Realme has been a consistent player in the mid-range smartphone market, often delivering devices that pack flagship features at a fraction of the price. The Realme 13 Pro+ is the latest addition to this legacy, promising a blend of high-end specifications, innovative design, and a user-friendly experience. This review delves deep into the Realme 13 Pro+, examining its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, software, and overall value for money.
Design and Build Quality
The Realme 13 Pro+ boasts a design that feels both premium and practical. The phone’s back is made of high-quality glass with a subtle gradient finish, giving it a sleek and modern look. The frame is crafted from aluminum, ensuring durability without adding significant weight. At 190 grams and 8.5mm thickness, the Realme 13 Pro+ strikes a balance between robustness and comfort.
One of the standout features of the Realme 13 Pro+ is its in-hand feel. The curved edges and rounded corners make it comfortable to hold, while the matte finish reduces fingerprints and smudges. The rear camera module is neatly integrated into the design, with a slight bump that is hardly noticeable when using a case.
The phone comes in three stunning colors: Aurora Blue, Lunar Silver, and Midnight Black. Each color variant has its unique appeal, catering to different aesthetic preferences. The placement of the buttons is intuitive, with the power button on the right and the volume rockers on the left. The phone also features an in-display fingerprint scanner, which is fast and reliable.
Display
The Realme 13 Pro+ sports a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. This translates to a pixel density of around 393 PPI, ensuring sharp and vibrant visuals. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth and fluid user experience, whether you’re scrolling through social media, playing games, or watching videos.
The display’s color reproduction is impressive, with deep blacks and vivid colors that make content pop. The HDR10+ support enhances the viewing experience further, especially when streaming high-definition content on platforms like Netflix and YouTube. The screen also boasts a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, making it easily viewable even under direct sunlight.
Realme has equipped the 13 Pro+ with an under-display fingerprint sensor that is both fast and accurate. Face recognition is also available, and it works well in various lighting conditions, although it is not as secure as the fingerprint sensor.
Performance
Under the hood, the Realme 13 Pro+ is powered by the latest MediaTek Dimensity 1200 AI chipset. This octa-core processor, combined with the Mali-G77 MC9 GPU, ensures that the phone can handle anything you throw at it, from intensive gaming to multitasking with ease. The phone comes with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, depending on the variant you choose, and offers up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage.
In real-world usage, the Realme 13 Pro+ performs exceptionally well. Apps open quickly, and switching between them is seamless. The phone handles graphic-intensive games like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact without breaking a sweat, providing a smooth and immersive gaming experience. The high refresh rate display further enhances gaming, making animations fluid and responsive.
Benchmark tests place the Realme 13 Pro+ at the top of the mid-range segment. It scores impressively in both CPU and GPU tests, outperforming many of its competitors. The device also stays cool under load, thanks to its efficient thermal management system.
Camera
The Realme 13 Pro+ features a versatile quad-camera setup on the rear, headlined by a 108MP primary sensor. This sensor, with an f/1.8 aperture, captures detailed and vibrant photos in various lighting conditions. The camera benefits from pixel-binning technology, which combines multiple pixels to create a single, larger pixel, enhancing low-light performance.
Accompanying the primary sensor is an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens with a 119-degree field of view. This lens is perfect for capturing landscapes and group shots, offering a wider perspective without significant distortion. The third lens is a 5MP macro sensor, allowing you to get up close and personal with your subjects, capturing intricate details. Finally, there is a 2MP depth sensor that aids in portrait photography, delivering bokeh effects that look natural and appealing.
The camera app is feature-rich, offering various modes such as Night Mode, Pro Mode, and AI Scene Recognition. The Night Mode, in particular, is impressive, brightening up low-light scenes without adding excessive noise. The Pro Mode gives you full control over settings like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance, allowing photography enthusiasts to fine-tune their shots.
On the front, the Realme 13 Pro+ houses a 32MP selfie camera. This sensor captures sharp and detailed selfies, with AI beautification features that enhance your photos without making them look unnatural. The front camera also supports 1080p video recording, making it suitable for vlogging and video calls.
Battery Life
The Realme 13 Pro+ is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, ensuring all-day usage on a single charge. In our tests, the phone easily lasted a full day with moderate to heavy use, including gaming, streaming, and browsing. Even with the 120Hz refresh rate enabled, the battery performance remains impressive.
One of the highlights of the Realme 13 Pro+ is its fast charging capability. The phone supports 65W SuperDart Charge, which can charge the device from 0 to 100% in just under 40 minutes. This feature is incredibly convenient for users who are always on the go and need a quick power boost.
Software
The Realme 13 Pro+ runs on Realme UI 4.0, based on Android 13. Realme UI has evolved significantly over the years, offering a clean and intuitive user interface that enhances the overall user experience. The software is smooth and responsive, with minimal bloatware and plenty of customization options.
Realme UI 4.0 brings several new features to the table, including enhanced privacy settings, improved animations, and better app management. The software also includes various productivity tools, such as a built-in screen recorder, split-screen mode, and a robust file manager.
One of the standout features of Realme UI is its focus on user privacy. The software includes features like App Lock, Private Safe, and a system-wide dark mode that reduces eye strain and saves battery life. Realme has also committed to providing regular software updates, ensuring that the device remains secure and up-to-date with the latest features.
Connectivity and Extras
The Realme 13 Pro+ offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options. It supports 5G, ensuring future-proofing as networks continue to expand. The phone also features dual SIM support, allowing you to use two numbers simultaneously. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and GPS.
The audio experience on the Realme 13 Pro+ is commendable. The phone features stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear sound, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome addition, catering to users who prefer wired audio devices.
Value for Money
The Realme 13 Pro+ is priced competitively, making it an attractive option in the mid-range segment. It offers a flagship-like experience at a fraction of the cost, with a combination of high-end specifications, a stunning display, versatile cameras, and robust battery life. The fast charging capability and 5G support further enhance its appeal.
Compared to its competitors, the Realme 13 Pro+ stands out with its blend of performance, design, and features. It offers better value for money than many of its rivals, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious consumers who do not want to compromise on quality and performance.
Conclusion
The Realme 13 Pro+ sets a new benchmark in the mid-range smartphone market. It combines a premium design, powerful performance, and versatile camera capabilities to deliver an exceptional user experience. The phone’s impressive display, long battery life, and fast charging add to its allure, making it a well-rounded device that caters to a wide range of users.
Realme has once again proven that it is possible to offer flagship-level features at an affordable price. The Realme 13 Pro+ is a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. Whether you are a power user, a photography enthusiast, or someone looking for a reliable daily driver, the Realme 13 Pro+ is a device that should be on your radar.
With its competitive pricing and feature-rich package, the Realme 13 Pro+ is poised to be a strong contender in the mid-range segment, offering a compelling alternative to more expensive flagship devices. If you are in the market for a new smartphone, the Realme 13 Pro+ is definitely worth considering.