Realme 11 Pro Plus : The smartphone market is constantly evolving, with manufacturers vying to outdo each other in terms of features, performance, and value.
Among the latest contenders in this fierce competition is the Realme 11 Pro Plus, a device that promises to deliver flagship-level features at a more accessible price point.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve deep into what makes this smartphone tick, exploring its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and more.
Realme 11 Pro Plus Design and Build Quality
The Realme 11 Pro Plus makes a strong first impression with its sleek and modern design. The device boasts a slim profile, measuring just 8.2mm in thickness, which makes it comfortable to hold and easy to slip into a pocket.
The phone’s back panel is crafted from a high-quality plastic material that mimics the look and feel of glass, giving it a premium appearance without the added weight or fragility.
One of the standout design features is the circular camera module, which houses the device’s impressive array of lenses.
This module protrudes slightly from the back, but not enough to cause significant wobble when the phone is placed on a flat surface. The camera bump is elegantly integrated into the overall design, creating a sense of visual harmony.
The frame of the Realme 11 Pro Plus is constructed from plastic, which may disappoint some users expecting a metal frame at this price point.
However, the choice of materials helps keep the weight down to a manageable 183 grams, striking a good balance between durability and portability.
On the front, you’ll find a large display with minimal bezels and a small punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera.
The power button and volume rocker are positioned on the right side of the device, offering good tactile feedback and easy accessibility. The bottom edge houses the USB-C port, speaker grille, and SIM card tray.
While the Realme 11 Pro Plus doesn’t boast an official IP rating for water and dust resistance, it does feature some level of splash resistance, which should provide peace of mind for everyday use.
Realme 11 Pro Plus Display
The centerpiece of the Realme 11 Pro Plus is undoubtedly its impressive 6.7-inch AMOLED display.
With a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels (FHD+) and a pixel density of 394 PPI, this screen delivers crisp visuals and vibrant colors that make everything from web browsing to video streaming a joy to behold.
One of the key highlights of this display is its 120Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth scrolling and fluid animations across the user interface.
The high refresh rate is particularly noticeable when gaming or scrolling through social media feeds, offering a premium experience that was once reserved for more expensive flagship devices.
The Realme 11 Pro Plus’s display also boasts HDR10+ certification, allowing for enhanced contrast and color reproduction when viewing compatible content.
This feature really shines when watching HDR videos on platforms like YouTube or Netflix, bringing out details in both bright and dark scenes that might otherwise be lost on lesser displays.
With a peak brightness of 950 nits, the screen remains legible even under direct sunlight, making outdoor use a breeze.
The display also incorporates an in-display fingerprint sensor, which proves to be both fast and reliable for secure device unlocking.
Color accuracy is another strong point for this display, with the ability to reproduce 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. This wide color range ensures that photos, videos, and games appear vivid and true-to-life.
Users can also customize the display’s color temperature and vibrancy to suit their preferences through the settings menu.
Realme 11 Pro Plus Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Realme 11 Pro Plus is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset.
This octa-core processor is built on a 6nm process and features two ARM Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz for high-performance tasks, alongside six Cortex-A55 cores running at 2.0 GHz for efficiency.
The chipset is paired with a generous 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking and the ability to keep multiple apps open in the background without noticeable slowdowns.
For storage, users can choose between 256GB, 512GB, or even a whopping 1TB of UFS 3.1 storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, videos, and other media.
In day-to-day use, the Realme 11 Pro Plus feels snappy and responsive. Apps launch quickly, and navigating through the interface is a smooth experience, thanks in part to the high refresh rate display.
While it may not match the raw performance of flagship processors like the Snapdragon 8 series, the Dimensity 7050 proves more than capable of handling everything from productivity tasks to casual gaming.
Speaking of gaming, the Mali-G68 MC4 GPU delivers solid performance for mobile games.
Popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile run smoothly at high graphics settings, although the most demanding games may require some tweaking to maintain consistent frame rates.
The device also features 5G connectivity, ensuring future-proofing for users in areas with 5G coverage. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC for contactless payments.
Realme 11 Pro Plus Camera System
One of the most touted features of the Realme 11 Pro Plus is its camera system, headlined by a massive 200MP main sensor.
This high-resolution sensor uses pixel binning technology to combine multiple pixels into one, resulting in 12.5MP images with enhanced detail and low-light performance.
The main camera is capable of capturing stunningly detailed photos in good lighting conditions.
The level of detail preserved in landscapes and close-up shots is impressive, rivaling that of more expensive flagship devices.
In low-light situations, the camera performs admirably, thanks to its large sensor size and night mode capabilities.
