Realme Q5 vs GT Neo 3T: Which Realme Phone Delivers the Best Value?

Realme’s Q5 and GT Neo 3T represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Q5 focuses on affordability and 5G connectivity, powered by the Snapdragon 695. The GT Neo 3T, however, aims for a more premium experience with the significantly more powerful Snapdragon 870, but at a higher price point. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme GT Neo 3T is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset delivers substantially faster performance, making it ideal for gaming and demanding applications. While the Q5 offers respectable 5G connectivity, the GT Neo 3T’s performance advantage justifies the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme Q5 Realme GT Neo 3T
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, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2022, April 202022, June 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 28Available. Released 2022, June 25
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)162.9 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)194.5 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak)AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 650
OSAndroid 12, Realme UI 3.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, 100% in 48 min80W wired
Type5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, YellowShade Black, Drifting White, Dash Yellow
ModelsRMX3478RMX3372, RMX3371
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 780 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 118h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 726007 (v9) GeekBench: 3180 (v5.1) GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme Q5

  • More affordable price point
  • 5G connectivity for wider network access
  • Respectable battery life

  • Significantly slower performance compared to the GT Neo 3T
  • Likely a less capable camera system

Realme GT Neo 3T

  • Much faster Snapdragon 870 processor
  • Faster 80W charging
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility

  • Higher price tag
  • Similar battery life to the Q5 despite faster charging

Display Comparison

The Realme GT Neo 3T boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 803 nits, compared to the Q5’s unspecified brightness. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels (based on market positioning), the GT Neo 3T’s higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The GT Neo 3T’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a standard IPS contrast level, while the Q5’s contrast ratio is not specified. Both devices likely feature a standard 60Hz refresh rate, prioritizing battery life over ultra-smooth scrolling.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but details are sparse. Without specific sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the GT Neo 3T’s higher price point, it likely incorporates a more capable main sensor and potentially better image processing algorithms. The Q5, being a budget device, likely utilizes a more basic camera system. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality and should be considered a secondary feature.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT Neo 3T’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a significant leap over the Q5’s Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). The 870 features a Kryo 585 architecture with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, compared to the 695’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold core. This translates to a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The 870’s Adreno 660 GPU also outperforms the 695’s Adreno 619. While both support 5G, the 870’s processing power allows for faster data speeds and more efficient network handling. The GT Neo 3T is likely paired with faster LPDDR4X RAM, further enhancing performance.

Battery Life

Both the Realme Q5 and GT Neo 3T share an endurance rating of 118 hours, suggesting similar battery life under moderate usage. However, the GT Neo 3T’s 80W wired charging is significantly faster than the Q5’s 65W charging. The GT Neo 3T can reach 100% charge in approximately 36 minutes, while the Q5 takes 48 minutes. This faster charging speed is a considerable advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme Q5 if you prioritize a lower price and 5G connectivity for basic tasks like browsing and social media. It’s a solid option for users on a tight budget who don’t require intensive performance. Buy the Realme GT Neo 3T if you value performance, especially for gaming or content creation. The Snapdragon 870 provides a noticeable upgrade in speed and responsiveness, making it a worthwhile investment for power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 in the Realme Q5 powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
While the Snapdragon 695 can run PUBG and Call of Duty, you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. It’s not ideal for sustained, high-performance gaming. The Snapdragon 870 in the GT Neo 3T is far better suited for these titles.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the Realme GT Neo 3T compared to the 65W charging on the Q5 in real-world use?
The GT Neo 3T’s 80W charging can fully charge the battery in approximately 36 minutes, while the Q5 takes 48 minutes. This 12-minute difference is noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Realme GT Neo 3T get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 870 is generally efficient, but can generate heat under sustained load. Realme likely incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate throttling, but some heat buildup is expected during prolonged gaming. The Q5, with its less powerful chipset, will likely run cooler.
❓ What type of display technology does the Realme Q5 use?
While Realme doesn't explicitly state the display technology, given its price point, the Q5 likely utilizes an IPS LCD panel. It doesn't appear to feature OLED or AMOLED technology.