The Realme 13+ has emerged as an exciting new contender in the mid-range smartphone segment, offering impressive performance at a budget-friendly price. Recently launched alongside the Realme 13, this Android device has sparked interest due to its gaming capabilities, sleek design, and some notable improvements over its predecessor, the Realme 12+. Despite being launched only a few months after the Realme 12+, the Realme 13+ provides certain upgrades that make it a compelling option for those looking to buy a new 5G smartphone under ₹30,000.

Realme 13+ Pricing and Variants

In India, the Realme 13+ is available in three storage variants:

• 8GB RAM + 128GB storage priced at ₹22,999
• 8GB RAM + 256GB storage priced at ₹24,999
• 12GB RAM + 256GB storage priced at ₹26,999

With these options, Realme provides excellent choices for users seeking reliable smartphone gadgets with ample storage and processing power.

Sleek Design with a Fresh Look

The Realme 13+ may look similar to the Realme 12+ from the front, but the rear design has seen some notable upgrades. The phone now features a new pattern design inspired by ‘Victory’ and ‘Speed,’ with a dual-tone finish—matte at the top and a marble-like texture at the bottom. The Dark Purple color option appears more black than purple, giving it a sophisticated look. The new oval-shaped camera module, sturdy die-cast aluminum body, and flat sides add to its premium feel.

Moreover, the device is IP65 rated for dust and water resistance, an improvement from the Realme 12+‘s IP54 rating. The SIM tray includes a red rubber gasket, ensuring enhanced durability in daily usage.

Vivid Display with Smooth Performance

The Realme 13+ sports a 6.67-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display, offering 120Hz refresh rate and Panda Glass protection. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, the display ensures excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. It supports HDR10+ and comes with multiple display modes, such as Vivid, Natural, and Brilliant, making it ideal for users who love vibrant visuals and watching HDR content.

For a smoother touch experience, the Rainwater Smart Touch feature allows users to interact with the screen even when their fingers are wet.

Software Experience: Android 14 with Bloatware

Running on Android 14 and Realme UI 5.0, the phone offers the latest software updates, although it comes pre-installed with some bloatware, including Hot Apps, Hot Games, and Glance. While most of these can be uninstalled, it’s still a bit of a downside. Realme promises two years of OS updates and three years of security patches, ensuring future-proofing.

Strong Performance Powered by MediaTek Dimension 7300

Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Energy SoC powers the Realme 13+, making it ideal for gaming and daily multitasking. The phone handles games like BGMI smoothly, delivering 80-90fps during high-performance sessions, thanks to its 6050mm² stainless steel vapor cooling chamber. This cooling system ensures the phone stays cool even during extended gaming sessions.

Benchmarks showed that the Realme 13+ performs exceptionally well for its price, and its gaming prowess is one of the major highlights. With up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, users will have plenty of power for gaming, app usage, and multitasking.

Decent cameras with limitations

The Realme 13+ comes with a 50MP Sony LYT-600 main sensor with OIS, which captures good photos in daylight. However, its lack of an ultra-wide lens and the inclusion of only a 2 MP depth sensor may disappoint some users. The front 16MP selfie camera works well in bright lighting but struggles in low-light conditions.

In terms of video, the phone can record in 4K at 30 fps and 1080p at 60 fps for stabilized shots, making it a decent choice for casual video creation.

Long Battery Life with Fast Charging

The Realme 13+ features a 5,000mAh battery that can easily last more than a day with regular usage. The phone supports 80W fast charging, taking it from 0 to 100% in about 55 minutes. This fast charging capability is a standout feature, particularly at this price point.

In testing, the Realme 13+ lasted around 29 hours in a continuous video loop, and users can expect around 6-7 hours of screen-on time at 120Hz refresh rate during normal usage.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Realme 13+?

For users looking for an affordable Android phone with strong gaming performance, smooth display, and fast charging, the Realme 13+ is a solid choice. However, if you already own Realme 12+, it may not be worth upgrading just yet. Those who prioritize camera performance or a more premium software experience may want to explore alternatives like the Nothing Phone 2a or Motorola Edge 50 Fusion.