The long-awaited return of realme’s GT series took place at the recent presentation in Milan, where two devices were unveiled simultaneously – the GT 6 and the GT 6T. We already have a detailed test of the GT 6 model, and now we’re eager to tell you about the “T” variant. What are the differences between the two phones, and will the “junior” version attract buyers with its unconventional solutions? We’ll cover this and more in our review.
Positioning and price
As is often the case, successful devices are presented not individually but alongside their “siblings” from the same or related lineups. Since we are talking about the realme GT 6T, we cannot overlook the GT 6. There are some differences, which Olga explained in detail in her review, so I refer you to her interesting review of the GT 6.
In short, the models differ in memory size and type, standard screen brightness, and processors. So, which one should you choose? It depends on the user’s needs: if you want a more powerful processor and slightly better cameras, we recommend the GT 6. However, the younger model is not far behind and also boasts decent specifications while being more affordable. Additionally, the “siblings” share many features: design (the main difference is the absence of a telephoto lens), screens (both offer 6000 pixels at the top), 5500 mAh batteries, and 120 Hz charging speed.
What can we say about the price? The realme GT 6T won’t break the bank. The 8+256 GB version is priced at $490 / €460, and the 12+256 GB version can be ordered for $566 / €530. So, it’s a pretty reasonable amount for a good phone. The price will likely drop over time.
The model will be available in two color options – Fluid Silver and Razor Green.
Read also: Realme GT 6 Smartphone Review
Specifications of the realme GT 6T
- Operating system: Android 14, realme UI 5.0 shell
- Chipset: octa-core Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, 2.80 GHz
- Video card: Adreno 732
- Display: 6.78″, 8T LTPO AMOLED, 1264×2780 (450 ppi), 1 billion colors, 120 Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, typical brightness up to 1600 nits, peak brightness up to 6000 nits, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- Memory versions: 8/128, 8/256, 12/512, 12/512, 16/512 GB
- UFS 4.0 memory type, LPDDR5x RAM type
- Memory card slot: no
- Cameras:
- Main camera – Sony LYT-600 50 megapixel f/1.88, 26 mm, OIS
- Ultra-wide-angle module – Sony IMX355 8 megapixels, f/2.2, 16 mm
- Front camera – 32 megapixel f/2.5, 21 mm
- Video recording – 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60/120 fps, OIS
- Speakers: stereo
- Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi 6, NFC 360°, Bluetooth 5.4 (aptX HD, LHDC), Dual Band GPS L1 + L5, USB Type-C 2.0
- Battery: 5500 mAh, 120 Watt wired charging (50% in 10 minutes), the battery retains more than 80% of its capacity after 1600 charging cycles
- Dimensions and weight: 162.0 × 75.10 × 8.65 mm, 191 g
- Color options: Fluid Silver, Razor Green
Package contents
The smartphone comes in a branded box, inside which you’ll find the device itself, a SIM tray ejection tool, documentation, a gray case, a Type-C cable, and a screen protector film.
As you can see, the package is somewhat minimal, notably missing a charger. We’ve all heard the environmental protection rationale, and while it’s a good trend, not everyone follows it – but realme does. If you want to experience the famous 120W charging, you’ll need to find a compatible adapter.
realme GT 6T design
The design of the new model is interesting and avoids any elements that might spoil the overall look. As you might have guessed, I’m not a fan of stripes across the entire body or unconventional colors that clash with everything. However, in my opinion, the design of the realme GT 6T turned out well. The body is entirely plastic, but this doesn’t make the model look cheap.
The front panel features a sleek, curved screen that houses the front camera and fingerprint scanner. On the sides, you’ll find the volume control and power buttons, while the left side remains empty.
Thanks to the waterfall screen, there are no problems with wide bezels and chin. There are bezels, of course, but they are minimal, and this is pleasing to the eye, we are dealing with a uniform image, which is always a plus.
The back panel is divided into sections: the upper part houses the cameras and flashlight, while the lower part features the realme logo and hidden glitter. Yes, glitter, but it’s only visible in sunlight or special lighting. This is cool because, on one hand, the back doesn’t look boring, and on the other, the design remains sleek. The only downside is that the back cover tends to collect fingerprints, which can be annoying.
