realme 14 Pro+ 5G Review – Midrange Smartphone But Flagship Like Experience
The realme number series has consistently impressed with its Pro+ variants, and this year’s realme 14 Pro+ 5G is no exception. As we dive into this review, we’ll explore whether this model continues the legacy of its highly acclaimed predecessor by delivering a flagship experience that won’t drain your wallet. With excitement in the air, let’s uncover what sets the 14 Pro+ apart in the competitive mid-range market!
Table of Contents
realme 14 Pro+ 5G Specifications
| OS: | Android 15, realme UI 6.0 |
|---|---|
| Processor: | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| Display: | 6.8″ 120Hz OLED |
| Wireless Connections: | 5G, Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Memory: | 12GB+512GB |
| Connectors: | USB Type-C 2.0 , OTG |
| Cameras: | Rear Camera: (Main) 50 MP, f/1.8 (Periscope Telephoto) 50 MP, f/2.7 (Ultrawide) 8 MP, f/2.2 Front Camera: 32 MP, f/2.1 |
| SIM Card Slots: | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Battery: | 6000mAh 80W wired |
| Price: | 12GB+512GB: Php 27,999 |
The Design
The realme 14 Pro+ 5G retains the same design style, but its camera module has been tweaked, now featuring a triple-camera configuration along with a triple flash.
The unit we have is the Pearl White variant, which truly showcases a pearl-like vibe. This is the first time realme has incorporated cold-sensitive color-changing technology on the backplate. For this variant, when exposed to cold water (below 16°C), the backplate changes color, revealing a blue hue.
The other color variant available for those who prefer a more minimalistic design is Suede Grey.
A surprising change in this year’s Pro+ model is that the display is no longer curved. However, it still maintains an elegant look, as it isn’t completely flat—it has a subtle bevel that transitions smoothly into the frame. Having this, it gives a bezel-less experience giving an edge-to-edge elegance.
In terms of ports and buttons, the layout remains standard. The power button and volume rocker are on the right side. On the bottom, you’ll find the speaker grille, USB Type-C port, microphone hole, and SIM tray (which supports dual nano SIM cards). The top houses an additional speaker hole and microphone hole.
In our previous realme device review which is the realme C75, we saw a dual IP rating (IP68 and IP69). However, the realme 14 Pro+ 5G takes it a step further with a triple IP rating (IP66/IP68/IP69), making it highly resistant to dust and water. This means you can confidently bring it to a swimming party without worrying about water damage, even when diving.
Beyond its IP rating, the device has undergone additional durability tests, earning certifications such as TÜV Rheinland Rugged Smartphone and MIL-STD-810H compliance. These certifications highlight the phone’s toughness, ensuring long-term reliability before you decide to upgrade again. Plus the screen has Gorilla Glass 7i for durability of the screen.
The Display and Speakers
The realme 14 Pro+ 5G is slightly larger this time, featuring a 6.83-inch 120Hz OLED display with an improved resolution of 1272×2800 pixels. However, there is now an option to lower it to 1080×2800 to help conserve battery life. As for the refresh rate, it automatically adjusts between different levels to balance battery efficiency and smoothness, or you can manually set it to either 120Hz or 60Hz.
The display quality is excellent, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks, making it a pleasure to watch your favorite content. Additionally, it supports Widevine L1, ensuring HD quality when streaming on platforms like Netflix.
As for the speakers, the device features a stereo speaker setup with great loudness, along with decent bass and mids.
The Performance
Under the hood of the realme 14 Pro+ 5G is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, which offers an overall improvement in both CPU and GPU performance compared to its predecessor. It is paired with 12GB of RAM and a spacious 512GB of internal storage.
Here are the benchmark scores of the realme 14 Pro+ 5G that we obtained:
The device runs on realme UI 6.0, which is based on Android 15. realme has promised up to two major Android upgrades. As expected with realme OS, the phone comes with pre-installed bloatware, but these can be easily uninstalled.
During our review period, we thoroughly enjoyed the snappy performance of the device. Apps and games launched quickly, thanks to its UFS 3.0 storage. We did not experience any slowdowns or hiccups throughout our usage.
In terms of gaming performance, it handled casual and esports titles like Mobile Legends and Honor of Kings effortlessly. For more demanding games like Genshin Impact, the graphics defaulted to the lowest settings, but we were able to increase them to medium while still enjoying smooth gameplay with only minimal stuttering. However, occasional stuttering may still occur during longer gaming sessions.
