In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, Realme has once again made waves with its latest offering in the budget segment – the Realme Narzo N61.
Launched on July 29, 2024, and available for purchase from August 6, 2024, this device promises to deliver a blend of durability, performance, and affordability that caters to the needs of budget-conscious consumers. Let’s delve deep into what makes the Narzo N61 a noteworthy contender in the competitive smartphone market.
Design and Build Quality
The Realme Narzo N61 boasts a sleek and modern design that belies its budget-friendly price tag. With dimensions of 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm and weighing in at 187 grams, the device strikes a balance between screen real estate and ergonomic comfort.
The phone is available in two attractive color options: Voyage Blue and Marble Black, catering to different aesthetic preferences.
One of the standout features of the Narzo N61 is its build quality. Realme has incorporated a die-cast aluminum chassis, which is a rarity in this price segment.
This not only enhances the phone’s durability but also gives it a premium feel. The device also boasts an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, adding an extra layer of protection against everyday mishaps.
The front of the device is dominated by a 6.74-inch IPS LCD display, protected by reinforced glass. The rear panel, while made of plastic, has a premium finish that resists fingerprints and smudges effectively.
Display
The Narzo N61 features a 6.74-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. While the resolution might seem modest on paper, the 20:9 aspect ratio and 260 ppi density ensure that content appears crisp and vibrant for everyday use.
The display boasts a 90Hz refresh rate, which is a welcome feature in this price range, offering smoother scrolling and more fluid animations compared to standard 60Hz displays.
With a typical brightness of 450 nits and a peak brightness of 560 nits in high brightness mode (HBM), the screen remains legible even under bright sunlight.
Realme has also incorporated some nifty features into the display. The Rainwater Smart Touch technology allows users to operate the phone even with wet hands or in rainy conditions, enhancing its usability in various environments.
Performance
Under the hood, the Realme Narzo N61 is powered by the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset. This octa-core processor, built on a 12nm process, features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz for performance tasks and six Cortex-A55 cores also at 1.8 GHz for efficiency. The GPU duties are handled by the Mali-G57.
The device comes in two memory configurations:
- 4GB RAM with 64GB internal storage
- 6GB RAM with 128GB internal storage
Realme has implemented a virtual RAM expansion feature, allowing users to allocate up to an additional 6GB of storage as RAM, potentially boosting the total RAM to 12GB. This can significantly improve multitasking capabilities and overall system responsiveness.
Storage can be further expanded via a dedicated microSD card slot that supports cards up to 2TB, ensuring ample space for apps, media, and documents.
One of Realme’s bold claims is that the Narzo N61 will maintain lag-free performance even after 48 months of use. While only time will tell if this holds true, it’s a promising assertion that speaks to the optimization efforts put into the device.
Camera System
The camera setup on the Realme Narzo N61 is straightforward yet capable. The rear features a dual-camera system:
- A 32-megapixel primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, capable of phase detection autofocus (PDAF)
- An unspecified secondary sensor, likely for depth sensing or macro photography
The main camera can record videos at 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second. While not groundbreaking, it should suffice for casual video recording and social media content creation.
On the front, a 5-megapixel sensor handles selfie duties. While the resolution might seem low compared to some competitors, Realme’s software optimization could potentially deliver satisfactory results for social media uploads and video calls.
The camera app comes with various features including panorama mode and AI enhancements to improve photo quality in different scenarios.
Battery Life and Charging
A robust 5,000mAh battery powers the Narzo N61, which Realme claims can provide up to 30 hours of voice call time. Given the efficient processor and the 720p display, users can expect the device to easily last through a full day of moderate to heavy use.
However, the charging speed might be a point of contention for some users. The device supports 10W charging, which is on the slower side by today’s standards. This means longer charging times compared to devices with faster charging capabilities.
Software and User Interface
The Realme Narzo N61 runs on Android 14 out of the box, overlaid with Realme UI 4.0. This combination brings the latest Android features along with Realme’s customizations and optimizations.
One interesting software feature is the Mini Capsule 2.0, a collapsible notification system that provides comprehensive alerts and information, similar to the Dynamic Island feature on recent iPhones.
Realme UI 4.0 is known for its clean interface, customization options, and useful features like split-screen multitasking, floating windows, and a robust theme engine.
However, users should be prepared for some pre-installed apps, which is common in this price segment.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The Narzo N61 covers all the essential connectivity bases:
- Dual SIM support with 4G LTE
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band)
- Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP and LE
- GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, and BDS for location services
- USB Type-C 2.0 port
- 3.5mm headphone jack
The device also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication, which doubles as the power button. Additional sensors include an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass.
Price and Value Proposition
The Realme Narzo N61 is positioned as a budget-friendly option with pricing as follows:
- 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant: ₹7,499 (approximately $90 USD)
- 6GB RAM + 128GB storage variant: ₹8,499 (approximately $102 USD)
During its initial sale, Realme offered an additional ₹500 coupon discount, making the device even more attractive to early adopters.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Durable build with die-cast aluminum chassis and IP54 rating
- 90Hz refresh rate display with Rainwater Smart Touch technology
- Decent performance with virtual RAM expansion
- Large 5,000mAh battery
- Latest Android 14 with Realme UI 4.0
- Affordable pricing
Cons:
- 720p display resolution might be low for some users
- Slow 10W charging
- Camera system may be underwhelming for photography enthusiasts
- Unisoc processor may not match the performance of some competitors
Conclusion – Realme Narzo N61
The Realme Narzo N61 emerges as a compelling option in the budget smartphone segment. It brings several features typically found in more expensive devices, such as a high refresh rate display, a durable build with IP54 rating, and the latest Android version, all at an accessible price point.
While it may not boast the most powerful processor or the most advanced camera system, it strikes a balance between performance, durability, and affordability that will appeal to many users.
The device is particularly well-suited for first-time smartphone buyers, students, or anyone looking for a reliable secondary phone.
The emphasis on durability with the aluminum chassis and water-resistant design is a standout feature, potentially offering better longevity compared to other devices in this price range.
Additionally, Realme’s claim of maintaining performance over four years is ambitious and, if true, could make the Narzo N61 an excellent long-term investment.
However, the slower charging speed and the 720p display resolution might be dealbreakers for some users, especially those who consume a lot of high-resolution content or require fast charging for their lifestyle.
In conclusion, the Realme Narzo N61 represents a thoughtful approach to budget smartphone design, prioritizing durability and essential features over raw specifications.
It’s a device that knows its target audience well and delivers a package that should satisfy the needs of many budget-conscious consumers looking for a reliable, long-lasting smartphone experience.