Despite the ongoing pandemic, realme managed to release multiple phone models this year. They are so many, I have lost count. Their numbered mid-range phone series, the realme 7 and 7 Pro were already launched and I happen to have a review unit of the latter. As always, I enjoy reviewing realme phones but the realme 7 Pro is something I might be using as my secondary phone for now instead of the more powerful realme X3 SuperZoom. Why? Read on to find out.
REALME 7 PRO SPECS:
OS: | Android 10 with realme UI |
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Processor: | 2.3 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G Octa-Core Processor | Adreno 618 |
Display: | 6.4" Super AMOLED Display 1080 x 2400 FHD+ with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Wireless Connections: | LTE, Bluetooth 5.1, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, A-GPS, GLONASS |
Memory: | 128GB Internal Storage expandable with a microSD Card (dedicated slot); 8GB RAM |
Connectors: | Type-C USB 2.0, OTG Support 3.5mm audio jack |
Cameras: | Rear: 64MP f/1.8 + 8MP f/2.3 + 2MP f/2.4 + 2MP f/2.4 Front: 32MP f/2.5 |
Security: | on-display fingerprint sensor; Face unlock |
SIM Card Slots: | 2x Nano SIM Cards |
Battery: | 4,500 mAh |
SRP: | P17,990 |
THE UNBOXING
The familiar yellow box is back in the studio with the latest model number printed in the center.
Unboxing reveals the realme 7 Pro, a USB Type-C cable, a 65W Super Dart USB Charger head (wow!), Silicon Case, SIM card ejector and User Manuals.
THE LOOKS AND FEEL
I mentioned in my first impressions post about the size and weight of the realme 7 Pro. I really liked the smaller size of the 7 Pro. It’s easier to hold thanks to its slim profile and thanks to its lightweight body, it’s not a nuisance to carry. I can definitely use the phone with one hand.
The color I received is called Mirror Silver, and I am so thankful that realme Philippines sent me this instead of Mirror Blue. It’s not as radiant as the previous models, but it has some angles that definitely shines like a mirror. What’s surprising about this is realme didn’t use any glass materials in the back panel. It is actually made of polycarbonate, commonly used in entry-level and mid-level phones. Instead of letting it look like it was made of cheap plastic like what other brands are doing, realme added some touch of class. Not only that, the attractive back panel is fingerprint and dust resistant! I want my realme 7 Pro to be “naked” so that all the other people can see its true beauty, and I don’t have to worry about smudges because the realme has already taken care of that.
THE DISPLAY
The display of the realme 7 Pro is a 6.4″ Super AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and coated with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. This is the first time realme has added this gorgeous display technology on their numbered series and it certainly is a godsend! Pictures are crispers, colors have more punch! It made me want to watch more videos on the realme 7 Pro as I really prefer screens with Super AMOLED displays.
However, it doesn’t have the 90Hz refresh rate that realme 7 users are enjoying. Honestly, this is a bummer. I just wish that they have also included the fast refresh rate in the 7 Pro so I can enjoy playing games with a Super AMOLED display. If there is some consolation, the realme 7 Pro’s fingerprint scanner is implemented in the display instead of the phone’s side. This is the first time realme has implemented the on-display fingerprint scanner in a mid-range model.
THE PERFORMANCE
Under the hood of the realme 7 Pro is a 2.3Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G Octa-Core processor. I have high regards for the 700 series as it is the second best to the 800 series commonly used by flagship phones. Here are the benchmark results of the realme 7 Pro:
The Antutu Benchmark score is almost similar to my realme 6‘s results. It even fares better than the OPPO Reno4 which uses the same chipset but somehow scores higher in Antutu and PCMark.
This chipset is paired with an internal storage of 128GB and 8GB of memory. Managing open applications is not a problem in the realme 7 Pro, and movement from one app to another is fast and smooth. Everything works perfectly. Gaming is absolutely possible with the realme 7 Pro. In Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, framerates were set to High and it made the game smoother to play on. In Call of Duty Mobile, Graphic Quality was set to High and Frame Rate to Max, the highest frame rate setting in the game. Matches are fast paced and the phone didn’t lag even after an hour of playing.
THE CAMERAS
realme retains its quad-camera system in this series lead by a 64 Megapixel shooter. The cameras seem to be downgraded from the realme 6 Pro. Instead of a 12 Megapixel telephoto, the 7 Pro now has an 8 Megapixel ultra-wide while the other cameras added were a 2 Megapixel Macro and 2 Megapixel depth. I didn’t have the chance to ask realme why they have removed the telephoto lens. My guess is replacing it with a black and white sensor would fit the identity of the 7 Pro more as a creative tool rather than a telephoto lens. Anyway, photos looked really good and the 64 Megapixel shooter can produce very detailed images. Photos taken in the evenings are not a problem with the 7 Pro especially with Night Mode on. Here are some sample photos:
THE BATTERY LIFE
Now this is the real star feature of the phone. The realme 7 Pro is equipped with a 4,500 mAh battery that can be fully charged in as fast as 34 minutes! To achieve this, you will need to use the supplied 65W Super Dart charger in the package. I noticed that charging with the phone of can realistically fully charge the 7 Pro from 0 to 100% in 34 minutes. If the phone is turned on after 1%, it will be fully charged in 44 minutes. This type of charging would work for those who are always in a hurry about charging their phones.
How much charge can I get on the realme 7 Pro after I finish eating my Samyang 3x Spicy Noodles? Check out my video below:
Heavy usage on the 7 Pro can still last me a whole day. PC Mark Battery Test was able to validate this as the results show it can reach more than 16 hours.
DR’S CONCLUSION
I love the realme 7 Pro because it has a good combination of size, weight, power and functionality. The superfast charging is the best feature and that is definitely part of my reason to have this as my secondary phone. I know it is slightly expensive than the realme 6 Pro, but at least the 7 Pro has a Super AMOLED display and the Super Dart charging. I also know I’ll be missing the 6 Pro’s 90Hz refresh rate, but since I am really biased with Super AMOLED displays ever since they were introduced in 2009, I will stick to my realme 7 Pro.
PROS:
- Slim form factor and lightweight.
- Back panel is shiny and at the same time anti-dust and fingerprints
- Super AMOLED Display
- Great performance
- Super fast charging
CONS:
- 60Hz refresh rate (realme 7 has 90Hz)
- Super Fast Charging can only work with supplied Super Dart Charger
- Slightly pricey compared to realme 6 Pro