realme 10 Pro review
The Realme 10 Pro is a budget-oriented mid-ranger with a high-resolution 108MP camera, promising some nice upgrades over its predecessor. One notable upgrade is the new 108MP main cam, similar to the one on the Realme 10 Pro Plus. The phone features a new design, flat frame with sharp edges, and a larger 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While it lacks AMOLED tech, the screen is still plenty sharp, albeit with less-than-great color accuracy. The stereo speakers are loud but unimpressive in terms of sound quality. The Realme 10 Pro comes with either 128 or 256GB of storage, expandable via microSD. It features a side-mounted fingerprint reader and runs on the new Real UI 4.0 on top of Android 13. However, it's missing some new features like large folders and dynamic widgets. The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, which provides solid performance but not blazing-fast gaming capabilities. There's support for 5G connectivity, but the ISP doesn't support 4K video recording. The battery life is excellent, with an overall endurance rating of 127 hours in our tests. The camera setup features a high-resolution main cam and a depth sensor, but lacks ultra-wide and macro capabilities. In daylight conditions, photos are detailed and have low noise, but colors can be over the top. Portrait mode produces decent results with good edge detection. Low-light performance is underwhelming without Night mode, which helps improve exposure, detail, and dynamic range. The front-facing camera takes average selfies. Video recording is limited to 1080p resolution.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme 10 Pro is a welcome upgrade to its predecessor, boasting a more refined design and improved build quality. Gone are the days of a bulky frame; this new iteration boasts a sleeker profile with a flat frame and sharp edges that provide a bit more grip. Made from plastic, unlike the metal body of some other Realme devices, the 10 Pro still manages to feel premium in hand. The phone is also slightly lighter and more compact than its predecessor, despite featuring a larger 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with a 1080p resolution and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. While the screen itself isn't an AMOLED panel like some other Realme devices, it still manages to deliver decent brightness, up to 590 nits in manual mode and 620 nits in auto mode. However, color accuracy takes a hit, with the LCD panel struggling to produce deep blacks. One notable design change is the move to stereo speakers, which are indeed louder than their predecessor. However, sound quality leaves much to be desired, lacking bass and mids. In terms of storage, users can choose between 128 or 256GB options, both of which are expandable via microSD. The phone also features a side-mounted fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, making it easy to wake up and unlock the device. Overall, the Realme 10 Pro's design and build quality represent a solid step forward for the series, even if it doesn't quite match the premium feel of some other devices in this price range.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Realme 10 Pro is its excellent battery life. With a massive 5,000mAh battery, this phone is designed to last all day and then some. In our testing, we found that the Realme 10 Pro delivered an impressive overall endurance rating of 127 hours, making it one of the longest-lasting phones in its class. The phone's efficient hardware and optimized software combine to deliver exceptional power management, allowing you to use your phone for extended periods without worrying about running out of juice. Even with heavy usage, such as gaming and video streaming, we found that the Realme 10 Pro was able to easily last a full day on a single charge. Furthermore, the phone's charging speed is also noteworthy, thanks to its support for up to 33W fast charging. This means you can quickly top up your battery when it's running low, getting back to full power in no time. In our tests, we were able to get from 0-54% charge in just half an hour, making it perfect for those who need a quick energy boost. Overall, the Realme 10 Pro's battery life is one of its major strengths, offering users a peace of mind that they can rely on their phone all day without worrying about running out of power.
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 not an AMOLED panel like the one found in the more expensive Realme 10 Pro Plus, the screen is still quite sharp and vibrant. The color accuracy could be better, but the brightness is decent, with our measurements reaching up to 590 nits on manual mode. One of the notable upgrades over the previous model is the presence of a manual brightness slider, which can boost the display's brightness to an impressive 620 nits in auto mode. This makes it suitable for use outdoors, even in bright sunlight. The 120Hz refresh rate also helps to smooth out scrolling and swiping, making it a pleasure to use. However, the display panel itself is not without its limitations. The blacks are not as deep as those found on AMOLED panels, and the screen can appear slightly washed out at times. Nevertheless, it's still an impressive effort from Realme, particularly considering the price point of this mid-range device. In terms of design, the Realme 10 Pro features a flat frame with a sharp edge that adds a touch of extra grip to the phone. It's also slightly more compact than its predecessor and weighs less despite having a larger display. Overall, while the display is not perfect, it's still a solid effort from Realme, and its strengths make it a suitable choice for those in the market for a budget-friendly mid-ranger.
