Realme GT2 Explorer Master review

Competition

Even though the GT2 Explorer Master is a brand new phone, it feels quite familiar. Aside from the different, boxier design, the GT2 EM is merely a refresh of the GT2 Pro. A plus version of the same chipset, faster charging and the swap of the LTPO2 OLED panel for a standard one. Perhaps the rest of the world isn't missing out on that much.

Still, the GT2 Explorer Maste offers excellent battery life, impressive sustained performance and excellent camera output with a nice microscope twist to boot. The lack of a proper telephoto camera is the only thing holding it back from matching the very best cameraphones out there.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Xiaomi Poco F4 GT • vivo iQOO 9 Pro • Realme GT2 Pro

Now, given that this is a Chinese-only model, most direct comparisons would be pointless. We suggest looking up the GT2 Pro review and see what we have to say for its competitors. Perhaps the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the vivo iQOO 9 Pro remain relevant alternatives, with the former sporting a 3x optical zoom camera. It also rivals the GT2 Explorer Master in overall camera performance, not just in versatility. Feature-wise and performance-wise, though, Realme's offering still comes out on top.

The Xiaomi Poco F4 GT is a relatively recent handset that came out in the meantime and it fits well in the near-flagship segment. And despite its impressive OLED panel, nicely tuned four loudspeakers and blazing-fast charging, it's no match for this year's Explorer Master's camera performance and versatility and battery endurance.

Another obvious alternative to the GT2 Explorer Master, which we already mentioned, is the GT2 Pro. At first, we thought that the global market was missing on a gem like the Explorer Master, but in reality, the device is hardly any different than the GT2 Pro when it comes to overall user experience. So we can definitely see why Realme decided to keep the special edition to the Chinese market only.

Verdict

It's one of the more unusual phones to judge, the GT2 Pro Explorer Master. An excellent display, long battery life, good peak and sustained performance and great camera performance across the board. Yes, we'd take a long telephoto instead of a microscopic lens, but if 2x was the alternative we are better off this way as the main sensor does well at shorter zooms. And we have an even cooler design this time around.

All in all it brings enough upgrades to remain just competent and well-rounded as the GT2 Pro six months later, but for the vast majority of users it just doesn't matter as they aren't able to buy it.

Pros

• Bright 120Hz OLED display with accurate colors.
• The boxy Travel Trunk design is cool.
• Good sustained performance, low surface temperatures.
• Excellent camera performance all-around (especially the ultrawide).
• Extra long battery life, extremely fast charging
• Customizable and feature-rich Realme UI 3.0, Android 12
• Neat features such as 360-degree NFC, crisp vibration motor, touch shoulder triggers

Cons

• No telephoto camera.
• No wireless charging.
• No IP rating