The realme 13 Pro 5G and realme 13 Pro+ 5G are realme’s latest premium smartphones aimed at travel enthusiasts, digital natives, and aspiring and professional content creators who value design and camera performance above all. And they’re now official in the Philippines.
The realme 13 Pro Series 5G starts at P24,999 (around $444 converted) for the online-exclusive base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and the higher-end Plus variant has a suggested retail price of P28,999 ($516) and P31,999 ($569) for the 256GB and 512GB configurations. Both will be available starting today, August 28.
Those who purchase the realme 13 Pro+ 5G until September 15, 2024, will receive a complimentary mystery gift box worth up to P29,999 ($533), while the realme 13 Pro 5G will be bundled with a free TechLife Portable Steam Iron until stocks last.
Very Demure! Very Mindful! Very Classy!
— realme Philippines (@realme_ph) August 30, 2024
That's the one and only @bernardokath behind the scenes of her #realme13ProSeries5G photoshoot. 📸✨ pic.twitter.com/bG5Od2Y2pb
Brand ambassador Kathryn Bernardo at realme Philippines’ latest photo shoot. 🙂 Buy the realme 13 Pro+ 5G until September 15, 2024, and get a free mystery gift box valued at up to P29,999 ($533). Follow realme Philippines’ Facebook page for updates
While both devices are capable of taking stunning photos, the realme 13 Pro+ 5G is the real camera champ. Equipped with a flagship-level Ultra Clear Camera system and powerful AI features, it’s claimed to be like a “DSLR in your pocket.”
But can this smartphone truly replace a traditional DSLR for professional photographers? To find out, we’ve put the realme 13 Pro+ 5G through a series of real-world tests. Read on to see if it lives up to the hype.
Stacked hardware backed by AI smarts
Let’s talk cameras. Like its predecessor, the realme 13 Pro+ 5G is a camera-centric phone that packs a serious punch. At its heart lies a sophisticated camera system featuring a 3x periscope telephoto lens, a rare find in this price range.
While the realme 13 Pro+ 5G shares some similarities with the previous generation, there are key differences, particularly in the zoom camera sensor. The main camera unit also appears to be new, although the megapixel count remains the same.
realme is proud to feature Sony Lytia sensors on both the primary and telephoto cameras. As it should be. It’s uncommon for a sub-flagship to have two Sony sensors with a proven track record. The 50-megapixel Sony LYT-701 on the main camera is a large 1/1.56-inch sensor that’s comparable to the IMX 890 found in flagship devices.
The telephoto configuration has been upgraded with a 50-megapixel LYT-600 sensor, replacing the 64-megapixel unit in the outgoing model. This Sony sensor has been used in other realme models, including the realme 12+ 5G we reviewed earlier this year. The ultrawide camera is a more straightforward affair with an 8-megapixel sensor and a fixed-focus lens. Up front, you get a 32-megapixel shooter for selfies, vlogs, and video calls.
Its camera hardware stands out on paper, but the realme 13 Pro+ 5G also leverages AI to enhance its camera capabilities. In addition to features like Ultra Clarity and Smart Removal, the AI HyperRAW Algorithm optimizes image processing for stunning results.
For group photos, AI Group Photo Enhance ensures that everyone’s faces are sharp and clear, even if they’re at different distances from the camera. And to improve audio quality in videos, AI Audio Zoom enhances sound directionality, making it easier to focus on specific sounds.
Putting this ‘DSLR in your pocket’ to the test
The realme 13 Pro+ 5G’s main camera truly excels in daylight, capturing stunning images. As a portrait shooter, we think it’s a great option, capable of delivering exceptional results without the bulk of a traditional DSLR.
Portrait mode is also where the 3x periscope telephoto camera really kicks in, and we are delighted with the overall image quality. The skin tones are natural-looking, and facial details are well-rendered. Plus, realme has skillfully matched the color rendition and post-processing of the primary camera sensor, ensuring consistent results across various focal lengths.
The realme 13 Pro+ 5G’s 3x periscope telephoto allows you to capture portraits from a distance, similar to a mirrorless camera. This helps avoid the mild fish-eye distortions that can occur when shooting with a smartphone camera lacking a dedicated telephoto lens.
Portraits. We applied a built-in filter on the photo on the right side
In good lighting, the realme 13 Pro+ 5G delivers accurate edge detection and convincing bokeh effects that separate the subject from the background. You can customize the background blur intensity and apply filters before pressing the virtual shutter key, giving you greater control over your portraits.
We also put the realme 13 Pro+ 5G’s camera to the test by capturing photos of toys and mini statues. The results were impressive, showcasing the phone’s ability to capture intricate details and vibrant colors. Take note that the last batch of these pictures were shot without any professional lighting equipment, because we forgot to bring them at the time.
Great for toy shots, too!
Using harsh lighting (smartphone flash) here
When it comes to shooting landscapes and vast outdoor areas, the phone’s ultrawide camera and high zoom capability provide versatility that dedicated cameras can only match with different — and sometimes expensive — lenses.
