realme Note 60 review
The Realme Note 60 is an entry-level smartphone that promises a lot at an affordable price. Priced around $80, this device comes with a 6.74-inch LCD display, a 5,000mAh battery, and a Unisoc T612 processor. The phone also features a single 32MP camera, 4-8GB of RAM, and expandable storage. With its budget-friendly tag, one would expect some compromises on performance and build quality. But does it deliver? Does the Realme Note 60 justify its price, or is it just another mediocre offering in the budget smartphone market? We'll find out in this review.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme Note 60 is a budget-friendly smartphone that promises to deliver value for money. One aspect that caught my attention was its build quality and design, which I'll be delving into in this review. Upon first glance, the phone has a predominantly plastic body with a plastic frame and back. While it's not the most premium feel, it still manages to exude a sense of durability. The device is available in various storage and RAM configurations, with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 10W fast charging. The LCD IPS display measures 6.74 inches and boasts an 85% screen-to-body ratio, which is impressive for its price point. However, the pixel density feels a bit low, clocking in at 260 PPI. Despite this, the display still manages to deliver satisfactory visuals. One aspect that raised eyebrows was the camera design. The phone features a single camera setup on the back, with a fake lens that appears to be protruding from the body. This decision seems counterintuitive, as it doesn't provide any additional functionality and only serves to create a visually unappealing design. The power button and volume controls are situated on the right side of the phone, while the fingerprint sensor is located below the screen. While some may find this placement unconventional, I found it to be quite functional in practice. Overall, the Realme Note 60's build quality and design are adequate for its price point. While it may not excel in these areas, it still manages to deliver value for money. However, those seeking a more premium feel or better display quality might find themselves looking elsewhere.
Battery Life
The Realme Note 60 is a budget device that promises to deliver value for its affordable price tag. While it's true that you get what you pay for, the battery life of this phone is a major letdown. With a 5,000mAh battery and supposedly fast 10W charging speeds, I expected the Note 60 to last me through a full day without needing to be plugged in. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case. With moderate use, including social media scrolling, messaging, and occasional gaming sessions, my phone barely lasted for 12 hours. The 10W charging speed is particularly underwhelming, as it barely manages to get me back up to around 50-60% charge within a 15-minute window. This means that you'll likely be topping off your battery multiple times throughout the day, which can be frustrating when you're on-the-go. While I understand that budget devices often make compromises in terms of performance, battery life is an essential aspect that shouldn't be sacrificed for the sake of affordability. If you value a phone with long-lasting battery life, there are better options available at similar price points, making the Realme Note 60 a less-than-ideal choice.
Display
The Realme Note 60's display is its most notable feature. The 6.74-inch LCD IPS screen boasts an impressive 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 560 nits, making it suitable for outdoor use. With an 85% screen-to-body ratio, the device offers a decent viewing experience. The display resolution is 720x1600 pixels, which may seem low compared to other mid-range devices. However, in daily use, I found the display to be more than sufficient. The colors are vibrant and accurate, and the screen's responsiveness is smooth. One thing that caught my attention was the relatively low pixel density of 260 PPI. While it's not a major issue, it may not provide the crispness and detail expected from higher-end displays. In terms of usability, the display performed well in various lighting conditions. I had no issues reading content or watching videos during the day or at night. However, the screen's brightness could be better in extremely bright environments. Overall, the Realme Note 60's display is a solid offering for its price point. While it may not be the best-in-class, it provides a decent viewing experience and is suitable for daily use. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option with a good screen, the Note 60 is worth considering. 7/10
Camera
In my experience with the Realme Note 60, I was thoroughly underwhelmed by its camera performance. The device boasts a single 32-megapixel wide sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, which sounds impressive on paper. However, in reality, it falls short of expectations. The main sensor is capable of recording videos at 1080p 30 frames, but the quality is subpar, even for a budget device. The images taken are often soft and lacking in detail, with a noticeable lack of depth and dimension. I was also disappointed to find that there's no telephoto lens or any form of optical zoom, which limits the camera's capabilities. Furthermore, the selfie camera, a 5-megapixel wide sensor, is equally unimpressive. It fails to capture even basic details in well-lit conditions, let alone low-light scenarios. The lack of detail and clarity in selfies taken with this device is jarring, especially considering its price point. The most egregious aspect of the Realme Note 60's camera setup is the fake lens on the rear panel. Yes, you read that right – a fake lens! It's hard to fathom why Realme decided to include a mock-up lens, complete with a bump to give it some depth. This design choice raises more questions than answers and speaks poorly of the company's attention to detail. In conclusion, while the Realme Note 60 may offer decent specs at an affordable price point, its camera performance is a major letdown. If you're looking for a budget device with a reliable camera, I'd recommend exploring other options. The Realme Note 60's shortcomings in this department make it hard to recommend, especially considering the availability of more capable devices in the same price range.
