A smartphone’s camera prowess is the main draw for consumers these days. We’ve seen tech brands find ways to up their game with the use of artificial intelligence (AI). realme has followed suit, taking a plunge into the world of AI for cameras of the realme 13 Pro 5G series. We’ll find out in this review how the tech brand fared in its attempt to incorporate AI.
Design and build
First off, we begin with aesthetics. It’s no question that realme scores high when it comes to design. The newest iteration of the number series is no exception. This variant comes in two colors: Monet Purple and Emerald Green. The latter of which is what we’ve got to try out.
From the monet-inspired design to the premium vegan leather finish, there’s no scarcity in luxe with the realme 13 Pro 5G. Enter the smooth edges and mix it with a lightweight (185.5g) and slim (8.41mm) design, and you have a device that shows off the true meaning of comfort and luxury.
Display
Up front, you have a 6.7-inch curved OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It exhibited beautiful colors and crisp details, all while providing satisfying, smooth visuals. It made me look forward to having breaks involving Netflix series catch-ups.
Since we spend a lot of time on our phones, it’s great to know that the addition of protective eye features is not an afterthought.
The immersive experience is accompanied by eye comfort features, so you can feel guilt-free during prolonged hours of gaming or series bingeing. This includes DC Dimming, and 2160Hz PWM Dimming, as well as various eye modes such as eye comfort mode, eye fatigue mode, bedtime, and paper texture mode.
Meanwhile, if you have butterfingers, you have the ArmorShell Protection (Corning Gorilla Glass 7i) for accidental drops during clumsy episodes.
Camera
We’re down to the star of the show: the 50MP main camera with Sony LYT600 sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS). You can get creative with your shot through its 2x in-sensor zoom and up to 20x digital zoom.
It was effortless to take photos that showcase stunning details and vibrant colors, mimicking what you see in real life. Low light isn’t even an issue as it works extra hard to produce the same level of quality. And it really shows. Abundance of good qualities for the main shooter, that’s for sure.
To add to that, even when I was a little unstable or in motion while taking some photos or videos, I noticed how the details remained crisp without any blurred edges. This is thanks to the AI Image Stabilization and OIS.
If you want to capture vast landscapes or picturesque views, you can use its 8MP ultra-wide camera with 112-degree FOV. It has acceptable quality under good lighting conditions.
After building up its good reputation in mobile photography, the next step is infusing the device with AI features to take things to another level.
If you’re not satisfied with some zoomed-in shots you took, you have the AI Ultra Clarity that enhances the resolution and clarity of blurry images. The effect is more prominent when you apply this feature for photos captured at 10x zoom and above.
After seeing the outcome of the portrait shots I took, it gave me a sense of familiarity: the quality is akin to professional cameras. The subject in the foreground stands out, while the background fades away seamlessly with a soft blur or bokeh effect. With the AI Portrait Algorithm or AI Pure Bokeh doing its magic, a hefty price tag and heavy equipment are out of the equation.
We love taking photos at tourist spots, hence the neverending challenge of taking clean shots. Fortunately, realme has addressed this issue by introducing the AI Smart Removal. Upon testing it out, it did a good job removing other people from the frame. Some executions need more work than others, perhaps it will depend on the complexity of the image.
On the flip side, the 32MP Sony IMX615 front shooter was able to keep up with the superb and smart qualities of rear cameras. It exhibited a great amount of detail and color, making every selfie stand out. Even in dark-lit environments, the quality of selfies didn’t take a hit with the front flash turned on.
Performance
In terms of performance, the realme 13 Pro 5G is no slouch. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, which is more than capable of handling various tasks of different loads.
For all the multitaskers out there, you have 12GB of RAM at your disposal. It’s expandable up to 12GB more for a total of 24GB. As someone who loses count of the number of apps and windows open in her device, this is heaven-sent.
In terms of day-to-day performance, it can carry out tasks smoothly. This consists of answering emails, browsing through social media, shooting some content, to name a few. It can also satisfy casual gamers with hitch-free gameplay even in the highest graphic setting. This is something I witnessed firsthand while running titles like Asphalt Legends Unite.
It’s built with sufficient storage — 256GB — so you can spam the shutter button until you get your money shot. And if creating reels or short-form videos is more of your thing, you have enough room for safety footage as well.
Battery
Built with a large 5200mAh battery, the realme 13 Pro 5G can extend itself long enough for both work and play. So after your 9 to 5, you can de-stress with your favorite Netflix series or mobile game.
Waiting time to power up your drained device will take a little over an hour with the 45W SuperVOOC charger, making it even more appealing for the busy, always on the go workaholics.
Verdict
realme’s number series has always been known for its standout camera capabilities; combine that now with solid AI features, then you have an even more compelling offer at PHP24,999, that will certainly excite creators and photography enthusiasts. At the same time, you’re spoiled in other facets as it excels in design, visuals, and day-to-day performance.