While the ultrawide camera’s photos aren’t groundbreaking, they’re still respectable considering the hardware. Detail is decent, dynamic range is reasonably wide, and colors are pleasing. The periscope telephoto can capture great images at 6x zoom, but expect some fuzziness and visible noise in shadows. For best results, we recommend using this mode in ideal lighting conditions.
Zooming in
Is that you, Heart Evangelista? :))
Another batch of images showing how great the zoom capability of the realme 13 Pro+ 5G’s camera system is
You can also enhance blurry images in the Photos app by selecting a picture, tapping Edit, and choosing realme’s AI Ultra Clarity feature. This powerful tool leverages advanced algorithms and large-scale AI models to boost resolution and clarity, often with great results.
The realme 13 Pro+ 5G’s primary camera shines in low-light conditions, delivering excellent exposures, highlight preservation, and well-developed darker areas. Even without manual adjustments in Auto mode, the camera handles different light sources and maintains accurate white balance and vibrant colors. Detail is impressive, and the telephoto camera also performs admirably at night, showcasing excellent dynamic range and great detail. We’ll overlook the occasional white balance misstep, as it doesn’t significantly impact the overall picture quality.
A low-light beast! And to think that two of these pictures are telephoto shots
Unlike standalone cameras that often require low-aperture lenses for comparable results, this phone is a low-light beast. It takes nice photos without all the fuss of tripods and gimbals. Thanks to its advanced software and camera algorithms, it consistently captures impressive images in challenging lighting conditions.
A few more sample shots
realme 13 Pro+ 5G or DSLR: It comes down to versatility
The realme 13 Pro+ 5G offers a compelling alternative to standalone cameras. Its versatility shines with a multi-lens camera system that includes an ultrawide and periscope telephoto lens, allowing you to switch focal lengths on the fly. The phone’s zoom capabilities, extending up to a staggering 120x, are another major advantage.
In low-light and nighttime conditions, the realme 13 Pro+ 5G will probably outperform most DSLRs, thanks to its powerful software and AI features. Additionally, its AI-powered tools, like object eraser and AI Ultra Clarity, allow you to make edits directly on the device, a feature that’s often lacking in standalone cameras.
Battery life is another area where this smartphone excels. Its generous 5,200mAh battery pack coupled with 80-watt SUPERVOOC fast charging make it a practical choice for photographers who often face battery limitations with DSLRs. Based on our testing, it usually takes 45 minutes to go from zero to full using the bundled charger.
Beyond its photography capabilities, the realme 13 Pro+ 5G offers a range of features, including a high-quality screen and smooth day-to-day performance.
This unit boasts a stunning 6.7-inch curved OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations, a wide color gamut of up to a billion colors, and 2,160Hz high-frequency PWM dimming to reduce eye strain when adjusting the screen brightness. And with a global maximum brightness of 1,200 nits, which refers to the overall brightness level of the entire screen — and not just a portion of it — and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, the panel is easily visible in various lighting conditions, from bright indoor spaces to direct sunlight.
You won’t be able to watch HDR content on Netflix or YouTube on the device, and it doesn’t support Google’s Ultra HDR for photos. But hey, at least you can stream full HD content and use its built-in photo-editing tools to make your photos look awesome.
Inside, the realme 13 Pro+ 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, built on a power-efficient 4nm process technology and one that is decent for everyday tasks and casual gaming. On the software side, this device runs realme’s own UI 5.0 custom overlay out of the box. Outside the usual bloatware, realme’s Android 14-based UI 5.0 is generally light. The company has smartly focused on practical additions rather than a complete overhaul. The core layout is familiar, making it easy for users to transition from other Android devices.
Final thoughts
After weeks of testing, we’ve found the realme 13 Pro+ 5G to be a compelling choice, particularly for portraits and night shots. Its high-quality photos and 5G capabilities make it ideal for sharing on social media and capturing casual moments like trips, gatherings, and nights out. While a DSLR remains our go-to for professional work, the realme 13 Pro+ 5G stands out as a convenient and capable alternative that even has AI features.
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the realme 13 Pro 5G is a solid choice. It offers similar day-to-day performance and is a great option for those who don’t need the top-of-the-line features of the realme 13 Pro+ 5G.
realme 13 Pro Plus 5G specs
- 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED 3D curved display, 120Hz refresh rate, 2,160Hz PWM dimming, Corning Gorilla Glass
- 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 5G chipset
- Adreno 710 GPU
- 12GB RAM
- 256GB/512GB storage
- Triple 50-megapixel main, 50-megapixel periscope telephoto, 8-megapixel ultrawide rear cameras
- 32-megapixel front camera
- Under-display fingerprint reader
- 5,200mAh battery with 80-watt fast charging
- Dual speakers
- IP65 rating
- realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14
- Colors: Emerald Green and Monet Gold
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