The Realme Narzo 50i is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent performance and features at an affordable price point. Design-wise, it has a polycarbonate back with a textured pattern design that's not too smudge-prone but can attract dirt on oily hands. The camera module is sleek, and the phone lacks a fingerprint scanner. The display is a 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen with a 720p resolution, which is good for indoor use but not ideal for outdoor visibility. It also has a single rear camera, an 8MP shooter that can produce sharp images but struggles in low-light conditions. The front camera is a 5MP sensor that takes decent selfies with vibrant colors. Performance-wise, the phone runs on a UniSOC SC9838 processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage, making multitasking and heavy gaming challenging. It also has a large 5000mAh battery that can last up to two days on moderate use, but charging it takes around 2-3 hours. The phone comes with Android 11 skinned with Realme UI Go Edition, which is simpler and easier to navigate than the standard Realme UI. Connectivity options include dual-SIM, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and screencast. Priced at around PHP 6,290, the Narzo 50i offers a good balance of performance, features, and price. However, it faces stiff competition from other budget smartphones that offer better performance and cameras for similar prices.
The Realme Narzo 50i's design is an interesting blend of style and functionality, with a polycarbonate back that features a diagonal stripe textured pattern. While it's not prone to smudging or dirt accumulation, it can attract some dust or grime if you have oily or sweaty hands. To mitigate this issue, we recommend placing a case on the phone. The device is slim at 8.9 millimeters, making it comfortable to grip and easy to slip into pockets. The carbon black color of our review unit looks sleek and modern, but it's also available in mint green for those who prefer a different aesthetic. One of the standout features of the Narzo 50i's design is its camera module, which has a seamless look with a non-protruding bump that houses the single main rear camera, LED flash, and Realme branding. However, we're disappointed to report that there's no fingerprint scanner on this device – not even on the side. The front of the phone features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with sizable bezels and a slightly thicker chin part. The mini drop notch on the upper middle is somewhat outdated, but unfortunately, you can't hide it with a black bar in the settings. In terms of build quality, the Narzo 50i feels solid and sturdy in hand, with no creaking or flexing when subjected to gentle pressure. However, we do have some concerns about its durability over time – only time will tell if this phone can withstand the rigors of daily use without showing any signs of wear. Overall, while the Realme Narzo 50i's design is not particularly groundbreaking, it does have a certain charm to it that may appeal to budget-conscious buyers. If you're looking for an affordable smartphone with a decent build quality and some interesting design flourishes, this phone might be worth considering.
The Realme Narzo 50i boasts an impressive 5,000mAh battery, making it a standout feature in its price segment. The device supports reverse charging, which is a nice-to-have but not something I can see myself using frequently. In our PC Mark's Work 3.0 battery test, the phone delivered a respectable 7 hours and 10 minutes of screen time. However, in our standard video loop test, it yielded a slightly lower 8 hours and 45 minutes - still decent, but not as expected. One notable aspect is that this phone can easily last up to 2 days for light users. If you want to eke out even more battery life, the Ultra Saving mode can switch the device to a feature phone-like experience, which will undoubtedly help conserve power. Charging the phone takes some time due to its lack of fast charging capabilities. Expect around 2-2.5 hours from zero to a hundred percent. While this might be a drawback for some, it's not a deal-breaker considering the overall battery life and performance on offer. In conclusion, the Realme Narzo 50i delivers commendable battery life that will easily see you through two days of moderate use. If you're looking for a phone that can keep up with your daily demands without needing to be plugged in every day, this one is certainly worth considering.
The Realme Narzo 50i's display is a mixed bag. On the plus side, it features a large 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels and a pixel density of 270 PPI. This makes it one of the biggest displays on a budget phone in its class. The good news is that it's sufficient for indoor use, producing decent sharpness and boosted colors. However, outdoor visibility leaves much to be desired. While it's not unusable, it doesn't quite cut it against more expensive smartphones with better displays. You might find yourself squinting to read text or watch videos in bright sunlight. Another drawback is the outdated mini-drop notch design, which is now a relic of the past. Unfortunately, there's no option to hide it with a black bar in the settings, which might annoy some users. The bezels are sizable, and the chin part is slightly thicker than we'd like. Overall, while the display gets the job done for basic tasks like browsing and social media, it's not exactly a highlight of this phone. In terms of customization options, you can tweak around with settings like switching to a system-wide dark theme, increasing contrast, or personalizing your preferred colors. However, these tweaks only go so far in addressing the display's limitations. In conclusion, while the Realme Narzo 50i's display is not terrible, it falls short of expectations. If you're looking for a budget phone with a great screen, there are better options out there.
