Realme P1 5G Review – The Missing Link in Affordable 5G?

In the competitive world of mid-range smartphones, Realme stands out as a brand that combines innovation with affordability. With a wide range of products in its portfolio, Realme is now introducing its latest creation: the Realme P1 5G, which marks the debut of the new Realme ‘Power’ series.

The Realme P1 boasts an array of impressive features, including a stunning display, powerful performance, and a feature-rich camera system, all wrapped in a sleek and stylish design. However, in a crowded market where every brand is vying for attention, one question remains: Does the Realme P1 5G truly stand out? To find out, let’s dive into our comprehensive review.

Realme P1 5G : Design & Display

In the bustling mid-range smartphone market, the Realme P1 stands out for its premium appearance. Unlike its competitors, which often have glossy finishes that are prone to fingerprints, the Realme P1 5G takes a different approach. Its unique back panel has a feather-like texture that reflects light and is paired with an elegant matte finish. It is available in two striking colors, and we had the Phoenix Red variant for review.

Regardless of the color, the phone exudes refinement with its clean and minimalist design. The rear camera module is the centerpiece, housed in a large, slightly raised circular module that is reminiscent of high-end cameras. The power button and volume rocker are conveniently located on the right side, and the SIM tray and USB-C port are at the bottom.

One of the design highlights is the phone’s thinness, coupled with its flat sides, which make it comfortable to hold for long periods.

However, the real star of the Realme P1 5G is its display. It features a generous 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, providing an immersive visual experience. Whether you’re watching your favorite shows, playing the latest games, or simply scrolling through social media, the display is captivating.

The display’s peak brightness of 2000 nits sets a new standard in its price range, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. Whether you’re on the beach or in a sunlit city, the screen remains easy to read.

Furthermore, the inclusion of HDR support enhances the viewing experience by improving colors and deepening contrast. This is especially noticeable when watching HDR content on streaming platforms or compatible apps. The only minor disappointment is the bezels, which, while not excessive, could have been slimmer to keep up with industry trends.

Adding to its appeal, the screen features an in-display fingerprint scanner that recognizes your touch flawlessly. With dual stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos and an audio jack, the Realme P1 5G delivers a premium audio experience to complement its stunning visuals.

Realme P1 5G : Software & Performance

Running on Realme UI 5.0, a carefully designed interface based on Android 14, the Realme P1 5G offers extensive customization options. Enter a realm where you can personalize icons, fonts, wallpapers, and themes to reflect your unique style. One particularly impressive feature is the ability to sync system icon colors with your chosen wallpaper, creating a visually appealing experience. And to add a personal touch, you can even enhance your Always-on Display with a Bitmoji.

But that’s not all! The P1 5G also boasts a range of innovative features. Activate the Floating Window feature for seamless productivity. Dual carrier aggregation, Flash Capsule (Realme’s version of Dynamic Island), Microsoft sync, and various other exciting features are waiting for you to explore.

And here’s the best part: Realme promises to remove unnecessary pre-installed apps from your device, and the P1 5G lives up to this promise. However, there is room for improvement in the software update policy, as it offers a decent but not exceptional 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security updates.

Under the hood, the Realme P1 5G delivers impressive performance with the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, combined with up to 8GB of RAM and a spacious 256GB of storage. Impressive benchmark scores (AnTuTu v10: 604,530; Geekbench 6: 956 single-core, 2265 multi-core) hint at its capabilities, but its real-world performance is where it truly shines. Throughout our rigorous month-long testing, the phone effortlessly handled daily tasks without any lag. Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate its ability to handle lighter to mid-range titles like Asphalt 9 Legends with consistent frame rates. Considering its price point, the Realme P1’s performance exceeds expectations, making it a worthy contender in its class.

Realme P1 5G : Camera & Battery

Realme, specifically the Realme P1 5G, strongly emphasizes camera performance. This phone boasts a dual camera setup on the rear, featuring a 50MP Samsung sensor as its primary lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 16MP front-facing camera for selfies.

Let’s delve into the camera’s capabilities. In well-lit conditions, the primary camera truly shines, capturing highly detailed and vibrant images. The colors are vivid, and the HDR feature works effectively, resulting in picture-perfect moments with natural hues and impressive clarity. When it comes to zooming, the 2x zoom capability performs exceptionally well, especially in optimal lighting.

As for selfies, the 16MP front camera delivers commendable results, producing sharp shots with natural skin tones, particularly when minimal face beautification filters are selected.

However, the most outstanding feature of the Realme P1 5G is its exceptional battery life. Equipped with a robust 5,000mAh battery, this powerhouse consistently lasts nearly two full days on a single charge during our tests. And when it’s time to recharge, there’s no need to worry. With the blazing-fast 45W charger included, you can reach full battery capacity in under an hour, ensuring you’re ready to tackle the day ahead.

Realme P1 5G Review – The Verdict

The Realme P1 5G is a smartphone that demands attention due to its stellar performance, decent camera setup, and impressive battery life. It also sports a sleek design that catches the eye. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset, this phone effortlessly handles multitasking and gaming. Additionally, its vibrant display enhances the viewing experience. Although the camera system performs admirably, especially in well-lit conditions, there is room for improvement in low-light situations.

Overall, the Realme P1 5G offers great value for budget-conscious consumers who are looking for a reliable smartphone. While it may not excel in every aspect, its combination of features and affordability makes it a strong contender in the bustling mid-range smartphone market.