Review Summary
Expert Rating
Weeks after launching the Realme 13 Pro series, Realme has shifted its focus to more affordable options with the new Realme 13 5G series. The lineup includes two devices: the Realme 13, priced under Rs 20,000, and the Realme 13+, just over the Rs 20,000 mark.
Unlike the Pro series, the Realme 13 5G lineup – particularly the “Plus” variant, which I’m reviewing – emphasises performance over cameras. The Realme 13+ also stands out with 80W fast charging, a rare feature in this segment. It draws power from MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 SoC, the same chip used in OPPO’s higher-priced, AI-focused Reno 12 (review) series. So, is the Realme 13+ worth considering?
Table of Contents
Verdict
The Realme 13+ is a solid recommendation if performance and battery (with fast charging) matter to you. It also exhibited a reliable performance in our gaming test, especially in the BGMI round. However, unlike the Realme 13 Pro models, the camera capabilities of the Realme 13+ are decent, if not better. In that case, you might want to check out our Motorola Edge 50 Fusion (review). If cameras aren’t a big priority, the Realme 13+ won’t disappoint.
Design and display
While the round camera module remains constant across Realme’s offerings this year, the Realme 13+ features a curved rear panel to elevate the overall look and feel. It may not be easily distinguishable in photos, though the soft rounded edges feel ergonomic in your hand despite its tall build. The weight and thickness (table below) are also ideal for this size.
I liked the Speed Green variant, which might remind you of the OnePlus Nord CE4‘s (review) Celadon Marble edition. The Realme 13+ features similar marble-like accents but with a subtle solid finish on top and some shimmers for added aesthetic appeal. Overall, I prefer this colour over the Realme 13+ Dark Purple edition, which feels slightly too plain for my taste. The Victory Gold variant could be attractive if you like bold colours, though it’s not for me.
| Smartphone | Realme 13+ | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | OPPO F25 Pro |
| Thickness | 7.6mm | 7.9mm | 7.5mm |
| Weight | 185 grams | 174.9 grams | 177 grams |
All colour variants get the same polycarbonate finish with an IP65 rating for a decent degree of protection against dust and water. Realme has opted for the usual port and button selection, including the volume rocker, a power button, a dual SIM card tray, and a USB-C port for charging. I appreciate the inclusion of the 3.5mm audio jack, especially since some brands have started omitting it from smartphones priced above Rs 20,000.
However, its placement is at the top, unlike the Realme 13 5G, where the audio jack lies at the bottom next to the USB-C port. I find the top positioning more convenient for gaming. This way, it won’t interfere with your grip if the phone is charging with the wired earphones simultaneously connected.
Interestingly, the more affordable Realme 13 5G gets a relatively bigger display than the Plus variant, which is typically not the case between Plus and non-Plus variants (for example, the Galaxy S series). However, the viewing experience on Realme 13+’ 6.67-inch display is significantly different as the smartphone utilises an OLED panel. The full HD+ (1,080 x 2,400 pixels) resolution combined with a 120Hz refresh rate and 180Hz sampling rate ensures a rich viewing experience, similar to what most rivals offer in the segment.
| Smartphone | Realme 13+ | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | OPPO F25 Pro |
| Display size | 6.67-inch OLED | 6.7-inch AMOLED | 6.7-inch AMOLED |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 1,600 nits | 1,100 nits |
I compared the Realme 13+’s display against the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and OPPO F25 Pro (review). In my test, the Realme 13+ offered the brightest output outdoors and indoors. However, the Edge 50 Fusion provides better contrast, making visuals appear slightly more dramatic.
Overall, the viewing experience on the Realme 13+ was decent with the loud stereo speakers, the latter being unavailable on the OPPO F25 Pro. I found the display’s Rainwater Smart Touch feature versatile, especially when it’s raining. Realme has not provided any information about the display, therefore; it is safe to assume there’s the bare minimum. At least the box includes a protective case, and the display comes with a pre-applied tempered glass protector.
Cameras
The Realme 13+ leverages the 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor for the primary camera, which appears to have become a go-to choice for smartphone OEMs in this range. Realme has provided OIS support for crisp shots and stable videos. However, the brand has skipped the ultra-wide camera, perhaps to keep the distinction between its camera-focused Realme 13 Pro series. The other two cameras on the back are for macro and portrait shots. On the front, there’s a 16MP camera inside the hole-punch cutout.
If an ultra-wide camera isn’t a priority, the Realme 13+ delivers crisp shots packed with details. While there might be some inconsistency in noise and softness, the issue is negligible unless you crop the image.
I was particularly impressed by its natural colours in good lighting conditions. The phone tends to boost the sky colour, but I am sure users will enjoy the dramatic effect on their social media channels. The same colour science and treatment applies to low-light shots, and the phone does a decent job of balancing light and preserving colours effectively.
Similarly, the front camera takes natural shots in daylight, though low-light selfie shots can be inconsistent. Another bug I noticed in my review was the portrait performance. In some instances, the portrait mode was “locked”, and the images lacked a bokeh effect. The same issue was noticeable in selfies occasionally. If the camera can add the bokeh in photos, the separation between the subject and background isn’t always great.
I compared its shots with the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion and OPPO F25 Pro, and the Realme 13+ offered better camera performance, at least with images without a human subject. However, a lack of ultra-wide cameras is a sure setback.