The Realme Narzo 50i's camera setup is one of its most intriguing features, but unfortunately, it falls short in terms of overall performance. The primary rear camera is an 8-megapixel sensor that takes decent photos, often looking sharp and clear. However, there are instances where the images appear washed out or have unnatural color tones. The dynamic range can be a hit-or-miss affair, with some shots exhibiting good contrast while others struggle to capture the nuances of a scene. Low-light performance is another area where the camera falters. Photos taken in such conditions often result in washed-out or noisy images. While this is not entirely unexpected for a phone in its price range, it's still a letdown considering the Narzo 50i's other features. On the bright side, selfies taken with the 5-megapixel front camera are decent, with vibrant colors and good details. The slight skin smoothening effect can be mitigated by taking multiple shots, ensuring that you capture the best possible image. Video recording is another aspect where the Narzo 50i shines. You can shoot up to 1080p at 30 frames per second, resulting in relatively smooth footage under well-lit conditions. However, don't expect any stabilization, which may make hand-held shots a bit more challenging. While the Realme Narzo 50i's camera is not entirely disappointing, it falls short of expectations in several areas. The primary rear camera struggles with dynamic range and low-light performance, while the front camera takes decent selfies but lacks some polish. If you're looking for a phone that excels in the camera department, the Narzo 50i might not be your best bet. However, if you prioritize value for money and are willing to compromise on camera capabilities, the Narzo 50i remains an attractive option. Its other features, such as the massive 5000mAh battery and stock Android experience, make it a compelling choice for those who don't need a powerhouse smartphone.
The Realme Narzo 50i is an affordable smartphone that offers decent performance for its price. Priced at 6290 pesos, this device falls into the budget segment, making it accessible to those who want a reliable phone without breaking the bank. In terms of value, the Narzo 50i delivers. It packs a large 5,000mAh battery with support for reverse charging, which is a great feature for users who want to prolong their device's usage time. The inclusion of a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a respectable 270 PPI pixel density also adds value to this budget phone. While the performance might not be as snappy as other smartphones in its range, it still manages to get the job done for casual users. However, gaming enthusiasts and power users might find it lacking. The UniSOC SC9838 processor paired with an IMG8322 GPU and 4GB of RAM makes multitasking a challenge. One major drawback is the absence of fast charging, which can take around two hours to charge from zero to 100%. Additionally, the single 8MP rear camera and 5MP front camera might not be the most impressive in its class. However, it still manages to produce decent photos and videos for casual users. Considering its price point, the Realme Narzo 50i offers good value. It provides a reliable and long-lasting battery life, an adequate display, and sufficient performance for everyday use. While it might not be the best option for power users or those who want top-notch cameras, it is still a great choice for budget-conscious buyers looking for a basic smartphone that gets the job done. Ultimately, the Realme Narzo 50i offers decent value for its price, making it a viable option for those in the market for an affordable smartphone.
The Realme Narzo 50i is the latest addition to the brand's more affordable Narzo series, aimed at providing a basic smartphone experience without breaking the bank. One of the key areas I'd like to focus on in this review is the performance of the device. Under the hood, the Narzo 50i packs a UniSoc SC9838 processor paired with an IMG8322 GPU and 4GB of RAM. While it's decent for casual use, such as browsing, social media, and streaming videos, it falls short when it comes to multitasking and playing heavy graphic games. Switching between apps or scrolling through social media can result in some delay, making it less ideal for power users. In terms of benchmark scores, the Narzo 50i managed a respectable showing, but not spectacularly so. In Geekbench 5, it scored around 1100 in single-core and 3500 in multi-core tests. While this is decent for its class, it's far from impressive compared to more powerful flagships. In PC Mark's Work 3.0 battery test, the Narzo 50i managed a respectable 7 hours and 10 minutes, but fell short of our expectations when running the standard video loop test, yielding only 8 hours and 45 minutes. While this still makes it a capable device for everyday use, it may not last as long as expected. Performance-wise, the Narzo 50i is a decent budget smartphone that should suffice for basic tasks and light gaming. However, its processor limitations become apparent when trying to multitask or play more demanding games. If you're looking for a phone that can handle heavy usage without breaking the bank, there may be better options available from other manufacturers. Overall, while not spectacularly impressive, the Narzo 50i's performance is acceptable for its price range. Just don't expect it to compete with more powerful devices in terms of multitasking and gaming capabilities.
1. The Realme Narzo 50i has a decent UniSoC SC9838 processor that's paired with an IMG8322 GPU and 4GB of RAM, making it suitable for watching videos.
2. The phone features a large 5000mAh battery with support for reverse charging, which can last up to 2 days for light users.
3. The device runs on Android 11 skinned with Realme UI Go Edition, providing a simple and easy-to-use interface for new users.
4. The camera app produces decent outputs with vibrant colors and good details, making it suitable for casual photography.
1. The phone's performance is challenged when multitasking or playing heavy graphic games, resulting in delays and lag.
2. The display has low outdoor visibility and may not be ideal for use in bright conditions.
3. The camera struggles with dynamic range and can produce unnatural-looking green tones, especially in low-light conditions.