The smartphone market is brimming with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two compelling contenders against each other: the Realme GT2 Explorer Master and the Xiaomi Poco F5. Both offer impressive features, but cater to slightly different needs and budgets. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme GT2 Explorer Master boasts a significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and exceptional battery life. However, the Poco F5 delivers a brighter display and faster charging, all at a more accessible price point. Ultimately, the GT2 Explorer Master wins for raw power, while the Poco F5 offers better value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 12 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 19 | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic back or eco leather back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 74.3 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 2.93 x 0.32 in) | 161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ | AMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 725 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 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 magnification | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 46 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, White, Gold | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | RMX3551 | 23049PCD8G, 23049PCD8I |
| Price | About 500 EUR | € 202.76 / $ 289.99 / ₹ 23,790 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 126h
|
Endurance rating 118h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
-24.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 1045876 (v9)
GeekBench: 4021 (v5.1) | - |
Realme GT2 Explorer Master
- Flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Chipset
- Exceptional Battery Life (126h Endurance)
- Fast 100W Charging
- Excellent Contrast Ratio
- Potentially Higher Price
- Slightly Lower Display Brightness than Poco F5
- Camera details are less known
Xiaomi Poco F5
- Brighter Display (963 nits)
- Faster Charging (67W)
- More Affordable Price
- Smooth Performance with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2
- Less Powerful Chipset than GT2 Explorer Master
- Shorter Battery Life (118h Endurance)
- Camera details are less known
Display Comparison
The Poco F5 takes the lead in display brightness, measuring 963 nits compared to the GT2 Explorer Master's 798 nits. Both feature excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), suggesting deep blacks and vibrant colors. While both offer smooth visuals, the Poco F5's higher brightness will be noticeable in outdoor conditions. The GT2 Explorer Master's display is still very good, but the Poco F5 has a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and requires more in-depth testing. Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific sensor details and software processing are crucial. Based on general expectations, the GT2 Explorer Master's flagship chipset *may* offer slightly better image processing, but the Poco F5's camera is likely to be very competitive, especially considering its price. Further testing is needed for a definitive verdict.
Performance
Here, the Realme GT2 Explorer Master dominates. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is a flagship-level performer, significantly outperforming the Poco F5's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The Poco F5 is still capable, but the GT2 Explorer Master offers a noticeable performance boost.
Battery Life
The Realme GT2 Explorer Master shines in battery life, boasting an incredible endurance rating of 126 hours. The Poco F5's endurance rating is 118 hours, still impressive, but noticeably lower. While the Poco F5 charges faster (67W vs 100W), the GT2 Explorer Master's larger battery capacity provides significantly longer usage time.
Buying Guide
The Realme GT2 Explorer Master is ideal for power users, gamers, and those who prioritize top-tier performance and long battery life. The Xiaomi Poco F5 is a fantastic choice for budget-conscious buyers who want a smooth experience, a vibrant display, and fast charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme GT2 Explorer Master is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset.
❓ Is the Poco F5 worth buying if I don't need the absolute best performance?
Absolutely! The Poco F5 offers a fantastic balance of features and price, making it a great choice for everyday use and light to moderate gaming.
