realme Narzo 30 5G review
The Realme Narzo 30 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that packs a punch in terms of performance, camera capabilities, and battery life. At a mid-range price point of around ₹16,000, this device offers an impressive array of features that make it an attractive option for those looking to upgrade their mobile experience without breaking the bank. One of the standout aspects of the Narzo 30 5G is its excellent battery life, which easily lasts over a day and a half on moderate usage. The 5000mAh battery combined with the power-efficient Mediatek Dimensity 700 chip ensures that users can enjoy extended periods of use without needing to recharge. The camera setup, featuring a 48MP primary sensor, 2MP macro lens, and 2MP depth sensor, is decent for its price point. While it may not match the performance of more expensive flagships, it takes respectable shots in various lighting conditions, including low-light scenarios. The front-facing camera also performs well, capturing good selfies with acceptable bokeh effect. Call quality is another area where the Narzo 30 5G excels, delivering clear and crisp audio on both ends. Additionally, the smartphone's 7-band 5G support ensures reliable connectivity in areas with a strong network presence. While not perfect, the Realme Narzo 30 5G has several notable drawbacks, including the lack of an ultra-wide-angle camera lens and a somewhat sluggish gaming performance due to limited optimization from game developers. Furthermore, the supplied 18W charger may feel underwhelming compared to faster-charging options found on rival devices. Overall, the Realme Narzo 30 5G is a solid mid-range offering that checks several boxes for those seeking a reliable smartphone experience without breaking the bank. With its impressive battery life, decent camera performance, and reliable connectivity, it's worth considering for anyone looking to upgrade their mobile arsenal.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme Narzo 30 5G is an excellent mid-range smartphone that offers impressive features at an affordable price point. One of the standout aspects of this device is its build quality and design. From the moment you hold the phone, it's clear that Realme has put a lot of thought into creating a premium feel without breaking the bank. The device's weight distribution is spot on, making it comfortable to hold in one hand for extended periods. The matte finish on the back gives off a sleek and sophisticated vibe, while the glossy display adds a touch of elegance. The design itself is where things get interesting. Realme has opted for a quad-camera setup, which initially makes you think that this is a flagship-grade device. However, upon closer inspection, you'll notice that one of the cameras is actually just a dummy module, serving no purpose other than to give the illusion of more cameras. This design choice might seem like a minor quibble, but it does take away from the overall premium feel of the phone. The 5000mAh battery, which provides an amazing battery life experience, could have easily been paired with a more substantial charger (25W or higher) instead of the standard 18W one. In terms of actual build quality, the Narzo 30 5G is solid and sturdy, with minimal flex on the sides. However, the phone's overall design could benefit from a more cohesive look and feel, particularly considering its price point. Overall, while Realme has done an excellent job in crafting a device that feels like a high-end smartphone without the hefty price tag, there are some minor missteps in terms of design choices. The Narzo 30 5G is still an impressive mid-range phone, but it falls just short of being truly exceptional due to its somewhat confusing design.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Realme Narzo 30 5G is its battery life, which has left me impressed. The device comes with a 5000mAh battery, and I've had the chance to put it through various usage scenarios. In my experience, this phone can easily last for over one and a half days without needing to be charged. I remember taking the phone off the charger at around 10% charge remaining, and after using it moderately, I still had 25% battery left after 17 hours and 15 minutes. The screen on time was an impressive 10 hours and 27 minutes before dipping below 25%. This suggests that the Narzo 30 5G can easily go for a full day of heavy usage. The diamond-cut 700 SOC powering this device deserves credit for its power efficiency, as it has managed to provide such remarkable battery life. The charger supplied with the phone is an 18W fast charger, which, while not the most powerful, still gets the job done. However, considering the increasing trend of higher-wattage chargers in similar price segments, I feel Realme could have pushed for a more substantial charging solution. Overall, the battery life on the Realme Narzo 30 5G is genuinely impressive and makes it an attractive option for those who need a phone that can keep up with their daily demands without needing frequent top-ups.
Display
The Realme Narzo 30 5G boasts an impressive display that is sure to catch the eye of potential buyers. The phone features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. One of the standout features of this display is its vibrant colors and crisp visuals. Whether you're watching your favorite TV show or playing games, the display's excellent color accuracy and high contrast ratio ensure that every detail is crystal clear. Another notable aspect of this phone's display is its fast refresh rate. The 90Hz panel provides a smooth and responsive experience, making it ideal for gaming and other graphically-intensive activities. The display also features a relatively narrow bezel, giving the phone a sleek and modern appearance. However, some may find the lack of IP68 certification to be a drawback, as it reduces the phone's durability in harsh environments. In terms of brightness, the Realme Narzo 30 5G performs reasonably well, with peak brightness levels reaching around 450 nits. While not the highest among smartphones, this is still sufficient for most users and should provide good visibility even in bright sunlight. Overall, the display on the Realme Narzo 30 5G is a strong point of this phone. Its excellent color accuracy, fast refresh rate, and decent brightness levels make it an appealing choice for those seeking a reliable and feature-rich smartphone experience.
