The Realme 13+ 5G is one of the most consistent performers launched by Realme. The numbered series from Realme has always been geared towards people looking for dependable phones at affordable prices. With the 13 series, the brand now seems to emphasise performance, an uncommon sight in the sub-25k price range. What sits next on their priority list is to package this performance in a striking design.
Realme 13 Plus
Rs 22,999
What Is Good?
- Rock-solid build quality
- Headphone jack
- Consistently great performance
- Smooth 120Hz refresh rate
- Reliable battery life
What Is Bad?
- The exposure needs to be worked upon
- Bloatware apps
- Can’t play 1080p videos on streaming services
Now, it begs the question: Does their new approach give them a fighting chance in a league, which has formidable players like the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and the OnePlus Nord CE4? Let’s dive in and find out in the review.
Realme 13+ Review: Pricing and Availability in India
The Realme 13+ is available via Flipkart, Realme’s official website and retail stores. You will also get a cashback benefit of Rs 1,500. Here are the prices for all the variants:
| Variant | Pricing |
| 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage | Rs 22,999 |
| 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage | Rs 24,999 |
Realme 13+ Review: Performance and Software
Since performance is the aspect on which Realme claimed to build this phone from the ground up, it is interesting to see the brand putting the money where its mouth is. The Realme 13+ is powered by Dimensity 7300-energy, which also powers phones like the CMF Phone 1 and the OPPO Reno 12 series.
| Hardware | Specifications |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB UFS 3.1 |
| Storage Test | 101631 |
| CPU Throttling Test | 79% of its maximum performance |
| Geekbench 6 | Multi-core: 2958, Single-core: 1044 |
| Software version | Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14 |
| Connectivity details | Dual SIM, dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and GPS |
The placement of this chipset in the Realme 13+ raises eyebrows since it is tuned significantly for performance, unlike the other two smartphones. I played Call of Duty: Mobile and BGMI on the phone to test their gaming calibre, and here are my findings:
| Game | Graphic Quality | FPS | Result |
| Call of Duty: Mobile | Maximum: Very High Quality + Very High FPS | Maximum: 60 fps
Minimum: 60 fps |
The gameplay was buttery smooth. The frame rate seldom dropped below 60 fps; it felt like the phone was locked in at its peak performance. |
| Call of Duty: Mobile | Minimum: Low Quality + Ultra FPS | Maximum: 89.6 fps
Minimum: 86.6 fps |
Despite the FPS meter showing a bit of frame drop, the gameplay was consistently smooth. This setting can let you achieve 90fps gameplay, which is commendable for a phone of this price. |
| BGMI | Maximum: Ultra HDR Quality + Ultra FPS | Maximum: 40 fps
Minimum: 38.5 fps |
At maximum graphical quality, the streak of smoothness was still maintained, continuing from CODM. |
| BGMI | Minimum: Smooth Quality + Extreme+ FPS | Maximum: 90 fps
Minimum: 86.6 fps |
Generally, the gameplay was smooth, sometimes even touching the 90 fps mark. While being driven in a car, I observed a bit of jitter, though it wasn’t something that the FPS meter picked up. |
Overall, it was quite adept at running these games at 90 fps, which wasn’t the case with the CMF Phone 1 and Reno 12 series. However, note that to achieve 90fps you’ll be required to enable GT mode from the overlay settings. The only other smartphone in the sub-25k range that offers 90 fps gaming is the Infinix GT 20 Pro.
In terms of synthetic benchmarks, the Realme 13+ scores decent numbers but falls behind the similarly priced OnePlus Nord CE 4.
In real-world usage, this phone didn’t break a sweat during daily tasks like mindless scrolling on social media apps, binge-watching YouTube videos, or even gaming. Multi-tasking was also not a problem for the Realme 13+.
The phone runs Realme UI 5.0, based on Android 14 and is jam-packed with a variety of customisation options. These include Quick Return, Smart Sidebar, and Quick Launch, among others. What you also get are preinstalled apps and the infamous duo of hot apps and hot games. These are also accompanied by a few spammy notifications.
To keep your AI fix satisfied, the Realme 13+ comes with two AI features: AI Clear Voice for better call quality and AI Smart Loop for streamlining content sharing.