Ergonomics
Thanks to the streamlined screen, the phone is thin, so it was comfortable and pleasant to work with. However, it should be understood that the gadget is not small, and therefore I could not use it with one hand. Otherwise, the weight and dimensions are not bad – 162.0×75.10×8.65 mm, 191 g. In addition, the build quality is perfect.
Screen
The display of the realme GT 6T is excellent. I like that we can still find this design in phones because modern trends are gradually moving away from curved screens in favor of “flat” ones.
What was once considered an advantage is now seen as an undesirable feature, and we are not inclined to follow trends here. We simply choose what suits us best, and that’s it.
The screen itself boasts excellent specifications. Firstly, it’s a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1264×2780 pixels, providing a pixel density of 450 ppi. It supports a billion colors and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, along with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision standards, ensuring excellent image quality. The screen here is no less impressive than that of the higher-end GT 6 model.
Like the GT 6, the GT 6T also offers a peak brightness of 6000 nits, which is currently a record! This ensures clear visibility of the screen even under bright sunlight.
The display protection is Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the latest from Corning. The screen of the realme GT 6T leaves a pleasant impression with its vibrant colors, good contrast, and accurate color reproduction, along with wide viewing angles. In the settings, you can choose the screen mode, adjust the minimum brightness, select different color modes (vivid, natural, professional modes for adjusting shades), and set the refresh rate (to save battery power).
Read also: Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G Review: Created for Success
Hardware and performance
The heart of the realme GT 6T is the octa-core Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor with Adreno 732 graphics, introduced in November 2023.
It uses a 4-nm process technology. Here are its specifications:
- 1 Kryo Prime (Cortex-A715) core at 2630 MHz
- 3 Kryo Gold cores (Cortex-A715) at 2400 MHz
- 4 Cortex-A510 (Kryo Silver) cores at 1800 MHz
This processor delivers up to 15 percent faster performance than the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1.
And here’s a comparison with the realme GT 6:
Regarding the phone’s performance, the realme GT 6T performed brilliantly. There were no lags or delays while using applications. Moreover, even during demanding gaming sessions, the phone did not heat up, even in the hot month of June.
For even faster performance, you can expand the RAM in the settings to 4, 6, or 8 GB respectively. Enabling the GT performance mode enhances gaming experience further. The memory modules are fast: LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0.
Read also: Realme C67 4G review: stereo sound, IP54 and battery life
Cameras
realme GT 6T has the following set of cameras:
- Main camera – Sony LYT-600 50MP f/1.88, 26mm, OIS
- Ultra-wide-angle module – Sony IMX355 8 megapixel, f/2.2, 16 mm
- Front camera – 32 megapixel f/2.5, 21 mm
Compared to its older brother, there is no telephoto lens, and the main module is a bit simpler. How does this affect the quality of shooting?
Let’s start with the main sensor. It captures excellent, detailed, and vibrant photos with accurate color reproduction. The camera preserves shadows and objects just as they appear in real life. The only thing I would like to see improved is deeper blacks and more vibrant images. However, I can’t count the absence of these features as drawbacks because this is my subjective opinion. What deserves praise about the camera is its precise focus on specific objects and overall commendable performance.
Since the younger model lacks a telephoto lens, the zoom quality is slightly inferior. In short, up to 2x zoom, the quality is acceptable; beyond that, blurring becomes noticeable.
If we compare the wide-angle module with the main sensor, in my opinion, the wide-angle sensor performs admirably. It captures more in the frame, adding a sense of space and dynamism without sacrificing image quality. Here’s a comparison, with the wide-angle on the right:
The selfie camera is excellent – faces look natural and pleasing, with nothing to criticize. There’s also an option for retouching if desired.
For video recording, we have the following options: 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60/120 fps. The videos are good – the movement in the frame is smooth.
The camera interface is simple and straightforward. Among other features, realme traditionally includes a street photography mode, now labeled as Street Mode 4.0 in the new models. In this mode, you can utilize zoom and enhanced stabilization to capture impressive action shots.
The night mode activates automatically, illuminating frames and enhancing their detail. It’s important to try not to move the phone while shooting to achieve the best results.
ALL PHOTOS AND VIDEOS IN ORIGINAL RESOLUTION
In my opinion, the photo quality is very good. It is noticeably inferior to its older brother only in the quality of the zoom.
Data transfer
The smartphone is equipped with all necessary wireless modules for everyday use. It supports the latest versions of Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4. Additionally, it features dual-band GPS (L1+L5) and NFC functionality.
