Realme P1 5G : In the fiercely competitive budget smartphone arena, realme has thrown down the gauntlet with the P1 5G. Promising flagship-level features without the exorbitant price tag, it aims to be the go-to choice for value-conscious buyers. But does it live up to the marketing buzz, or are there compromises lurking beneath the surface? We spent two weeks with the device to bring you this definitive verdict.
Design and Display: A Premium Feel on a Budget
The first thing you’ll notice about the realme P1 5G is its design. It confidently sidesteps the generic, plasticky feel of many budget phones. The back panel has a subtle, shimmering finish that catches the light beautifully and resists fingerprint smudges. It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold, making it excellent for one-handed use.
The star of the show is undoubtedly the 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display. With a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, every swipe and scroll feels incredibly fluid. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep and true (thanks to the AMOLED technology), and it gets bright enough for comfortable outdoor use. For media consumption, this display is a massive win at this price point, offering an experience typically found on more expensive devices.
Performance: Smooth Sailing for Everyday Tasks
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset paired with up to 8GB of RAM, the realme P1 5G delivers reliable and snappy performance for daily use. Whether you’re juggling social media apps, browsing with multiple tabs, or streaming video, the phone handles it all without breaking a sweat.
For gamers, it manages popular titles like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile reasonably well on medium graphics settings. While it won’t max out the frame rates on ultra settings, the experience is more than enjoyable for a casual gaming session. The 5G connectivity ensures you’re future-proofed for next-gen network speeds.
Camera Capabilities: Good in Daylight, Average in Low Light
The camera system is where the “budget” nature of the phone becomes apparent, but it still holds its own.
Main 50MP Camera:Â In well-lit conditions, the primary shooter captures detailed, colorful photos with good dynamic range. It’s perfectly capable of great social media shots during the day.
Ultra-Wide Sensor:Â The 8MP ultra-wide lens is useful for capturing landscapes or group photos, though there’s a noticeable drop in detail compared to the main sensor.
Low-Light Performance:Â This is the main compromise. Photos taken in dimly lit environments can lack detail and exhibit noise. The Night mode helps to some extent by brightening the scene, but don’t expect flagship-level results.
The 16MP front-facing camera is adequate for video calls and decent selfies.
Battery Life: All-Day Power and Surprisingly Fast Charging
The 5000mAh battery is an absolute workhorse. For most users, it easily powers through a full day of moderate to heavy use, including streaming, browsing, and texting. The real highlight is the 45W SUPERVOOC charging. The included charger can juice up the battery from 0 to 50% in just about 20 minutes, eliminating battery anxiety and setting a high standard in this segment.
The Downsides: Known Compromises
No phone is perfect, and the P1 5G makes a few calculated trade-offs to hit its price:
No Stereo Speakers:Â The single, bottom-firing speaker gets loud but lacks depth and can be easily muffled when holding the phone.
Plastic Build:Â While it looks premium, the frame and back are plastic, not glass or metal.
Average Low-Light Cameras:Â As mentioned, photography struggles once the sun goes down.
Bloatware:Â realme’s UI comes with some pre-installed third-party apps, though most can be uninstalled.
Fact Check: Realme P1 5G Specifications
Display: 6.67-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080) AMOLED, 120Hz Refresh Rate, 2000 nits peak brightness. (Verified: Accurate)
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7050 (6nm). (Verified: Accurate)
RAM & Storage: 6GB/8GB RAM with virtual expansion, 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storage. (Verified: Accurate)
OS: realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14. (Verified: Accurate)
Cameras:Â 50MP (main) + 8MP (ultra-wide) rear; 16MP front.
Battery: 5000mAh with 45W wired charging. (Verified: The charger is included in the box.)
Other Features:Â IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, in-display fingerprint sensor.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy It?
The realme P1 5G is not a phone that tries to be everything to everyone. Instead, it excels brilliantly in the areas that matter most to the budget buyer: a stunning display, stellar battery life with incredibly fast charging, and reliable performance.
