Realme XT, launched in 2019, was Realme’s leap into the 64MP camera smartphone segment, setting new standards for budget devices. At a time when flagship phones dominated the high-performance market, Realme stepped in with the XT, delivering premium features at an affordable price. This review dives into the phone’s design, camera quality, performance, and overall value to help you decide if this “flagship killer” is still worth considering.
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Design and Build Quality
Realme XT doesn’t stray far from the brand’s previous designs, but it adds a layer of refinement that gives it a premium feel. The phone features a glass back with Gorilla Glass 5 protection, which makes it look and feel more expensive than its price suggests. The 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display is encased in slim bezels, giving the device a high screen-to-body ratio, which is an impressive feat for a budget-friendly phone.
The curved glass back offers a good grip and feels sturdy in hand, but the plastic frame might remind you that this is still a mid-range device. Available in two colors, Pearl White and Pearl Blue, the XT has a reflective back panel that changes shades depending on how light hits it. This subtle design choice adds a dash of sophistication.
The phone also features an in-display fingerprint sensor, which is becoming a norm in budget devices. It’s quick and reliable, although not as fast as flagship models. The overall build quality is robust, and despite its plastic frame, Realme XT gives you the confidence that it can withstand minor drops and everyday wear.
Display
The Realme XT boasts a 6.4-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The AMOLED screen makes watching videos, playing games, and browsing the web a more immersive experience. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and brightness levels are more than sufficient for outdoor use.
Thanks to the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, the screen is durable and resistant to scratches and minor damages. The dewdrop notch, which houses the front camera, is small and non-intrusive, allowing for more screen real estate. With a 19.5:9 aspect ratio, the display is ideal for media consumption, offering an excellent balance between size and usability.
The Realme XT’s display is one of its strongest points, especially considering the price. It competes with many higher-end phones in terms of color accuracy and overall screen quality.
Camera Performance
One of the major selling points of the Realme XT is its quad-camera setup, headlined by a 64MP primary sensor. This high-resolution camera uses Samsung’s GW1 sensor, known for its ability to capture detailed images even in low-light conditions. Photos taken in good lighting are sharp, with excellent dynamic range and color reproduction.
The 64MP mode allows you to capture images in full resolution, but by default, the camera uses pixel binning to produce 16MP shots that are more manageable in size. The resulting images are crisp, and when viewed on larger screens, the extra detail from the 64MP sensor becomes evident.
In addition to the primary camera, the Realme XT comes with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. The ultra-wide lens is handy for landscapes and group photos, but it struggles in low light. The macro camera lets you get up close to subjects, but it’s more of a novelty feature than a useful tool for everyday photography.
The 16MP front camera, housed in the dewdrop notch, does an excellent job for selfies, with a good balance of skin tones and sharpness. The built-in AI beautification feature can smoothen out blemishes, although it can sometimes go overboard, giving a plastic-like appearance to the subject.
Performance and Software
Powering the Realme XT is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 chipset, coupled with up to 8GB of RAM. The Snapdragon 712 is a capable processor that handles everyday tasks with ease, from multitasking to playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9. For its price, the Realme XT delivers fluid performance, with minimal lag and stuttering, even during intensive gaming sessions.
The phone runs on ColorOS 6, based on Android 9 Pie, with an upgrade to Android 10 available. ColorOS is feature-rich but comes with bloatware that might not appeal to every user. However, the interface is user-friendly, and the additional features, such as game space and gesture navigation, enhance the overall experience.
Realme has done a commendable job optimizing the software for the hardware, ensuring smooth and fast performance in day-to-day usage. For the average user, the Realme XT offers a seamless experience, with quick app load times and fluid navigation.
Battery Life and Charging
The Realme XT packs a 4,000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day with moderate usage. Whether you’re browsing social media, watching videos, or gaming, the battery holds up well. With more conservative usage, such as texting and light browsing, the phone can stretch to a day and a half on a single charge.
The phone supports VOOC Flash Charge 3.0, which can charge the phone from 0 to 100% in about 80 minutes. The 20W fast charger, included in the box, is a great addition and ensures that you don’t spend too much time plugged into the wall.
Battery life is a key area where Realme XT shines, and the fast charging feature only adds to the convenience.
Connectivity and Extras
Realme XT comes with all the modern connectivity options, including 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and a USB Type-C port. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming rare in smartphones but remains a welcome feature for many users.
The phone has a dual SIM slot, along with a dedicated microSD card slot that supports up to 256GB of expandable storage. This means you don’t have to compromise between using two SIMs or adding extra storage, which is a significant advantage in a mid-range phone.
Final Thoughts
The Realme XT is a standout device in the mid-range segment, offering an impressive mix of features, build quality, and performance. Its 64MP quad-camera setup, vibrant AMOLED display, and solid battery life make it an attractive option for those looking for a phone that punches above its weight.
While the phone does have its limitations, such as the plastic frame and some software bloat, these are minor drawbacks in the grand scheme of things. For its price, the Realme XT delivers a flagship-level experience without the flagship-level cost, making it an excellent value proposition for budget-conscious buyers.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a smartphone that offers premium features at a reasonable price, the Realme XT is a solid contender. It’s not just a phone; it’s a statement that budget phones can offer flagship experiences.