PhoneSentral Tech in Simplicity
The realme 13 Pro Series is an exciting smartphone series to review because it is purpose built for content making, something I am very familar with.
With a lot of hype surrounding the smartphone’s cameras, I am personally very excited to review realme’s latest numbers series with myself getting my hands on the realme 13 Pro.
Just to note, there’s two variants under the realme 13 Pro series, namely the realme 13 Pro which I am reviewing here, and the realme 13 Pro+, which I don’t have.
For your comfort and ease, the topic of the phone I am reviewing is listed below, so you can jump straight to any desired section of the review. Else, just keep on reading this review of mine.
- Main highlights
- Design & body
- Screen & Display
- Audio system
- Processor, RAM & Storage
- Software
- Camera
- Durability
- Battery
- Conclusion
Main highlights
As mentioned above, the realme 13 Pro’s biggest deal is in the camera system with it featuring the 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor with 1/95″ size that delivers stunning day and night photography.
To add to this sensor is the enhanced OIS and 2X ISZ support, both pushing boundries when it comes to photography and videography.
If that additional feature is not enough, realme HYPERIMAGE+ Camera System, which is an AI photography architecture with three-layer flagship optics, on-device AI imaging algorithms, and cloud-based AI image editing, is also available in the realme 13 Pro.
Another highlight is the Monet-inspired rear design which captures one of his masterpiece, Water Lilies.
The design is said to evoke a sense of comfort and vitality as it also emulates Monet’s brushstrokes on the frosted high-gloss glass of the smartphone.
Last but not least, the realme 13 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon® 7s Gen 2 which is known for its powerful performance and low consumption. A 9-layer cooling system is also added to the smartphone, increasing comfort when used under power intense situations.
Design & body
Specs: 161.34mm x 73.91mm x 8.41mm, 183.5g, in-screen fingerprint.
The design of the realme 13 Pro centres a lot on the Monet inspired rear design with the Monet Purple I got being on the softer side of purple.
The intricate design mimic’s Monet’s brush strokes and does produce that comforting aura when you look at it.
More impoprtantly, the design feels silky, and does not attract dirt, fingerprints and smudges.
Such soft and comforting design will be loved by those who like such soft colours.
Also at the rear is the camera bump, known as the Sunrise Halo. This Sunrise Halo disables the phone from sitting flat on its rear, but it does give a 360 degree luxury ring to the rear, making it look premium.
However, I prefer my devices plain and boring, so the accompanying dark grey silicone case, a first of such case I’ve ever seen bundled in a smartphone box, got me very excited.
In my opinion, the case looks and feels good, and provide additional assurance of protection for the already sturdy phone.
Physically, the phone feels great in my palms as the curved screen makes it easy to handle and use.
More details on what I think about the realme 13 pro can be read in my first impression video below.
Screen & Display
Specs: 6.7 inch FHD+ AMOLED screen with 93% screen-to-body ratio. 2412×1080 resolution, 120Hz peak refresh rate, 1200 nits maximum brightness
The 6.7-inch AMOLED screen produces accurate colour representation with 120Hz refresh rate enabling me to play games without much complain.
Colours are vivid and present distinct contrast when watching movies or videos making the phone a good movie screen as well.
When used under the sun, its 1200 nits maximum brightness enables me to see what I am doing without the need to adjust the screen or squint my eyes. This makes it easy for me to use the phone on the move.
The in-display fingerprint module comes with customizable animation, a feature I thought was pretty neat to have.
Audio System
Specs: Super Linear Dual Speakers, Supports OReality Audio, Hi-Res Audio Certification, Dual-mic Noise Cancellation
The realme 13 pro benefits from dual speakers and they are loud. For listening to music there’s adequate bass but it does sounds rather ‘loose’ for my liking.
For gaming the loudness of the stereo speakers meant I was at an advantage when playing COD and PUBG.
On WhatsApp calls, clarity of the call is there, and the receiver also had no complaints listening to my voice from the other end.
Processor, RAM & Storage
Specs: 12 (8+12)GB RAM, 512B storage space, Snapdragon® 7s Gen 2
The realme 13 Pro’s Snapdragon® 7s Gen 2 performs well when I play games like FC Mobile and COD, and the 3D VC Cooling System is evident as the phone kept its cool even after playing games for a few hours.
Overall, games load without problem and were pretty responsive during play.
The 12GB of RAM and the 512GB of storage space is very generous in my opinion making this smartphone perfect for content creators like myself who would need such massive space for video and photography.
There is no expansion slot in this phone, but 512GB is a lot of space to use up. If the RAM isn’t adequate, the phone automatically beefs up the RAM to 24GB, thanks to realme’s Dynamic RAM Expansion feature.
Additionally, when gaming, the phone also has gaming haptics which increases the enjoyment when playing.
Software
Specs: realme UI 5.0 (Based on Android 14)
AI plays a vital role in the realme 13 Pro and its just packed in this phone.
