realme unveiled its latest GT series smartphone, the realme GT 6, at a global product launch event in Milan today. After a two-year hiatus from the global market, the company is poised to make a significant impact with its latest flagship. The recent appearance of realme’s founder and CEO, Sky Li, on the cover of Forbes magazine underscores the company’s intention to assert its presence more forcefully than ever. Earlier this year, realme announced a rebranding initiative, reaffirming its commitment to delivering value-packed devices for the youth. With the realme GT 6, the brand makes a bold claim, positioning it as the only “flagship killer” of 2024. It’s definitely packed with features, but is it truly deserving of the flagship killer title? We put it to the test to find out.

Designer: realme

Aesthetics

The realme GT 6 is a device that commands attention. Instantly captivating, your eyes are drawn to the gleaming shiny mirror texture which fills out the upper third of the back panel, where the camera modules reside. According to realme, this texture is achieved using the industry’s first nano-level mirror coating technology which requires over 30 fine processes. Contrasting with this reflective texture, the lower two-thirds of the back panel features a matte metal texture.

The realme GT 6 is available in Fluid Silver or Razor Green, with our review unit coming in the former finish. The mirror texture first appeared to be a brilliant idea for taking selfies. However, the off-center positioning of the camera module and the limited size of the mirrored area compromise practicality. Another drawback of the material is that it attracts fingerprints and dust, detracting somewhat from its otherwise sleek appearance. Putting the complimentary case that comes in a box does not help as it does not cover the portion with the mirror finish. It’s still useful to quickly check oneself before snapping photos, though. Overall, the realme GT 6 is a phone that offers a unique and clean design, distinctive but not loud.

Ergonomics

The dimensions of the phone measure 162mm x 75mm x 8.6mm, with a weight of under 200g, just 199g, to be precise. The phone feels pleasantly lightweight and is easy to handle with one hand. The display features subtle curves on the side edges, complemented by a slightly tapered back panel. A curved side frame usually enhances grip without causing the edges to dig into the palm, but despite its absence here, holding the phone feels secure and comfortable.

On the right side of the phone are the volume locker and the power button, leaving nothing on the left side of the device. The IR blaster and stereo speaker are located on the top while the dual-nano SIM card slot, second stereo speaker, and USB port are located on the bottom.

The camera modules are not horizontally symmetrical, causing the phone to wobble slightly when placed on its back, though this issue is easily resolved by using a case. On the front, there is a centrally positioned cutout on the display for the front-facing camera, while the in-display fingerprint scanner is located near the bottom. The three camera lenses are positioned on the top left side of the device, arranged in a triangular pattern. The realme brand name embellishes the lower left corner of the back panel, which will often be covered by your hand and, therefore, almsot always out of sight. In summary, the realme GT 6 exudes a premium and sturdy feel that inspires confidence whenever you use it.

Performance

The realme GT 6 sports a triple camera setup. The 50MP main camera uses Sony LYT808, a 1/1.4” sensor with OIS, topped with a f/1.68 aperture lens. Accompanying it is a 50 MP telephoto camera with a 1/2.8” sensor and an f/2.0 aperture, together with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera that utilizes a 1/4” Sony IMX355 sensor.

What all these specs mean in practice is that the realme GT 6 captures great photos in daylight. Images exhibit a good dynamic range, natural colors, and rich details. It also performs admirably in low-light conditions, producing well-balanced exposures, with plenty of details preserved and minimal noise.

Photos taken with the telephoto lens, while slightly less impressive, still offer very good quality. The ultrawide-angle camera delivers solid images as well, surprisingly despite its very modest sensor. realme has done an excellent job in harmonizing the rendering and post-processing across all three cameras, ensuring a consistent look and feel in the outputs. Activating night mode across all three cameras does not significantly alter the quality of the photos. In addition, the 32MP front-facing camera captures pleasant selfies with natural colors.

The realme GT 6 is equipped with AI Smart Removal, which relies on AndesGPT, a generative AI model developed by OPPO. There are two AI Smart Removal tools: Smart Lasso and Paint Over. With Smart Lasso, you circle around the unwanted objects in the photo to be removed. On the other hand, the Paint Over feature replaces the selected object in the photo with another object. With Pain Over, you can adjust the brush size. Both features require an internet connection. Removing unwanted objects with Smart Lasso is fast and results are impressive in most cases, whether in bright daytime photos or poorly lit nighttime photos.

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Moving on to the video, the main and telephoto cameras can capture videos up to 4K at 60fps while the ultra-wide-angle camera is limited up to 1080p at 30fps. The front-facing camera let you record video up to 4K at 30fps. Only the 8MP ultra-wide shooter isn’t able to support 4K video recording, which is pretty disappointing for a phone that bills itself as a “flagship killer.” The videos captured with main and telephoto cameras are great offering a good level of sharpness and dynamic range, even in low-light footage. Although the ultrawide camera’s footage may display some noise, it still offers good color saturation. The Ultra Steady mode is exclusive to the main camera, providing excellent stabilization for both daytime and nighttime video recording.

When recording video in a dark environment under 6 lux, the night mode icon appears. Tapping it activates AI Night Vision, significantly enhancing video quality in poorly lit conditions. This footage captured is basically cranked up ISO and applies heavy smoothing, allowing you to capture somewhat usable footage even in near-total darkness. The difference is quite noticeable, making previously unwatchable videos much clearer.

Running Android 14 out of the box with a layer of realme UI 5.0, the realme GT 6’s AI features extend beyond image capturing and editing. For instance, AI Smart Loop provides an efficient and quick way to share content with third-party apps. You can select text, photos, or screenshots, then long-press and drag them to the right side of the screen. This action activates the space wheel, which displays a selection of pre-selected third-party apps or AI-suggested apps in a wheel format. You simply drop the selected content onto the desired app to share it.

Underneath the hood, the phone is powered by a Snapdragon 8s Gen3. It’s a less powerful version of Snapdragon 8 Gen3, yet it’s still one of the Snapdragons’s flagship SoC. The device sports 512GB of storage and 16GB of LDPDDR5X RAM which can be expanded by an additional 4GB. With this much power, it’s no surprise that the realme GT 6 offers great performance and smooth operation.

GT 6 features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 2,780 x 1,264 resolution and 10-bit color depth. The display can reach a whooping peak brightness of 6,000 nits. realme also provides a more practical number; the display can reach 1,600 nits with High Brightness Mode. The display is amply bright even outdoors under the sunlight and colors are vibrant.

The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate with 8T LTPO which helps save power by dynamically adjusting the refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz according to the content displayed. The phone also incorporates numerous eye protection features. For example, AI Eye Comfort detects eye fatigue, such as blinking and yawning frequency, and adjusts the screen color temperature to alleviate strain.

The device is equipped with a massive 5,500 mAh battery, ensuring you can easily go a day without needing to recharge. When you do need to charge, the 120W SUPERVOOC technology allows for rapid charging. Unfortunately, it does not support wireless charging, a feature that is becoming more common even on mid-range smartphones, much less flagship models.

Sustainability

realme is a company with strong sustainability initiatives. For instance, the company has committed to reducing the carbon emissions of its GT series by 30% and achieving “Double Zero” emissions by 2025. Unfortunately, when it comes to the GT 6 specifically, there is no apparent mention of sustainability efforts.

The phone feels solid in build quality, and the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, ensuring durability. It has an IP56 rating, which ensures that it’s protected against most common accidents, though you should naturally still exercise caution. Additionally, there was no information available regarding support for security updates at the time of this review. realme promises 4 years of Android updates and 4 years of security patches, which should last you quite a bit during the lifetime of this phone.

Value

The realme GT 6 definitely has a laundry list of buzzword-worthy features, from dual 50MP cameras to, of course, AI. Its specs on paper are no joke, and its actual performance delivers much of its promises as well. Nothing surprising for what is supposed to be a flagship killer, a title that has been thrown around a lot to challenge the giants of the market. Of course, it will take more than killer features to stand up to smartphone Goliaths, and realme has one more trick up its sleeve.

Starting at only 599.99 EUR (roughly $645) for the base 8GB RAM/256GB storage model, all the way up to 799.99 EUR ($860) for the top-of-the-line 16GB/512GB configuration, the realme GT 6 definitely beats other flagships in terms of accessibility. Sure, it’s not perfect and might be missing a few flagship features like wireless charging, but you’re still getting the juicy meat of what makes a flagship a flagship without burning a hole through your wallet. It’s definitely an option worth considering, presuming it’s even available within your vicinity.

Verdict

It’s getting harder to stand out in the smartphone market these days, at least not without some groundbreaking feature or head-turning design. At the same time, however, many brands try too hard to set themselves apart, producing designs that are, to some extent, too distracting and too noisy. Fortunately, the realme GT 6 is not one of those, making it a flagship killer in more ways than one.

Yes, it has quite the repertoire of high-end features, and rarely does it disappoint except in a few small details. It also has a price tag that belies all that power, making the product accessible to more people. Last but not the least, it also goes against the flow and delivers a design that is elegant without being overbearing. The realme GT 6 bucks the trend and appeals to a new generation of the youth that’s getting wiser and more discerning, valuing essential experiences over superficial embellishments.

The post realme GT 6 Review: Is This the True Flagship Killer of 2024? first appeared on Yanko Design.

Some people consider computer keyboards to just be tools you have to bear with, but those who live and die by typing on a computer know just how important the design of a keyboard is. That’s why a lot of writers, developers, and even gamers prefer mechanical keyboards not just because of their sharp sounds but, more importantly, because of their tactile typing experience. Unfortunately, mechanical keyboards seem to have become synonymous with thick, heavy, and clunky keyboards because of the equally hefty mechanisms employed to deliver that experience. That doesn’t have to be the case, however, and this ultra-low-profile mechanical keyboard proves how you can have the best of both worlds with some outside-the-box thinking and creative design.

Designer: Shawn S.

Click Here to Buy Now: $149 $249 (40% off). Hurry, only 59/500 left! Raised over $310,000.

You can make a keyboard as thin as it can be, but you’re bound to make a lot of compromises to get there, from the quality of the build to the durability of the product to the satisfaction of every keystroke. Difficult, however, doesn’t mean impossible, and Lofree EDGE dares to take on the challenge of finding solutions to the problems that have been taken for granted. At only 485g light and 5.4mm thick at its thinnest point, you might even wonder if it’s a mechanical keyboard at all.

The secret is Lofree’s meticulous attention not just to materials but to the production process as well. It wasn’t enough to simply use just any carbon fiber to make the upper plate both durable and lightweight, Lofree EDGE employs a 3K Till Weave that takes that to the next level while also adding a luxurious aesthetic that your palms can actually feel. The light and heat-resistant magnesium alloy base isn’t just crafted using ordinary die casting but uses semi-solid casting instead to eliminate air pockets and increase the material’s toughness. And to do its part in helping to save the planet,

Lofree reuses the carbon fiber block cut out from the upper plate and turns it into a flat-packed stand for the keyboard. Assembling the stand becomes a playful and engaging experience, like putting together a puzzle, and delivers a handsome mount to place your keyboard on at the end of the day to keep your desk clear and clutter-free.

The Lofree EDGE is clearly just as or even more durable than mechanical keyboards twice its weight and thickness, but what about the actual typing experience? Refusing to make compromises, it uses specially designed Kaih POM 2.0 switches that deliver a travel distance of 2.4mm, a remarkable figure when you consider how thin the keyboard is. An innovative PCB-Gasket mount structure integrates these two critical parts of the keyboard into a unified piece, further reducing the thickness associated with mechanical keyboards. It combines solder-mounted switches and strategically positioned gaskets directly into the PCB, doing away with conventional positioning plates and hot-swappable switches that add thickness and heft to the keyboard. To further reduce its weight, Lofree EDGE replaces heavy silicone with lightweight foam for the internal filling. What you get from all of this is a comfortable and satisfying keyboard that doesn’t strain your fingers and joints, making the typing experience not only enjoyable but also potentially addictive.

The Lofree EDGE’s innovations don’t stop at the product design either. With the powerful Lofree Configurator software, Windows and, soon, Mac users will be able to customize their experience to fit their particular needs, from remapping keys to creating powerful macros. The keyboard supports both wired and wireless connectivity, giving you maximum flexibility in where and how you want to use the keyboard. Thin, light, and handsome, the Lofree EDGE redefines what a mechanical keyboard can be, delivering a comfortable and enjoyable typing experience that won’t weigh you or your wallet down. So if you want to enjoy the authentic feeling of a mechanical keyboard with the bulk and the heft, then there’s no better time than now to give your fingers the blissful typing experience they deserve and grab the Lofree EDGE now while it’s at a sweet, heavily discounted price.

Click Here to Buy Now: $149 $249 (40% off). Hurry, only 59/500 left! Raised over $310,000.

The post Lofree EDGE delivers the thin and light mechanical keyboard of your dreams first appeared on Yanko Design.

The advancement of a society is determined by the tools it uses. That’s why we labeled epochs by materials, like the stone age, bronze age, iron age and the industrial age. With how much design and art has evolved over the past few decades, it really doesn’t make much sense using stationery tools from centuries ago. Gone are the days of relying on protractors and set-squares, the folks at Ddiin have designed something new, the Exlicon L is an all-encompassing toolkit that combines clever detailing with new-age requirements. With 3 tools that achieve a variety of unique tasks, the Exlicon L lets you master distances, circles, arcs, parabolic curves, triangles, and the golden ratio – one of nature and visual design’s most prominent templates.

Designer: Ddiin Concept Ltd./ Sofia Lee Pik Shan

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $36 (27% off). Hurry, only 9/100 left! Raised over $47,000.

Sofia Lee, the visionary behind Ddiin, founded the company in 2019, winning over 30 design awards (like the iF Design Award and IDEA Award) for their unique spin on stationery and their commitment to enhancing the functional aesthetics of design tools. The Exlicon L is perhaps their most extensive toolkit yet, designed to allow web designers, graphic designers, architects, artists, industrial designers, fashion designers, and more to effortlessly create shapes and lines that adhere to the golden ratio—a universally admired aesthetic standard that imbues works with a natural sense of harmony and balance.

The golden ratio is a mathematical concept that describes a perfectly balanced and visually pleasing proportion found in nature and design. It is approximately 1.618, and can be expressed mathematically as follows: φ = (1 + √5) / 2

We are inspired by the golden ratio in nature and architecture.

The toolkit is cleverly engineered to be compact yet comprehensive, accommodating a wide array of design needs. It includes tools like the TG, Triangle, and Circle, each crafted to facilitate the creation of precise geometric shapes, golden spirals, and thick lines, all within the palm of your hand. The precision of these tools addresses a common challenge in freehand drawing—achieving accurate proportions without traditional measuring devices, which can often disrupt the creative flow.

The design of the Circle Tool has a broad spectrum of radius sizes enabling a total of 112 circles to be drawn.

One of the set’s key components, the Circle Tool, addresses a longstanding challenge for artists seeking to master circles and arcs. The tool lets you easily draw as many as 112 circles of different diameters, using pencils, pens, and even thick markers. Three measuring scales built into this tool let you capture distances including metric and imperial linear distances for radii and diameters, or even measure circumferences with a length of up to 18 centimeters. Unlike any existing circle-master, this tool gives you mastery over radial lines too, as well as allows you to quickly make mandalas and other geometric patterns.

Extending the Circle Tool’s functionality is the Golden Ratio Tool Set, comprising the TG Tool and Triangle Tool – each brimming with functionalities designed to streamline the creative process. Imagine incorporating golden spirals, precise angle measurements, and a ruler seamlessly into your workflow – all within a single, portable, and user-friendly toolset.

The TG Tool

Parabolic Curve

The TG Tool is quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Modeled on the shape of a golden spiral, the TG Tool gives you mastery over one of the oldest ratios based on the Fibonacci sequence found in nature. This sequence helps determine proportions and can be found in nature, architecture, art, and practically every phase of life. The golden ratio, roughly equal to 1.618, is a mathematical formula that embodies perfect balance and aesthetic appeal, frequently observed in nature and artistic masterpieces. Traditionally, achieving this ratio with freehand techniques has been a frustrating exercise, often requiring rulers, dividers, and a healthy dose of guesswork. The Exlicon L TG Tool eliminates this frustration. The ingenious tool comes with 3 spirals of 55.7, 51.7 & 47.4 mm radii, allowing you to draw spirals, plot details along the golden curve, make isosceles golden triangles, and even draw parabolic curves with sheer certainty.

The Triangle Tool

Finally, the Triangle Tool enables the creation of a series of golden triangles, which are essential for designs that require rigorous proportionality and aesthetic alignment with the golden ratio. It features various marking groups that guide the user in drawing triangles starting from different base lengths, such as 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 mm. Each marking group is distinctly designed—solid, hollow, and semi-circular—to facilitate easy identification and use, making this tool incredibly user-friendly and efficient for both professional designers and hobbyists aiming for precision in their creative endeavors.

You can either buy the set of three tools together, or choose an individual tool that you’re most likely to use often. Each tool is crafted from high-quality stainless steel, making them robust, sleek, and resistant to damage or corrosion. The Exlicon L starts at $26 for an individual tool of your choice, or you can bag the entire set of $79, with free shipping anywhere in the world.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $36 (27% off). Hurry, only 9/100 left! Raised over $47,000.

The post This Stationery Set Of The Future Unlocks Unique Opportunities For Designers And Artists first appeared on Yanko Design.

The COVID-19 pandemic may be over, but the challenge of maintaining clean air persists. If there’s anything we’ve learned over the past year, it’s that conventional solutions are no longer sufficient when it comes to breathing fresh air. Common disposable and cloth masks do block some harmful elements, but they also block proper airflow. Some fan-enabled masks improve that situation slightly, but they still put an obstacle to some of the ordinary tasks that we do each day, especially when our voices are involved. Enter the age of AI-enabled technology. The innovative AI Air Mask not only filters out harmful elements with superior efficiency but also enhances airflow, ensuring that breathability and communication remain clear and unhindered. This is the next step in wearable health tech, promising not just cleaner air but also proactive health monitoring, all in a sleek, comfortable, and inclusive design.

Designer: Leandro Rolon

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $299 ($200 off). Hurry, exclusive deal for YD readers only! Raised over $1.5 million.

We now live in a world where even the air inside our homes can be suspect, so one can only imagine how much worse the situation is outdoors. Just in time for the health scare that gripped the world, ATMOBLUE launched its first smart wearable purifier to address the need for clean, breathable air anywhere you go. It went beyond the minimum requirement of simply blocking harmful microorganisms to deliver a solution that was effective, customizable, and most importantly, comfortable.

Smart Adaptive Filtration: Employs intelligent sensors for adaptive, real-time purification, setting a new bar for air quality protection.

The first ATMOBLUE smart mask was practically a mini air purifier you could wear on your mouth. It utilized replaceable H13 HEPA filters to do the heavy lifting of blocking as much as 99.97% of harmful particles such as bacteria and PM2.5. But while some masks stopped there, ATMOBLUE went above and beyond to include a dual fan airflow system that removed that suffocating feeling whenever you wear a face mask. The result wasn’t just clean air but breathable air as well, increasing the comfort and confidence of wearers who made the investment in backing the project.

Premium Silicone Design: Engineered with superior silicone for unparalleled comfort, designed for all-day wear and redefining the protective gear experience.

As successful as that smart mask was, it isn’t yet the pinnacle of healthy breathing. Stepping into the limelight again, the creators of the ATMOBLUE Mask are presenting an even more advanced solution that leverages the hard-earned lessons of the past and applies the benefits of artificial intelligence to provide a more holistic view of the wearer’s health. This AI-driven Air Mask, an evolution of the original ATMOBLUE Mask, features a refined semi-transparent silicone body for premium comfort. It is equipped with a dynamic adaptive filtration system that intelligently senses environmental changes and auto-adjusts in real time for optimal protection.

AI-Enabled Bluetooth Microphone: Features a built-in mic for clear conversations and seamless AI assistant interaction, improving communication without compromising wearability.

But wait, there’s more! Wearing a mask always has the effect of muffling one’s voice, which can be an even bigger problem when trying to communicate. Addressing this issue head-on, the AI Air Mask is ingeniously equipped with an integrated microphone and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to convey your voice clearly and confidently. Elevating the experience further, this mask incorporates advanced voice recognition and AI capabilities, creating a symbiotic relationship with your AI smart assistant that transcends traditional communication barriers. Beyond enhancing dialogue, the AI Air Mask serves as a guardian of your well-being, continuously analyzing key health metrics such as temperature, respiratory patterns, and cough frequency, not only to provide better insight into your health but also to warn you of potential infection.

With the AI Air Mask, the creators of ATMOBLUE aren’t just offering an upgraded wearable but also an investment in a healthier future. That’s exactly the kind of investment you’re making with this sweet pre-sale deal that lets you not only reserve a spot but also get a 50% discount when the world’s first AI-driven smart mask launches next year.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $299 ($200 off). Hurry, exclusive deal for YD readers only! Raised over $1.5 million.

The post Breath Smarter, Not Harder: Introducing the World’s first Ai-Driven Smart Mask first appeared on Yanko Design.

More people are discovering the joys of the great outdoors, but they are also learning some of the challenges that come with living off the grid, especially when it comes to the unpredictability of weather. And then there are some outdoor adventures that really expose you to the elements, whether it be on land or especially at sea. During these moments, you need more than just a portable power source that can deliver the necessities and conveniences of modern life. You also need a reliable power source that can weather any storm, almost literally. That’s the kind of power that the new Bluetti AC240 Weatherproof Portable Power Station delivers, keeping up with life’s adventures even when Mother Nature has other ideas.

Designer: Bluetti

Click Here to Buy Now: $1299 $1899 (31% off, use coupon code”yanko240″ to get an additional $100 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Even with all the science and technology at our disposal, changes in weather can throw a wrench in anyone’s plans, especially when those plans happen to involve staying outdoors. Traditional power stations, while extremely useful, might not be a good fit for this situation considering the safety risks involved. That’s where the Bluetti AC240 and its IP65 dust and waterproof rating come in, offering a clean, quiet, safe, versatile, and rugged power source that can withstand the harsh conditions you might find yourself in.

With the AC240’s modular design, it practically is! Stack up B210 expansion batteries and watch your power options multiply.

The Bluetti AC240 is rated IP65, which means it’s certified to withstand the intrusion of dust as well as low-pressure water jets from any angle, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. The weather-hardened solar generator boasts a variety of patented technologies and safeguards that protect it from the elements, including independent air ducts, sealed electronic compartments, a special drainage system, vacuum-coated fans, and, since they’re always exposed to the outside world, double-layer protected ports. In the event that water does manage to get in, built-in exhaust fans and the heat dissipation system will make sure the water gets out or evaporates quickly before it does any damage.

Whether you’re basking in the sun’s energy with solar panels, plugging into a wall outlet, staying juiced on the move with a car charger, or even tapping into a lead-acid battery or shore power, the AC240 ensures you’re always powered up and good to go.

Of course, the Bluetti AC240 is more than just a large weatherproof box. It’s a portable power station first and foremost, and it does an incredible job at that as well. With an output of 2,400W and a 1,536Wh LiFePO battery, the AC240 can easily power anything from a phone charger to a 20 cubic feet fridge for at least one day. A 3,600W powerlifting mode can even power that hot plat to make sure you get warm meals even when it’s pouring outside your RV. The plethora of charging ports, which include 2 standard AC outlets, 1 NEMA TT-30 port, a car outlet, 2 USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, and a 12V/30A RV port, make sure every electronic machine is supported, even an RV or a boat.

Whether you’re navigating the high seas or driving into the unknown wilderness, the AC240 reliable enough to keep your adventures smooth from start to finish.

If that’s already impressive, then you’ll probably be blown away by what the Bluetti AC240 can do when paired with the B210 expansion battery, which itself is also IP65 weatherproof. Each B210 adds 2,150Wh of power and you can have as many as four packs connected to the AC240 for a whopping 10,135Wh total capacity. And if that weren’t enough, you can link two AC240 using Bluetti’s unique parallel technology with the Parallel Box P480, delivering 4,800W output (without expansion batteries) without doubling the voltage. With this much power and flexibility, including simultaneous connection to the power grid while powering your devices and a responsive 15ms UPS function, the Bluetti AC240 can even provide enough power to your house to weather out a storm.

When it comes to charging the power station itself, the AC240 offers a variety of options, from super-fast 1.1-hour AC charging at 2400W max input (when paired with a B210 expansion battery) to completely green solar charging at 1200W intake in just two hours. Weighing only 72 lbs (33 kg) and almost as big as a microwave, the Bluetti AC240 offers portable, reliable, and durable power that you can take with you anywhere you go, confident that it can handle anything thrown its way, whether by you or by Mother Nature herself.

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The post Bluetti AC240 All-Weather Power Station delivers reliable power, rain or shine first appeared on Yanko Design.

Designed to look like a tiny helmet for your kneecap, the Kneeflow uses a unique combination of heat, light, and massage to relieve knee pain. Heat helps boost blood flow, light stimulates the cells to repair themselves, and massaging helps ease pain. The Kneeflow works faster than pills, better than those burning sprays, and promotes healing without any chemicals or even so much as a doctor’s prescription.

Whether you’re hurting from a tough workout or injury, dealing with chronic joint pain caused by age, or just looking to keep your knee in peak shape and performance, the Kneeflow is designed to rejuvenate the joint and relieve pain by treating the issue on both a surface as well as a deep level. The combination of heat treatment and massaging airbags both work on the surface to increase blood flow and provide physiotherapy to your joint. Nineteen individual infrared lights, on the other hand, work on a much deeper level, targeting the root cause of the pain by helping damaged cells regenerate themselves. The Kneeflow’s control panel lets you choose between multiple modes depending on whether you’re looking to recover from stiffness or pain, repair any injuries or stress caused to the joint, or just relax your knees after a long day and keep your joints at the top of their game.

Designer: Kneeflow

Click Here to Buy Now: $144 $249 (42% off exclusively for YD readers). Hurry, only 10 left! Raised over $176,000.

The Kneeflow’s design is highly intuitive, and all you really need to do is strap it over your knee like you would a knee guard. An LCD touchscreen lets you then calibrate the Kneeflow’s settings, choosing from modes as well as manually adjusting temperature or airbag pressure. The heat setting goes all the way from 113°F (45°C) for relieving soreness and stiffness, up to 131°F (55°C) for treating sharper stinging pain. Once you’ve selected your mode, the Kneeflow goes to work. The airbags pulsate, simulating the feeling of getting a soothing massage that relieves pain and relaxes you. Simultaneously, the Kneeflow also uses heat and light therapy over a period of a 15-minute cycle, after which the Kneeflow automatically shuts off. The Kneeflow’s 15-minute cycle is hyper-customizable, allowing you to increase or dial-down certain elements of the procedure depending on exactly what you need.

What sets the Kneeflow apart is the fact that it treats injuries and pains without really any invasive form of medication like pills, surgery, or even those topical sprays. It works effectively to address the root cause of the pain, and promote the body to heal itself, covering a variety of ailments from your regular joint inflammation/pain or tired & stiff knees to more serious issues like meniscus or ACL tears. The device was tested at last year’s Berlin Marathon, has the backing of medical experts and sports therapists who tout the benefits heat and light therapy, and even managed to get a testimonial from ex-NFL player Noah Dawkins who uses it after workouts or training for his current role in the Michigan panthers at the upcoming UFL. UFC fighter Herbert Burns also used the Kneeflow to nurse his ACL after an injury in 2022.

The Kneeflow starts at $249, although YD readers can snag it at a 42% discount for just $144. It’s designed to be wireless and portable, so you can carry it around the house or even with you to work or in your gym bag. A 15-minute cycle is recommended to provide daily relief and therapy, and you can charge your Kneeflow using a USB cable that comes bundled in the box. The Kneeflow ships globally with a 1 year replacement warranty.

Click Here to Buy Now: $144 $249 (42% off exclusively for YD readers). Hurry, only 10 left! Raised over $176,000.

The post This wearable device is the most scientifically effective way to treat knee pain first appeared on Yanko Design.

In the landscape of mobile phone space, making a significant impact can be challenging unless you belong to the elite trio of Apple, Google, and Samsung. The task becomes even more formidable for an underdog like Vivo. If you are not familiar with Vivo, the company was founded in 2009 and has since become a significant player in the mobile phone industry with a strong presence in Asia and the Middle East with its footprint extended to certain regions in Europe. The company is known for offering devices with innovative features, and its X-series flagship, in particular, has gained attention for its impressive mobile imaging performance, through continual collaboration with the renowned lens manufacturer Zeiss. Vivo’s new flagship X100 Pro, which was launched in China on December 19th last year, is yet another Vivo device with outstanding camera capabilities.

We’ll explore how Vivo continues to push boundaries in the realm of mobile photography and invocation. From its sleek aesthetics to the powerful internals, the X100 Pro promises an immersive user experience. Join us as we uncover the nuances of its design, performance, and unique features, providing you with a comprehensive insight into what makes this smartphone a noteworthy contender in the ever-evolving world of mobile phones.

Designer: Vivo

Aesthetics

A large, circular camera module proudly graces the top of the device and rightly commands attention. Aside from the massive camera module, Vivo does not shy away from splashing X100 Pro’s camera capabilities. At the center of the camera module, the Zeiss logo gleams, accompanied by the red letter T* beneath it to indicate the anti-reflective coating that significantly increases light transmittance and helps accurately reproduce colors, according to Vivo. Made of aerospace-grade stainless steel, the “Sun Halo” or “Moon Halo” Ring surrounds the camera module with lens specs on the ring. Underneath the camera module, you’ll find “Xtreme Imagination” Vivo Zeiss Co-engineering branding. On the bottom, you’ll find big, but subtle Vivo branding. If all these texts on the back of the device are not enough for you, look at the top of the phone, and you’ll find a “Professional photography” sign.

A bit cluttered with texts aside, the X100 Pro is a sleek-looking device. It is available in two color options: Asteroid Black and Startrail Blue. We received the Asteroid Black variant which has a glass back panel with a matte finish, resembling sandblasting. The Startrail Blue variant also boasts a glass back panel but distinguishes itself with patterns that emulate the streaks of light created in the night sky.

Ergonomics

Vivo X100 Pro measures 164.05 x 75.28 x 8.91 mm and weighs 225 g. The display features slightly curved side edges. The side edges of the back panel are also slightly curved. The device fits nicely in the hand and thanks to the curved edges, it does not bite into the palm. In the Asteroid Black variant, the glass back panel offers a velvety touch that is quite pleasing but tends to be a bit slippery. Luckily the textured gray case came with the phone to provide a nice grip, though it tends to show scratches easily.

Like numerous other smartphones with an in-display fingerprint scanner, the positioning of the scanner near the bottom edge of the display can present a challenge for swift unlocking and seamless navigation with one hand. Fortunately, the fingerprint proves to be fast and accurate. The arrangement of the physical buttons and SIM tray is also similar to other phones, with the volume control button situated on the right side, and below it, the power button. At the bottom, you’ll find a SIM tray, primary microphone, USB-C port, and speaker. Meanwhile, on the top, there is a secondary microphone and an IR emitter.

Performance

There is absolutely no doubt that the main attraction of the Vivo X100 Pro is its upgraded ZEISS co-engineered imaging system. Before delving into the details, I’ll spill the beans – it is phenomenal. X100 Pro boasts a triple camera setup. The main 50MP camera uses a Sony 1-inch IMX989 sensor with an aperture of f/1.75. However, the true standout in the triple camera setup is the Zeiss APO floating telephoto camera with an aperture of f/2.5. The telephoto camera features an innovative periscope group structure called the Floating Elements Design, enabling sharp focus both up close and at a distance, by allowing individual lens elements to move freely. Both the main and telephoto cameras support OIS. Rounding up the triple camera setting is a 50MP ultra-wide with an aperture of f/2.0.

The main camera produces excellent images with plenty of details and a wide dynamic range. The photos are sharp and color rendering is realistic. The 2x zoom photos, captured with the main camera, are great as well.

The ultra-wide does its job well, and the photos captured are equally impressive as those taken by the main camera. However, it’s not very wide (119-degree field-of-view) compared to some other phones.

Both the main and ultra-wide cameras are also very capable in low-light conditions, capturing images with the right level of exposure, excellent dynamic range, and substantial details even in dark areas.

However, as stated before, 4.3x Telephoto is hands down the star of the triple camera setup, delivering superb photos in nearly every lighting scenario. Even in low-light settings, the handset takes photos with plenty of details, balanced exposure, and minimal noise. With the 100mm equivalent focal length, you can get close to your subject and snap the photos with a nice bokeh, and if you need to get even closer to the subject, the device is capable of digitally zooming up to 100x.

I took the Vivo X100 Pro to Ed Sheeran’s show in Osaka, Japan, and captured many photos and videos using mainly telephoto throughout the show. My seat was located on the first floor of the baseball stadium, which had been transformed into a concert venue with a capacity of 36,447. I was very impressed with the photos and videos I snapped at the show where lighting was constantly changing and tricky.

Given that this is an imaging-focused mobile handset, the device offers an array of shooting modes and styles to cater to your creative vision. There are Snapshot mode, Night mode, and Portrait to name a few. In Photo mode, the users can select from three distinct color treatments: Vivid, Natural, and Zeiss. The Portrait mode offers various styles to choose from, with my personal favorite being Vintage, delivering a film-like output.

With photos captured in Portrait mode, you have the flexibility to adjust the focus point and aperture after the fact, allowing you to customize the desired focal point and level of bokeh.

I usually don’t find much interest in Macro mode as the photos produced are subpar. However, the X100 Pro proves to be an exception. It produces sharp images with a pleasing bokeh effect, as you can see in the sample photo below.

Vivo X100 Pro’s excellent capability does not stop at taking photos. The device takes great videos as well. The phone is capable of taking up to 8K 30fps video with its main camera. The telephoto and ultra-wide cameras can record videos up to 4K at 60fps. Unfortunately, the front-facing camera is maxed out at 1080p at 30fps. Stabilization works very well in well-lit conditions but struggles a bit under low-light conditions.

There is a 4k Cinematic Portrait mode that offers automatic focus switching, similar to Apple’s Cinematic Mode. While its performance can be inconsistent, it takes artistic videos when it gets right.

Powered by MediaTek’s latest and most powerful Dimensity 9300, the device offers a seamless experience whether you are playing graphically demanding games or multi-tasking with numerous apps opened. Despite the phone’s responsiveness and speed, the battery performance can be somewhat underwhelming depending on what you do on the phone. Equipped with an enhanced 5,400mAh battery, the phone provides ample power for normal daily use. If you take tons of photos and videos(which with the phone this good, you will be inclined to do so), topping up during the day might be required. Fortunately, it supports 100W FlashCharge and 50W wireless FlashCharge.

Vivo X100 Pro sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with 2,800 x 1,260 resolution, a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and is equipped with LTPO technology for dynamically adjusting the refresh rate while saving the battery. With a local peak brightness of 3,000 nits, the screen is ample bright even under direct sunlight. It delivers smooth images with vibrant colors.

Running on Funtouch OS 14 on Android 14, the photo provides smooth performance. There are many customization options for things like lock screen styles and useful features like split-screen and small windows. Another welcoming change is having less bloatware.

Sustainability/Repairability

With its exceptional ability to capture high-quality photos in diverse situations, the likelihood of reaching for the Vivo X100 Pro to snap moments becomes a natural inclination. Considering the exposure to elements like water and dust, it’s comforting to know that the device has an IP68 rating, meaning it can endure submersion up to a depth of 1.5 meters for a duration of up to 30 minutes.

Vivo does not specify the use of sustainable materials for the phone. However, the material used for the ring around the camera module is crafted from aerospace-grade stainless steel, known for its resistance to wear, high temperature, and corrosion, ensuring durability.

Value

Vivo X100 Pro X was launched in China with a price tag of 5,499 CNY (about 770 USD)for the 16GB RAM/ 512GB storage variant. Since then the company has gradually rolled out the device into other Asian markets including India, Malaysia, and Thailand. It has finally reached some European markets. It’s worth noting that the price is higher than anticipated, at 1,199 Euros (about 1230 USD). However, given the phone’s quality, particularly its exceptional and versatile imaging capabilities, it is not excessively expensive.

Verdict

If mobile photography is your priority when choosing a phone, the Vivo X100 Pro currently stands as one of the best camera phones on the market. Whether capturing moments with friends and family, street scenes, or exploring the intricacies of subjects like flowers and bugs in macro mode, this device has the remarkable ability to transform even the most mundane scene into a form of artistic expression, thanks to its exceptional camera features. The images captured by the telephoto camera are just another level, setting the new standard for mobile photography. Beyond its impressive camera capabilities, the Vivo X100 Pro is a solid device with a vibrant and sharp display, responsive software, great build quality, and fast wired and wireless charge capabilities. The handset also offers a well-rounded and high-performing smartphone experience.

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Imagine a pen that solves your mathematical equations as you note them down, or converts all your handwritten meeting notes into a comprehensive list of bullet points, or even enriches your essays with tags and other relevant information for easier searching and even for a better output. Sure, ChatGPT can do all of that, but it’s limited to the fact that it exists in your phone. The XNote puts the powers of AI inside your ballpoint pen, allowing you to instantly digitize drawings, doodles, and notes, and even have the AI interpret, expand, and solve them for you. Notes get synced in real-time, and through the power of GPT, can also be summarized, bulleted, or even translated instantly. Never did I think that AI would revolutionize the world of stationery, but here we are!

Designer: XNote

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The XNote looks like an ordinary classy notebook and pen combo – the kind you’d carry to work and into meeting rooms… but let not its deceptive exterior fool you, because within that pen lies some of the most impressive tech ever invented since the gel pen that could write in space. The XNote pen comes with a built-in computer that instantly digitizes your notes, sketches, doodles, and technical drawings… but it doesn’t stop just there. It leverages the power of ChatGPT to interpret what you write, allowing you to simply have GPT summarize meeting notes, turn a set of instructions into a task list, solve equations in real-time, translate notes into different languages, and even expand on paragraphs you may have written with even more information. Your notes then exist in two forms – the one written on paper, and the other, in the XNote app, where you can save notes, search through them, and use them digitally however you see fit.

The borderline wizardry lies in the XNote pen’s engineering, and the way it communicates with the app to tap into its AI powers. The pen boasts a 300mAh battery that grants it an impressive standby duration of 60 days, along with 7-8 hours of actual usage. Transmitting data to XNote’s app via BLE, the pen also offers a noteworthy 100MB of storage capacity. While these specs may initially seem modest, it’s equivalent to a thousand A4 pages teeming with text and illustrations. The notebook pairs with the pen wonderfully too, with its Moleskine-like exterior and its luxurious appeal that just makes the XNote feel incredibly premium.

