Realme GT 5 Pro: looks like OnePlus 12 and gesture controls

The BBK Electronics group, at the head of telephone brands such as Vivo (whose X100 series has recently become official), Oppo – whose distribution in Europe is currently compromised – but also OnePlus and Realme, is not idle not. While the OnePlus 12 (flanked by a swanky technical sheet) has just been presented in China, Realme is unveiling its brand new flagship, also in the Middle Kingdom. If it is not entirely certain that it will be available later on the Old Continent, the fact remains that this model does not lack interest.

Most of the characteristics of this Realme GT 5 Pro, including design, are reminiscent of the OnePlus 12. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip flanked by 12 to 16 GB of RAM (the OnePlus 12 certainly offers 24 GB of RAM) , storage from 256 GB to 1 TB, 5400 mAh battery compatible with 100 W wired and 50 W wireless fast charging, 50 megapixel Sony LYT-808 main photo sensor (f/1.69 optics): the there is no shortage of common points. However, we note that Realme’s GT 5 Pro has a slightly smaller screen, with its diagonal of 6.78 inches, offers lower definition (1264 x 2780 pixels), but has a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz and a brightness which, like that of the OnePlus 12, promises to reach 4500 nits.

Some differences should be noted in the photography department. The back block of the Realme GT 5 Pro has a x3 periscopic zoom accompanying a 50 Mpx sensor (64 Mpx on the OnePlus 12), and is mainly satisfied with an 8 megapixel sensor for its ultra wide-angle module, while that of his alter ego displays 48 Mpx on the counter. Compromises are therefore visible, and the price of the smartphone is affected: while the OnePlus 12 is announced from 4,299 yuan (or approximately €560 excluding taxes), the Realme GT 5 Pro (12/256 GB) starts at 3399 yuan, or approximately €445 excluding tax.

Controls in the palm of your hand

If it ultimately differs little from the OnePlus 12, of which it is presented above all as a slightly lighter version, the Realme GT 5 Pro still plays the originality card on one point: it resurrects gesture control , which remains offered by most mobiles within their accessibility options, but are no longer highlighted by manufacturers. Featured via Google’s Soli project, inaugurated in 2015, and gesture controls on the LG G8 ThinQ in 2019 (not forgetting older generations of Samsung Galaxy S), the functionality uses the GT’s front photo sensor 5 Pro (32 Mpx), and not a ToF or infrared sensor.

Realme indicates that the camera of its smartphone is capable of replacing facial recognition with palm recognition, and triggering its unlocking by this means. The manufacturer assures that it is as secure as face detection, but still offers, for uses requiring a high level of protection (banking applications, for example), a fingerprint reader under the screen of its device. Apart from unlocking, more classic gestures allow, without touching the smartphone, to navigate in the application drawer, to switch from one display panel to another or even to “click” on icons without touching them.