Realme GT Explorer Master vs. GT Master: The Ultimate Showdown

Realme's GT series has consistently delivered impressive value. The GT Explorer Master and GT Master are two popular contenders, each offering a unique blend of features and performance. But which one deserves your money? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Realme GT Explorer Master takes the crown thanks to its significantly brighter display and the more powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset. While both offer excellent 65W charging and similar battery life, the Explorer Master's performance edge makes it the better overall choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme GT Explorer Master Realme GT Master
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2021, July 212021, July 21
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, July 27Available. Released 2021, July 30
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions159.9 mm x 72.5 mm x 8.0/8.8 mm (depending on color)159.2 mm x 73.5 mm x 8.0/8.7 mm (depending on color)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight183.5/185 g (depending on color) (6.49 oz)174/180 g (depending on color) (6.14 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 11, Realme UI 2.0Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFSUFS
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Triple50 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, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, 50% in 13 min, 100% in 33 min65W wired, 100% in 33 min
Type4500 mAh4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, White, Aurora, ApricotBlack, Gray, White, Aurora
ModelsRMX3366RMX3363, RMX3360, RMX3361
PriceAbout 380 EUR$ 142.99 / € 128.55
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 117h Endurance rating 114h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.6 LUFS (Very good) -29.2 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 717879 (v9) GeekBench: 3050 (v5.1) GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 529263 (v9) GeekBench: 2917 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme GT Explorer Master

  • Significantly brighter display
  • More powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
  • Excellent fast charging
  • Stylish design

  • Potentially higher price
  • Camera specs not fully detailed

Realme GT Master

  • Stylish design
  • Excellent fast charging
  • Good value for money
  • Reliable performance for everyday tasks

  • Less bright display
  • Less powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset
  • Camera specs not fully detailed

Display Comparison

The GT Explorer Master boasts a measured peak brightness of 805 nits, significantly outperforming the GT Master's 634 nits. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the Explorer Master's higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight and a more immersive viewing experience. Both phones likely use AMOLED panels with vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

While both phones are advertised as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, detailed camera specifications are missing. Based on general knowledge, the GT Explorer Master likely has a slight edge in image quality due to the more powerful processor assisting with image processing. Both likely feature a main sensor around 64MP, and ultrawide and macro lenses. Low-light performance would likely be better on the Explorer Master.

Performance

Here's where the Explorer Master truly shines. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the GT Master's Snapdragon 778G. The 870 offers noticeably faster processing speeds and better graphics performance, making it ideal for demanding games and multitasking. The GT Master is still capable for everyday use, but the Explorer Master provides a smoother, more responsive experience.

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent battery life, with endurance ratings of 117h and 114h respectively. The difference is negligible in real-world usage. Both benefit from 65W fast charging, capable of reaching 100% in approximately 33 minutes.

Buying Guide

The Realme GT Explorer Master is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who values a vibrant display and top-tier performance. The Realme GT Master remains a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want a stylish design and reliable performance for everyday tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 870 significantly faster than the Snapdragon 778G?
Yes, the Snapdragon 870 offers a noticeable performance boost over the 778G, particularly in gaming and demanding applications.
❓ Are the cameras on these phones any good?
Both phones offer decent camera capabilities, but detailed specifications are lacking. The GT Explorer Master likely has a slight edge in image quality due to its more powerful processor.