Camera
In my review of the Realme Narzo 30 5G, I was impressed with several aspects of this mid-range smartphone. However, one area that didn't quite live up to expectations was the camera. While it's decent in certain situations, there are some notable shortcomings. The triple-camera setup on the back consists of a 48-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. However, I found myself wishing for a more comprehensive feature set. The lack of an ultra-white mode, in particular, was a missed opportunity. When it comes to capturing outdoor scenes, the camera performed reasonably well. In good lighting conditions, images were sharp and detailed, with accurate colors. However, in low-light situations, the results were less impressive, with noticeable noise and loss of detail. The ultra-wide-angle lens was another feature that I didn't find particularly useful. While it's great to have the option to capture a wider field of view, the resulting images often felt unbalanced or lacking in depth. On the plus side, the front-facing camera did a decent job, especially in portrait mode with bokeh effect. Skin tones were well-reproduced, and details were crisp. However, I've seen better results from other smartphones in this price range. One area where the camera excelled was in artificial lighting situations. The smartphone's ability to capture images with a pleasing balance of light and shadow was impressive, especially considering the limitations of the hardware. In conclusion, while the Realme Narzo 30 5G's camera is not terrible, it falls short of expectations in several areas. A more comprehensive feature set, particularly the inclusion of an ultra-white mode, would have made a significant difference. Nevertheless, this smartphone still offers some impressive features at an attractive price point. 6.5/10 For those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with a good camera, there are better options available in the market. However, if you're willing to compromise on camera performance and prioritize other features like battery life, 5G connectivity, or design, then the Realme Narzo 30 5G might still be worth considering. The review is based solely on the camera performance of the Realme Narzo 30 5G. Other aspects of the smartphone are not evaluated in this written review.
Price and Value
The Realme Narzo 30 5G is a mid-range smartphone that offers an impressive set of features at an affordable price point. Priced around Rs 16,000, this device has piqued the interest of many potential buyers. One of the standout aspects of the Realme Narzo 30 5G is its value for money proposition. With a mid-range price tag, it packs a punch in terms of performance, camera capabilities, and battery life. The phone's 5000mAh battery delivers an astonishing one and a half days of usage, making it perfect for those who need a device that can last throughout the day. Realme has priced the Narzo 30 5G competitively, taking on other mid-range smartphones in the market. The phone's 18W charger may seem like a compromise at first glance, but considering its price point, it's still a decent offering. Other devices in this range have been known to include higher-wattage chargers, so it's not entirely surprising that Realme has opted for a more conservative approach. In many ways, the Realme Narzo 30 5G represents mid-range perfection. It offers features like 5G connectivity, a triple-camera setup, and a fast charging-enabled battery at an affordable price point. For someone looking to upgrade from a budget smartphone without breaking the bank, this device is definitely worth considering. The Realme Narzo 30 5G may not be a game-changer in terms of innovation or design, but it delivers on its promise of offering a great set of features at an affordable price. With a mid-range price tag and impressive performance capabilities, this phone is sure to attract attention from budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable device that won't burn a hole in their pocket.
Performance
The Realme Narzo 30 5G boasts an impressive Diamond Chip 700 SoC, which is designed to provide a smooth and efficient performance. In my testing, I was pleased with the results. The phone's processor handled multitasking with ease, effortlessly switching between apps without any lag or hesitation. Gaming was also a pleasure on this device, with fast loading times and responsive touch controls. While not perfect, the phone's raw gaming performance is certainly commendable. One area where the Realme Narzo 30 5G excels is in its battery life. With a decent-sized 5000mAh battery, this phone can easily last for over a day, even with heavy usage. In my testing, I managed to squeeze out an impressive 17 hours and 15 minutes of screen time on a single charge. However, there are some areas where the Realme Narzo 30 5G's performance could be improved. While the processor is certainly capable, Mediatek needs to work with game developers to provide higher frame rates in games. This would take the gaming experience from good to great. Overall, the Realme Narzo 30 5G's performance is a major highlight of this phone. With its efficient SoC and long-lasting battery, this device is well-suited for everyday use. While it may not be perfect, the Realme Narzo 30 5G's performance makes it a great value for money in the mid-range segment.
Pros
1. Excellent battery life, can easily go up to one and a half days with moderate usage.
2. Decent camera performance, good in outdoor shots and skin tones in human subjects.
3. Good call quality, no issues reported during testing.
4. 5G support is not a gimmick, comes with seven bands of 5G.
5. Power-efficient processor (Diamond City 700) helps in achieving long battery life.
6. Decent gaming performance, can handle games like Call of Duty at medium settings.
7. Good value for money, priced around ₹16,000.
Cons
1. Ultra-wide-angle camera is missing, which could have been a useful addition.
2. Quad-camera setup looks, but it's just a dummy layout with no extra functionality.
3. 18W charger supplied in the box, which feels like cost-cutting at this price point.
4. MediaTek needs to work with game developers to unlock higher frame rate settings in games.