The camera (which I will review after the software) is packed with AI features, and the realme UI 5.0 has things like AI Assistant, AI Boost, AI Service Engine, AI Screen recognition, and AI Eye Comfort. These are the ones I could find, but there may be more.
Generally speaking, most of the AI functions are not switched on by default, so I had to switch them on individually.
This is perhaps because some AI functions, when automatically activated, will make those unfamiliar with such functions confused, given they are more familiar without AI helping them.
Other AI functions, like the AI Eye Comfort, reduce screen colour and brightness, causing some to think their screens are defective if they are unaware such function is switched on.
Regardless, if one is adventurous like myself, these AI functions are great help to daily task.
The realme UI itself is fast and responsive with plenty of customisations and I am generally happy with it.
Camera
Specs: 32MP Sony front camera, 50MP Sony LYT-600 main rear camera with OIS, Ultra-wide 8MP
When it comes to the camera, the realme 13 Pro camera is equipped with quite a number of interesting AI functions.
These functions include AI HyperRAW Algorithm, AI Portrait Alrorithm, AI Ultra Clarity and AI Imaging Experience.
AI HyperRAW Algorithm enhances the purity of the image and restores true light and shadow with smooth transitions, while AI Portrait Algorithm identifies foreground, midground and background of the scene, as well as the subject photographed, and optimizes the photo.
AI Ultra Clarity on the other hand enhances resolution and improves clarity of blurry images while AI Imaging Experience is the general name for three AI functions; AI Group Photo Enhance, AI Smart Removal and AI Audio Zoom.
AI Group Photo improves facial detail in group photos, while AI Smart Removal enables one to remove unwanted objects from the photo.
AI Audio Zoom zooms into the audio source and selectively enhances it.
Photography
So how does all these AI features work in the photos taken using the realme 13 Pro?
Well, here’s a collection of images I took with the smartphone to show what the realme 13 Pro Sony LYT-600 Sensor can do.
For day time, including in well lit indoors, images appear really nice, akin what you’d expect from a high end smartphone camera system, or a DSLR. Some sample photos I took are seen below.
Testing the zoom of the phone in good day light shows the images below.
I’m impressed with the clarity and the lovely bokeh effect the 5X zoom can produce.
The night mode was very impressive as well. The shots below were taken at night and as you can see, the subjects are nicely captured and sharp. Some sample photos I took can be seen below.
In addition to the day and night shots, the realme 13 Pro camera can also capture stars which I did below.
The trade off taking stars using the Stary Mode is that it does take about 5 minutes and a tripod to complete properly, but the results are satisfying because not many phones can do such thing.
Selfies and portraits using the front and rear camera appear sharp with nice bokeh effect. Samples are seen below.
Food photos were equally good as seen below.
There’s also numerous filters, a dedicated action mode and street mode photography, all aimed to improve photo shooting.
To be honest, I am very, very impressed with the rear camera of the realme 13 Pro.
Videography
If you think the photography power of the realme 13 Pro is impresive, then the videography capabilities of the smartphone in my opinion is equally impressive as well.
I didn’t expect this phone to upstage other more expensive smartphones I’ve tried and reviewed in the market, but it did.
To see what I mean, check out the videography test I had completed below.
Battery performance
Specs: 5,200mAh battery with 45W SUPERVOOC Charge
The realme 13 Pro’s battery can last for a day on my normal day use, and it goes from 51% to 82% within 24 minutes with its 45W SUPERVOOC charger.
There’s a lot of different energy settings for this smartphone, so usage and power consumption varies according to setting.
I did a timelapse video for two – three hours, and the battery drain stopped at 60% when I was done.
What’s however comforting is realme’s promise that the battery of the realme 13 Pro would stay fresh for about 3 – 4 years, ensuring you don’t need to bring a power bank for at least 4 years when using the phone.
Durability
Specs: IP65 Water & Dust resistance
Water and dust resistance should be a staple in smartphones these days, but cheaper smartphones tend to get lower IP ratings or resistance.
The realme 13 Pro comes with a IP65 water and dust resistance, which is on the higher end of the IP rating.
IP65 means that this smartphone is dust tight and can withstand water jet projections in any direction. This means the phone is well protected beyond just splashes and water submerges. To understand IP ratings better go HERE.
Additionally, realme also included the Rainwater Smart Touch to this phone which means I could use the phone even if the screen is wet.
Anyway, I did a simple water resistance test and Rainwater Smart Touch feature test and you can see the video below.
realme 13 Pro review verdict & availability
Personally, I am very happy and satisfied with the realme 13 Pro in this review.
As a content creator, I can’t think of a better phone for content creators within this price range. I would however recommend getting the realme 13 Pro+ just for the extra 120x zoom capabilities which I would really enjoy myself.
Either way, get this phone if you are always doing content creation and vlogs, as well as taking photos.
The phone is priced at RM1,999 and I think it is a steal and can be ordered in the links below.
