Realme GT2 vs Asus ROG Phone 5s: A Detailed Comparison for Power Users

The Realme GT2 and Asus ROG Phone 5s represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The GT2 aims for a balanced blend of performance and affordability, while the ROG Phone 5s is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your specific needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and value, the Realme GT2 offers a compelling package. However, the Asus ROG Phone 5s takes the win for gamers and power users, thanks to its slightly more powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset and gaming-centric features, despite a slower full charge time.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme GT2 Asus ROG Phone 5s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 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 bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 4
Launch
Announced2022, January 042021, August 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 08Available. Released 2021, August 26
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.9 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight194.5 / 199.8 g (6.88 oz)238 g (8.40 oz)
 -RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 12, Realme UI 3.0Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 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)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaPanorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (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
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, 100% in 33 min65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPaper White, Paper Green, Steel Black, Titanium BluePhantom Black, Storm White
ModelsRMX3310, RMX3312, RMX3311ZS676KS
PriceAbout 790 EURAbout 1030 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 115h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -26.8 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 810512 (v9) GeekBench: 3487 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Realme GT2

  • Faster 65W charging (33 minutes to 100%)
  • Bright 846 nit display
  • Potentially more versatile camera system

  • Slightly less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 888)
  • Missing gaming-specific features

Asus ROG Phone 5s

  • More powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset
  • Enhanced thermal management for sustained performance
  • 10W reverse wired charging

  • Slower 65W charging (52 minutes to 100%)
  • Likely less versatile camera system
  • Gaming-focused design may not appeal to all

Display Comparison

Both phones lack detailed display specifications beyond brightness. The Realme GT2 boasts a measured peak brightness of 846 nits, suggesting excellent outdoor visibility. While the ROG Phone 5s’s display specs are missing, Asus typically employs AMOLED panels with high refresh rates in their ROG series, likely offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. Without knowing the ROG Phone 5s’s panel type or refresh rate, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the GT2’s measured brightness provides a concrete advantage in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Given the ROG Phone 5s’s gaming focus, its camera system is likely optimized for quick snapshots and social media sharing, while the Realme GT2 may prioritize more versatile photography. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is impossible. We can assume the ROG Phone 5s will prioritize speed over image quality, while the GT2 may offer a more balanced approach.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT2 utilizes the Snapdragon 888 5G, while the Asus ROG Phone 5s features the Snapdragon 888+ 5G. The ‘+’ variant offers a modest clock speed increase – 2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 in the ROG Phone 5s versus 2.84 GHz in the GT2 – resulting in a slight performance edge in sustained workloads. Both share the same CPU core configuration (1x Cortex-X1, 3x Cortex-A78, 4x Cortex-A55), but the ROG Phone 5s’s improved thermal management, a hallmark of the ROG series, allows it to maintain peak performance for longer durations. This benefits gamers and users running demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Realme GT2 has an endurance rating of 115 hours, indicating solid battery life. Its 65W wired charging promises a full charge in just 33 minutes. The ROG Phone 5s also supports 65W charging, but takes 52 minutes to reach 100%, and only 70% in 30 minutes. While the ROG Phone 5s offers 10W reverse wired charging, the GT2 does not. The GT2’s faster charging speed is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups, despite the ROG Phone 5s potentially having a larger battery capacity (unspecified).

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme GT2 if you need a well-rounded flagship experience with a bright display and fast 65W charging, prioritizing daily usability and a more reasonable price point. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s if you prioritize raw gaming performance, are willing to trade some battery charging speed for a more powerful processor, and appreciate features tailored to extended gaming sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888+ in the ROG Phone 5s significantly improve gaming performance over the Snapdragon 888 in the Realme GT2?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888+ offers a modest but noticeable performance increase, particularly in sustained gaming scenarios. The ROG Phone 5s’s superior thermal management allows it to maintain higher clock speeds for longer, reducing throttling and providing a smoother gaming experience. While not a massive leap, it’s a tangible benefit for dedicated mobile gamers.
❓ How does the charging speed difference (33 minutes vs 52 minutes) impact daily use between the Realme GT2 and ROG Phone 5s?
The Realme GT2’s significantly faster charging is a major convenience factor. If you frequently find yourself needing to quickly top up your battery, the GT2’s 33-minute full charge is a substantial advantage. The ROG Phone 5s’s 52-minute charge isn’t slow, but it requires more planning and downtime.
❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs, what can we infer about the camera capabilities of each phone?
The ROG Phone 5s, being a gaming phone, likely prioritizes a camera system optimized for quick snapshots and social media sharing. The Realme GT2, positioned as a more general-purpose flagship, may offer a more versatile camera experience with potentially better image processing and low-light performance. However, without specific sensor details, this remains speculative.