realme 10 Pro review
The Realme 10 Pro is a budget-oriented mid-ranger that promises some exciting upgrades over its predecessor. This phone boasts a high-resolution 108MP camera, new design, and stereo speakers. The upgraded display offers a 6.72-inch IPS LCD with a fast 120Hz refresh rate, although it's not AMOLED like the more expensive Realme 10 Pro Plus. Other notable features include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, 5,000mAh battery, and 33W charging. This review will delve into the phone's performance, camera capabilities, and overall value for money.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme 10 Pro boasts a revamped design compared to its predecessor. The phone's frame is now flat with a sharp edge, providing an improved grip. The build quality has also been upgraded, using plastic instead of the previous model's materials. This change results in a slightly more compact device that feels lighter. One notable design upgrade is the screen itself. Measuring 6.72 inches, the IPS LCD display features a 1080p resolution and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. Although it's not an AMOLED panel like the Realme 10 Pro Plus, the screen still offers decent brightness, reaching up to 590 nits with manual brightness slider settings. In auto mode, this can boost to 620 nits in bright sunlight. The display is plenty sharp, but color accuracy takes a hit. The blacks aren't as deep as those on AMOLED panels, but the display is still serviceable for everyday use. A 120Hz refresh rate helps smooth out swiping and scrolling, which can dial down to 60Hz to conserve energy when not in use. The Realme 10 Pro also comes with a pair of stereo speakers, which are relatively loud but lack punch. The sound quality is unimpressive, particularly lacking in bass and mids. In terms of design, the Realme 10 Pro has made significant strides over its predecessor. The flat frame and updated materials give it a more premium feel. While some may find the color accuracy on the screen to be lacking, overall the device looks great for its price point. The Realme 10 Pro's build quality is solid, but there are some areas where it could improve. The use of plastic instead of metal or other premium materials may deter some users from considering this option over more expensive devices with better build quality.
Battery Life
The Realme 10 Pro boasts an impressive battery life, which is one of its standout features. The phone packs a 5,000mAh battery, which provides excellent endurance and keeps you going throughout the day. In our tests, the Realme 10 Pro delivered a remarkable overall endurance rating of 127 hours, which is no mean feat considering the demanding nature of modern smartphones. This translates to approximately 4 days of moderate use, making it an excellent choice for those who want a phone that can keep up with their daily needs. What's more impressive is the battery life in low-power modes. When set to 60Hz refresh rate and turned down, the phone can easily last over 5-6 days on a single charge, which is remarkable considering its large display. The phone also comes with fast charging capabilities, with a 33W charger that quickly tops up the battery from 0 to 54% in just half an hour. This is incredibly convenient and makes it easy to top up the battery when needed. Overall, the Realme 10 Pro's battery life is one of its strongest suits. It offers excellent endurance ratings, impressive low-power modes, and fast charging capabilities, making it a great choice for anyone who wants a phone that can keep up with their daily needs without breaking the bank.
Display
The Realme 10 Pro boasts a 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with a 1080p resolution and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. While it's an improvement over the previous model, it's not quite up to par with more expensive options. The panel is plenty sharp, but color accuracy isn't great. You don't get the deep blacks that come with AMOLED technology, like on the Realme 10 Pro Plus. Despite this, the display is decently bright, reaching a peak of 590 nits with a manual brightness slider. In auto mode, it can boost to 620 nits in bright sunlight. The 120Hz refresh rate is welcome, smoothing out swiping and scrolling experiences. However, when you stop interacting with the phone, the refresh rate will dial down to 60Hz to save energy. One notable change from the previous model is the lack of an AMOLED display. While not a deal-breaker, it's worth considering if you prioritize display quality. The Realme 10 Pro does offer some nice upgrades over its predecessor, including a new design and upgraded speakers. If display quality is a top concern, you may want to look elsewhere. However, the Realme 10 Pro still offers solid performance for its price point. Just be aware of what you're getting into when it comes to display technology.
