Realme launched the Realme 5 and Realme 5 Pro today with 48MP Quad camera setup and Snapdragon 712 processor. For a starting price of Rs Rs 13,999, the Realme 5 Pro competes with Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 Pro offering mid-range processors, multi-purpose cameras, gradient glass design and waterdrop notch displays. Which one of the two will you choose as your daily driver?
TheRealme 5 Pro comes in three variants – 4GB RAM + 64GB internal storage, 6GB RAM + 64GB internal storage and 8GB RAM + 128 internal storage priced at Rs 13,999, Rs 14,999 and Rs 16,999 respectively. In contrast, theRedmi Note 7 Pro is priced at Rs 13,999 for the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant, Rs 15,999 for the 6GB RAM + 64GB storage variant while the top-end 6GB RAM + 128GB variant will cost you at Rs 16,999.
Display:
The Realme 5 Pro features a 6.3-inch FHD display with a resolution of 2340×1080 pixels, 450 nits brightness and a Minidrop notch that the company says is 30.9% smaller than the previous generation. The display amounts to a total screen-to-body ratio of 90.8 percent and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3+.
In comparison, the Redmi Note 7 Pro features a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with a screen resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. While the displays are similar with the same 450nits brightness, the Note 7 features the more recent Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front for added protection.
Winner: Redmi Note 7 Pro
Design:
The Redmi Note 7 Pro comes with a new glossy finish at the back panel which is available in Space Black, Nebula Red and Neptune Blue colour options. All models except for the black one feature a gradient finish at the back panel. The device is additionally protected with water-tight seals and rubber insulation across various parts as well as P2i hydrophobic non-coating for protecting against accidental liquid spills.
Realme 5 Pro, on the other hand, comes with a 3D body design which adopts a polished surface at the back with nanoscale textures made using a five-axis laser. The phone is available in Crystal Green and Crystal Blue colours, both of which are enabled with a holographic design and a silver Realme logo. The phone is assembled used a splash-resistant glue and a rubber case which makes the device Water-resistant against rain, splash and other daily splashes.
Winner: Redmi Note 7 Pro
Hardware:
The Redmi Note 7 Pro is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 Processor along with Adreno 612 GPU. The device is available in 4GB+64GB, 6GB+64GB and 6GB+128GB configurations. The device handles almost all the tasks we throw at it and graphic-intense games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legend run with no hiccups.
However, the Realme 5 Pro is on a whole different level of performance for the same price of that of the Redmi phone. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 AIE processor with Adreno 616 GPU which is more powerful and relatively newer than the Snapdragon 675 on the Note device. The Realme 5 Pro also comes with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of UFS2.1 high-speed storage, offering a snappier performance than its counterpart. The phone is available in 4GB+64GB, 6GB+64GB and 8GB+128GB configurations.
Winner: Realme 5 Pro
Camera:
The Realme 5 Pro is Realme’s first quad-camera smartphone which consists of a 48-megapixel Sony IMX 586 primary camera, a 119-degree 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, 2MP ultra Macro lens and a 2MP portrait lens at the back, all of which is enabled with EIS Image Stabilisation and Quad Bayer pixel four-in-one technology. The smartphone also features a 16-megapixel Sony IMX471 camera on the front with the same Quad Bayer smart pixel binning technology. We managed to click a few pictures from the device and here are a few samples.
The Redmi Note 7 Pro was the first smartphone from Xiaomi to feature a 48-megapixel rear camera along with a 5-megapixel depth sensor. On the front, there is a 13-megapixel shooter for selfies and video calling. The device does a good job in delivering crisp and well-detailed photos in broad daylight with fast focus and good colour reproduction. Here are a few sample pictures clicked from the Redmi Note 7 Pro.
Winner: Realme 5 Pro for four cameras
Software:
The Redmi Note 7 Pro runs on Android 9.0 Pie with company’s latest MIUI 10 running on top. While the interface offers smooth animations, gesture navigation and quick App loading, it comes pre-loaded with a noticeable amount of bloatware. There are third-party apps like Opera News, Daily Hunt, Facebook, Amazon, Share Shat and more and Xiaomi has been known to show ads in practically all Mi applications like Mi Browser, Cleaner, Mi Music, Mi Video and MIUI Security.
Realme 5 comes running Android 9 Pie with ColorOS 6.0. As part of a change, the device offers a Stock Android Experience albeit with customised icons and Realme’s wallpapers, lock screen, and charge animations. While we can expect some amount of bloatware, the fact that Realme has opted for a more stock-like Android experience is much appreciated.
Winner: Realme 5 Pro for near-to-stock Android experience.
Battery:
The Realme 5 Pro is backed by a 4035mAh battery with 20 Watt VOOC 3.0 Fast charging The Redmi Note 7 Pro is fuelled by a similar-sized 4000mAh battery with 18W Quick Charge 4 fast charging. Both devices connect using a USB Type-C port to enable faster charging.
Winner: Realme 5 Pro
Verdict:
For a device that has been launched in the second half of 2019, the Realme 5 Pro packs all the punches it needs to be good for a value mid-range phone. For a starting price of Rs 13,999, the Realme device features the latest Snapdragon 712 processor, has four cameras for multiple purposes, a near-to-all-screen display and a stock-like Android feeling. As an alternative, the Redmi Note 7 Pro, however, doesn’t do badly for a phone that was launched six months ago.