Accompanying the main sensor is an 8MP ultra-wide camera, which allows users to capture a broader field of view, perfect for landscapes or group shots.
While the ultra-wide camera doesn’t quite match the main sensor in terms of detail and dynamic range, it still produces pleasing results in well-lit environments.
Rounding out the rear camera array is a 2MP macro lens, which enables close-up shots of small subjects. While it’s a nice addition for those interested in macro photography, the relatively low resolution means that the results can be hit or miss.
On the front, a 32MP selfie camera delivers sharp and detailed self-portraits. The camera app offers a variety of beautification options and filters, allowing users to customize their selfies to their liking.
Video capabilities are also impressive, with the ability to record 4K footage at 30 frames per second or 1080p at up to 60 frames per second.
Electronic image stabilization helps keep footage smooth, although it’s not quite as effective as optical image stabilization found in some higher-end devices.
Realme 11 Pro Plus Battery Life and Charging
The Realme 11 Pro Plus comes equipped with a sizable 5,000mAh battery, which provides excellent endurance for even the most demanding users.
In typical use cases, including web browsing, social media, occasional gaming, and video streaming, the device can easily last through a full day and often well into a second day before needing a recharge.
What sets the Realme 11 Pro Plus apart in terms of battery technology is its incredibly fast charging capabilities.
The device supports 100W SuperVOOC charging, which can replenish the battery from 0 to 100% in just about 26 minutes.
This rapid charging speed is a game-changer for users who are always on the go and need quick top-ups throughout the day.
It’s worth noting that while the charging speed is impressive, the phone does not support wireless charging.
This omission might be disappointing for some users who have grown accustomed to the convenience of wireless charging pads.
Realme 11 Pro Plus Software and User Experience
The Realme 11 Pro Plus runs on Realme UI 4.0, which is based on Android 13. This custom skin offers a clean and intuitive user interface with a host of customization options.
Users can tweak everything from icon shapes and sizes to system animations and color schemes, allowing for a highly personalized experience.
Realme UI 4.0 also introduces several useful features, such as a privacy dashboard that provides an overview of app permissions and usage, enhanced notification management, and improved gesture navigation.
The interface feels snappy and responsive, taking full advantage of the phone’s hardware capabilities.
One potential drawback is the presence of some pre-installed apps, which some users might consider bloatware. However, most of these can be uninstalled or disabled if not needed.
Realme has committed to providing two years of major Android updates and three years of security patches for the 11 Pro Plus, which should keep the device up-to-date and secure for a reasonable period.
Realme 11 Pro Plus Audio and Haptics
The Realme 11 Pro Plus features a single bottom-firing speaker that produces clear and loud audio. While it lacks the depth and richness of a stereo speaker setup, it’s more than adequate for casual media consumption and speakerphone calls.
The device also retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones and will be appreciated by users who prefer wired audio.
Haptic feedback on the Realme 11 Pro Plus is good, with a vibration motor that provides precise and satisfying tactile responses.
This enhances the overall user experience, particularly when typing or interacting with the user interface.
Realme 11 Pro Plus Value and Competition
When considering the Realme 11 Pro Plus, it’s important to evaluate its position in the market and how it stacks up against the competition.
At its price point, the device offers an impressive array of features that challenge even some more expensive models.
The combination of a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, versatile camera system, strong performance, and incredibly fast charging makes the Realme 11 Pro Plus a compelling option for users who want a premium experience without breaking the bank.
It competes favorably with devices from brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Samsung in the upper mid-range segment.
However, potential buyers should also consider factors such as brand reputation, after-sales support, and long-term software support when making their decision.
While Realme has been making strides in these areas, more established brands might still have an edge in certain markets.
Realme 11 Pro Plus Conclusion
The Realme 11 Pro Plus is a testament to how far mid-range smartphones have come in recent years. It offers a blend of features that were once the domain of flagship devices, packaged in an attractive design at a competitive price point.
Its strengths lie in its excellent display, impressive camera capabilities, strong battery life, and blazing-fast charging speeds.
The performance, while not top-tier, is more than adequate for the vast majority of users, and the software experience is polished and feature-rich.
There are some compromises, such as the lack of wireless charging and an official IP rating, but these are understandable given the price point.
The plastic frame might also be a point of contention for some users expecting more premium materials.
Overall, the Realme 11 Pro Plus represents excellent value for money and is a worthy contender in the crowded mid-range smartphone market.
It’s a device that should appeal to photography enthusiasts, power users who appreciate fast charging, and anyone looking for a well-rounded smartphone experience without paying flagship prices.
Whether it’s the right choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, but there’s no denying that the Realme 11 Pro Plus is a impressive package that deserves serious consideration.