Camera
The camera is a major selling point for the Realme 10 Pro, with a high-resolution 108 megapixel main sensor touted as one of its standout features. In practice, the camera delivers some impressive results. During the day, photos taken with the 108 megapixel main sensor produce detailed 12 megapixel images with low noise and adequate dynamic range. The processing is well-balanced, but the colors can sometimes be a bit over-the-top in certain scenes. A three-time zoom toggle allows for close-up shots without significant loss of detail. Portraits taken using the depth sensor have decent edge detection and produce good results in bright lighting conditions. However, in low light, the detail level and overall quality suffer significantly. The night mode does help to mitigate these issues, producing well-exposed images with sufficient detail and saturated colors. Selfies from the 16 megapixel front-facing camera are somewhat disappointing, lacking sharpness and showing visible noise. Dynamic range is still adequate, but exposure is spot on. Video recording is limited to 1080p resolution, which is a bit disappointing given the camera's capabilities. The quality from the main sensor is soft, with narrow dynamic range and muted colors. Electronic stabilization helps to smooth out footage, but it still feels a tad jerky. The Realme 10 Pro's camera is certainly an improvement over its predecessor, but it has some limitations. While the high-resolution main sensor produces good results in bright conditions, low-light performance is patchy at best. The lack of an ultra-wide and macro lens also means that some situations will require compromise or a second device. Overall, while the Realme 10 Pro's camera is not without its strengths, it falls short of being a truly exceptional performer. It's worth considering whether this might be a deal-breaker for potential buyers before deciding on this phone.
Price and Value
The Realme 10 Pro is a mid-range smartphone that promises some nice upgrades over its predecessor. While it offers good battery life, a larger and brighter display, stereo speakers, and a high-res 108MP camera, there are some notable limitations to consider. Priced around the same as its predecessor, the Realme 10 Pro's value proposition is somewhat diminished by the presence of better options in the market. The phone's chipset, while solid for the price, can't quite match the performance offered by some other mid-range devices. The lack of support for 4K video recording and 5G connectivity on the ISP are also drawbacks. Furthermore, the Realme 10 Pro's camera capabilities, while improved with the addition of a high-res 108MP sensor, are limited by the chipset. Video capture is capped at 1080p resolution, and while electronic stabilization helps to smooth out footage, it still feels a bit jerky. Selfie quality is also somewhat disappointing, with visible noise and lackluster detail. In terms of value, the Realme 10 Pro doesn't quite stand out from the crowd. While it offers some upgrades over its predecessor, there are better options available at similar price points. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G, for example, offers an OLED display and a more powerful chipset, making it a more compelling choice. Ultimately, the Realme 10 Pro's value is somewhat compromised by its limitations. While it's still a solid mid-range option, there are better choices available in the market. Potential buyers should consider alternatives that offer more features and capabilities at similar price points before settling on the Realme 10 Pro.
Performance
The Realme 10 Pro is a budget-oriented mid-ranger that boasts a high-resolution 108MP camera. While it promises some nice upgrades over its predecessor, the phone's performance is somewhat lacking. One of the most notable drawbacks is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, which doesn't quite live up to expectations for gaming and general use. The processor is solid, but it doesn't deliver the kind of snappiness and speed that users have come to expect from more premium devices. As a result, tasks like opening apps and switching between them can feel somewhat sluggish. Furthermore, the Realme 10 Pro's ISP (Image Signal Processor) doesn't support 4K video recording, which is a bit of an oversight given the phone's high-resolution camera capabilities. This limitation means that users won't be able to capture the level of detail and quality they might expect from such a device. In terms of battery life, the Realme 10 Pro performs admirably, with an overall endurance rating of 127 hours in our tests. However, the phone's charging speed is somewhat average, taking around half an hour to top up from 0 to 54%. While the Realme 10 Pro has some redeeming qualities, its performance is somewhat let down by these limitations. As a result, users may find themselves looking elsewhere for devices that offer more seamless and powerful experiences.
Pros
1. Good battery life
2. Upgraded camera with high-res 108 MP main camera sensor
3. Bright and large display with 6.72-inch IPS LCD panel
4. Stereo speakers (although sound quality is unimpressive)
5. Quick charging support with 33W fast charging
Cons
1. Limited chipset performance with Qualcomm Snapdragon 695
2. Missing features on Realme UI
3. Unimpressive speaker quality with lack of bass and mid-range frequencies
4. Limited selfie camera performance with 16 MP front-facing camera
5. Video recording limitations at 1080p resolution