I tried the Dragon Ball Z smartphone from Realme and I feel guilty to love it

"Realme x Dragon Ball Z".Here is what we can read on the box of the GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition launched in China.I was able to try this smartphone that has everything to please fans of the eponymous manga (or the famous anime).I love its design, but I can't help but feed a few reserves.

Realme GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition // Source: Robin Wycke - Frandroid

The Dragon Ball franchise is a mastodon of pop culture.Its author, Akira Toriyama, has not only introduced millions of people to manga culture worldwide, he has also inspired several dozen mangakas to create shirten monuments in the nekketsu sauce containing initiation storiesthat fans love devour.Eiichiro Oda (One Piece), for example, never ceases to proclaim his admiration for his illustrious elder and he is far from being the only one.

Dragon Ball and perhaps a little more Dragon Ball Z-that many of us have discovered through the cult anime-are not only successful series, they are founding of a movement that is in full swingStill many years later.In France, manga sells by pallets and streaming services for anime are numerous.

Realme GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition // Source: Robin Wycke - Frandroid

This kind of works is necessarily entitled to its share of derivative products.We obviously think of traditional goodies (posters, clothes, figurines, mugs ...), but not necessarily of technological devices.And yet, no one can really be surprised by the fact that a brand selling mobile phones takes hold of the phenomenon to draw attention to one of its models.Then entered the Realme GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition.

It's been a while since we published our complete Realme GT Neo 2 classic test.The latter has been available in France since the end of 2021 and is completely convincing: it offers a well -balanced user experience for a price that remains reasonable.However, in China, since the beginning of January 2022, a variation inspired by Dragon Ball Z is available for purchase.We had the opportunity to try it for a few days to share with you some photos of our vintage, but also feelings and reflections around this product and its mercantile approach.

A Dragon Ball Z smartphone that seduces

So you do not read a Realme GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition test, but that does not prevent me from delivering a description of the beast.The dimensions, the weight and the design as a whole do not differ on this version compared to the classic model.In terms of design, its particularity is purely aesthetic.Indeed, the glass back is nipped orange and blue colors to recall Goku's regular outfit, the main character.

Realme GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition // Source: Robin Wycke - Frandroid
Realme GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition // Source: Robin Wycke - Frandroid

J’ai essayé le smartphone Dragon Ball Z de Realme et je me sens coupable de l’adorer

We even find the inscription 悟 to the right of the photo module.It is the Kanji with the hero at the front and back of his uniform during his hard training before arriving on Namek.A little research on the web allowed me to learn that it was pronounced "go" and that it meant "wisdom" or "awake" - but do not hesitate to correct me in the comments if you have a fairer interpretation.

Realme GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition // Source: Robin Wycke - Frandroid

The reflections are very well worked, a few lines here and there come to bring an interesting dynamic to give more presence to this phone.Quite frankly, we could qualify this kitsch finish and I would have trouble contesting this observation.However, it is clear that the spirit of the Dragon Ball manga is transcribed with good loyalty.Personally, I really liked it, I even loved it.In addition, I understand that I was not the only one in view of the few playful reactions aroused by a tweet that I allowed myself to publish the smartphone in video.

At the front, if the slab is extinguished, no hardware elements distinguish this smartphone.However, once the screen is on, you can enjoy a rearranged theme with Dragon Ball sauce with icons whose drawn style wants to immerse you a little better in this manga universe.Combine the provision of three wallpapers dedicated to the franchise.

Also let’s forget the electric animation to point out that the smartphone is loading.

It is also necessary to discuss the unpacking experience, unboxing.Indeed, the smartphone box is entitled to some illustrations inspired by manga scenes, both on the top of the lid and inside.A mention "Realme X Dragon Ball Z" allows, as if there was a need, to identify this variation of the GT NEO 2. We will also note the irony of having associated Dragon Ball Z with a smartphone whoseName has the letters "GT".When you know how many aficionados hate (rightly, Ahem ...) the Dragon Ball GT series - which is not based on the work of Toriyama - there is something to be bitter.

Realme GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition // Source: Robin Wycke - Frandroid

The Realme GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition box also includes some rather nice stickers representing various characters as well as a card with the effigy of the Dragon Shenron.

Pop culture and consumerism

Here, I loved discovering this phone.Even if Dragon Ball is not my favorite manga (not to hit me please), I have a lot of affection for this work which played an important role in my geek, otaku or weeb culture - Call thatlike you want.So there is obviously a small voice in my head that would love to see this smartphone go out in France so that fans can enjoy it.

I put myself in their place, because I know in advance that I would have trouble not zieuer on a device of the same ilk, but based on my favorite manga, One Piece.I already have three t-shirts, two posters, a painting, a figurine, a switch game, a mug and two glasses inspired by this work in addition to all of the many volumes that make up the series.A plethora of my shaded and overloaded wallpapers have bitten more than one retina and I even went to visit the museum dedicated to Tokyo (this is the first thing I did during my stay there).It is therefore certain that a smartphone paying tribute to my favorite hackers would not leave me indifferent.

Realme GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition // Source: Robin Wycke - Frandroid

However, I am 100 % sure that I would not give in to temptation, because there is something that I don't like.Pop culture is a fertile soil for consumer impulses.I already feel guilty for having bought or received in anniversary gifts from derivative products, but I reassure myself as I can remember that I use them without renewing them for years and that I will continue for many years.On the other hand, the environmental impact of the production of a smartphone is largely more considerable.

However, by seeing the always too fast frequency which we tend to change smartphone, I do not really want to see a brand playing so on the affect to encourage more, again and again, the purchase of'A product that has a good chance of being replaced in the two or three years following without having had time to amortize its ecological footprint.

Realme GT Neo 2 Dragon Ball Edition // Source: Robin Wycke - Frandroid

Be careful I do not throw the stone into anyone and my comment does not really concern the people who are already in a smartphone purchasing process and for whom this dragon ball version simply represents a color among the others.Again, Realme's product is very successful and I will gladly believe anyone who will tell me that he will use his pop culture focused smartphone for a very long time.I just remain a little skeptical and I fear that it pushes people to renew their equipment when they might not have felt the need otherwise.

For my part, my love of manga has already proven me in the past that I could be a huge pigeon (excuse me the expression) and I really do not need a smartphone to remind me.You will finally note that I did not write once "Kamé Hamé Ha" ... Ah, I just did it.


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