Realme GT 7 Pro 5G Review: Flagship Killer or Overhyped? vs OnePlus 12 & iQOO 12

The smartphone market in 2025 is heating up with every brand trying to position itself as the ultimate “flagship killer.” Realme has always been known for pushing performance at aggressive price points, and with the launch of the Realme GT 7 Pro 5G, expectations are sky-high. But is this device truly a game-changer, or does it struggle against its rivals like the OnePlus 12, iQOO 12, and Samsung Galaxy S24?

In this detailed review, we’ll break down the design, performance, cameras, battery, pros & cons, and most importantly, how it stacks up against the competition.

Realme GT 7 Pro 5G Price in India

Realme has priced the GT 7 Pro 5G in the ₹48,000 – ₹55,000 range, depending on the storage variant. This places it directly against the OnePlus 12 and iQOO 12, both popular among performance-focused users, and dangerously close to the entry-level Samsung Galaxy S24.

While the price tag may seem justified given the specifications, some may argue Realme is slowly moving away from its “affordable flagship” identity.

https://youtu.be/9hS3YMKJoO4?si=2ZSZlOV2DeaGm6t3

Design & Display: Premium Yet Familiar

The Realme GT 7 Pro carries a refreshed design language with a sleek matte-glass finish, curved edges, and a polished aluminum frame. It feels premium in hand, but not drastically different from last year’s GT 6 Pro.

• Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED LTPO 3.0 panel
• Resolution: 2K with HDR10+ support
• Refresh Rate: 1Hz – 144Hz adaptive
• Peak Brightness: 3,000 nits

The display is undoubtedly a highlight. It outshines the iQOO 12 in brightness and is on par with the OnePlus 12 when it comes to smoothness. The curved edges look stylish but might not please users who prefer flat panels for gaming.

Performance: Blazing Fast but…

At the heart of the Realme GT 7 Pro 5G lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage.

• Variants: 12GB/256GB, 16GB/512GB
• Benchmark Scores: Crosses 1.9 million on AnTuTu
• Gaming Test: Runs Genshin Impact and BGMI at max settings smoothly

In real-world use, the phone is buttery smooth, handling gaming, multitasking, and heavy apps with ease. However, the phone does tend to heat up under prolonged gaming—something that iQOO 12’s vapor chamber cooling manages better.

So yes, the GT 7 Pro 5G is a performance beast, but heat management could have been improved.

Camera: Big Improvements, Small Flaws

Realme has put serious effort into making the GT 7 Pro 5G camera setup more competitive.

• Main Camera: 50MP Sony LYT-808 sensor (OIS)
• Ultra-Wide: 48MP, 114° field of view
• Telephoto: 64MP periscope with 3x optical zoom
• Front Camera: 32MP selfie shooter

Camera Performance:

• Daylight Shots: Excellent dynamic range, natural colors
• Low Light: Impressive with night mode, but sometimes oversharpens details
• Telephoto Lens: Crisp 3x shots but struggles beyond 10x digital zoom
• Video Recording: 8K support, stable 4K at 60fps with OIS + EIS

Against rivals, the OnePlus 12 produces slightly warmer tones while the Samsung S24 still leads in night photography. The GT 7 Pro 5G is a strong performer but not a photography king.

Battery & Charging: Fast but Not the Longest

• Battery: 5,500mAh
• Charging: 150W SuperVOOC fast charging
• Wireless Charging: 50W supported

The phone charges from 0 to 100% in just 20 minutes, which is jaw-dropping. However, the battery life is just about average—it lasts a day with heavy use but falls short compared to the Galaxy S24’s efficiency.

If you’re a power user, expect to charge it by evening.

Software: Smooth but Bloated

The Realme GT 7 Pro 5G runs on Realme UI 6.0 based on Android 15. The UI feels fast, customizable, and fluid. However, it still ships with bloatware apps out of the box, which some users may find frustrating.

Here, OnePlus’s OxygenOS and Samsung’s One UI provide a cleaner experience.

Pros & Cons of Realme GT 7 Pro 5G

✅ Pros

• Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 performance
• Stunning 2K AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate
• 150W fast charging – full charge in 20 minutes
• Premium build quality and design
• Improved periscope telephoto lens

❌ Cons

• Heating issues during long gaming sessions
• Battery backup could have been better
• Bloatware in Realme UI
• Low-light photography still not at Samsung’s level

Realme GT 7 Pro 5G vs Rivals

🔹 Realme GT 7 Pro 5G vs OnePlus 12

• Performance: Almost identical, but OnePlus 12 manages thermals better.
• Cameras: OnePlus edges ahead in night photography.
• Charging: Realme wins with 150W vs OnePlus’s 100W.

🔹 Realme GT 7 Pro 5G vs iQOO 12

• Performance: Both excellent, iQOO 12 has slightly better cooling.
• Cameras: Realme’s periscope lens beats iQOO in zoom.
• Price: iQOO 12 is slightly cheaper, making it more value-for-money.

🔹 Realme GT 7 Pro 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S24

• Performance: Realme is faster, Samsung is more stable.
• Cameras: Samsung wins hands down in night mode.
• Software: One UI is cleaner and more reliable.

Value for Money Factor

At ₹48K–₹55K, the Realme GT 7 Pro 5G delivers flagship-level performance and features. But when compared to rivals:

• OnePlus 12 offers better thermals and software.
• iQOO 12 gives a cheaper alternative with similar performance.
• Samsung Galaxy S24 is pricier but offers unmatched stability and cameras.

So, while the GT 7 Pro 5G is a powerhouse and a true flagship killer on paper, whether it’s the right choice depends on what you value most—speed, camera, or software experience.

Final Verdict

The Realme GT 7 Pro 5G is a performance monster with blazing-fast charging and a gorgeous display. However, it still struggles with heating, average battery life, and bloated software. If you’re someone who loves raw power and doesn’t mind a few compromises, this phone will definitely impress you.

But if you want

a more balanced all-rounder, the OnePlus 12 or Samsung Galaxy S24 might still be better long-term investments.

👉 In short: The Realme GT 7 Pro 5G is a near-flagship killer but not perfect.

Rashmika Kumari

Rashmika Kumari is a tech and gadgets news writer who loves exploring the latest innovations shaping the digital world. She covers smartphones, wearables, and emerging technologies with clarity and depth, bringing readers reliable insights and hands-on updates to stay ahead in the fast-moving world of gadgets and smart devices.