Realme 13+ Review: Design and Build Quality
The Realme 13+ is available in shades of Victory Gold, Speed Green, and Dark Purple. If you prefer phones that shimmer, the gold colourway is the way to go. If subtlety is on your list, then the purple variant should suffice. The finish on the back excels at hiding smudges, albeit being glossy.
| Design | Specifications |
| Weight | 185g |
| Thickness | 7.6 mm |
| IP rating | IP65 |
| Port and button placements | Bottom: SIM tray, primary microphone, USB port, speaker grille
Top: Secondary speaker and headphone jack Right Side: Power button and volume buttons |
The build quality of this phone is something I can get behind. To begin with, the phone’s weight is balanced. This trait gives off an impression of premiumness.
It comes with an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, which is appreciated. However, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion offers much better protection against dust and water with its IP68 rating at a similar price.
Realme 13+ Review: Display and Audio
The phone features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 120hz refresh rate. It fared well in the brightness section. Indoors, I could watch content comfortably at half the brightness, as the screen was fairly bright. Outdoors, the screen was legible enough without requiring me to squint my eyes. Having said that, I had to adjust the device slightly to see the viewfinder in direct sunlight.
| Display | Specifications |
| Size | 6.67-inch |
| Type | E4 AMOLED |
| Resolution | FHD + (1080 x 2400) |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Peak brightness | Claimed: 2000 nits, Tested: 1610 nits |
| Minimum brightness | 5 nits |
| Other features | Rainwater Smart Touch |
I was also pleased by its picture quality since it was crisp. Having binge-watched numerous hour-long gameplays on YouTube, I can say that the colours were vibrant. Also, they were adequately saturated with on-point consistency.
Out of the box, it supports Widevine L3 certification, meaning it can’t run full HD videos on streaming services. It is 2024; even a budget phone like the POCO M6 Plus can play 1080p videos on Netflix. This is something Realme should have worked on, considering the display quality is more than adequate.
The speakers were fairly loud, considering the phone’s smaller footprint. It emits crisp and clear audio, somewhere around 80 per cent. Going beyond this threshold can imbalance the left and right channels’ output.
Realme 13+ Review: Camera
The Realme 13+ comes with a dual camera setup, even though the camera module might make it seem otherwise.
| Camera | Specifications |
| Primary Camera | 50-megapixel with OIS, f/1.8 |
| Secondary Camera | 2-megapixel macro |
| Selfie Camera | 32-megapixel, f/2.4 |
| Video recording capabilities | Up to 4K at 30 fps, video stabilisation: EIS/OIS |
In daylight, the primary camera is skilled at taking great photos with close-to-natural colours and ample details. On the flip side, it has a constant tussle with exposure, so you will mostly be in the dark about which photo gets it right.
This particular issue is further amplified in low-light captures as well. If lucky enough, it can generate well-detailed images with accurate colours. To capture more light, it slows down the shutter speed, so a slight movement can cause a blurry image. Additionally, it has an issue with direct light sources, causing lens flare when photographed underneath it.
The portrait mode on the Realme 13+ is plain vanilla. It lets you take good photos with accurate skin tone. While the edge detection is good, it is not quite precise enough.
For selfie fanatics, it has a flair for taking detailed shots, but again, the exposure is hit or miss against the direct source light in general.
Realme 13+ Review: Battery and Charging
The Realme 13+ packs a 5,000mAh battery. Courtesy of its massive size, the phone can last almost an entire day of capturing moments, casual gaming, and an unending cycle of reel scrolling.
| Battery | Specifications |
| Battery | 5000mAh |
| Charging Adapter | 80W fast charging, charger-in-the-box |
| Charging Time | 50 minutes and 33 seconds |
| PCMark battery test | 14 hours and 18 minutes |
The phone lasted for 14 hours and 18 minutes in the PCMark battery test. That said, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite has endured for five more hours in our testing, despite costing relatively less.
The phone can instantly juice up to 100 per cent in about 50 minutes using the 80W charger. It is worth pointing out that it used to randomly refuse to register its charger and charge only at lower speeds at the time of our testing. This could be an issue with our unit.
Realme 13+ Review: Verdict
If you are actively searching for a phone with solid build quality that also performs consistently amazingly in gaming while handling daily tasks smoothly, this phone is for you. Its 6.67-inch display is an added plus for its crisp picture quality. On top of that, the camera can take good daylight shots, and its reliable battery life with its speedy charging prevents you from worrying about running out of battery.
However, you will be putting up with a few compromises: The phone can’t play 1080p videos on streaming services; the exposure and portrait modes need patching up, and the UI can bug you with its spam notifications.
For people looking for a balanced experience, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 is a better option. To fulfil the need for better cameras, the Nothing Phone (2a) could be a pick for you.
