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Launching alongside the super Realme GT Neo 3 150W, the GT Neo 3T comes in at a much more affordable price.
It is basically the same as the Realme GT Neo 2, which launched towards the end of 2021 but has faster charging.
Realme GT Neo 3 vs GT Neo 3T vs Neo 2 Specification
| Realme GT Neo3 150W | Realme GT Neo 3T | Realme GT Neo 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ 6.7 inches 1080 x 2412 pixels, | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) 6.62 inches 1080 x 2400 pixels | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) 6.62 inches 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 8100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB | 256GB | 256GB |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Front Camera | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Battery | 4500 mAh (150W model) 5000 mAh (80W model) | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 150W and 80W models | 80W | 65W |
As you can see from the specification, it is almost identical to the Realme GT Neo 2, the only differences being:
- Slightly different 64MP camera sensor – The 1/2″ sensor of the 3T won’t be quite as good.
- The Neo 3T has faster 80W charging.
- It launches with Android 12 and will, therefore, presumably, be upgraded to an Android version one above the Neo 2, providing a bit more longevity.
Design and Display
All the GT branded phones look about the same. They are all built well enough for affordable phones, and they all have flat decent quality displays.
The GT Neo 3T uses the same display as the Neo 2 and the GT2 with a punch hole on the left. The Neo 3 uses an ever so slightly different display.
The main design difference with Realme phones is the colourways you can get and sometimes textures. My Neo 3 was unexciting but clean and smart looking. In comparison, the Neo 3T is much brighter with a canary yellow (Dash Yellow) checkered design. I have been quite enjoying the different textures Realme has been using recently and the less garish tones; I loved the look and feel of the GT2. I have no strong feelings about this colour, but you could always opt for white or black.
Camera
Like other upper mid-range Realme (and other branded phones), it is only the primary camera that provides decent performance.
In the case of the Neo 3T, it has a 64 MP primary lens with a 1/2″ sensor. It is not as good as the Sony IMX766 sensor used on the Neo 3T and other Realme phones, but it still does an admirable job and is more than adequate for anyone that primary views photos and their phone and shares them on social media.
The big differences between the sensors are typically when the conditions are less than ideal. During a sunny day, you probably wouldn’t notice much difference on a phone screen. However, the below photos show some differences. At night, IMX766 equipped phones will outclass this, and it is something you should consider if you take a lot of night photos.
Just like all the other Realme phones, Realme has some very aggressive AI processing. If you want a natural look, you are best to leave the AI off. I don’t mind the AI on, it can make greens a bit radioactive, but in general, the brighter colours are a bit more visually appealing.
Photo Gallery
Performance and Thermal Throttling
I have done a more thorough performance analysis of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 used on this phone in comparison to the Mediatek Dimensity 8100 used on the GT Neo 3 in a separate post.
While the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 is not as good as the Dimensity 8100, it is still an outstanding chipset and one of my favourites of the past year. It is fast and efficient, meaning you have all the performance you need without the stress of quick battery drain or thermal throttling.
Considering the price difference between this phone and the Neo 3, I would also say you get better performance for your pound with the SD870 and this phone.
Battery
Using the PCMark Work 2.0 battery life test, the Realme GT Neo 3T achieved a rating of 16h 17mins which is on the upper end of all the devices I have tested.
It was almost 5 hours higher than the Neo 3, roughly 45% longer. However, the 3T has a battery that’s 11% bigger, and the average Work score was 10% lower. I also think I may not have set all the settings identically.
Either way, both this and the Neo 3 have an excellent battery.
For real-world usage, there is absolutely nothing to complain about, this can easily see me through a day of heavy usage.
If you do get caught out with a low battery, the 80W charging is fantastic. I’d say this is perhaps the sweet spot for charge speeds. I can’t imagine many scenarios where I might have drained my battery fully and can’t find 15 mins to charge my phone to 60% (or 100% in a bit over 30 mins).
Software
This is the fifth Realme phone I have reviewed this year, and the OS is identical to the GT Neo 3 I reviewed yesterday. At this point, the software experience is well documented, and it is largely the same as ColorOS and OxygenOS.
I quite like Realme UI, but I think that is more due to my familiarity with it.
Just like my previous reviews, there is an annoying amount of bloatware installed, but most of this can be removed.
I have found that Realme has been reasonably good with regular updates, but long term OS upgrades are perhaps not as good as others.
Price and Alternative Options
The Realme GT NEO 3T is available for £369.00 (8GB+128GB).
The older Realme GT NEO 2 is almost identical to this but with a slightly better camera specification and slower charging. It looks like this is no longer being sold through official channels, but you can pick it up for about £370 on Amazon. There is little reason to buy the Neo 2 unless it is significantly cheaper than the Neo 3T.
The Realme GT NEO 3 is priced at £599.99 (12GB+256GB) for the 150W variant. Alternatively, the Realme GT 2 is £500, which is probably the best option if you want something a bit better than the 3T.
The new OnePlus Nord 2T is priced from £369. This has a better camera than the Neo 3T, but a smaller display with a slower refresh rate and a chipset that is not quite as good.
The Realme 9 Pro + is at a lower price point. It has the superb Sony IMX766 sensor for the primary camera but a smaller display and much slower MediaTek Dimensity 920 chipset.
Similarly, you have the Poco X4 Pro, which is a lower price point and has a better camera but less powerful chipset.
I haven’t used it, but based on the specification, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro could technically be a better phone. It is a year old but has the same chipset and better camera. Though, it has slower charging and a smaller battery.
Overall
The Realme GT Neo 3T is an excellent phone at an attractive price, but it is almost identical to the Realme GT Neo 2, which takes the shine off a little.
It is still a solid choice for a phone, though. It seems to fit nicely into the Realme lineup and the market as a whole, with little direct competition.
The Realme GT2 and GT Neo 3T are both around £200 more than this, which puts them in entirely separate price categories.
There is also very little in the way of competition from other brands. I’d say the Nord 2T is a better option if you want a good camera, or the Edge 20 Pro if you don’t mind a phone that’s been out for a year (and will therefore not be updated for as long).
Realme GT Neo 3T Review Rating
Summary
There is nothing particularly new to see here, the Realme GT Neo 3T is almost identical to the Neo 2. However, it is still an excellent phone, it is attractively priced for the specification you get, and it is positioned well in the market as a whole.
Overall
82%-
Overall - 82%82%
Pros
- Amazing performance for the price
- Excellent battery and charge speeds
- Good enough camera for most people
Cons
- Almost the same as the Neo 2
- Camera can be lacklustre in less than ideal conditions
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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