Realme has quietly become one of the most compelling mid-price smartphone makers on the market.
With the Realme GT Neo 3, he once again has the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S22 in his sights, and is looking to offer a massively competitive experience for hundreds of pounds less.
So how is it fare? We’ve put both phones through their paces, so we know exactly where their strengths and weaknesses lie. Let’s take a closer look.
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Realme GT Neo 3: Price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy S22 hit stores on February 25th in the US, March 3rd in Australia, and March 11th in the UK. Prices start at $799 / £769 / AU$1,249 for the 128GB, while $849 / £819 / AU$1,349 will get you the 256GB model.
Realme GT Neo 3 launches on June 15 in the UK and Europe, where it will cost £599 (about $750 / AU$1,040) for the only 12GB / 256GB version.
Realme has effectively managed to reduce the price of the Samsung Galaxy S22 by £220 here, if you’re comparing like for example.
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Realme GT Neo 3: Design
Both phones have curvy bodies and flat screens, but the Samsung Galaxy S22 wins out with style and elegance.
For one thing, it’s the smaller phone out there, measuring 146 x 70.6 x 7.6mm and weighing 168g. This is in comparison to the larger Realme GT Neo 3 at 163.3 x 75.6 x 8.2mm and 188g.
The Samsung phone also benefits from the company’s nifty “Contour Cut” camera module, which separates it from any other smartphone brand. Meanwhile, Realme’s flat rectangular camera module looks a bit nondescript. Both phones have punch-hole selfie cameras, whatever that may be.
In terms of build quality, the Galaxy S22 only comes with an IP68 rating — or no IP rating at all, for that matter. We wouldn’t completely trust the Realme GT Neo 3 near a swimming pool or bath as a result.
Samsung’s selection of color options is much nicer and more varied: it goes up to Phantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, and Cream, depending on your region.
Realme only offers three colors: Nitro Blue, Sprint White, and Asphalt Black. The blue model carries a somewhat tacky — though undoubtedly eye-catching — double-stripe design, while the black model has a nice green flash when angled.
All in all, it’s a win for the Galaxy S22 on the design front.
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Realme GT Neo 3: Display
One of the main reasons why the Samsung phone is so much smaller than the Realme device is that it comes with a much smaller screen. We’re talking 6.1 inches versus 6.7 inches.
However, both use the vibrant AMOLED display panel technology and offer similar FHD+ resolution.
It’s a tie when it comes to refresh rate too, with both panels capable of hitting highs of 120Hz. Only the Galaxy S22 can go down to 10Hz, which makes it more efficient.
Samsung uses a more secure and advanced ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under that screen, while Realme opts for a more sophisticated optical variant. Both are reliable and suitably fast.
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Realme GT Neo 3: Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S22 has a triple-camera system led by a new 50MP ultra-wide sensor with f/1.8 aperture.
The Realme GT Neo 3 also packs a triple-camera system led by a new (for the GT series, at least) 50MP wide sensor, along with an f/1.9 aperture.
Both phones take very good shots in a variety of lighting conditions. This is arguably more impressive for Realme given its lower price tag.
However, where the Galaxy S22 really proves its strength is with those additional cameras. Its 12MP ultra-wide camera takes solid, natural shots with relatively consistent color tone, while the Realme GT Neo 3’s 8MP ultra-wide is very disappointing.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S22 gets a dedicated 10MP telephoto camera capable of 3x optical zoom. Realme gets no telephoto savings whatsoever, instead offering a pointless 2MP macro camera.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S22’s camera system is more complete than the Realme GT Neo 3’s, though Samsung’s aggressive color science is something of an acquired taste.
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Realme GT Neo 3: Specifications and Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S22 will be powered by either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or the Exynos 2200 chip, depending on where you buy it. Both are 4nm chips that offer roughly equivalent power, though Snapdragon definitely has the advantage.
Realme has packed its phone with the less popular MediaTek Dimensity 8100 chipset, built to a less advanced 5nm standard. Still, it delivers impressive performance, with Geekbench 5’s multi-core scores superior, if slightly inferior single-core scores, to Samsung’s.
In hand, both phones deliver incredible performance, then, whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or simply navigating through home screens and menus.
On the memory front, the Galaxy S22 offers 8GB, while the GT Neo 3 comes with 12GB. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S22 offers a choice between 128 or 256 GB of internal storage, while Realme offers 256 GB.
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Realme GT Neo 3: Battery
Neither of these two phones has a super-capacity battery. In keeping with its small dimensions, the Galaxy S22 offers a 3,700mAh cell, while the GT Neo 3 offers a 4,500mAh battery. Of course, Samsung has a much smaller screen for the power.
Not surprisingly, neither phone exactly wowed us with its stamina. Both will get you through a full day of heavy use, but there might not be much left in the tank by the end.
The shipping situation results in mixed fortunes. The Realme GT Neo 3 totally excels in the wired charging round, with an impressive 150W charger in the box. The Samsung phone only supports 25W charging, as you have to supply this charger yourself.
Realme Boost Charger is impressively fast. Once activated, we were able to charge the phone to 100% in just 15 minutes.
The tables are turning when it comes to wireless charging. The Samsung phone offers 15W wireless charging, while the Realme phone offers no such option at all.
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Realme GT Neo 3: The takeaway
Realme took a brave shot at offering the kind of flagship experience that the Galaxy S22 offers for hundreds less, and it succeeded in a number of ways. There’s much faster charging, a larger 120Hz AMOLED display, a competitive main camera, and similarly nimble performance.
However, the larger Samsung Galaxy S22 class shines in the end, as the device offers a more sophisticated design, an almost better camera system, a reassuring IP68 rating, and wireless charging.
It’s the best all-around phone; But we must return to this price. If your budget doesn’t stretch much further than the Galaxy S22, the Realme GT Neo 3 offers an almost flagship-worthy offering for a lot less money.