The artificial intelligence-based system continuously learns how the user holds the phone and optimizes antenna performance based on this information.
Unlocking methods
After setting up the basic password, the system prompts to add facial recognition and fingerprint options. For Android smartphones, I always choose the fingerprint option because I find it more convenient and secure. Additionally, it activates instantly, so I highly recommend it.
Face ID works excellently under any lighting conditions. So, the choice here remains with the user.
Read also: Realme Buds Air 5 TWS Headphones Review
Sound
The realme GT 6T supports Hi-Res audio at 24-bit/192 kHz and is equipped with stereo speakers – one at the bottom panel and another above the screen. This setup provides a well-balanced, loud, and spacious sound with solid bass. Unfortunately, there is no 3.5mm audio jack. In the settings, there are sound profiles like OReality (smart, movie, games, music), as well as holographic and spatial modes (3D and spatial sound).
When it comes to vibration, it deserves special mention on the realme GT 6T. A large vibration motor with a linear engine provides realistic tactile feedback. Vibration is useful not only during calls but also during regular interaction with the phone – scrolling menus, typing on the keyboard, taking photos, gaming, and even setting alarms. Everything is well thought out and adds a tangible feel to using the smartphone.
Software
realme GT 6 runs on Android 14 with the realme UI 5.0 skin. We are already familiar with this software version from the realme 12 series smartphones, so there are no surprises here. The system operates swiftly, smoothly, with elegant animations, and is highly customizable.
As before, the realme UI includes various gestures, split-screen mode, a sidebar for quick app launching, and windowed mode. In the realme Lab app, experimental options have also been added, such as the ability to connect two pairs of wireless earphones to the phone simultaneously and track heart rate using the fingerprint scanner.
The File Dock, a convenient and relatively new feature of realme’s UI, serves as an area on the screen where you can drag and drop images, videos, and documents for quick transfer to other applications.
The older version GT 6 also offers AI-based screen content recognition and file sharing options. These features are not present in the 6T version, but their absence does not result in any significant loss, as they are more novelty features rather than essential functionalities.
The new GT 6T isn’t free from bloatware (pre-installed software for advertising purposes, often seen negatively in previous 12 series models). In our test model, we have LinkedIn, Netflix, TikTok, Spotify, and WPS Office. The amount of this “clutter” can vary by market—some may have more, others less. Nonetheless, unwanted applications can be uninstalled. Built-in realme apps also send unwanted notifications, such as the realme store.
I hadn’t seen the “Security Schemes” option before – it’s a set of privacy standards that include file encryption, fingerprint data, facial data, and screen lock passwords. The system also features digital balance and parental controls options.
Battery life
Another highlight of the realme GT 6T is its powerful 5500 mAh battery with fast charging capability. Using the SUPERVOOC (GaN) 120W technology, the phone reaches 50% charge in 10 minutes and 100% in 28 minutes, as confirmed in our tests. One “small” issue – the charging adapter is not included in the package, so you’ll need to purchase it separately.
As Olga mentioned in her review of the GT 6, there’s no need to fear fast charging like fire; the myth that it harms the battery has long been debunked. Of course, nothing lasts forever, but such technology charges your gadget quickly and preserves 80% capacity after 1600 full charge cycles, which is twice as much as competitors. With once-a-day charging, the battery life can last up to four years.
The GT 6T supports “smart charging,” which constantly monitors the battery’s condition and adjusts the charging speed accordingly (this option is available in the settings). Additionally, in the battery settings, you can enable the GT mode, which significantly enhances performance but increases energy consumption.
During testing, the smartphone lasted 1.5-2 days on a single charge. Overall, the phone doesn’t require much time for recharging; leaving it on for 10-20 minutes will reliably give you an additional 50-70% charge.
Conclusions
Together with the “flagship killer” realme GT 6, the hero of our review has shown that modern features can be packed into a compact device without hurting your wallet too much.
I think for its price, the realme GT 6T has performed admirably. It boasts a sleek design, good cameras, a 5500 mAh battery with very fast 120W charging, up to 2 days of battery life, speedy components and hardware, and a flexible operating system with realme UI 5.0. It’s not significantly inferior to its older sibling; it just has a slightly simpler processor and lacks a telephoto lens. This might not be critical for everyone, and the price is noticeably lower.
Read also: