Realme has consistently delivered value-driven smartphones, emerging from its parent company Oppo. While it shares DNA with OnePlus, Realme primarily targets the budget-friendly market, providing comparable features at lower price points. After a recent rebranding, Realme is re-establishing itself in the flagship killer segment—a niche once dominated by OnePlus. The latest offering, the Realme GT 6, comes packed with impressive features, positioning it as a strong contender against high-end devices.
Priced around $650, this smartphone not only boasts an exceptional hardware portfolio but also incorporates AI-driven enhancements that elevate its appeal in the flagship realm. These AI capabilities seamlessly integrate with core Android functions, enhancing user experience without being mere buzzwords.
While the term "AI" is often overhyped in marketing, Realme has made it a priority to ensure these features are genuinely useful. Rather than introducing a plethora of new functions—such as AI chatbots or image generators—the brand focuses on augmenting established Android features with the aim of making AI practical and relevant.
One standout feature is Screen Recognition, which, despite its basic name, offers impressive functionality. This tool scans the on-screen content across various apps, enabling users to interact with media and text efficiently. To activate Screen Recognition, users simply tap and hold the screen with two fingers, freezing the current display and showcasing a scanning animation.
The real magic unfolds when users select images or text from the screen and drag them to the edge. This action engages what Realme dubs AI Smart Loop. While the extensive references to AI might seem excessive, the Smart Loop genuinely enhances the user experience. It intelligently identifies the type of information being moved and suggests the most relevant applications for sharing or utilizing that content. For instance, that fascinating image you find online can be easily shared on social media or chat apps like WhatsApp with just a few taps.
The functionality continues as you drag items to various applications, streamlining the process of sharing content. If you have an email address or phone number on your screen, Smart Loop will recommend appropriate apps for calling or messaging. Finding a business address on Facebook or Instagram is simply a matter of dragging it to Google Maps for convenient navigation. Moreover, you can drag any image directly to Google Lens for further analysis.
Smart Loop also functions as a "File Dock," a persistent clipboard that allows you to save and access various media and text snippets without automatically deleting them until you decide. This feature is particularly handy for managing multiple items from one page. Additionally, if the suggestions provided aren’t quite right, you can rotate through other apps with ease, much like a vintage rotary dial.
This implementation enhances the familiar Android method of accessing shortcuts through long-press actions. What sets Realme apart is its ability to minimize the number of steps needed to save media or extract useful information. Instead of tapping multiple times, users can simply tap once and then drag items across the screen to manage content.
The gestures are designed to be intuitive and require minimal practice. Users will find these features much easier to navigate than the existing functionalities found in Google Assistant or Circle to Search on Samsung devices.
Removing unwanted objects from images has become commonplace among smartphones, and Realme aims to refine this feature. The AI Smart Removal tool on the GT 6 effectively eliminates distractions from photos. Although many Android devices offer similar capabilities, Realme claims to outshine its competitors. For example, in an image with vibrant colors, when a distracting car was removed using Google's Magic Editor, the result left traces behind. In contrast, Realme's AI eraser seamlessly blended the background, making it appear natural and untouched.
Similarly, upon testing another image, Realme's object eraser showcased its effectiveness. While Google's Magic Editor left an abstract patchwork behind, Realme managed to recreate the environment, making the edit more believable. The AI tool rivals the finesse usually seen in desktop applications like Adobe Photoshop, which is impressive for a mobile device.
The camera has long been associated with AI for enhancements, yet many manufacturers primarily focus on superficial features such as filters. Google stands out with its expertise in computational photography, but other brands, including Realme, are beginning to innovate. The GT 6 offers an AI-enhanced video mode that significantly improves video quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The AI Night Vision feature allows the camera to gather more light, resulting in sharper, more detailed recordings.
Enhancing video quality is far more complex than adjusting images, as it requires processing numerous frames per second. Given that many phones lack powerful hardware, the improvements achieved by the Realme GT 6 are particularly commendable.
As someone who spends a significant amount of time in front of screens, I appreciate efforts to alleviate blue light exposure, which is often associated with discomfort. Many devices already feature blue light filters and auto-adjustments, but Realme takes this a step further by incorporating AI to monitor eye fatigue. By detecting signs of tiredness, such as yawning or reduced blinking, it adjusts screen colors accordingly.
This eye protection feature operates even without the bedtime mode, adapting while you read, watch videos, or use social apps. The gradual nature of the blue light filtering is less harsh compared to traditional bedtime modes, providing a smoother transition for eye comfort. While I wish for additional features to promote nighttime detachment from devices, this implementation indicates a forward-thinking approach.
The recent surge in AI applications may primarily benefit flagship devices, but Realme is making strides to broaden access to AI features for a wider audience. Though still in the initial stages, these enhancements prioritize practicality over gimmicks. With ties to Oppo and OnePlus, it’s possible that these capabilities could reach U.S. markets through upcoming OnePlus models.
However, a significant concern must be addressed: Realme relies on Oppo's self-trained large language model, AndresGPT, which excels in Chinese but lacks the same proficiency in English. Additionally, much of the data processing occurs in the cloud—particularly for non-flagship models like the Realme GT 6. As competition in the AI landscape heats up, brands must prioritize user data privacy. Until then, it may be wise to exercise caution when utilizing AI features with personal information.
Overall, Realme's AI innovations hold great promise, significantly enhancing smartphone usability while minimizing task completion steps. This is how Realme secures a competitive edge in the evolving smartphone AI landscape. Lastly, securing the GT 6 may prove challenging, as it's not officially available in the U.S. In Europe, the smartphone starts at 600 euros (~$645), with high-end models reaching 800 euros.
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