Daylight and low light
As mentioned, the Realme 13+ is capable of crisp shots, especially in this case (image below). Compared to the Edge 50 Fusion, it captures more details in the background without compromising the dynamic range. Even compared to the OPPO F25 Pro, its image offers more details.
Notably, the Realme 13+ accurately detects the reds in the image, which wasn’t the case with Edge 50 Fusion and OPPO F25 Pro.
Even in dim conditions, I found Realme 13+’s camera shots more pleasing than the two competitors.
Portrait and selfie
However, portrait shots on the Realme 13+ were inconsistent – at least during my week-long test. The bug prevents the bokeh effect in photos, and hopefully, Realme will address this via an OTA update.
In the shot below, Realme failed to add a bokeh in the background. Motorola’s shot looks slightly more pleasing with the natural shallow depth of field. On the other hand, the Realme 13+ detect the subject’s skin colour accurately. The brown T-shirt may appear slightly boosted, though it offers an aesthetic appeal.
What I don’t appreciate is the lack of facial details with the selfie camera. While Realme’s shots may appear more vibrant compared to Motorola’s, there’s a noticeable softening that hides facial details. On the other hand, Motorola’s camera captures more detail, but the colours often require some adjustment through the native editing tools.
Video
Video recording on the Realme 13+ is decent too. The phone supports 4K at 30fps, and you can also shoot at 60fps in 1080p resolution. The primary camera, equipped with OIS, offers average stability, and the colours are vibrant. For basic Instagram Reels or casual videos, the recording capabilities are sufficient. However, if you’re an upcoming content creator, you might want to consider increasing your budget for a more advanced option.
Performance and software
As mentioned, the Realme 13+ gets the new Dimensity 7300 SoC, which also powers Rs 36,999-worth OPPO Reno 12 Pro (review) and Rs 15,999-worth CMF Phone 1 (review) by Nothing. The base variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage costs Rs 22,999, and the model above with 256GB storage costs Rs 24,999. If you pick the 12GB RAM and 256GB option, which I am reviewing, the price goes up to Rs 26,999.
The pricing may seem well-planned, as Realme aims to cover almost all price points under Rs 30,000. However, it can cause confusion among number-focused customers who prefer to do their research before making the final purchase.
The Realme 13+ achieves decent scores in benchmarks, including AnTuTu, Geekbench, and CPU Throttle. Its scores were slightly better than the CMF Phone 1, which utilises the same chipset.
Even the relatively more expensive Realme 13 Pro with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 was slightly behind. However, the Infinix GT20 Pro (936985) remains the top scorer in the segment based on AnTuTu. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3-powered Nord CE4 was also ahead.
Beyond numbers, the Realme 13+ was a decently reliable smartphone during my review. The MediaTek chipset and 12GB RAM offered a smooth performance, though with some visible stutters. I also noticed bugs on YouTube, especially when auto-rotate was enabled. Realme must also consider improving its UI, which seems to be getting more pre-installed apps each year.
That way, the Moto Edge 50 Fusion seems a better choice, thanks to features like Moto Connect for seamless connectivity with Windows PCs.
| Pre-installed apps | OS Updates | |
| Realme 13+ | 65 | 2 years OS + 3 years security |
| Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | 35 | 3 years OS + 4 years security |
| OPPO F25 Pro | 66 | 2 years OS + 3 years security |
For gamers, the Realme 13+ delivered a solid performance. The phone offered consistently high frame rates with Ultra HDR graphics and Ultra frame rate during BGMI. You even have the option to play at Extreme+ (90fps) mode with smooth graphics. Playing COD was equally smooth, thanks to the display’s high touch sampling rate. Its flat display, OLED panel, and loud speakers ensured an engaging experience.
Battery and charging
While Realme has a standard 5,000mAh battery on the Realme 13+, the phone supports 80W charging. The overall battery performance was also solid despite using the phone with the highest settings enabled (120Hz refresh rate, performance mode, and high brightness).
Even the charging speed is super fast, which many customers will appreciate. With the bundled charger, the phone attained full charge from 20 percent in just 31 minutes.
| Smartphone | Charging Time (20 to 100 percent) |
| Realme 13+ (80W) | 31 minutes |
| Motorola Edge 50 Fusion (68W) | 56 minutes |
| OPPO F25 Pro (67W) | 42 minutes |
The Realme 13+ ran the PCMark battery test for over 10 hours – a respectable score compared to rivals.
Final verdict
If performance and gaming matter to you, the Realme 13+, with its sleek build, is sure to impress. Even for battery-focused customers, it’s a solid recommendation. Another bonus is for BGMI fans, as the phone delivers consistently high frame rates with HDR graphics.
However, Realme should consider improving its UI and user experience by reducing the number of pre-installed apps, especially since brands like Motorola and Nothing are setting a benchmark in this area. Additionally, extending the Android OS update promise from two to three years would likely attract more potential customers.
For those switching from a Realme or even Redmi device, the Realme 13+ won’t disappoint.
Editor’s rating: 7.5 / 10
Reasons to buy:
- Tall display with punchy colours.
- Sleek design and premium finish.
- Realme 13+ offers super-fast charging speeds.
- Solid device for gaming, especially BGMI.
Reasons to skip:
- The phone comes with loads of pre-installed apps.
- There’s no ultra-wide camera.
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Rs. 25,999.00
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