Realme GT8 (China) vs. vivo iQOO 11S: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon Power and Charging Innovation

The Realme GT8 (China) and vivo iQOO 11S represent two distinct approaches to flagship Android performance. The GT8 boasts Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite, built on a 3nm process, while the iQOO 11S leverages the established Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This comparison dissects their core differences, focusing on how these chipset choices translate into real-world benefits for demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw speed and future-proofing, the vivo iQOO 11S emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a well-rounded experience with excellent thermal management and widespread software optimization. While the GT8’s 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite is intriguing, its limited availability and potential software quirks give the iQOO 11S the edge.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme GT8 (China) vivo iQOO 11S
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) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 18, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, October 212023, July 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, October 21Available. Released 2023, July 10
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, fiber-reinforced plastic back or silicone polymer (eco leather) back-
Dimensions161.8 x 76.9 x 8.2 mm (6.37 x 3.03 x 0.32 in)164.9 x 77.1 x 8.4 mm or 8.7 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight209 g or 214 g (7.37 oz)207 g or 210 g (7.30 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1440 x 3136 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~508 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)
Size6.79 inches, 112.8 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 144Hz, HDR, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 7000 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 830Adreno 740
OSAndroid 16, up to 4 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 7.0Android 13, OriginOS 3 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesRicoh lens, Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 22mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.8, 80mm, (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 47mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
VideoYes1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 55.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired, 14.4W PD, 45 min to 100%200W wired, PD3.0, UFCS
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 7000 mAh4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, Green, WhiteBlack, Sky Blue, Legendary White (BMW M branding)
Models-V2304A
PriceAbout 350 EURAbout 500 EUR

Realme GT8 (China)

  • Potentially higher peak CPU performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite.
  • Cutting-edge 3nm process technology.
  • Faster wired charging than many competitors (100W).

  • Limited availability (China exclusive).
  • Potential software optimization issues with a new chipset.
  • Thermal management could be a concern with the high-performance chip.

vivo iQOO 11S

  • Mature Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform with excellent optimization.
  • Industry-leading 200W wired charging.
  • Wider availability and support.

  • 4nm process is less efficient than the GT8's 3nm.
  • May not achieve the absolute highest CPU scores compared to the GT8.
  • Image processing style may not appeal to all users.

Display Comparison

While display specs aren't provided, both phones likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED panels. However, the iQOO 11S benefits from vivo’s history of display calibration and potentially LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, improving battery life. The Realme GT8, being a China-exclusive, may prioritize different color profiles catering to regional preferences. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, but the iQOO 11S’s focus on multimedia consumption suggests a potentially brighter panel.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent, but iQOO phones typically prioritize image processing and computational photography. The iQOO 11S likely features a larger main sensor and robust OIS, focusing on delivering consistently high-quality images in various conditions. Realme often emphasizes vibrant, social media-ready images. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but iQOO’s track record suggests a more versatile camera system. The absence of details suggests neither phone will heavily emphasize a telephoto lens.

Performance

The core battleground is the chipset. The Realme GT8’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) utilizes Oryon V2 Phoenix cores, promising significant IPC gains over traditional Arm designs. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) in the iQOO 11S is a mature platform with extensive optimization. The 4nm process offers excellent thermal efficiency, mitigating throttling during sustained loads. The iQOO 11S’s LPDDR5x RAM complements the Gen 2, ensuring smooth multitasking. While the GT8’s Oryon cores *could* theoretically outperform the Gen 2’s Cortex-X3, real-world performance will depend heavily on software implementation and thermal management. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s Adreno 740 GPU is a known quantity, delivering exceptional gaming performance.

Battery Life

The iQOO 11S’s 200W wired charging is a game-changer, promising a full charge in under 12 minutes. The Realme GT8’s 100W charging is still fast, taking around 45 minutes, but falls significantly behind. The iQOO 11S also supports PD3.0 and UFCS, offering broader compatibility. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the iQOO 11S’s more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and potentially adaptive refresh rate display will likely translate to longer real-world battery life, despite the aggressive charging speeds.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme GT8 (China) if you need the absolute latest in mobile silicon and are comfortable with potential software inconsistencies inherent in early adoption. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite promises peak performance, but requires a willingness to troubleshoot. Buy the vivo iQOO 11S if you prefer a refined, reliable experience with proven performance, incredibly fast 200W charging, and a broader ecosystem of support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Realme GT8's Snapdragon 8 Elite overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite's 3nm process *should* improve thermal efficiency, but the Oryon cores are new and potentially power-hungry. Without independent thermal testing, it's difficult to say definitively. The iQOO 11S's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is known for its excellent thermal management, making it a safer bet for extended gaming.
❓ Does the iQOO 11S's 200W charging degrade the battery health over time?
vivo has implemented battery protection technologies to mitigate the effects of ultra-fast charging. While some degradation is inevitable with any battery, the iQOO 11S utilizes intelligent charging algorithms to minimize stress on the battery cells, extending its lifespan. The phone also monitors battery health and adjusts charging accordingly.
❓ Is the Realme GT8's software experience significantly different than other Android phones?
As a China-exclusive device, the Realme GT8 likely runs a customized version of Realme UI with features and apps tailored to the Chinese market. This may include pre-installed bloatware and different language options. Software updates and support may also be less frequent or unavailable outside of China.
❓ Can the iQOO 11S maintain a stable 60fps in graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Adreno 740 GPU in the iQOO 11S are more than capable of maintaining a stable 60fps in Genshin Impact at high settings. The phone's advanced cooling system further ensures sustained performance without significant throttling.