Realme has recently launched the Realme 16 Pro Plus, a smartphone positioned in the ₹40,000 price segment. This price point is notably higher than some previous models, raising questions about whether the device justifies its cost with superior features and performance. In this comprehensive review, we will explore the Realme 16 Pro Plus in detail, covering its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, software, and overall user experience to help you decide if this smartphone is the right choice for you in 2024.
Table of Contents
Unboxing and First Impressions
What’s Inside the Box?
The Realme 16 Pro Plus comes neatly packaged with the essentials you expect in a modern smartphone box. Inside, you will find:
- The Realme 16 Pro Plus smartphone itself
- A user manual and quick start guide
- Warranty card
- Transparent protective back cover
- SIM ejector pin
- 80W super fast charger
- USB Type-C charging cable
There are no additional accessories such as headphones or extra cables included.
Design and Build Quality
The phone weighs approximately 203 grams and has a thickness of 8.5mm, making it moderately heavy but still comfortable to hold. The back panel features a vegan leather finish with a matte texture that gives the device a premium and unique look. The Realme branding comes with a chrome finish, matching the chrome accents on the camera bump, which adds to the phone’s stylish appeal.
The frame is made of plastic, which could have been metallic at this price point, but the overall build quality feels sturdy and well-crafted. The device supports dual SIM cards but lacks a dedicated microSD slot. It also has an IR blaster for controlling compatible devices.
Display Features
Screen Specifications
The Realme 16 Pro Plus boasts a large 6.88-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1.5K x 5K, delivering bright and crisp visuals. Key display features include:
- 144Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth scrolling and gaming
- Peak brightness of 6000 nits with a typical brightness mode of 1800 nits
- 10-bit color depth with support for 1 billion colors
- 100% DCI-P3 color gamut accuracy
- HDR10+ certification ensuring vibrant and true-to-life colors
- Gorilla Glass 7 protection and a pre-applied screen guard
- Curved edges and minimal bezels with a punch-hole selfie camera
The display also supports high touch sampling rates and glove mode, allowing comfortable use even with gloves on.
Performance and Hardware
Processor and Memory
Under the hood, the phone is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset, a capable mid-range processor that balances performance and power efficiency. The phone comes in four RAM and storage variants, featuring LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 3.1 or UFS 4.0 storage options.
Benchmark Scores and Gaming
The Realme 16 Pro Plus scores around 1480 in benchmarking tests, which is decent but slightly lower than some competitors in this price range. The device handles everyday multitasking smoothly and can run demanding games like BGMI at a stable 90fps on extreme plus settings. Ultra HDR and ultra graphics modes are also playable, though the device may heat up slightly under heavy load.
AI Features
Realme has included AI gaming enhancements such as an AI Gaming Coach, which helps optimize your gaming experience by improving performance and notifying you of any issues.
Camera System
Triple Camera Setup
The Realme 16 Pro Plus features a versatile triple camera arrangement on the back:
- 200MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS)
- 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x to 5x optical zoom and up to 120x digital zoom
- 8MP ultra-wide angle lens
The main camera utilizes Luma Color Technology to produce natural-looking portraits with accurate lighting and effects. Daylight shots are sharp and detailed, while low-light performance remains decent but not exceptional compared to higher-end devices.
Telephoto and Wide-Angle Cameras
The telephoto lens performs well under good lighting conditions, offering clear portraits and zoom shots. However, it struggles in low light with some graininess and loss of detail. The ultra-wide camera provides acceptable results in daylight but also suffers in low light.
Selfie Camera
The 50MP front-facing camera delivers crisp and clear selfies with impressive clarity and wide-angle coverage. It supports various lighting effects and filters, enhancing your portrait shots.
Camera Features and Modes
The Realme 16 Pro Plus includes several camera features such as:
- Smart scene detection with modes for celebrations, parties, and stage performances
- Adjustable background blur with depth control for portraits
- Underwater mode, star mode, slow-motion, tilt-shift, and pro video shooting
- AI landscape mode with automatic frame suggestions
- In-built editing tools like Light Me and Style Me to enhance photos
- Voice command support for video editing
Video Recording
Both front and rear cameras support 4K video recording, with the rear camera capable of 4K at 60fps and the front camera at 4K 30fps. The videos are stable and detailed for the price segment.
Software and User Interface
Realme UI 7.0 and Android 16
The device runs on Android 16 with Realme UI 7.0 on top, offering a smooth and optimized experience. Realme promises three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, ensuring longevity.
The UI is clean and similar to ColorOS, with advanced customization options and optimizations. While some unwanted pre-installed apps are present, they can be uninstalled.
AI Assistants and Features
The phone includes AI features such as:
- Note Assistant for text summarization and announcements
- AI Search, Smart Loop, Outdoor Mode for enhanced usability
- Gemini AI for smart functionality
These add value to the user experience without overwhelming the system.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery Capacity and Charging
Equipped with a 7000mAh battery, the Realme 16 Pro Plus offers excellent battery endurance, capable of lasting well over a day on moderate to heavy usage. It supports 80W super fast wired charging, allowing rapid top-ups.
Realme guarantees battery health retention for up to five years, meaning the battery is designed to maintain its capacity over long-term use.
Audio and Connectivity
Speakers and Audio Quality
The phone features dual stereo speakers with one firing from the bottom and the other from the earpiece. The sound output is clear and loud, with a 300% volume boost option available. It also supports IRIS Audio and O-Realty for an immersive audio experience.
Connectivity Options
Connectivity features include:
- Wi-Fi 6 for fast and stable internet
- Bluetooth 5.4
- 15 5G bands for wide network compatibility
- IR blaster for device control
- No headphone jack and no NFC support
The phone includes all essential sensors and supports carrier aggregation for better network performance.
Final Thought
The Realme 16 Pro Plus is a solid contender in the ₹40,000 price segment, offering a premium design, excellent display, capable performance, and versatile cameras. However, the price is notably higher than some competitors, and some compromises like a plastic frame and lack of NFC may influence buyer decisions.
If you prioritize a large, bright display, good gaming performance, and a powerful camera system with multiple AI features, the Realme 16 Pro Plus is worth considering. However, those looking for a metallic frame or slightly better value for money might want to explore other options or wait for further launches later in 2024.
Pros:
- Premium vegan leather design and solid build
- Large 6.88-inch AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate
- Powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor
- Versatile triple camera setup with 200MP main sensor
- Massive 7000mAh battery with 80W fast charging
- Clean Realme UI with Android 16 and long software support
Cons:
- Plastic frame instead of metal
- No headphone jack or NFC support
- Camera struggles somewhat in low light telephoto shots
- Price may feel steep compared to rivals
Q1: Does Realme 16 Pro Plus support expandable storage?
No, it lacks a dedicated microSD card slot.
Q2: Can the Realme 16 Pro Plus handle high-end gaming?
Yes, it supports smooth gameplay at 90fps on games like BGMI with high graphics settings.
Q3: How good is the battery life?
The 7000mAh battery offers excellent endurance, lasting a full day or more with moderate use.
Q4: Does the phone have a headphone jack?
No, it does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Q5: What are the main camera features?
A 200MP main sensor with OIS, 50MP telephoto lens with up to 5x optical zoom, and 8MP ultra-wide camera.
