Realme 13 Plus quick review: Good budget-friendly option for all your daily needs

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices when picking a new phone, you’re not alone. With so many options in the market, it can get difficult at times to select the smartphone that meets all your everyday needs.

The freshly launched Realme 13 Plus aims to cut through the noise by offering a blend of performance, camera capabilities, and battery life that speaks to everyday users, gamers, and budding photographers alike. After spending some time with this device, I can say that this is a value-for-money smartphone that can take care of all your basic needs.

Realme 13 Plus review: Design and display

First impressions matter, and the Realme 13 Plus makes a solid one. The device sports a sleek design that feels comfortable to hold in hand. It weighs around 185 grams and can easily be used with one hand. The phone comes with a matte finish back panel and aluminium frame. While the back panel looks sophisticated, the aluminium frame stands out. There is also a circular camera module at the back, which is well-defined with a metallic ring.

During my usage, I didn’t notice any fingerprints forming anywhere in the back panel and that is a huge plus. At the top, there is a 3mm jack and the right edge houses the volume and power buttons. At the bottom you have the Type C charging port and sim tray.

In the front, the 6.72-inch Full HD+ display is vibrant and sharp, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling through social media a buttery-smooth experience.

I found myself engrossed in binge-watching my favourite shows, and the experience was nothing short of delightful. The colours popped, and the brightness was more than adequate, even under the midday sun. Whether you’re watching action-packed scenes or scrolling through your photo gallery, the Realme 13 Plus truly shines in this department.

However, the screen does gather dust quite easily so I would advise using a screen cover.

Realme 13 Plus review: Performance and battery

Under the hood, the Realme 13 Plus is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, which manages to balance performance and energy efficiency. My gaming sessions with titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile were remarkably smooth, with no noticeable lag or frame drops. The 8GB RAM variant ensures that multitasking remains a breeze, allowing me to switch between apps without the dreaded app reload.

However, it’s not just about gaming; everyday tasks like browsing, messaging, and video calls were equally effortless. During a group call with my friends, I appreciated the seamless connection and the sound quality from the dual speakers was adequate and clear.

While the experience was positive in general, the phone does come with a fair share of bloatware and that gets a tad bit annoying at times.

Coming to its battery, I found that I could comfortably get through a full day of use, even with decent gaming. I only found myself reaching for a charger at the end of the day. The phone also comes with fast charging support and I got a 60 per cent battery in just 30 minutes of charging. This is perfect for those frantic mornings when you realise your phone is running low, and you need to dash out the door.

Realme 13 Plus review: Camera

The camera setup on the Realme 13 Plus is one of its standout features, especially for those who love snapping photos on the go.

The primary sensor captures stunning detail and vibrant colours, making it a joy to shoot everything from landscapes to close-ups. I tested the camera on a weekend outing, and the photos turned out to be remarkably crisp.

However, low-light photography can be hit or miss, with some shots appearing grainy and lacking detail.

The 2MP depth sensor helps create that lovely bokeh effect, perfect for portrait shots. The edge detection, in good lighting, is also spot on. The 16MP front camera is also impressive and results in some great shots. However, the photos are overly beautified by default, which can be solved with a simple tap if you prefer to avoid it.

Realme 13 Plus review: Verdict

With its competitive pricing and impressive features, the Realme 13 Plus is definitely worth considering, especially if you’re looking for a smartphone that delivers reliable performance without breaking the bank. Yes, the phone comes with bloatware and low-light photography can falter at times, but those are not really dealbreakers.