The mid-range segment around 30k keeps getting more interesting. And the launch of the latest Realme 14 Pro+ 5G adds some fervour to it. With a colour-changing body and a slim look, the phone presents a unique proposition in the segment. The model brings several high-end features, including a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, an 80 W fast charging, and AI-powered imaging. That said, the new Realme 14 Pro+ 5G is placed against the likes of the Moto Edge 50 Pro. So, let’s dive deeper to see if the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G justifies its claim of being a top mid-range option.
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G is undoubtedly a head-turner, thanks to its cold-sensitive colour-changing technology. The Pearl White variant I reviewed transforms into a vibrant blue when exposed to temperatures below 16°C. This colour transition isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a genuinely impressive design feature that adds personality to the device. Thanks to the winter, testing this change was very easy, and the phone colour did change. The device is also available in Premium Vegan Suede Leather (for Suede Grey colour) and India exclusive colour - Bikaner Purple.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G design | Photo Credit: Haider Ali Khan
The phone is incredibly lightweight and slim, making it comfortable to hold and use. The quad-curved back cover and the matte Pearl White finish add a premium feel. Button placements are intuitive, with the power button and volume rockers on the right-hand side. The USB Type-C port, dual SIM slot, and speaker grille are neatly positioned at the bottom. On the front, the curved display blends seamlessly into the frame, while the circular camera module on the rear houses its impressive triple-lens setup.
Additionally, the phone features Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection and certifications for IP66/IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance, ensuring resistance to water, dust, and minor drops. Realme’s focus on durability and aesthetics shines through here.
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The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G features a 6.83-inch OLED display, offering an impressive 93.8% screen-to-body ratio that makes the front appear nearly bezel-less. With a resolution of 2800x1272 (1.5K), the screen provides sharp visuals and excellent clarity. The display supports 1.07 billion colours, ensuring rich and vibrant output, while the 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut enhances colour accuracy, making it ideal for watching movies or editing photos.
In terms of responsiveness, the screen boasts a 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations, along with a 240 Hz touch sampling rate, which ensures a lag-free gaming experience. The brightness levels are quite good, with a typical brightness of 600 nits, a global maximum of 1,200 nits, and a local peak brightness of 1,500 nits for HDR content.
Running on Realme UI 6.0, based on Android 15, the Realme 14 Pro+ offers a fluid interface. However, the OS comes with some unwanted applications, which I felt was a downside if you are looking for a clean interface. Navigation feels intuitive, with customizable widgets and smooth gesture controls. Realme has integrated several AI-powered tools, such as the AI Ultra Clarity 2.0, AI Snap Mode, and AI Eraser 2.0.
The latest Realme 14 Pro+ 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm TSMC process. With an 8-core CPU clocked at 2.5GHz and an Adreno 810 GPU, the phone delivers fluid performance across tasks. My review unit came with 12 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage.
Benchmark scores highlight the phone’s competitive edge, achieving a single-core score of 1190 and a multi-core score of 3227 on Geekbench. The GPU score of 3349 ensures smooth handling of graphically demanding games. When compared to the Moto Edge 50 Pro which had a single-core score of 1150 and multi-core score of 3151, the new Realme 14 Pro+ scored a bit higher.
Gaming performance was excellent, with consistent frame rates. The phone’s 6000mm² VC cooling system ensures stable performance during prolonged sessions, keeping temperatures in check. Even after an hour of gaming, the device’s surface remained comfortable to touch, making it a reliable companion for gamers.
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G is equipped with a triple rear camera setup featuring a 50 MP Sony IMX896 main sensor with OIS, a 50 MP Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto lens, and an 8 MP ultra-wide lens. On the front, a 32 MP selfie camera ensures high-quality portraits and video calls.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G camera sample | Photo Credit: Haider Ali Khan
The main camera excels in daylight, delivering sharp, vibrant photos with excellent dynamic range. The f/1.8 aperture and OIS ensure stability and clarity even in challenging lighting conditions. Portrait shots are another highlight, with natural bokeh effects and accurate edge detection.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G camera sample | Photo Credit: Haider Ali Khan
The periscope telephoto lens is a standout feature in this segment, offering 3x optical zoom, 6x lossless zoom, and an incredible 120x superzoom capability. During testing, telephoto shots captured distant subjects with good details, especially in good lighting. The MagicGlow Triple Flash system further enhances night photography by providing customizable lighting, which ensures natural skin tones and well-lit subjects.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G camera sample | Photo Credit: Haider Ali Khan
The 8 MP ultra-wide lens performs well for landscape photography, although colours occasionally appear slightly muted. Switching to 0.5x zoom resulted in noticeable drops in image quality, so sticking to 1x or higher zoom levels is recommended.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G camera sample | Photo Credit: Haider Ali Khan
Low-light performance is where the Realme 14 Pro+ truly shines. Night shots were clear and detailed, with minimal noise. The AI HyperRAW Algorithm effectively enhances shadows and highlights, creating photos with excellent depth and contrast. Additionally, the Night Mode works wonders for cityscapes and architectural photography.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G camera sample | Photo Credit: Haider Ali Khan
The 32 MP selfie camera impressed with its vibrant and detailed captures. Features like eye-tracking autofocus and 4K video recording make it a versatile tool for content creators. Selfies in both daylight and artificial lighting turned out great, with natural skin tones and minimal overprocessing.
The 6,000 mAh Titan battery on the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G is another highlight, providing excellent endurance. During testing, the phone easily lasted over a day of heavy usage, including gaming, streaming, and photography. For lighter users, the battery can stretch to nearly two days. The phone supports 80 W SUPERVOOC fast charging, taking the battery from 0 to 100% in just 40-50 minutes.
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G delivers a well-rounded experience that firmly establishes its position in the mid-range market. Its colour-changing design adds flair, while the quad-curved AMOLED display ensures a visually immersive experience. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor stands out for its solid performance, and the versatile camera system caters to both casual and enthusiast photographers with ease.
Starting at ₹29,999, the phone competes directly with other mid-range heavyweights like the Moto Edge 50 Pro. For users looking for a device that combines power, style, and practicality, the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G is a worthy investment and one of the best choices in its segment.
Published - January 20, 2025 01:47 pm IST