Camera
The Realme 10 Pro boasts a high-res main camera with a 108MP sensor, which is identical to the one found in the Realme 10 Pro Plus. While this upgrade over the previous model is certainly noteworthy, it's essential to examine whether the camera capabilities live up to expectations. In daylight conditions, the main cam produces detailed 12MP photos with low noise and adequately wide dynamic range. The rendition of fine details is impressive, and the processing is well-balanced. However, the colors can be a bit over-the-top in certain scenes, which may not appeal to everyone. One notable feature of the camera is its ability to produce zoomed-in images using the 108MP sensor. This three-time zoom toggle allows for decent image quality, although it's not entirely lossless. Noise and softness are introduced during cropping, but the detail level remains acceptable. Portraits taken with the help of the depth sensor exhibit good edge detection when there is plenty of light. In these conditions, you can expect nice results. However, in less-than-ideal lighting, the detail level and overall quality diminish significantly. The night mode does help to improve low-light photography by offering a well-exposed image with adequate detail, even in shadows. The colors are well-saturated, and there's added sharpness that, while artificial-looking, enhances the overall visual appeal. Unfortunately, video recording is capped at 1080p resolution, which may be disappointing for those expecting better quality from a high-res main cam. The footage lacks crispness, with soft details and an uninspiring dynamic range. Selfie photography is another area where the Realme 10 Pro falls short. The detail and sharpness could be improved, and there's noticeable noise present in images taken with the 16MP front-facing camera. While the high-res main cam on the Realme 10 Pro has its strengths, it also comes with limitations. In a competitive market where other devices offer better chipsets, OLED displays, and more comprehensive feature sets, the camera performance may not be enough to justify the purchase of this device.
Price and Value
The Realme 10 Pro is a budget-oriented mid-ranger that promises some nice upgrades over its predecessor. With a high-res 108MP camera, new design, speakers, and an upgraded display, this phone seems like a solid option for those on a budget. At first glance, the Realme 10 Pro appears to offer good value for its price. The phone's starting price is around $300, which puts it in direct competition with other mid-range offerings from brands like Xiaomi and Samsung. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the Realme 10 Pro is not without its compromises. While the high-res camera is a welcome addition, it's let down by the chipset, which doesn't quite live up to the potential of the sensor. The speakers are also disappointing, lacking in bass and mids, and the selfie camera is somewhat underwhelming. In terms of value for money, the Realme 10 Pro is a solid but not outstanding option. While it offers some nice upgrades over its predecessor, the compromises in the chipset, speakers, and selfie camera make it feel like there's better value to be found elsewhere. For those on a budget, the Realme 9 Pro Plus or Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G might be worth considering. Overall, the Realme 10 Pro is an okay phone that does some things well, but doesn't quite excel in all areas. It's a mid-range option that will get the job done, but won't blow you away with its performance or features.
Performance
The Realme 10 Pro promises to deliver an enhanced mid-range experience with its upgraded design, display, and camera capabilities. However, when it comes to performance, the phone falls short of expectations. The chipset powering the device is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695, which, while sufficient for everyday tasks, struggles to provide blazing-fast gaming performance. This means that gaming enthusiasts may find themselves disappointed by the Realme 10 Pro's inability to deliver smooth, high-quality experiences. Additionally, the ISP (Image Signal Processor) doesn't support 4K video recording, limiting users' creative possibilities. Furthermore, the phone's camera capabilities are marred by a lackluster chipset, resulting in subpar performance, particularly in low-light conditions. The Realme 10 Pro does offer good battery life, with an overall endurance rating of 127 Hours in our tests, but this is hardly unique to the device. The charging speed is also commendable, topping up from 0 to 54% in half an hour, which is a plus for users on-the-go. In conclusion, while the Realme 10 Pro's performance is adequate, it fails to impress in several key areas. A more powerful chipset and improved camera capabilities would have elevated this mid-ranger to new heights. As it stands, the Realme 10 Pro is merely an average performer, not quite living up to its full potential. Ultimately, users seeking a reliable device for everyday tasks may find the Realme 10 Pro satisfactory, but those looking for more demanding performance or superior camera capabilities should look elsewhere.
Pros
1. The Realme 10 Pro has a high-res 108MP camera, which is a significant upgrade over the previous model.
2. The phone's screen is a 6.72-inch IPS LCD with a 1080p resolution and fast 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and swiping.
3. The battery life of Realme 10 Pro is excellent, with an overall endurance rating of 127 hours in our tests.
4. The phone has stereo speakers that are pretty loud, although the sound quality lacks bass and mids.
5. The Realme 10 Pro comes with either 128 or 256GB of storage on board, which is expandable via microSD.
6. The phone's interface is straightforward and runs on Android 13 with the new Real UI 4.0.
7. The Realme 10 Pro has a high-capacity 5,000mAh battery that supports fast charging (33W).
Cons
1. The display is an IPS LCD, not AMOLED, which means it lacks deep blacks and may have color accuracy issues.
2. The camera setup misses out on ultra-wide and macro modes compared to the previous model.
3. Portraits taken with the depth sensor can be hit-or-miss in low light conditions.
4. Selfie quality is subpar due to visible noise and lack of detail.
5. Video recording is limited to 1080p resolution, which may not be ideal for some users.
6. The Realme 10 Pro lacks some new features like large folders and dynamic widgets on the Real UI.
7. The phone's chipset (Qualcomm Snapdragon 695) may not provide blazing-fast gaming performance.