All your written matter – be it notes, scribbles, drawings, or even complex graphs – get digitized and synced with the XNote app, which leverages the full spectrum of ChatGPT’s capabilities. Operating on OpenAI’s API, it intelligently interprets text and drawings, deducing insights from them, comprehending inherent instructions, and conveniently categorizing them for effortless future retrieval. Write a paragraph, and the app can summarize it, or translate it into 53 different languages (as of January 2024). It gives you the ability to ‘chat’ with your notes, unleashing the kind of power that seemed absolutely impossible just 2 years ago. During a meeting, it transforms your notes into task lists, action plans, or ready-to-send Minutes-of-Meeting emails within seconds. You can even pose questions to your notebook, convert quick scribbles into reminders, or tackle complex equations and graphs with ChatGPT’s assistance. A simple paragraph could become a dissertation, a note could become a well-executed email, a quick list of ingredients could convert into a perfect recipe, or even the opposite – your recipe could get converted into a shopping list that you could then use to pick up the right groceries. The possibilities are quite literally endless, and the XNote’s ability to create meaningful tags for all your written matter means you can effectively search through your notes too.

The beauty of the XNote lies in the fact that it takes cutting-edge advanced technology, but packages it in a way that pretty much anyone can use. You don’t need to ‘learn’ how to use the XNote pen, simply because there’s nothing really to learn. The entire experience is automatic and intuitive, and the app helps you work with your data in a myriad of ways, saving time and effort without having you ‘adjust’ to a new technology or method of working.

There is, however, the concern of privacy… which XNote takes incredibly seriously. XNote relies on ChatGPT’s secure API, which is end-to-end encrypted to protect user data. Moreover, your data doesn’t ever get used to train OpenAI’s GPT models, so you can rest assured knowing that your information only belongs to you and nobody else. Your handwritten notes obviously exist in the notebook, but the digitized version of your notes exist on the cloud, and can be stored offline on your device so you don’t need an internet connection to access them. The app even supports adding voice memos to your text, a pretty useful feature that lets you add context to all your notes. Most of the app’s essential OCR and transcription features are free, like unlimited cloud storage, seamless syncing, and offline accessibility. However, the ChatGPT-powered features require a subscription to the XNote AI+ Membership plan, priced at $59 for an annual subscription.

The notebook and pen combo, typically priced at $199, is available for a special Yanko Design exclusive price of $179. This offer includes an 18-month warranty for the pen’s hardware, a charging cord, 5 complimentary ink refills, a 1-month trial of the AI+ subscription, and worldwide shipping options.

Click Here to Buy Now: $179 $249 ($70 off). Hurry, exclusive secret perk for YD readers only! Raised over $275,000.

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We’ve all been the victims of tangled cables, not just at our desks but especially in our bags. Not only does the mess of jumbled wires make us lose time when we need to quickly plug in our devices, we also lose items in our bags simply because this clutter gets in our way. Cable management solutions exist for many desks, but people on the go are often left at the mercy of hastily cobbled-up bands, ties, and whatnot, none of which are effective, let alone elegant products. You don’t need an elaborate and complicated mechanism to keep charging cables in check, as this innovative wrap for MacBook chargers proves, providing an easy and quick way to tame those unruly wires while looking good at the same time.

Designer: Blair Hasty (Founder and Industrial Designer, BAIR)

Click Here to Buy Now: $28. Hurry, offer ends soon!

Laptop charging cables are a necessary evil for us to be able to work these days. But even the minimalist designs of the MacBook power adapter still fall prey to the problem of getting tangled around not only itself, but everything else in your bag. This costs you time and peace of mind whenever you need to take it out, especially when in a hurry.

TAIM is a cable management solution that looks so simple that you might wonder why it didn’t already exist. It attaches snugly around a MacBook charger and provides a way to let you wrap the cable around the block, and then secure the cable so that it never gets loose until you actually need it. It’s efficient and fast, so you spend less time managing cables and more time actually getting stuff done. Whether you’re at the office about to head home, at home about to rush out the door, or enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee while hammering away at that report, TAIM is the perfect solution to save time and reduce frustration.

The ingenuity of TAIM comes from a robust hook and loop attachment that lets you quickly fasten or unfasten the wrap; no need to fiddle with buttons or complicated mechanisms. A machined metal “grab tab” with a beautiful satin bronze finish also makes it easy to see or even just feel the end of the wrap so that you can quickly release the elastic retention band in a flash. Simply pull the tab and let the cable drop free, ready to plug into your MacBook for a quick charge.

Best of all, TAIM is made with high-grade materials that not only look and feel good, it will last you a long time. Durable elastic is used to wrap around the charging block and the captured cables, while custom Merino wool felt adds a luxurious texture to the product, a fitting quality for a design made to match Apple’s high-quality products. Made specifically for single-port USB-C Apple MacBook power adapters, TAIM frees you from the stress of dealing with unruly cables and lost time, providing a design that not only works well but looks striking to boot. Stand out of the crowd, and start crafting your image today with TAIM by BAIR.

Click Here to Buy Now: $28. Hurry, offer ends soon!

The post Tame your MacBook charging cables with this ingenious and beautiful wrap first appeared on Yanko Design.

Realme is one of the fastest-growing smartphone brands in the world, having shipped over 200 million units globally. Realme launched the GT5 Pro on December 7th in China, positioning it as the flagship phone in the GT line. While the GT line has represented Realme’s premium segment, the brand has not, until now, offered a true flagship device. Although the term “flagship” lacks a formal definition, it is generally considered to pack the latest and most powerful chipset and excellent camera capabilities.

Realme is positioning the GT5 Pro as a dual-engine flagship, claiming it strikes a balance between performance and imaging without compromise. The phone boasts the newest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and triple camera setup with the industry’s largest IMX890 periscope telephoto lens. Of course, the device has a lot more going for it, including a bright display and 3VC Iceberg Cooling System.

Designer: Realme

Aesthetics

The design of the GT lineup has undergone significant transformations from one model to the next. The GT2 Pro, designed by a world-renowned industrial designer Naoto Fukusawa, featured paper-like a back panel made with pulp extract and other renewable materials. Its successor, the GT3, adopted a more futuristic design boasting a customizable RGB light on its upper back right next to the square camera island.

In contrast, the GT5 Pro showcases a clean and sleek design. A big, round camera island takes up much of the top half of the GT5 Pro’s back. The camera island houses an LED flash, a triple camera set-up (A main camera, a periscope telephoto, and an ultra-wide), and finally, a placeholder to form a perfect symmetry. The intricate radial engraving underneath the glass extends to the side of the camera island giving a tactile feature to the camera island. This design, which Realme calls the “Star Trail lens”, gives a luxurious touch to the device. The Realme logo shines below the camera island.

