Performance is a key area of focus when customers are looking for a smartphone in the sub-Rs 40K range. We have already seen what the iQOO Neo 9 Pro (review), which utilises last year’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, can offer. However, the same segment now occupies Realme’s new performance-centric Realme GT 6T (review), which carries Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC. It also comes with a relatively more affordable price tag.
Based on Qualcomm’s name scheme, the Snapdragon 8 Gen-series holds greater value. However, can a new player with a refreshed processor in this segment give it a tough fight? Here’s a performance comparison between the Realme GT 6T and the iQOO Neo 9 Pro
Table of Contents
Realme GT 6T vs iQOO Neo 9 Pro specifications
| Smartphone | Realme GT 6T | iQOO Neo 9 Pro |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC |
| GPU | Adreno 732 GPU | Adreno 740 GPU |
| Storage | up to 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage | up to 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage |
Geekbench
Before we begin, readers must note that we are comparing the top storage variants of the iQOO Neo 9 Pro (12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage) and Realme GT 6T (12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage). If you go for the latter’s base variant, the phone offers the USF 3.1 storage standard.
In Geekbench’s single and multi-core tests, which essentially evaluate the chipset’s performance under heavy load, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro was ahead despite utilising last year’s Snapdragon SoC (image below). The scores indicate that the iQOO Neo 9 Pro may handle basic (app launch, browsing) and heavy (editing, gaming) more efficiently than the Realme GT 6T. It is important to note that the scores achieved by both smartphones are highly respectable in the segment.
Winner: iQOO Neo 9 Pro
AnTuTu
Even in the AnTuTu benchmark, which evaluates the CPU and GPU’s performance, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro achieved a higher score. In fact, it remains the most powerful smartphone in the segment based on the AnTuTu score. Again, the Realme GT 6T did much better than some of its direct rivals but is behind the iQOO Neo 9 Pro.
Interestingly, the Realme GT 6T achieved 3.35 lakh points in AnTuTu’s “memory” test, while the iQOO Neo 9 Pro scored 3.06 lakh points. This suggests that some native files on the Realme GT 6T may load up faster. In the dedicated read-and-write examination via the CPDT app, there was mostly a draw between the two phones, likely because they use the same memory standards.
CPU Throttle
In the CPU Throttle via the Burnout app, Realme GT 6T showed better stability at its peak performance (Image below). While this may suggest that the Realme GT 6T is more power efficient, the difference between the two based on this result isn’t substantial.
Winner: Realme GT 6T
Gaming
While the benchmarks favour the iQOO Neo 9 Pro, things can be different in real life. Or do they?
Since the focus is on performance, both smartphones can play demanding titles smoothly. In our gaming test, we tested the two phones by BGMI, Call of Duty, and Real Racing for 30 minutes each. On average, both smartphones consumed more or less the same amount of battery.
However, after 30 minutes of playing BGMI, Realme GT 6T’s internal temperature rose by nearly 5 degrees Celsius and iQOO Neo 9 Pro’s temperature increased by roughly 6 degrees Celcius. Notably, both smartphones exhibited a similar change in internal temperature after 30 minutes of Call of Duty playtime. The overall gaming experience was more or less identical on both smartphones, though the iQOO Neo 9 Pro offered consistently high frame rates.
Winner: iQOO Neo 9 Pro
Verdict
Based on numbers and gaming experience, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro has proved its superiority in the sub-Rs 40K segment. However, before you make the final decision, few points to keep in mind.
- For instance, the Realme GT 6T can provide a much better display experience in harsh sunlight. You can check our Instagram Reel against the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra here.
- Moreover, the Realme GT 6T is promised to receive four years of major Android OS updates. Both smartphones come with several pre-loaded apps out-of-the-box, which can make the software experience cluttered.
- As mentioned, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro is a better performer, but the Realme GT 6T is more affordable (base variant). Notably, its top variant with 512GB storage is priced at Rs 39,999, just Rs 1,000 more than iQOO Neo Pro’s top option with 256GB storage.
