realme has consistently made waves in the mid-range smartphone market, delivering devices that pack a punch without breaking the bank. Their latest offering, the realme 13+ 5G, aims to continue this trend by offering a powerful combination of performance, features, and affordability.
In this review, we’ll delve into the realme 13+ 5G’s key aspects, including its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and overall user experience. Let’s see if this mid-range contender can live up to the hype.
Unboxing
Box contents:
- realme 13+ 5G 12GB + 256GB version in Dark Purple color
- 2-pin 80W SuperVOOC fast charger
- USB Type C Cable
- SIM Ejector tool
- Protective case
- User Guide and Warranty information
Design
The realme 13+ 5G boasts a sleek and modern design with ultra-narrow side bezels, making it comfortable to hold. The display is protected by durable Panda Glass, ensuring added resilience against scratches and drops. A tiny punch-hole cutout at the top houses a 16-megapixel selfie camera. Above the display, an earpiece doubles as a secondary speaker, enhancing audio output. For convenient biometric authentication, an in-display fingerprint scanner is integrated.
In terms of button placement and ports, the power button and volume rockers are conveniently located on the right side. The bottom edge houses the Dual SIM slot, primary microphone, USB Type-C port, and loudspeaker grill. A secondary microphone is situated on the top, along with a 3.5mm audio jack and speaker vent.
The realme 13+ 5G also features a distinctive Victory Speed design with a Speedy Curve element below the camera module. A striking golden shoulder line stretches across the sides, reminiscent of a high-speed racetrack. The rear panel also incorporates a lightning texture for added visual appeal. The phone is available in Victory Gold and Dark Purple color options and is IP65 rated for dust and splash resistance.
Display
The realme 13+ 5G boasts a captivating display perfect for entertainment and everyday use. Featuring a flat panel with minimal bezels on the top and sides (with a slightly larger chin), it prioritizes screen real estate without sacrificing comfort. Protection comes courtesy of Panda Glass, with a pre-installed film (consider replacing it with a proper screen protector for added peace of mind).
The star of the show, however, is the Samsung-made E4 AMOLED panel. It delivers stunning visuals with a 120Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth scrolling and a Full HD+ resolution that ensures sharp details. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, the display shines even under direct sunlight, making outdoor viewing a breeze. For color enthusiasts, the panel boasts 100% P3 color gamut coverage, translating to vibrant visuals with deep blacks.
realme caters to various preferences with four color modes (Vivid, Natural, Cinematic, and Brilliant) within the Settings app. For those who enjoy a punchy aesthetic, Vivid or Brilliant are ideal choices. Additionally, a dedicated Bright HDR video mode enhances content with HDR10+ support (though not applicable to Netflix currently). The display is also HDR image compatible, further expanding your viewing options.
Gamers and users with wet fingers will appreciate the Rainwater Smart Touch feature, ensuring smooth operation even in less-than-ideal conditions. The display is topped off with a discreet hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera and a conveniently located in-display fingerprint scanner for secure unlocking.
Camera
The realme 13+ 5G equips users with a versatile camera system capable of delivering impressive results. The rear setup features a 50MP primary camera utilizing the Sony LYT-600 sensor and f/1.88 aperture with OIS for stable shots. A dedicated 2MP portrait camera with f/2.2 aperture assists in achieving depth-of-field effects. For selfies and video calls, a 16MP front-facing camera with f/2.45 aperture is available.
The familiar realme UI 5 camera interface offers a range of shooting modes, including Pro, Panorama, Macro, Film, Slo-Mo, Time-Lapse, Dual-View video, Text Scanner, Starry Mode, and Tilt-Shift. The primary camera captures 12.5MP images after pixel binning, while the front camera produces 16MP selfies.
In daylight conditions, the 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor shines, capturing detailed and vibrant images with enhanced dynamic range thanks to auto HDR. While zooming up to 20x is possible, it’s important to note that image quality may degrade at higher zoom levels. For macro photography, 2x zoom offers optimal results.
The portrait mode delivers satisfactory results, leveraging the dedicated portrait camera to create pleasing depth effects. However, the absence of an ultra-wide camera might limit creative options for certain scenes. Low-light photography is commendable, showcasing impressive detail and minimal noise. The night mode enhances low-light performance but requires a few seconds of processing. For extra stability, a tripod mode is available.
The 16MP front camera performs admirably, capturing decent selfies with natural-looking bokeh effects and accurate edge detection.
Video recording capabilities include up to 4K 30fps or 1080p 60fps from the rear camera. Slow-motion footage can be captured at 1080p 120fps, while the front camera can shoot 1080p 30fps videos. Portrait video mode is limited to 720p resolution. For smoother video footage, ultra-steady video shooting is available at 1080p 60fps. The OIS feature effectively stabilizes rear camera footage.
Performance
The realme 13+ 5G is equipped with the capable MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Energy SoC, delivering solid performance for everyday tasks and gaming. This chipset is a key selling point, and it’s easy to understand why – the phone consistently maintained smooth gameplay, even under demanding titles. If you’re seeking a budget-friendly gaming device, this chipset is an excellent choice. The realme 13+ 5G is further enhanced by up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, ensuring ample space for your apps and media.
One of the factors contributing to the phone’s gaming prowess is the inclusion of a 6050mm² stainless steel vapor cooling chamber. Even during extended gaming sessions, the device remained comfortably cool, preventing overheating. The GT mode, designed to optimize performance for gaming, effectively boosted frame rates.
For the in-depth realme 13+ 5G gaming review, click here or check out the link below:
Beyond gaming, the realme 13+ 5G excelled in phone calls and 5G download speed tests. The dual speaker setup produced loud and clear audio, though we would have appreciated a slightly deeper bass response.
Battery and charging
The realme 13+ 5G is equipped with a substantial 5,000mAh battery, capable of easily lasting a full day or even longer under typical usage conditions. While a 5,000mAh battery is no longer extraordinary in this price segment, the inclusion of 80W fast charging technology sets it apart.
During daily use, the realme 13+ 5G consistently achieved approximately 6-7 hours of screen-on time with the display set at 120Hz refresh rate. In terms of charging speed, the phone rapidly recharged from completely dead to 100% in approximately 55 minutes. For a quick top-up, just 30 minutes of charging can provide enough power for a full day’s use.
realme 13+ 5G Review: Final Thoughts
