Realme has introduced a new lineup in its already packed portfolio. Dubbed P-series, the lineup is said to be India-centric with a focus on ‘superior performance and exceptional user experience.’ We got the opportunity to try out the Realme P1 Pro, which is the flagship smartphone in the lineup. The sub-Rs 25,000 smartphone is equipped with decent specifications, at least on paper. Here’s our assessment of the Realme P1 Pro after subjecting it to real-world usage. Check it out.
Verdict
While the Realme P1 Pro may not stand out significantly in terms of specifications or real-world performance, it remains a smartphone worth considering. The handset delivers satisfactory performance and viewing experience, which, when combined with its stereo speakers and reliable battery support, could make it a compelling option.
Design and display
The Realme P1 Pro design looks similar to the company’s 12 Pro series, launched earlier this year. However, instead of the vegan leather back, the handset comes with a plastic back with a matte finish. We received the Phoenix Red colour variant for review, which has a brownish hue and a subtle texture that doesn’t attract fingerprints and smudges.
There is a large circular camera module on the back panel. The module juts out of the frame slightly and features 475 fan-shaped shimmery sections that reflect a cool pattern when light hits them at an angle. However, despite the appearance of four rings within the module, the handset only features dual cameras. Moving on, the P1 Pro is IP65-rated for water- and dust-resistance. Additionally, the handset boasts curved edges, making the device comfortable to wield. The volume rocker and power button are on the right spine, whereas the USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer is positioned on the bottom edge.
The phone also features Hi-res certified dual speakers, along with a 6.7-inch FHD+ OLED display that provides an immersive viewing experience, at least indoors. The phone supports 950 nits of maximum brightness, which does leave one wanting for more as far as outdoor screen legibilty is concerned. On the positive side, the display supports 120Hz refresh rate, which works well across UI and supported apps. Furthermore, it is Widevine L1 certified, ensuring streaming in FHD resolution from streaming platforms.
For security, the Realme P1 Pro boasts an in-display fingerprint scanner. It might not be snappy, but works every single time accurately unlocking the smartphone.
Cameras
In terms of optics, the Realme P1 Pro sports a 50MP Sony LYT-600 OIS primary camera paired with an 8MP portrait lens. The latter also works as an ultra-wide camera, offering a wider field of view (FoV) than the main camera. The portrait lens works effectively on both human and non-human subjects; however, the edge detection is less accurate for non-human subjects compared to humans. There’s also minor warping around the edges. The bokeh effect looks reasonably good, albiet a tad unnatural.
Talking about the ultra-wide camera, it gets the job done. There is a discernible graininess across the frame, and the colours don’t quite appeal as much as they should, even in well-lit environments. The 50MP primary camera outputs images with 12.5MP resolution by default, with respectable results and sharpness. The dynamic range is also impressive in daylight as well as areas in well-lit environments. However, the colours are boosted to make them appear more appealing.
In comparison to the Nothing Phone (2a) camera results, the Realme P1 Pro images seem to be lacking dynamic range. The handset can be caught crushing details in shadowy areas, as seen in the attached camera results. For selfies and video calls, the Realme P1 Pro features a 16MP shooter in a punch-hole setup. This shooter captures likeable images with decent facial detailing, although skin tones could be improved.
Performance and software
Coming to the performance, the Realme P1 Pro boasts a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC ticking at its core. The SoC is accompanied by 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB of user-expandable UFS 3.1 storage. Starting with the synthetic performance, the handset scored 5,92,957 on AnTuTu and 929 on Geekbench’s single-core test. Its multi-core test score stands at 2,680. While the scores may not be segment-leading, they’re at par with some of its competitors.
The handset should be smooth in managing everyday tasks and multitasking. We tested games such as BGMI, Call of Duty, and Real Racing 3 on the smartphone. The gaming experience remains enjoyable. Though the handset is equipped with a 3D VC cooling system, there was a noticeable increase in thermal levels while gaming. The P1 Pro reported a maximum of 9 degrees increase in temperature while playing BGMI with Ultra HDR graphics settings for half an hour. This should not be a concern for casual gamers, but if you consider yourself a power user, we suggest looking elsewhere.
As for the software, the P1 Pro boots Realme UI 5.0 running atop Android 14 out of the box. The experience remains arguably the same as every other Realme smartphone launched in India this year so far. Needless to say, there are a few third-party apps installed, but most of them are useful such as LinkedIn and Facebook. If you don’t want to use them, they are removable. The company has promised two years of software and three years of security updates for the smartphone, which is less than what the Nothing Phone (2a) offers within the segment.
Battery and charging
The Realme P1 Pro is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery and supports 45W fast charging. The charger provided in the box can fully charge the device from 20 to 100 percent in less than an hour. Once fully charged, the handset is likely to last up to a day depending on your usage. On the PCMark battery test, the phone achieved 12 hours and 24 minutes. While the score is sub-par compared to some of its competitors, this isn’t the case with the phone’s YouTube performance.
Final verdict
The Realme P1 Pro is priced at Rs 21,999 for the base 128GB storage variant, whereas the top-end 256GB storage option costs Rs 22,999. Alternatives in this price range include the Nothing Phone (2a), Redmi Note 13 Pro, and Realme 12+. Among these, the Nothing Phone (2a) (review) stands out for its performance and unique design. The Redmi Note 13 Pro (review) and Realme 12+ (review) offer more versatile camera setups than the P1 Pro. Additionally, Realme’s own 12+ supports superior 67W fast charging.
The Realme P1 Pro, meanwhile, is a viable option for those seeking a mid-range smartphone with balanced features. Its performance may not appeal to power users, but the handset ensures a smooth performance for most day-to-day tasks and light gaming.
Editor’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Reasons to buy
- The phone features a vibrant OLED display, nicely complemented by stereo speakers.
- The performance is good for most day-to-day activities and multi-tasking.
- The battery life is respectable and can easily last up to a day with moderate to heavy usage.
Reasons not to buy
- The ultrawide lens delivers underwhelming results.
- The screen brightness isn’t ideal for easy outdoor visibility under direct sunlight.
