realme is once again bringing value for money through its latest smartphone, realme 10. The prolific smartphone brand clearly made its indirect statement when it launched the new device on November 9, 2022. realme 10 must be an important device for the brand’s positioning in the Philippines—for the first time, a realme smartphone was launched simultaneously in the country and globally.
Belonging to the mid-range category, anyone would agree that realme 10 is a good smartphone to have for just under ₱15,000. Judging through a quick look, realme has gone basic but has made sure basic remains impressive. And the local market reception is not surprising—realme 10 has been sold out in so far the most recent promotional sale event (11.11 sale) just days after launch.
Let’s get real with realme 10.
Body design
realme 10 is bringing Android phone to a smaller size, with a 6.4-inch OLED display, complementing a light weight of just 179 grams and thickness of just 7.9mm. The dimensions make it easier to carry and keep in one’s pocket.
Its flatter profile gives it an endearing blocky vibe. It is also more comfortable to hold. The corners feature edges that are slightly curbed. realme 10 has a back that is characterized by its glittery coating that brings an array of looks and colors when reflecting light from any angle, thanks to the powdery or glittery light particle design. The phone is available in Rush Black or Clash White colors.
The power and lock button that also serves as a fingerprint scanner is at the right edge of the phone. Above it are the volume up and down buttons. On the left edge are the SIM card tray and the microSD card slot. The top edge has the secondary microphone, while the button edge houses the headphone jack, primary microphone, USB-C port, and loudspeaker.
Display
realme 10 has a 6.4-inch front display made of Gorilla Glass 5. For the keen observer, it is noticeable that the screen gives away the fact that the device is far from being a flagship panel. It comes with a refresh rate of just 90Hz, which is already good but is lower than the common 120Hz in many flagship panels. However, the screen displays are vibrant and bright enough, making one easily realize that the phone screen quality is still impressive, thanks to the Super AMOLED resolution.
Cameras
realme 10 is equipped with a 50-megapixel main camera—decent enough for its price range. What one would instantly love about shooting subjects using realme 10 is that it is fast to focus the cameras and produce photos that come with above-average dynamic range and accurate colors.
The other camera protruding at the rear is actually a 2MP black-and-white sensor. This is another difference in realme 10 because that slot is commonly occupied by an ultra-wide camera, which is lacking on this device. But there is no need to worry because that absence is not restricting as realme 10 still renders awesome images. Taking photos at 2X to 3X zoom still gives good photos.
For selfie lovers, realme 10 has a decent 16MP front shooter. The front camera looks like a big dot at the upper left corner of the display.
Here are sample photos:
Internals and software
For its price range, coming with MediaTek Helio G99 chip and 8GB RAM are already an extra mile. As if those aren’t enough, realme 10 has a powerful 5,000 mAh battery, which can power the device practically all day long. The set comes with a 33W fast-charger, which can fully charge the unit in as fast as 28 minutes.
The software is characterized by realme UI 3.0, which runs on Android 12. realme UI renders an interface that remains simple and easier to navigate. It is also adorned with youthful color themes and icons.
The 128GB and optional 256GB storage are more than enough. Furthermore, storage could still be expanded by installing a microSD card (not included in the set).
Connectivity
Basic connectivity features are present—WiFi, Bluetooth, USB-C port, GPS, and 3.5mm audio jack. However, realme 10 is not a 5G phone. It can connect data via 4G LTE.
Conclusion
realme 10 is for modern digital natives who are up for basic features. It has a premium feel that is evident on the body, design, display, camera system, and battery. But don’t expect it to have flagship features. But it surely stands out from all other phones in the mid-level category.
realme 10 can be bought for just ₱12,999 (8GB RAM/128GB model) and ₱14,999 (8GB RAM/256GB model).
Watch the unboxing video here:
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