Realme GT2 review

The usual triple-camera setup on the back

The Realme GT2 uses a familiar triple-camera configuration - an ultrawide and macro camera winging the main one. The latter is borrowed from the GT2 Pro and uses Sony's IMX766 50MP, 1/1.56", 1.0µm, f/1.8 shooter and offers OIS and multi-directional PDAF.

Behind the ultrawide, f/2.2 lens sits the popular and affordable 8MP, 1/4.0", 1.12µm sensor, which is a bit of a let-down because Realme's upper mid-range solutions are overdue for an ultrawide camera upgrade. For the macro shots, we have the same fixed-autofocus 2MP, f/2.4 camera from before.

There's no change in the selfie camera from last year's GT 5G. The 16MP, 1/3.0", 1.0µm sensor is paired with an f/2.5 aperture.

Camera menus

Realme's overhauled software didn't reach the default camera app as it looks exactly the same as before. Swiping left or right switches between the usual camera modes while the "More" section accommodates the secondary modes, including the Expert. The latter gives you granular control over ISO, exposure, focus, white balance and shutter speed.

In the standard Photo mode, you will find an AI toggle for a boost in colors, HDR control, three toggles for the ultrawide, main and 2x zoom.

Camera menus

The so-called expert mode gives you full control over focus, ISO, shutter speed, white balance and exposure. Strangely, the ultrawide toggle is located in the top black bar over the viewfinder, and since it doesn't support autofocus, there's no way to use the manual focus function as well.

Daylight samples

Main camera

Given that the GT2 and the GT2 Pro share the same 50MP sensor as a primary camera, it's no surprise that the overall rendition is not only similar but nearly identical. There may be some slight deviations due to the difference in ISPs, but we weren't able to find any. This, in turn, means that the GT2 produces excellent photos with a wide dynamic range, good sharpness and plenty of fine detail, even in the shadows.

12.5MP daylight samples

Going inside with the camera reduces sharpness by a little and increases noise, but that's perfectly normal. It's good to see the fine detail being preserved indoors, though. Color rendition is also comparable, so you will be getting conservative and close to natural colors, and in case you are a fan of punchier colors, turn on the AI toggle at the top of the viewfinder.

12.5MP daylight samples

Of course, Realme gives you the option to shoot in the full 50MP resolution, but that won't give you many benefits aside from more detail. The full-resolution samples are noisier and considerably softer.

50MP daylight samples

2x zoom

Understandably, the 2x zoom photos are also nearly identical to the ones taken with the GT2 Pro. We suspect that the software crops the center of the binned 12.5MP photos and upscales them back to 12.5MP resulting in reduced sharpness and increased noise. While the absence of a proper telephoto camera on the GT2 Pro was a big deal, we can't really say it should be considered as a con on the standard GT2 due to its price bracket.

2x zoom daylight samples

Even though the overall quality isn't on par with real 2x telephoto units, it's good enough for social media posting. The overall rendition is quite similar to the main camera's standard shots.

Ultrawide camera

We weren't expecting the same level of sharpness and detail as we got out of the 50MP sensor on the GT2 Pro, but the 8MP shooter here just doesn't cut it. Even in this price range, the quality is unacceptable. The sensor is notorious for its low level of detail, lack of sharpness and narrow dynamic range. Colors are downright anemic, and noise starts to creep with the slightest drop in ambient light. It's evident from some of the photos with buildings and other subjects that the software adds artificial sharpness, but it's not enough.

Ultrawide daylight samples

Macro camera

The infamous 2MP macro sensor is once again taking care of the close-up shots. Due to its fixed focus distance of 4cm and lack of autofocus, shooting moving objects is nearly impossible. Colors are washed out, contrast is low and fine detail isn't great due to the low resolution. Sharpness is good, though, as long as you get the focusing distance right.

Macro samples

Low-light samples

Main camera

Just like during the day, the GT2 at night provides the same exact rendition as the Pro. That means you will be getting solid nighttime performance even without resorting to Night mode. Images appear to be sharp with plenty of detail in the highlights and shadows. That speaks of great dynamic range, and shadows are well-developed. You can tell by the highlights that the HDR kicks in. We also noticed that it doesn't take much time to stack the frames and takes shots quite fast.

Low-light main camera

Noise is hard to find across the whole frame, while color reproduction and contrast are spot on. Well, some may find them not punchy enough, but they are pretty close to natural, we assure you. You can always flick the AI toggle for more saturation.

With the Night mode turned on, you will be getting a tad brighter shadows without going over the top and a tad more detail. Sharpness and colors don't change much. Good thing the Night mode isn't all that aggressive and retains the natural feel of the photos.

Night mode main camera

2x zoom

Don't waste your time trying Night mode with 2x zoom, it makes photos a lot worse. The good news is that the standard Photo mode produces usable images. Naturally, it has a similar rendition to the non-zoomed pictures, but sharpness drops and noise increases by a bit. Still rather good results here.

Low-light 2x zoom: Normal • Night mode

Ultrawide camera

Expectedly, the ultrawide camera struggles to deliver decent enough nighttime samples. All of the photos appear as if they are out of focus with low contrast, no detail, narrow dynamic range and absolutely no sharpness. The Night mode improves the dynamic range but can't do anything about the soft nature of the ultrawide shots.

Low-light ultrawide: Normal • Night mode

Once you are done with the real-life examples, take a look at our Photo compare tool for some pixel-peeping and see how the Realme GT2 Pro fares against the competition.

Realme GT2 vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Xiaomi 11T Pro in our Photo compare tool

Portraits

The dedicated Portrait mode doesn't produce the sharpest photos around, but it gets the job done. The faux bokeh effect is pretty good; it may struggle with some foreground objects, but color reproduction is natural and there is enough fine detail in optimal lighting conditions.

Portrait samples

Selfies

The selfie quality is unsatisfactory. The lighting conditions have to be perfect, so the selfies would look good aside from Colors and dynamic range as probably the only things going for the selfie cam. We had trouble selecting proper selfie samples as most of them were smudged. Noise can be seen even in good lighting conditions, and sharpness isn't great. The Portrait mode seems to be doing a good edge detection, though.

Selfies: Normal • Portrait

Video recording

Strangely, the GT2 misses on the 8K action, although the Snapdragon 888 and the 50MP primary sensor support the 4320p resolution. On the other hand, that's not a big miss because 8K recording quality isn't there yet, you need a proper TV to enjoy it and is still limited to 24fps. What we do miss is the action camera-like stabilization modern flagship, and upper mid-range phones offer.

The good news is that 4K footage is stabilized with EIS, and it looks pretty nice. Colors are close to natural, dynamic range is great, contrast is good, and there's plenty of detail across the whole frame.

As with stills, the ultrawide struggles with videos as well. The resolution is limited to 1080p, and the videos are soft, have limited dynamic range, and colors are somewhat bleak.

Once you are done with the real-life scenarios, take a look at our video compare tool to see how the Realme GT2 Pro stacks against the other phones we've reviewed.

2160p: Realme GT2 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Xiaomi 11T Pro in our Video compare tool