realme Note 50 review
The Realme Note 50 is a budget smartphone that defies expectations with its robust build and impressive features. Priced at $63, this device offers incredible value for the price. With a massive 5,000mAh battery, a 720p IPS LCD display, and a dual-SIM card tray, the Note 50 checks several boxes. While it may not boast high-end specs, its performance is decent, and the camera captures good photos with some compromises on low light shots. Is this phone worth buying? Let's dive into a detailed review to find out.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme Note 50 boasts an impressive build quality, considering its budget-friendly price tag. The phone's plastic frame and rear panel provide a solid foundation for the device, while the weight is evenly distributed to make it comfortable to hold. One of the standout features of the Realme Note 50's design is its ruggedness. Despite being dipped in water on Instagram, the phone emerged unscathed, showcasing its durability. This level of resilience is typically found in more expensive devices, making it a welcome surprise for those looking for a budget-friendly option that can withstand rough handling. The Realme Note 50 comes in two color options: Midnight Black and Sky Blue. The latter is particularly striking, with the phone's design and build quality making it a compelling choice for those who want a stylish smartphone without breaking the bank. While the plastic frame may not be to everyone's taste, it does provide a sense of security and stability that is often missing in more affordable devices. The phone's dimensions are also well-balanced, with no awkward bulges or sharp edges to speak of. Ultimately, the Realme Note 50's build quality and design make it an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable smartphone without sacrificing aesthetics. Despite its budget-friendly price tag, the phone exudes a sense of solidity that is hard to find in similarly priced devices. Its ruggedness and stylish design make it a compelling option for anyone looking for a dependable smartphone that won't break the bank.
Battery Life
Battery Life Review: Realme Note 50 The battery life of the Realme Note 50 is one of its standout features. With a massive 5,000 milliamp battery, this smartphone can easily last for a day with moderate use. I found that I only needed to charge it once a day during my testing period. While charging time may not be as impressive, taking around 2 hours and 53 minutes to fully charge the smartphone from 0 to 100%, the fact that you won't need to worry about running out of juice is a significant plus. The battery life is particularly notable given the competitive pricing of this device, which starts at $63. The Realme Note 50's battery performance is impressive considering its price point and specification. It's not uncommon for budget smartphones to struggle with battery life, but this phone seems to have bucked that trend. The inclusion of a 5,000 milliamp battery, while not unique in itself, is significant given the overall package offered by the Realme Note 50. In summary, if you're looking for a smartphone that will last throughout the day without needing frequent recharges, the Realme Note 50 might be an excellent choice. The battery life, combined with its other features and competitive pricing, makes this phone an attractive option in its class.
Display
The display on the Realme Note 50 is a notable aspect of this budget smartphone. The device boasts a 6.52-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 720p, which may seem outdated to some users. However, considering its price point, the display holds up well. One of the advantages of the Realme Note 50's display is its smoothness. The 90Hz refresh rate ensures that scrolling and switching between apps is seamless. This is particularly noticeable when browsing through social media or playing casual games. In terms of brightness, the screen has a peak output of 560 nits, making it suitable for use outdoors under direct sunlight. While the display may not be the sharpest, it's sufficient for everyday use. Watching videos on the device is also acceptable, with the screen size being big enough to enjoy content without straining. The teardrop camera cutout design has been a divisive feature among users, but in this case, it's a minor compromise considering the overall value offered by the Realme Note 50. For a budget smartphone, the display on this device is impressive, and its performance in this department justifies its affordability. One potential drawback of the display is that it may not be ideal for heavy gaming or graphic-intensive activities. However, for casual users who primarily engage in basic tasks such as browsing, social media use, or watching videos, the Realme Note 50's display should suffice. Overall, while the display on the Realme Note 50 may not be cutting-edge, it is a good representation of what to expect from a budget smartphone. Its performance in this department, combined with its other features and price point, makes it an attractive option for those seeking value without breaking the bank.
