Realme GT 7 Review: Dares to challenge higher-priced rivals

The Hindu

27-05-2025

Following an unorthodox release cycle, Realme has introduced the GT 7, extending the series in a bold and strategic move. While last year's GT 7 Pro made headlines with the debut of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the standard GT 7 takes a slightly different path — but one that's no less ambitious. It becomes the first smartphone in India to feature the MediaTek Dimensity 9400e, packs a massive 7,000 mAh Titan battery, and introduces a smart productivity tool — the AI Planner — all wrapped in a compelling design.
Priced competitively at ₹39,999, the Realme GT 7 aims to challenge and potentially upend its rivals in the sub-40K segment. And with notable upgrades over the GT 6, this phone looks ready to redefine the balance of power and efficiency in its class. So, how do these headline features perform in the real world? Let's dive in.
Design
The Realme GT 7 debuts the new IceSense design, introducing graphene for the first time in a smartphone's chassis — a move that enhances heat dissipation and improves in-hand comfort. The overall look remains clean and minimalistic, yet the phone radiates a distinct premium vibe. The square camera island with its subtle orange-gold rim adds just the right touch of visual interest without breaking the minimalist aesthetic. It's a design that feels deliberate, not decorative.
What we particularly liked is how Realme balances style with comfort. The graphene-infused back not only helps the phone stay cool during prolonged use but also maintains a skin-friendly temperature. Another good thing about the new design is that it is free of smudges. There are thin bezels on the front, paired with a centered punch-hole and an under-display fingerprint scanner.
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Button and port placement is conventional and ergonomic: the power and volume buttons sit on the right, the SIM tray, USB-C port, and speaker grille are placed at the bottom, and the top houses an IR emitter and secondary mic for active noise cancellation. The IP69 water and dust resistance also give more peace of mind — a notable leap from the IP65 rating on the GT 6.
Display
The Realme GT 7 is equipped with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display boasting a resolution of 2780x1264 and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The screen supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, and reaches a peak brightness of 6,000 nits, making it one of the brightest displays on the market.
Touch responsiveness is another strong point, with a 2600 Hz instantaneous touch sampling rate, ensuring lag-free inputs during intense gaming sessions. Add in pro-level touch optimization, rainwater touch improvements, and DC-like dimming, and you get a panel that's tailor-made for both binge-watchers and gamers alike. This is a display that not only looks good but responds like a flagship.
OS and AI
Running Realme UI 6.0 based on Android 15, the GT 7's software experience is clean, efficient, and tuned for productivity. Realme promises three major Android updates and four years of security patches, aligning it with industry leaders.
One of the biggest USPs is the AI Planner — a feature that uses contextual intelligence to automatically create schedules from chats, emails, social media, and more. With just a double-tap on the back, you can add events, meetings, or reminders in a flash. It's a thoughtful touch, especially useful for productivity-focused users. But, these require you to share the information with the cloud.
Beyond that, there's an AI toolbox that includes AI Eraser 2.0, Glare Removal, Landscape+, and Live Translation. These features, once found only in top-end flagships, now come baked into the GT 7, making daily tasks simpler, smarter, and faster.
Performance
Realme GT 7 introduces the MediaTek Dimensity 9400e, a 4nm flagship-grade processor that's debuting in India with this device. Built using TSMC's advanced process and paired with the Immortalis-G720 GPU, this SoC promises top-tier performance and delivers it in full.
In benchmarks, the GT 7 scored 2187 in single-core, 7278 in multi-core, and a massive 2,055,848 in AnTuTu — outperforming many Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones. The GPU score of 14,283 also confirms its gaming credentials. Complemented by 12GB RAM and 512GB UFS storage, this phone easily handles multitasking, app switching, and heavy workloads without a stutter.
Gaming is where the GT 7 shines. We played BGMI at 120fps, and the experience remained fluid and thermally stable throughout — no throttling, no frame drops. The GT Boost 2.0 engine keeps frame rates locked and temperature under control. The GT series has always been synonymous with power, and the GT 7 continues that legacy with confidence.
Camera
While Realme's GT lineup is typically known for performance, its camera system has quietly grown into a strength, and the GT 7 is proof of that evolution. It features a triple rear setup: a 50 MP Sony IMX906 main sensor, a 50 MP telephoto (Samsung JN5), and an 8MP ultra-wide. On the front, there's a capable 32 MP selfie shooter.
In daylight, the main sensor produces crisp images with excellent dynamic range and true-to-life colours. The new Lightning Snap algorithm ensures fast shutter response, allowing even fast-moving subjects to be captured with minimal blur.
Portrait shots are particularly commendable, with a good edge detection and natural bokeh that rivals more expensive flagships. Skin tones are handled well, and facial features retain detail even under backlighting.
Night photography is equally solid. The Night Mode enhances exposure without overdoing highlights or introducing noise. Shots remain natural and balanced, with good shadow detail and minimal grain. It's a significant upgrade over the GT 6's camera setup, and even holds its own next to the GT 7 Pro in many situations.
Selfies from the 32 MP front camera are clear and vibrant, with minimal overprocessing. Whether in bright daylight or dim indoor lighting, it consistently delivers social-media-ready results.
Battery
The 7,000 mAh Titan battery is easily one of the biggest highlights of the GT 7. It's the largest battery in its class, and paired with 120 W fast charging, it delivers not just endurance but also speed. You can go from 1% to 50% in just 14 minutes, and to full charge in about 40 minutes.
Even with heavy usage — gaming, video streaming, photography — we ended most days with over 40–50% battery left. The Smart Bypass charging system routes power directly to the motherboard during gameplay, keeping thermals in check and preserving long-term battery health.
Verdict
Realme GT 7 isn't trying to be a stripped-down version of the GT 7 Pro — it's carving its own identity. With a new chipset, a 7,000 mAh battery, AI tools, and a capable camera system, it not only builds on the GT 6's solid foundation but even dares to challenge higher-priced rivals.
Yes, it skips the curved display and ultra-lux camera hardware of the Pro, but in return, it offers unmatched battery life, flagship-grade performance, and smart software upgrades — all at a price that stays grounded. For those wanting power, longevity, and intelligence in one sharp-looking package, the Realme GT 7 is hands down one of the great choices in 2025 by now.