Realme GT Explorer Master vs. Asus ROG Phone 5s: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a blend of performance, battery life, and affordability, the Realme GT Explorer Master emerges as the stronger choice. While the Asus ROG Phone 5s boasts a more powerful chipset, its slower charging and gaming-centric focus don't justify the price premium for non-hardcore gamers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme GT Explorer Master | Asus ROG Phone 5s |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - Version 1 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 4 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 21 | 2021, August 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 27 | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.9 mm x 72.5 mm x 8.0/8.8 mm (depending on color) | 172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183.5/185 g (depending on color) (6.49 oz) | 238 g (8.40 oz) |
| - | RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM |
| UFS | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Panorama, HDR | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm | 24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers) |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, 50% in 13 min, 100% in 33 min | 65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gray, White, Aurora, Apricot | Phantom Black, Storm White |
| Models | RMX3366 | ZS676KS |
| Price | About 380 EUR | About 1030 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 117h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -25.6 LUFS (Very good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 717879 (v9) GeekBench: 3050 (v5.1) GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme GT Explorer Master
- Faster 65W charging (33 minutes to full)
- More affordable price point
- Excellent all-around performance with Snapdragon 870
- Less powerful chipset than the ROG Phone 5s
- Camera specifications are unknown
Asus ROG Phone 5s
- More powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset
- Gaming-focused features (unspecified)
- 10W reverse wired charging
- Slower 65W charging (52 minutes to full)
- Higher price point
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Realme GT Explorer Master features a display capable of reaching 805 nits of peak brightness, ensuring good visibility even outdoors. While the ROG Phone 5s’ display specifications aren’t provided, Asus ROG phones typically prioritize high refresh rates over peak brightness. The Realme’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical AMOLED panel, offering excellent blacks. The lack of detailed display specs for the ROG Phone 5s makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Realme’s measured brightness provides a concrete advantage for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the ROG Phone 5s’ gaming focus, its camera system is likely optimized for quick snapshots and social media sharing rather than professional-grade photography. The Realme GT Explorer Master, positioned as a more well-rounded flagship, may offer a more versatile camera experience. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Realme’s broader market appeal suggests a greater emphasis on camera quality.
Performance
The Asus ROG Phone 5s leverages the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5nm), a clear step up in raw processing power compared to the Realme GT Explorer Master’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm). The 888+’s Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.99 GHz offers a significant performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. However, the 5nm process node of the 888+ also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Realme’s Snapdragon 870, while not as powerful, remains a highly capable chipset, delivering smooth performance for most applications and games. The ROG Phone 5s’ superior GPU will translate to higher frame rates in demanding titles, but the Realme’s efficiency may provide a more consistent experience over longer periods.
Battery Life
The Realme GT Explorer Master boasts a 65W wired charging solution, capable of reaching 50% charge in 13 minutes and 100% in 33 minutes. The Asus ROG Phone 5s also supports 65W charging, but takes longer to fully charge – 70% in 30 minutes and 100% in 52 minutes. While the ROG Phone 5s includes 10W reverse wired charging, the Realme’s faster charging speed is a significant advantage for users who prioritize minimizing downtime. The Realme GT Explorer Master has an endurance rating of 117h, indicating solid battery life, but the ROG Phone 5s’ battery capacity is unknown, making a direct comparison challenging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme GT Explorer Master if you need a versatile smartphone with strong all-around performance, fast 65W charging, and a respectable camera system, all without breaking the bank. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s if you are a dedicated mobile gamer who demands the absolute highest processing power, prioritizes gaming-specific features, and is willing to pay a premium for a specialized experience.