Realme launched the GT 6T in May, a new performance-centric device. And then there’s the iQOO Neo 9 Pro, which hit the market in February. Both phones are priced under Rs 35,000 and offer impressive performance in this range. At MySmartPrice, we decided to pit these two contenders against each other to determine which one excels.
In this article, we evaluate them in various real-world scenarios, and the findings are quite surprising. Let’s jump into the details and see how these phones stack up.
Realme GT 6T vs iQOO Neo 9 Pro: Price
| Realme GT 6T | iQOO Neo 9 Pro |
| Rs 30,999 (8GB RAM + 128GB Storage) | Rs 34,999 (8GB RAM + 128GB Storage) |
| Rs 32,999 (8GB RAM + 256GB Storage) | Rs 36,999 (8GB RAM + 256GB Storage) |
| Rs 35,999 (12GB RAM + 256GB Storage) | Rs 38,999 (12GB RAM + 256GB Storage) |
| Rs 39,999 (12GB RAM + 512GB Storage) | NA |
The Realme GT 6T has four variants, whereas the iQOO Neo 9 Pro offers only three. For the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model, the Realme GT 6T is Rs 4,000 cheaper. The GT 6T’s top variant, priced around Rs 40,000, provides 12GB RAM and 512GB storage.
In contrast, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro offers a maximum of 12GB RAM and 256GB storage and does not include a 512GB option. Therefore, if storage is your main priority, the Realme GT 6T is the winner.
Realme GT 6T vs iQOO Neo 9 Pro: Design, Display
| Realme GT 6T | iQOO Neo 9 Pro |
| 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED | 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED |
| 1264 x 2780 pixels | 1260 x 2800 pixels |
| 120Hz refresh rate | 144Hz refresh rate |
| 6000 nits of peak brightness | 3000 nits of peak brightness |
For the Realme GT 6T review, we received the Fluid Silver colourway, while for the iQOO Neo 9 Pro, we got the dual Alpenliebe colourway. The GT 6T features a glossy back panel prone to fingerprints and smudges. So, if you prefer a clean look, be prepared to carry a microfiber cloth. The camera module on the GT 6T has a shinier, contrasting silver finish, creating a dual-tone effect similar to that of the iQOO Neo 9 Pro.
In contrast, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro showcases dual colours—bright red on the right and white on the left. Like the Realme GT 6T, this phone also sports two large camera modules. Compared to the red part, the white side can easily pick up stains, especially from substances like turmeric. A transparent case can help showcase the phone’s design while protecting it. Regarding grip, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro offers a firmer hold than the GT 6T, which, with its glossy finish, is more prone to accidental slips.
Both phones have the same display size, but the Realme GT 6T features a curved display, giving it a more premium look and feel, whereas the iQOO Neo 9 Pro has a flat display. The GT 6T’s display delivers rich details with neutral colours, making watching Netflix series and YouTube videos pleasurable. It performs excellently indoors and outdoors, with an impressive peak brightness of 6000 nits.
On the other hand, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro’s display offers richer colours with accurate details, providing consistent performance. This makes multimedia consumption enjoyable.
Realme GT 6T vs iQOO Neo 9 Pro: Performance
| Realme GT 6T | iQOO Neo 9 Pro |
| Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Adreno 732 | Adreno 740 |
| 12GB RAM | 12GB RAM |
| 512GB Storage | 256GB Storage |
| Antutu v10 Benchmark: 1465167 | Antutu v10 Benchmark: 1634256 |
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core Test: 1853 | Geekbench 6 Single-Core Test: 2048 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core Test: 4851 | Geekbench 6 Multi-Core Test: 5740 |
The Realme GT 6T is powered by the debuting Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC, while the iQOO Neo 9 Pro runs on the more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, commonly found in 2023 flagship phones.
The table above shows that the iQOO Neo 9 Pro surpasses the Realme GT 6T in the Antutu v10 benchmark. It also leads in both the Geekbench 6 single-core and multi-core tests.
Both phones deliver smooth and responsive performance for everyday tasks without any noticeable lags or stutters. If you need a phone for routine use, either will serve you well.
Next, let’s explore their gaming capabilities. We tested both devices with popular games like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile. Refer to the table below for their BGMI performance metrics.
| BGMI | Realme GT 6T | iQOO Neo 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Settings | Ultra HDR graphics + Ultra frame rates | Ultra HDR graphics + Ultra frame rates |
| FPS | Maximum: 40fps | Maximum: 40fps |
| Result | The phone was warming up, but we observed no significant frame drops. | This phone gave consistent performance at 40fps without any major drops during the gameplay. |
While playing BGMI for an hour, the Realme GT 6T did heat up a bit. Thankfully, the heat levels remained controlled, so the gameplay was not disrupted. On the other hand, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro performed consistently with no noticeable heating, ensuring a more comfortable gaming experience.