The GT5 Pro offers three color options: Red Rock (red), Bright Moon (white), and Starry Night (black). The Red Rock and Bright Moon variants feature textured vegan leather, while Starry Night shines a glass back panel. I was hoping to receive the Red Rock variant which reminds me of a certain luxury handbag brand and has more character, but I ended up with the Bright Moon for the review. Despite my initial letdown, I found myself appreciating the appeal of the Bright Moon’s soft eggshell-like color.

Realme includes a protective cover, opting for a gray cover instead of the typical transparent case. Although typical transparent cases are far from attractive, the gray cover that comes with GT5 Pro isn’t aesthetically pleasing either.

Ergonomics

The phone weighs approximately 218g (224g for the Starry Night variant) and measures about 161.72 x 75.06 x 9.23 mm. Thanks to the center-circle design, it feels balanced when you hold it in your hand. The volume rocker and power button are located on the right side of the device, while the SIM card slot and USB-C port are situated at the bottom.

The GT5 Pro has a slightly curved panel and round shiny aluminum copper frame, which is stronger than a titanium frame, according to Realme. It doesn’t dig into your palm without being slippery.

While the phone is comfortable to hold, there is a notable consideration regarding the placement of the fingerprint sensor. Positioned very close to the bottom edge of the screen, approximately 1 centimeter or 0.4 inches above the bottom edge, the fingerprint scanner requires a slight stretch of the thumb for unlocking. Luckily, the GT5 Pro can be unlocked with other methods including one of the main features – palm gesture. But there is more to discuss about this feature.

Performance

The Realme GT5 Pro has a triple camera setup. There is a 50MP main camera that uses a LYT-808 1/1.4-inch sensor with OIS stabilization and an f/1.69 aperture lens with OIS stabilization. The upgraded 50MP periscope telephoto camera uses an IMX890 1/1.56 sensor and f/2.6 aperture lens. The telephoto also comes with OIS stabilization. It can zoom 2.7x optically and supports macro mode at 3x. Finally, there is an 8MP ultra-wide IMX355 with f/2.2 aperture.

The main camera produces great daylight photos with nice vibrant yet natural colors. It captures plenty of details without being overly processed and has good dynamic range, though there is a tendency for bright spots to be slightly overexposed. Additionally, the main camera performs admirably in low-light conditions, exhibiting excellent dynamic range and adeptly handling mixed lighting situations.

The 3x photos captured with telephoto are impressive thanks to its big 1/1.56 inch sensor. While the phone lacks a dedicated macro camera, the macro mode is implemented on the 3x zoom. The resulting images are just fine; however, I believe only a niche group of users will find this feature particularly noteworthy.

Turning our attention to the ultra-wide camera, it doesn’t stand out as particularly exceptional spec-wise, and the images it produces. The images display a decent dynamic range, and the color rendition aligns with that of the main camera is, but details especially towards the not very wide with FOV of 112 degrees.

Flip the phone over, the front camera takes pleasant selfies in a wide variety of shooting situations. Images came out a bit on the softer and warmer side, but not overly done.

In terms of video, it can record video up to 8K at 24FPS with the main camera. The telephoto is capable of recording up to 4K at 60 FPS, 1080p at 30 FPS for the ultrawide, and 4K at 30 FPS for the front camera. Videos captured by the device are not going to wow you. One thing that bothered me was that the 0.6x ultrawide option is not visible on the main video interface unless you set the recording resolution to 1080p or lower. It would be more convenient to have a 0.6x ultrawide option accessible directly on the main video interface, with the resolution automatically adjusted to 1080p when the 0.6x is selected.

As for the screen, the GT5 Pro boasts a 6.78-inch, 2,780 x 2,364 AMOLED screen with a 144 Hz refresh rate, 460 pixels per inch, and an impressive peak brightness of 4,500 nits. We have to take the very high peak brightness with a grain of salt as this measurement probably does not reflect real-life usage scenarios. Realme provides a more realistic figure of 1,600 nits of global peak brightness. Nevertheless, the screen remains impressively bright performing well even under harsh sunlight. The narrow bezel is an additional noteworthy feature.

Under the hood, the phone is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and four memory versions are available starting with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB storage up to 16GB/1TB, which is the review unit that we received. There’s also the 3VC Iceberg Cooling System with a heat dissipation area of 12,000 mm² which Realme claims to be the largest in the market. So the device won’t get hot even when it’s handling heavy loads.

In terms of software, the GT5 Pro runs Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14. One of the unique features of the Realme GT5 Pro is that you can unlock the phone with your palm using the front-facing camera and do all other sorts of stuff like opening apps, scrolling up and down, taking screenshots, and more. While I was initially excited to try these features, the experience turned out to be disappointing. To be fair, Realme mentioned the limitation of palm unlock, stating that for the feature to work, strong light, low light, or backlit conditions have to be avoided. The palm unlock functionality proved to be inconsistent. Even when I did manage to unlock the phone with my palm the 2-second duration required to hold my palm in front of the front camera felt a bit too long. The air gestures required some practice, and I struggled to smoothly navigate the device. I can envision the potential usefulness of palm unlock and air gestures in various situations, so let’s hope Realme improves its accuracy and usability in the future.

The phone is equipped with a massive 5,400 mAh battery, delivering excellent performance that easily sustains a day’s use without issues. When it’s time to charge, GT5 Pro charges remarkably fast at 100W via USB-C. Additionally, for the first time for Realme’s device, the phone supports wireless charging at 50W.

Sustainability

Apart from reduced plastic packaging which has become pretty much an industry standard nowadays, there isn’t much to mention about the sustainability aspects of the GT5 Pro. Considering Realme’s proactive approach in incorporating bio-polymer materials in the aforementioned GT2 Pro, which used bio-material for its back panel, the lack of use of renewable materials in the GT5 Pro is disappointing. Since its inception in 2018, Realme has always shown commitment to being an eco-friendly and sustainable tech player. Let’s hope they’ll strengthen the commitment as Realme steps forward into true flagship space.

Value

The Realme GT5 Pro offers incredible value starting at 3,499 CNY which translates to roughly US$490. Boasting capable cameras, a sleek design, a gorgeous screen, excellent battery life, and rapid wired and wireless charging capability, the GT5 Pro stands out in its price range. Unfortunately, it is currently exclusively available only in China, leaving us hoping that Realme will extend its market availability to other regions in the near future.

Verdict

Realme’s venture into the premium segment has left a positive impression. While it may not be flawless there’s no denying that the GT5 Pro offers a host of features. With its stylish design, good camera performance especially in low-light situations, bright display, outstanding battery performance, and fast charging, the Realme GT5 Pro is a compelling option for those who seek well-rounded, feature-rich devices without breaking the bank.

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