Realme GT 8 Pro vs. vivo iQOO 12 Pro: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon Power
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing absolute, untamed performance, the Realme GT 8 Pro takes the lead thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. However, the iQOO 12 Pro offers a more refined experience with potentially better sustained performance due to the 4nm process, and a competitive charging experience. The average user will likely find the iQOO 12 Pro a more balanced and practical choice.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme GT 8 Pro | vivo iQOO 12 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, October 21 | 2023, November 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 21 | Available. Released 2023, November 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), aluminum alloy frame, fiber-reinforced plastic back or silicone polymer (eco leather) back | - |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 76.9 x 8.2 mm (6.37 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) | 164.6 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm or 8.8 mm |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - International· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - China | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 214 g or 218 g (7.69 oz) | 205 g or 210 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3136 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~508 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.79 inches, 112.8 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 7000 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 840 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 16, up to 4 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 7.0 | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 (International), OriginOS 4 (China) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Ricoh lens, Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama, switchable camera bump | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 22mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 200 MP, f/2.6, 65mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 0.5µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 16mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.64µm | 50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, ulti-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR, Dolby Vision, 10-bit LOG | 8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.1", 0.7µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS, HDR, Dolby Vision | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS, NavIC (L5) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, 120W UFCS, 14.4W PD, 55W PPS, 14.4W QC, 15 min to 50%, 43 min to 100% 50W wireless, 79 min to 100% 10W wireless reverse 5W reverse wired | 120W wired 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 7000 mAh | 5100 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Diary White, Urban Blue, Green, Aston Martin Green | Black, Red, White (BMW M branding) |
| Models | RMX5210 | V2329A |
| Price | € 899.99 | About 650 EUR |
| SAR | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 60:32h endurance, 1100 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class D (60 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Realme GT 8 Pro
- Unmatched CPU performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Extremely fast charging with 120W wired and 50W wireless
- Industry-leading peak display brightness (2262 nits)
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
- Higher power consumption compared to 4nm chips
vivo iQOO 12 Pro
- More efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
- Potentially better sustained performance due to thermal efficiency
- Competitive 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
- Lower peak CPU performance compared to the GT 8 Pro
- Likely lower peak display brightness
Display Comparison
The Realme GT 8 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 2262 nits, making it ideal for outdoor visibility. While the iQOO 12 Pro’s display specs aren’t provided, it’s likely to be excellent, but will struggle to match the GT 8 Pro’s peak brightness. Both devices likely employ high refresh rate panels, but the GT 8 Pro’s brightness advantage is a clear win for users who frequently use their phones in direct sunlight. The absence of LTPO information for either device makes it difficult to assess power efficiency gains from variable refresh rates.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones are expected to feature high-quality camera systems befitting their flagship status. The iQOO series often emphasizes computational photography, while Realme tends to focus on sensor size and hardware capabilities. The absence of sensor size data prevents a definitive assessment, but we can assume both will offer excellent image quality in various lighting conditions. The lack of information on OIS and lens apertures further limits a detailed analysis.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) utilizes Oryon V3 Phoenix cores, with a peak clock speed of 4.6 GHz, promising exceptional single-core performance. The iQOO 12 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) employs a more traditional core configuration, topping out at 3.3 GHz. While clock speed isn’t everything, the GT 8 Pro’s architecture suggests a substantial lead in burst performance. However, the 4nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the iQOO 12 Pro should offer better thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. The GT 8 Pro’s 3nm node *should* also be efficient, but the higher clock speeds and core count may negate some of those gains.
Battery Life
The Realme GT 8 Pro delivers impressive battery endurance, achieving 60:32 hours in our tests, with 20:24 hours of active use. The iQOO 12 Pro’s battery life is not provided, making a direct comparison challenging. However, the GT 8 Pro’s charging capabilities are exceptional: 120W wired, 50W wireless, and even 10W reverse wireless. The iQOO 12 Pro matches the 120W wired charging and 50W wireless, but lacks the UFCS and PPS standards supported by the GT 8 Pro, potentially impacting compatibility with certain chargers. The GT 8 Pro’s 15-minute 50% charge and 43-minute full charge times are incredibly fast, and the 79-minute wireless charge is also competitive.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme GT 8 Pro if you need the absolute fastest CPU performance available in an Android phone, and are willing to manage potential thermal throttling during extended heavy use. Buy the vivo iQOO 12 Pro if you prefer a more efficient chipset, potentially longer sustained performance in gaming, and a slightly more balanced overall package, even if it means sacrificing a small amount of peak CPU power.