The phone does not heat up quickly during gameplay, though it gradually becomes warm. Performance remains stable, with only a slight reduction over time. However, switching from Balanced Mode to GT Mode pushes the CPU to its maximum speed, causing the device to heat up significantly. In our CPU stress test, the phone throttled to 86% of its maximum performance, which is an impressive result.
The Camera
realme is heavily marketing the realme 14 Pro+ 5G for its camera performance, claiming it can capture ultra-clear shots regardless of distance or lighting conditions. The rear camera setup consists of a triple-camera system: a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel 3x periscope camera, and an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera. On the front, it features a 32-megapixel selfie camera.
A notable addition is the new MagicGlow triple-flash setup, which we got to try for the first time. This feature offers smart color temperature adjustment and studio-level fill lighting, enhancing portrait shots at night. With MagicGlow, night portraits appear more refined and well-lit.
realme 14 Pro+ 5G – Main Camera Sample
The 50 megapixels Sony IMX896 is a solid upgrade from the previous generation, offering better HDR, sharper details, and more vibrant colors. It performs exceptionally well in low-light conditions, capturing sharp and clear night shots. Portrait mode is also impressive, with good subject-background separation that gives photos a professional touch. Overall, the colors look natural and well-balanced, making this sensor a great choice for high-quality photography.
realme 14 Pro+ 5G – Periscope Camera Sample
The 50 megapixels Sony IMX882 sensor comes with 3X optical zoom and up to 120X SuperZoom, delivering impressive versatility. The image quality remains consistent with the main camera, ensuring little to no difference in overall output. Even in night mode, it maintains a similar performance to the main camera, though a slight graininess may appear in some shots. However, this minor noise doesn’t significantly affect the overall image quality, making it a reliable choice for both day and night photography.
realme 14 Pro+ 5G – Ultrawide Camera Sample
The 8 megapixels ultrawide camera does a great job in daylight, capturing wide scenes with good detail and natural colors. At night, it struggles a bit with handling bright light sources compared to the main camera, sometimes causing slight overexposure. However, it still manages to produce decent low-light shots, making it a solid option for ultrawide photography in most conditions.
realme 14 Pro+ 5G – Selfie Camera Sample
The selfie camera features a 32-megapixel sensor with eye-tracking autofocus, ensuring sharp images with a great bokeh effect that makes your selfies stand out. The sharpness and natural skin tones enhance the overall quality, giving you beautiful selfies. Plus, the AI beauty algorithm does a great job of refining your image without an overly filtered look, keeping it natural yet polished.
Overall, I appreciate how all the cameras maintain a consistent image quality, whether zooming in or out. The balance in color, sharpness, and detail is impressive, especially when there’s a good light source. However, in low-light conditions, the sharpness drops slightly, and the images appear darker compared to the main camera. Despite this, the performance is still decent and delivers usable results.
On the video quality aspect of the cameras, the rear main camera supports 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30, 60, and 120fps, featuring both gyro-electronic image stabilization (EIS) and optical image stabilization (OIS). Video stabilization is smooth, even when running, thanks to its ultra steady mode. However, enabling this feature slightly crops the video, which is a trade-off for enhanced stability.
The front camera also supports 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30fps, with gyro-EIS ensuring stable footage for selfies and vlogs.
The Battery
The realme 14 Pro+ 5G comes with a larger battery, now boasting a 6000mAh capacity compared to the typical 5000mAh range. It easily lasts through a busy workday and still has some charge left when you get home after 12+ hours outside. This means you can go about your day worry-free, without constantly searching for a charging spot or carrying a power bank.
When it’s time to recharge, the phone supports 80W fast charging, and the charger is included in the box. It can charge from 0% to over 50% in just 30 minutes, and a full charge takes less than an hour.
realme 14 Pro+ 5G Verdict
In conclusion, the realme 14 Pro+ 5G successfully builds upon its predecessor’s impressive legacy delivering a strong mid-range smartphone packed with flagship features at a reasonable price. With its stunning design, excellent display, and exceptional camera capabilities, this shines in every aspect, from performance to durability.
The addition of innovative features like cold-sensitive color-changing technology and a triple IP rating further sets it apart in a market with high level of competition. With a fluid experience in terms of performance driven by Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 and an impressive battery life, the 14 Pro+ is not just a smart financial choice but an exciting addition to any tech savvy individual’s arsenal. For those seeking style, functionality, and reliability without the hefty price tag, the realme 14 Pro+ 5G is a clear winner.
The realme 14 Pro+ 5G is priced at Php 27,999 and is available in Pearl White and Suede Grey. You can purchase it at any realme store nationwide, as well as on Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.
