Realme GT2 Explorer Master vs Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

Both the Realme GT2 Explorer Master and the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro represent the pinnacle of Android performance, powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. However, they approach the flagship experience from different angles. The Realme prioritizes a balanced experience with a focus on design and fast charging, while the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming with a robust feature set and cooling system. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best fits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a sleek design and incredibly fast 100W charging, the Realme GT2 Explorer Master offers a compelling package. However, gamers and power users will find the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro’s dedicated gaming features, slightly brighter display, and more comprehensive charging standards (PD3.0, QC5) to be worth the premium.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme GT2 Explorer Master Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71 - Version A
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Version A
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2024/210 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 - Version B
Launch
Announced2022, July 122022, July 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 19Available. Released 2022, July 13
Body
BuildGlass front, ceramic back or eco leather back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions161.3 x 74.3 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 2.93 x 0.32 in)173 x 77 x 10.3 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 -IPX4 water resistant 2" OLED display (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, Realme UI 3.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM512GB 18GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 150˚ (ultrawide) 3 MP, f/3.3, 20mm (microscope), AF, 40x magnification50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama, HDR
Single16MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide)12 MP, 28mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
BluetoothYes5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANYesWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, White, GoldStorm White
ModelsRMX3551AI2201_D
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 800 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 126h Endurance rating 119h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.8 LUFS (Very good) -24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 1045876 (v9) GeekBench: 4021 (v5.1) AnTuTu: 973756 (v8), 1103188 (v9) GeekBench: 3980 (v5.1) GFXBench: 79fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme GT2 Explorer Master

  • Faster 100W wired charging
  • Slightly better battery endurance rating
  • Potentially more refined camera processing

  • Less robust thermal management
  • Lacks advanced gaming features
  • Charging standard compatibility is limited

Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro

  • Superior thermal management for sustained performance
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Wider charging standard support (PD3.0, QC5)

  • Slightly lower battery endurance rating
  • Bulkier design
  • Potentially less emphasis on camera quality

Display Comparison

Both devices feature displays with an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, indicating excellent black levels. However, the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro edges out the Realme GT2 Explorer Master with a measured peak brightness of 829 nits compared to the Realme’s 798 nits. This difference, while not massive, translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely employ high refresh rate panels (not specified in the data, but standard for this class), the ROG Phone’s larger size may allow for a more immersive gaming experience. The lack of information on PWM dimming rates prevents a definitive statement on eye strain, but users sensitive to flicker should investigate further.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Asus’s focus on gaming, the ROG Phone 6 Pro’s camera system is likely tuned for versatility rather than photographic excellence. The Realme GT2 Explorer Master, aligning with Realme’s broader smartphone strategy, may prioritize camera performance with potentially larger sensors and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The absence of details necessitates further investigation through independent reviews.

Performance

Both phones are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same CPU configuration: an octa-core setup with 1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. This means raw processing power is virtually identical. The ROG Phone 6 Pro’s advantage lies in its superior thermal management system, designed to sustain peak performance for longer durations during demanding gaming sessions. While the Realme GT2 Explorer Master will deliver excellent performance, it may be more prone to thermal throttling under prolonged heavy load. The RAM configuration (not specified) will also play a role, but the chipset is the primary performance determinant here.

Battery Life

The Realme GT2 Explorer Master boasts a slightly better endurance rating of 126 hours compared to the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro’s 119 hours, suggesting marginally better battery life. However, the ROG Phone 6 Pro compensates with significantly faster charging: 65W wired with support for PD3.0 and QC5, achieving a full charge in 42 minutes, plus 10W reverse wired charging. The Realme GT2 Explorer Master’s 100W charging is faster, but lacks the broader compatibility of the ROG Phone’s standards. The ROG Phone also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Realme.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme GT2 Explorer Master if you need a stylish, fast-charging flagship with excellent all-around performance and don't require dedicated gaming features. It's ideal for content creators, social media enthusiasts, and users who value a premium aesthetic. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro if you prefer an uncompromising gaming experience with advanced cooling, customizable controls, and a brighter display, even if it means a bulkier design and a higher price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro's cooling system actually make a difference in sustained gaming performance?
Yes, the ROG Phone 6 Pro features a sophisticated cooling system, including a vapor chamber and strategically placed heat dissipation materials. This allows the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods during intensive gaming sessions, minimizing thermal throttling and ensuring a smoother, more consistent experience compared to devices with less robust cooling.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the Realme GT2 Explorer Master compare to the 65W charging on the ROG Phone 6 Pro in real-world use?
While 100W is numerically faster, the ROG Phone 6 Pro’s 65W charging, coupled with PD3.0 and QC5 support, offers a more versatile charging experience. Both phones achieve a full charge relatively quickly, but the ROG Phone’s compatibility with more chargers and power banks provides greater convenience. The Realme’s 100W is incredibly fast *with a compatible charger*.
❓ Is the lack of a headphone jack on either phone a significant drawback?
Both the Realme GT2 Explorer Master and the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro omit a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to the trend of wireless audio. This may require users to invest in USB-C headphones or a dongle, which adds an extra cost and potential inconvenience. Gamers who prefer low-latency wired audio may find this omission particularly frustrating.