Realme GT Neo2 vs. Google Pixel 6a: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Realme GT Neo2 and Google Pixel 6a represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. The GT Neo2, with its Snapdragon 870, prioritizes raw performance, while the Pixel 6a leverages Google’s Tensor chip and software expertise for a unique user experience. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the Realme GT Neo2 is the clear winner, offering significantly faster processing power and quicker charging. However, the Google Pixel 6a excels in computational photography and provides a cleaner, more streamlined Android experience, making it ideal for everyday users and photo enthusiasts.

PHONES
Phone Names	Realme GT Neo2	Google Pixel 6a

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) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada)
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada)
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International)

Launch
Announced	2021, September 22	2022, May 11
Status	Available. Released 2021, September 28	Available. Released 2022, July 21

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions	162.9 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)	152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	199.8 g (7.05 oz)	178 g (6.28 oz)
	-	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size	6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)	OLED, HDR
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)	Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)	Google Tensor (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 650	Mali-G78 MP20
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0	Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Dual	-	12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Triple	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)	-
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm	8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	24-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 3.1
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, barometer

Battery
Charging	65W wired, 100% in 36 min	18W wired, PD3.0
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Po 4410 mAh

Misc
Colors	Neo Black, Neo Blue, Neo Green	Chalk, Charcoal, Sage
Models	RMX3370	GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L
Price	About 980 EUR	$ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 111h	Endurance rating 94h
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-25.1 LUFS (Very good)	-
Performance	AnTuTu: 726039 (v9) GeekBench: 3185 (v5.1) GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	-

Realme GT Neo2

Significantly faster charging (65W)
Superior CPU and GPU performance for gaming
Longer battery endurance

Dimmer display compared to Pixel 6a
Less refined software experience

Google Pixel 6a

Brighter display for outdoor visibility
Excellent camera with Google’s computational photography
Clean and streamlined Android experience with guaranteed updates

Slower charging speed (18W)
Less powerful processor for demanding tasks

Display Comparison

The Pixel 6a boasts a brighter display, reaching 876 nits compared to the GT Neo2’s 659 nits, making it more legible outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays share an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, but the difference in peak brightness is substantial. While neither phone features a high refresh rate, the Pixel 6a’s superior brightness is a key advantage for outdoor visibility. The GT Neo2's display, while dimmer, is still perfectly adequate for indoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but approach image processing differently. The Pixel 6a leverages Google’s computational photography prowess, delivering consistently excellent results, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While specific sensor details are not provided, the Pixel 6a’s image processing excels in dynamic range and detail preservation. The GT Neo2’s camera, while capable of producing good photos and videos, relies more on hardware than software enhancements. The Pixel 6a’s strength lies in its ability to consistently deliver high-quality images with minimal user effort.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT Neo2’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a proven performer, featuring an octa-core CPU with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz. In contrast, the Google Pixel 6a utilizes Google’s in-house Tensor chip (5nm). While the Tensor chip’s Cortex-X1 cores reach a higher clock speed (2.80 GHz), the Snapdragon 870 generally outperforms it in raw CPU and GPU benchmarks due to its more mature architecture and optimized drivers. The 5nm process of the Tensor chip *should* offer better efficiency, but the GT Neo2’s larger battery mitigates this advantage. The GT Neo2 is the better choice for sustained gaming performance.

Battery Life

The Realme GT Neo2 has an endurance rating of 111 hours, while the Pixel 6a manages 94 hours. This difference is partially attributable to the GT Neo2’s larger battery capacity (not specified in the data, but typically around 5000mAh) and significantly faster 65W wired charging, achieving 100% charge in just 36 minutes. The Pixel 6a’s 18W charging, while supporting PD3.0, is considerably slower. The GT Neo2’s faster charging is a significant convenience factor, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme GT Neo2 if you need a phone for intensive gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and value fast charging speeds. Its Snapdragon 870 delivers a noticeable performance edge. Buy the Google Pixel 6a if you prioritize camera quality, a smooth software experience with guaranteed updates, and a more compact form factor. The Tensor chip’s AI capabilities enhance everyday tasks and photography.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 870 in the Realme GT Neo2 get hot during extended gaming sessions?

While the Snapdragon 870 is a powerful chip, it's known for being relatively efficient. The Realme GT Neo2 incorporates cooling solutions to mitigate heat, but prolonged, demanding gaming will inevitably lead to some thermal throttling. However, it generally handles sustained loads better than the Tensor chip in the Pixel 6a.

❓ How does Google's Tensor chip handle image processing compared to the Snapdragon 870 in the Realme GT Neo2?

Google’s Tensor chip excels in computational photography, leveraging AI to enhance image quality, particularly in low-light conditions and with dynamic range. The Snapdragon 870 relies more on the camera sensor and lens quality. The Pixel 6a consistently delivers excellent photos with minimal user input, while the GT Neo2 requires more attention to settings for optimal results.

❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 6a slow compared to the 65W charging on the Realme GT Neo2?

Yes, the difference is significant. The Realme GT Neo2 can fully charge from 0-100% in approximately 36 minutes, while the Pixel 6a will take considerably longer – typically over 90 minutes. This makes the GT Neo2 a much more convenient option for users who need a quick battery top-up.

❓ Will the Pixel 6a receive more software updates and security patches than the Realme GT Neo2?

Yes. Google guarantees at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches for the Pixel 6a. Realme’s update policy is less consistent, typically offering 2 years of major Android updates and 3 years of security patches. This makes the Pixel 6a a better long-term investment for software support.