Smartphone Comparison: Realme GT 5G vs. OnePlus 9RT 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | OnePlus 9RT 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm | 162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm | OnePlus 9RT is slightly larger; less pocketable. |
| Weight | 186g | 198.5g | Realme GT is lighter, slightly more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.62" | OnePlus 9RT has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer good clarity. |
| PPI | 409 | 397 | Negligible difference in pixel density; both appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown, making outdoor visibility difficult to compare. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 888 5G | Identical performance; both handle demanding tasks well. |
| AnTuTu Score | 912,342 | 881,700 | Negligible performance difference in real-world usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Both offer identical graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | Realme GT has a higher resolution, however, the OnePlus 9RT has larger pixels |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.7" | 1/1.56" | OnePlus 9RT has a physically larger sensor which typically captures more light and detail in low light. |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 1.00µm | OnePlus 9RT has larger individual pixels which should result in better low-light sensitivity. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 16MP | Both offer comparable selfie camera resolution. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.5 | f/2.4 | OnePlus 9RT's wider aperture potentially captures slightly brighter selfies in low light. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 8MP | 16MP | OnePlus 9RT has a higher resolution, capturing more details in wide shots. |
| Wide Angle Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.2 | OnePlus 9RT's wider aperture may capture slightly better images in low light. |
| Macro Lens Resolution | 2MP | 2MP | Both offer similar quality for macro photography, limited by 2MP resolution. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Both offer similar video recording capabilities; HDR is exclusive to the OnePlus 9RT. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | HDR, EIS | OnePlus 9RT likely provides better video stabilization with HDR and EIS, resulting in smoother videos |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh | Similar battery life expected from both phones |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Both offer very fast charging speeds, reducing time plugged into the wall |
| Battery Type | Lithium | Li-Polymer | Slight chemical differences but both provide similar performance |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, Dual Cell | OnePlus 9RT dual-cell design may result in slightly better heat management while charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both phones launched with Android 11 |
| Max OS Version | 14 | 13 | Realme GT is expected to get one more major Android update. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | OnePlus 9RT supports newer Wi-Fi standard for potentially faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both use the same Bluetooth version with similar features. |
| GPS | L1 + L5, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | L1 + L5, BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Realme GT provides a slightly more robust set of satellite signals for location tracking |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both phones offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Identical RAM, both capable of smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Realme GT has slight edge in audio quality (Hi-Res Audio, 2 microphones), but OnePlus 9RT has a noise-cancelling mic for clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both offer similar basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection is unknown, making comparisons impossible |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | OnePlus 9RT has an additional Gyroscope, making it more suitable for advanced motion tracking use cases. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme GT 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Lighter: 12.5g lighter for more comfortable extended use.
- Hi-Res Audio and 2 Microphones: Offers superior audio experience for music enthusiasts and recording purposes.
- Additional GPS Support: Better location accuracy due to a greater variety of signals.
- One More Major OS Update: Gets an extra major Android update, extending the software lifecycle.
OnePlus 9RT 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: Slightly larger screen provides a more immersive media experience.
- Superior Camera: Larger sensor, larger pixels, and wider apertures result in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, and a higher resolution wide-angle lens.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Improves video recording quality and low-light stills.
- HDR Video Recording: Higher quality video capture with more dynamic range.
- Wi-Fi 6 Support: Newer Wi-Fi standard offers faster speeds and better performance.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: Enhanced call clarity in noisy environments.
- Gyroscope: For more advanced motion tracking needs (such as gaming)
- Dual Cell Battery: Potentially better heat management while charging.
Trade-offs:
- Realme GT 5G sacrifices camera performance and some connectivity features for a lighter build and slightly better audio capabilities, but is set to receive one more OS update
- OnePlus 9RT 5G offers better camera and video capabilities, a larger screen, and a more modern Wi-Fi standard, but weighs slightly more, lacks Hi-Res audio, and one less major OS update.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme GT 5G Ideal User:
- Audio Enthusiast: Prioritizes high-quality audio playback and recordings.
- Budget-Conscious User: Looking for a flagship chipset at a more affordable price point.
- Long Term User: Seeking a phone that will receive the most software support available.
- General User: Looking for good all-around performance and doesn't rely heavily on advanced photography
Use Cases:
- Listening to high-fidelity music via headphones.
- General daily use with a focus on strong general performance.
- Extended use without causing fatigue due to its lighter weight.
OnePlus 9RT 5G Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiast: Prioritizes camera performance, especially in low light.
- Media Consumer: Enjoys watching videos and movies on their phone.
- Mobile Gamer: Needs better motion tracking and a faster wireless connection.
- Business User: Relies on reliable calls, a larger display, and video recording
- General User: Looking for a well-rounded flagship experience with a strong camera and larger screen.
Use Cases:
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos, even in challenging lighting conditions.
- Watching movies and videos on a larger, immersive screen.
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Conducting work related activities and calls.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The price of these two phones can vary quite a bit depending on your region and the retailer. At a similar price, the OnePlus 9RT offers more versatility, however, if the Realme GT 5G is priced significantly lower, it can provide excellent performance at a cheaper price, and provide one more major OS update.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera quality to you?
- If high quality photography is paramount, especially in low-light situations, the OnePlus 9RT is the better choice.
- How important is high quality audio to you?
- If Hi-Res Audio and recording is paramount, the Realme GT is better.
- How important is the latest software support to you?
- If getting the latest possible OS update is vital, the Realme GT is better, having one more major OS update available.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual user focused on daily tasks and media consumption: The OnePlus 9RT offers a slightly larger display with better video capture quality.
- Scenario 2: Passionate audiophile: The Realme GT is more suitable with Hi-Res Audio support.
- Scenario 3: Frequent traveler or photographer: The OnePlus 9RT excels with it's superior camera, optical image stabilization, HDR video capture, and Wi-Fi 6.
- Scenario 4: Price conscious buyer seeking the best possible performance: If prices are similar, OnePlus 9RT offers more versatility, if the Realme GT 5G has a considerable price reduction, then it is a worthy competitor.
My Choice
Given these options, I would personally choose the OnePlus 9RT 5G. While the Realme GT 5G has some compelling aspects like its Hi-Res audio and potentially lighter design, the OnePlus 9RT's superior camera (especially low-light performance, OIS, and HDR video), larger display, Wi-Fi 6 support, and Gyroscope provide a more well-rounded and versatile experience. As someone who takes a lot of photos and videos and values those features, the advantages of the 9RT outweigh the benefits of the GT, even with the missing additional software update.