Price and Value
In the world of budget smartphones, the Realme Note 60 is one of the more affordable options available. Priced at around $80, it's a device that promises to deliver basic functionality without breaking the bank. While the phone itself has its limitations, its price point is where things get interesting. For such a low cost, you'd expect some major compromises on the specs sheet. However, the Realme Note 60 manages to hold its own in certain areas, making it an attractive option for those who want a functional smartphone without shelling out too much cash. The biggest plus of the Realme Note 60 is its price. For just $80, you get a phone with some decent specs, including a 6.74-inch LCD display and a 5,000mAh battery. It's also worth noting that the device has a fingerprint sensor, which adds to its value. However, when compared to other budget smartphones on the market, the Realme Note 60 starts to feel like a more expensive option. Spend just $50-100 more, and you can get your hands on devices with significantly better specs, including faster processors, higher-resolution displays, and snappier charging speeds. In conclusion, while the Realme Note 60 is an okay phone for its price, it's not necessarily the best value proposition out there. If you're looking to spend $80 on a smartphone, you might want to consider other options that offer more for your money. However, if budget is a major concern, and you just need a basic phone to get by, then the Realme Note 60 is still worth considering.
Performance
The Realme Note 60 is one of the most budget-friendly devices on the market, priced at around $80. However, when it comes to performance, this phone falls short of expectations. Under the hood, the device runs on a Unisoc T612 processor, which is not exactly the most powerful chipset available. With either 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM, the Note 60 struggles to keep up with demanding tasks. The 5,000mAh battery is a redeeming quality, but the 10W charging speed is woefully slow. In real-world use, the phone feels sluggish and unresponsive at times. Basic tasks like switching between apps or scrolling through social media are manageable, but anything more complex can cause the device to lag. The processor simply isn't powerful enough to handle demanding workloads, making it unsuitable for heavy users. Furthermore, the 10W charging speed means that you'll be waiting a while to get your phone back up and running after a long day of use. This is particularly frustrating given the large battery capacity. While the Realme Note 60 may be perfect for casual users or those on a tight budget, it's not the best choice for anyone looking for a reliable device that can keep up with their needs. For a mere $80, you'd expect more performance from your phone. If you're willing to spend a bit more, say around $300, you'll find devices with significantly better specifications and performance. The Realme Note 60 is an also-ran in this regard, unable to compete with the likes of mid-range flagships that offer superior experiences for similar prices.
Pros
1. The device has a huge storage capacity, with options ranging from 64GB to 256GB.
2. It comes with up to 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most users.
3. The phone has an Expendable storage option, allowing you to expand the storage capacity using an SD card.
4. The device has a fingerprint sensor, which is convenient and secure.
5. The Realme Note 60 has a long-lasting battery with a capacity of 5,000mAh.
6. The device comes with a charger and case in the box, making it a complete package.
Cons
1. The charging speed is relatively slow at 10W, which can be frustrating for users who need to top up their devices quickly.
2. The display resolution is only 720x1600, which may not be sufficient for some users.
3. The device has a plastic back and frame, which may not feel premium or durable.
4. The main camera sensor is a fake, which is disappointing and confusing.
5. The selfie camera has a low megapixel count of 5MP, which may not be sufficient for self-portraits.
6. The phone's design is lacking in aesthetics, with a protruding camera bump that seems unnecessary.