Next, let’s look at how these phones handle Call of Duty: Mobile in the table below.
| Call of Duty: Mobile | Realme GT 6T | iQOO Neo 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Settings | Very High graphics + Very High frame rates | Very High graphics + High frame rates |
| FPS | Maximum: 60fps | Maximum: 60fps |
| Result | We observed major frame drops during Team Deathmatch. | The gaming session was excellent on this phone, and there were no drops. The phone was heating up slightly. |
In Call of Duty: Mobile, the Realme GT 6T supported Very High graphics and Very High frame rates, matching the iQOO Neo 9 Pro in graphics but limited to High frame rates. Both phones achieved up to 60fps, but the Realme GT 6T occasionally dipped to 48fps during gameplay.
In contrast, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro delivered a consistent, smooth gaming performance without any major frame drops. While both phones heated up during gaming, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro managed this better than the Realme GT 6T.
Thus, in terms of performance, the Realme GT 6T shows potential for optimisation, whereas the iQOO Neo 9 Pro already leads its price segment with exceptional performance.
Realme GT 6T vs iQOO Neo 9 Pro: Cameras
| Realme GT 6T | iQOO Neo 9 Pro |
| 50-megapixel Primary Camera with OIS (f/1.9) | 50-megapixel Primary Camera with OIS (f/1.9) |
| 8-megapixel Ultra-Wide Camera (f/2.2) | 8-megapixel Ultra-Wide Camera (f/2.2) |
| 32-megapixel Selfie Camera (f/2.5) | 16-megapixel Selfie Camera (f/2.5) |
Both phones feature similar camera specifications for their primary and ultra-wide cameras. However, the Realme GT 6T stands out with a 32-megapixel selfie camera.
In daylight, the Realme GT 6T captures bright photos with a warm tone that appeals to some users. However, its ultra-wide camera tends to create noise around the edges. The front camera defaults to a filtered look, but switching to a natural mode provides accurate facial details.
Conversely, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro excels in capturing vivid photos with rich details under daylight conditions. Its portrait mode delivers exceptional edge detection, focusing on natural scenes, in contrast to the Realme GT 6T’s approach. While its ultra-wide camera performs adequately in daylight, low-light photography may not yield the same quality. Selfies taken with the iQOO Neo 9 Pro feature noticeable skin smoothing.
Realme GT 6T vs iQOO Neo 9 Pro: Software
| Realme GT 6T | iQOO Neo 9 Pro |
| Realme UI 5.0, based on Android 14 | Funtouch OS 14, based on Android 14 |
| Three years of OS updates | Three years of OS updates |
| Four years of security updates | Four years of security updates |
The Realme GT 6T operates on Realme UI 5.0, built on Android 14, and comes pre-loaded with various bloatware apps. Thankfully, these apps can be uninstalled. The software supports multitasking, split view, flexible app windows, and extensive lock screen customisation options.
On the other hand, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro runs on Funtouch OS 14, which is also based on Android 14, and offers many features. However, it has numerous iQOO and Vivo apps that cannot be removed. Additionally, it includes several pre-installed apps like PhonePe and Snapchat, which are useful but can be deleted if not needed.
Both brands have committed to providing three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, ensuring their devices remain up-to-date over the long term.
Each phone has its pros and cons in terms of software. Your choice will depend on which trade-offs you are willing to accept.
Realme GT 6T vs iQOO Neo 9 Pro: Battery and Charging
| Realme GT 6T | iQOO Neo 9 Pro |
| 5500mAh Battery | 5160mAh Battery |
| 120W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging |
| Charging Time: 33 minutes | Charging Time: 31 minutes |
| PCMark Battery Test: 12 hours, 49 minutes | PCMark Battery Test: 14 hours, 33 minutes |
The Realme GT 6T packs a battery that is 340mAh larger than the iQOO Neo 9 Pro’s, and both phones support 120W fast charging. The iQOO Neo 9 Pro charges impressively fast, taking only 31 minutes to go from dead to 100 per cent. In comparison, the Realme GT 6T takes just 2 minutes longer. Given its larger battery, this small difference in charging time is negligible. Therefore, both phones perform exceptionally well in terms of charging.
We also conducted the PCMark battery test on both devices. The iQOO Neo 9 Pro outperformed the Realme GT 6T by lasting an additional 2 hour and 24 minutes, which is quite impressive.
Both phones can easily last a full day with light to moderate use. However, the Realme GT 6T typically lasts around seven to eight hours for heavy tasks, while the iQOO Neo 9 Pro lasts approximately nine to 10 hours on a single charge.
Realme GT 6T vs iQOO Neo 9 Pro: Verdict
The Realme GT 6T offers a good display with 6000 nits of peak brightness, solid performance, and a well-performing battery. However, the software and the cameras are areas where you may need to temper your expectations. Moreover, the performance is nice, but there’s still room for optimisation.
On the other hand, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro features a flat display with only 3000 nits of peak brightness, but its 144Hz refresh rate changes the game for display performance. That’s not all; this phone excels in performance across all scenarios—whether for daily usage or gaming. The cameras also perform adequately. However, software is something to settle for. All in all, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro still aims to deliver a comprehensive experience with a Rs 4,000 price increase.
