Realme GT Explorer Master & GT Master hands-on review

Software

The two devices run on the same Realme UI 2.0 software based on Android 11 - just like the Realme GT 5G, so it's fairly familiar. The new UI offers a small redesign of some elements, a couple of extra Dark Mode styles, more always-on display themes as well as refined floating and mini windows for multi-tasking. Some extra security features are also at hand.

Home screen, notification shade, recent apps, app drawer

As you can see from the screenshots, Realme's new, more simplistic approach to Android customization is in full force. Some of the UI elements can easily fool you that this is a stock Android OS. More importantly, the OS felt smooth and clutter-free on both devices, except the pre-loaded apps. Those, at least, can be uninstalled.

General settings menu and RAM expansion feature

Camera samples

We've prepared a couple of camera samples with the Realme GT Explorer Master. Including some 2x zoom shots with the main camera. You'd have to wait for the image quality assessment in the full review so for now, you'd be the judge.

Main camera samples

2x zoom samples

A couple of ultrawide snaps as well.

Ultrawide samples

And some selfies, of course.

Selfies

Early verdict

Realme is definitely breaking the mold with its GT series, at least in terms of design. The feature disparity between the three phones from the lineup also makes some sense and pricing can be justified too. It's kind of odd to see the Explorer Master edition being the most expensive one having a slower Snapdragon 870 chipset than the 888 on the Realme GT 5G, but the bigger and better screen along with the more competent camera setup are some good reasons to hike the price even just a little.

What's more, the trio of Realme GT handsets remains competitive price and feature-wise. Can't wait to test the GT Explorer Master and GT Master fair in our usual review routine.