Camera
The camera is an essential aspect of any smartphone, and the Realme Note 50 does not disappoint in this department. The phone features a dual-camera setup with a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The primary camera takes excellent photos outdoors when there's plenty of light. The images are detailed, and the colors are vibrant. However, low-light performance is where the camera falters. Photos taken in such conditions have plenty of noise, making them appear grainy. One notable aspect of the primary camera is its ability to take good pictures with a 13-megapixel sensor. This is impressive considering the phone's budget price tag. The camera also has another camera that doesn't seem to contribute much to the overall image quality. The front-facing camera has a 5-megapixel sensor, which is sufficient for social media use and casual selfies. However, it does not take portrait pictures well, and night photos are marred by noise. In terms of video recording, the primary camera can shoot in 1080p at 30 frames per second. The quality is decent but not outstanding. It's a good starting point for making videos on social media or sharing moments with friends and family. Overall, the camera performance of the Realme Note 50 is respectable considering its price tag. While it may not be the best in its class, it's a solid effort from the manufacturer. The cameras' ability to take good photos outdoors and decent video recordings makes them a suitable choice for casual smartphone users who don't want to break the bank. 7/10 While the camera performance is not exceptional, it's still a great value proposition considering the phone's price tag. Realme has done well in this department, and users will find themselves taking good photos with this phone without breaking the bank.
Price and Value
The Realme Note 50 is a budget smartphone that defies conventions by offering an impressive array of features at an astonishingly low price. For the princely sum of $17,400 Naira or just $63, this phone packs in more than enough to make it a compelling purchase for anyone looking for a reliable daily driver. The phone's strength lies in its ability to deliver on its promises without breaking the bank. With a 5,000mAh battery that easily lasts the day and charges from 0-100% in just 2 hours 53 minutes, this device is built to last. The camera, while not the sharpest, takes decent photos Outdoors and records videos in 1080p at 30 frames per second. In an era where budget smartphones often compromise on performance, the Realme Note 50 surprises by delivering decent processor speeds, smooth scrolling, and a responsive interface. It may struggle with more demanding games like Call of Duty Mobile, but for its price, this is forgiveable. While the phone's build quality, although made from plastic, feels sturdy enough to withstand daily wear and tear. The inclusion of a TPU case and a 10W charger in the box adds to its value proposition. For anyone looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank, the Realme Note 50 offers tremendous value for money. Its affordability makes it an attractive option for those who want a phone that can keep up with their daily needs without costing an arm and a leg. In conclusion, while not perfect, the Realme Note 50 is a budget smartphone that punches above its weight. Its price-point of $63 makes it a steal, offering a great balance of performance, features, and value for money.
Performance
The Realme Note 50 is a budget smartphone that has managed to impress with its robust build quality and impressive battery life. However, when it comes to performance, the phone takes a more nuanced approach. The phone's processor, Unisoc Tiger T612, is a 12nm chip that handles basic tasks like browsing, chatting on WhatsApp, and scrolling through social media with ease. It also impressively runs PUBG at HD graphics and high frame rate, making it suitable for casual gaming. However, when it comes to more demanding games like Call of Duty Mobile, the phone struggles. The game runs at low graphics and medium frame rate, which is playable but not exactly enjoyable. This is a common compromise for budget smartphones. Another area where the Realme Note 50 falters is multitasking. With only 3 or 4 GB of RAM (depending on the variant), the phone can struggle to handle multiple apps simultaneously. While it does have a virtual RAM expansion feature, this doesn't entirely solve the problem. The phone's performance is further hampered by its relatively outdated Android version - it still runs on Android 13, which means it won't receive future software updates. This lack of support may affect the phone's overall performance and security over time. Overall, while the Realme Note 50's performance is decent for its price point, it's not exactly a powerhouse. It's suitable for basic tasks and casual gaming, but those who demand more may find themselves disappointed.