I’ve been using the realme 15 5G for a few days now, and it’s a phone that packs some rather odd specs paper, some of it translates well into real-world use, while some areas definitely leave room for improvement. It brings a large battery, fast charging, a high-refresh-rate display, and a decent primary camera.
But for ₹25,999, expectations are also high, especially in terms of performance and software refinement. Does it live up to those expectations? Here is my experience with the device, and what I liked and what could’ve been better.
What I Liked
1. Good Selfie Camera Setup
One of the standout features is the 50MP front camera. It’s wide, captures good detail, and even supports 4K video recording, which is rare in this segment. There’s no autofocus, which is disappointing, but for still selfies and even videos with steady hands or a tripod, it performs fine.
2. Primary Camera Performance
The 50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor on the rear also delivers decent image quality. Compared to devices like the iQOO Z10R (same sensor and ISP), the image processing feels more consistent, with better color tuning and dynamic range. It’s not perfect, but definitely above average for casual photography.
3. Battery Life Is Excellent
The 7,000 mAh battery is one of the biggest strengths of this phone. I easily got 11 to 12 hours of screen-on time with normal use, sometimes even more. Whether it’s social media, watching videos, or just camera use, the battery just keeps going.
4. Fast Charging
realme’s 80W Ultra Charge can refill the large battery in just over an hour (50% in about half an hour), which is impressive considering the capacity. It’s efficient, and the included charger makes the whole charging experience stress-free.
5. Sleek Despite the Big Battery
Despite the massive battery, the phone is surprisingly slim and manageable in hand. The green version I have is 7.96mm thick and weighs 187g, which feels lighter than expected. The other color variants are even slimmer.
6. AI and UI Features
realme UI 6.0 introduces a bunch of AI features. The Genie Edit tool, in particular, is fun to use, as it lets you edit using voice prompts, which works well most of the time. Although it can mess up at times. AI Party Mode effects like heart, sparkle, and others are fun additions for casual users, even if they’re more of a gimmick.
7. Impressive Display Quality
The 6.8-inch display looks great. It supports 144Hz refresh rate, up to 6500 Nits peak brightness (1800 Nits in HBM), and uses 4608Hz PWM dimming. Color reproduction is vibrant, and brightness is more than enough for outdoor use. It’s also a curved panel, but I don’t like it since my preference is always flat.
What Could Have Been Better
1. Performance Doesn’t Match the Price
The biggest drawback is performance. The Dimensity 7300+ chipset scores around 730K on AnTuTu, but real-world usage doesn’t feel as smooth. Animations are jittery, UI transitions lack polish, and general responsiveness feels slower than expected. At this price, the realme P3 Ultra or even the OnePlus Nord CE 5 offer better performance and smoother day-to-day use.
2. Software Needs Optimization
While the UI packs a lot of features, the experience isn’t as fluid as it should be. There’s no motion blur in animations, and even wallpaper motion or blue effects are missing. The phone seems fast on paper, but sluggish during actual use. It’s something that might be improved with updates, but right now, it doesn’t feel optimized.
ALSO READ: My Experience with the iQOO Z10R: What I Liked & What Could’ve Been Better
3. Weak Secondary Camera
The 8MP ultrawide camera feels like an afterthought. It would have been much better if realme had used the same 50MP ultra-wide sensor here too. Images lack detail, the dynamic range isn’t great, and the drop in quality from the main sensor is noticeable.
4. Haptics Are Underwhelming
The vibration feedback feels hollow and cheap. It doesn’t match the precise haptics of even the realme 13 Pro. I’m saying this because realme claims this is the successor to the 14 Pro, which, of course, is the successor to the 13 Pro. Overall, it takes away from the premium feel, especially during typing or navigation.
5. Display Curves
While the display is excellent overall, I do wish realme had gone with either a flat or quad-curved design. I’m saying this because even the realme 14 Pro, realme 15’s successor, had a quad-curved screen.
Final Thoughts
The realme 15 5G might offer a well-rounded package for media consumption, battery life, and casual photography, for the offer-included price. The fast 80W charging, high refresh rate, and AI features are all genuinely useful in daily use.
However, if you’re prioritizing performance (or long-term use) or UI smoothness, this may not feel as satisfying, especially given its ₹26,000 price tag or even the offer price tag of ₹23,999. I would suggest you getting the realme P3 Ultra or the OnePlus Nord CE5 instead.
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