is smaller, but supports 120W fast charging (27 minutes to full). The F6 Pro (12/256GB) is currently €580 in Europe and it is not available in India (only the vanilla F6 launched there).

The Oppo Reno12 Pro is a recent arrival in Europe and costs €500 for a 12/256GB model. The phone does have a 50MP 47mm module to match the GT 6 (1/2.75” sensor), but a smaller 50MP main (1/1.95”). On the plus side, the selfie camera is better with a 50MP sensor and autofocus. This is a cheaper phone than the GT 6, so its 6.7” OLED is an FHD+ non-LTPO panel and the 5,000mAh battery does “only” 80W charging (46 minutes to full).

The Xiaomi 14 Civi recently launched in India, but an 8/256GB model starts at ₹43,000, quite a premium over the Realme. It features the same Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip, a 6.55” OLED display (non-LTPO, 3,000 nits) and a smaller, slower 4,700mAh battery with 67W charging. The triple camera on the rear has a 50MP main (1/1.55”), a 50MP 50mm portrait module and a 12MP ultra wide. As a highlight feature, there are two 32MP selfie cameras – with wide and ultra wide lenses.

Any other options? Well, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ costs noticeably more. The Xiaomi 14 series is pricey too. The Nothing Phone (2) is well priced and does feature an LTPO display (with lower FHD+ resolution and 1,600 nits peak brightness), a 50MP ultra wide but no portrait cam and a 4,700mAh battery with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. In short, it’s not quite a rival to the GT 6.

It looks like Realme has identified a gap in the market – there are phones cheaper than the Realme GT 6 that miss some features and phones that have better features but cost more. What do you think, can this be your next phone purchase?

While we're here, what do you think about the Realme GT 6T now that it has expanded to the European market? The promo price sure sounds great and once that is over, we doubt that it will stay at €550 for long (not with the GT 6 priced so closely). Is the 6T better suited for your needs?