Few mid-range phones can boast what the Realme 14 5G offers, with a spectacular 6,000 mAh battery that is practically inexhaustible. In addition to delivering remarkable performance and GT mode for video games, its main camera delivers.
A phone designed for gaming has to meet certain minimum specifications, such as good battery life, performance to avoid lag, a high-quality screen, and a fast connection.
After several weeks with the Realme 14 5G, I think it’s a mid-range device that excels in all these areas, always in comparison with other models in the same price range, as it starts at $329.
On a very positive note, the manufacturer has ignored some issues, such as adding a macro or ultra-wide-angle sensor, in favor of a main camera that is not typical of more performance-focused phones.
Is the Realme 14 5G worth buying? The idea behind this phone is to offer several designs depending on the type of user you are, although the most striking is the mecha, which offers a finish more typical of gaming phones.
Beyond its design, it is a mid-range device that I loved for its spectacular 6,000 mAh battery, a spectacular display for any situation, and performance tailored to offer an unbeatable experience without overheating.
It collects fingerprints, but it has an incredible display for seeing everything clearly in any situation.
After several weeks with this phone as my main companion, I have to say that I have mixed feelings about its design, as the available options are quite elegant, but at least this one accumulates a lot of fingerprints.
Although it doesn’t detract from the overall experience, you should be aware that just touching it will leave marks, at least on the version I’ve been able to test, which is the color called warrior pink—others are also available, such as metallic brown and mechanical silver.
Beyond the fingerprints or the model in question, this pink color is really elegant, with a slightly reflective finish, as well as an incredible grip, even though it may appear slippery at first glance.
Otherwise, it’s a really comfortable phone for watching videos and using with one hand, as well as for playing games in landscape mode, although in the latter case, the position of your right hand slightly covers the speaker, which affects the sound somewhat.
Be that as it may, it has IP69 resistance, so there should be no problem with drops; at least during testing, it did not accumulate any scratches. As if that weren’t enough, its screen also performs perfectly.
In this case, its AMOLED panel allows for a 120 Hz refresh rate, with a sampling rate of 1,500 Hz, making it one of the best for achieving these figures in video games. In addition, its 2,000 nits of maximum brightness are incredible for viewing the panel at all times.
Finally, it should be noted that its utilization is not the best on the market, as it has a body-to-screen ratio of 92.65%, partly due to the visible notch at the top.
Regardless, returning to gaming as the focus of the device, it supports WiFi 6 and 5G, so speed and lag are not an issue at all.
Interestingly, there is only one main camera on the back, although it may appear otherwise, as well as a lighting ring that can be configured to activate during games, calls, and other features.
Remarkable performance, spectacular battery life, but with several improvements to the operating system
Inside, the Realme 14 5G has chosen the first fourth-generation Snapdragon 6 5G processor, manufactured in 4 nanometers and with an 8-core CPU that reaches a clock speed of 2.3 GHz.
In short, it is one of the best processors you can find in the mid-range if you are looking for something more geared towards gaming, although it does not quite match the most expensive phones, of course.
This is great news for power lovers, also considering that it offers a spectacular 12 gigabytes of RAM, to which you can add an additional 14 gigabytes virtually, with a more than remarkable cooling system, so it never overheats.
With these figures, you can open up to 40 apps simultaneously, which is incredible for a phone at this price point. As if that weren’t enough, it also offers GT mode, already familiar from other devices by the manufacturer, to enter maximum performance gaming mode.
Given this performance, you might think that battery life would suffer, but the opposite is true thanks to its 6,000 mAh battery. In my case, with access to video games, it was able to last for approximately 10 hours.
These are spectacular figures that are noticeable during longer sessions and, of course, increase when accessing video platforms or using the phone more normally. In addition, it includes 45W fast charging so you’ll never be without power.
On the other hand, something that didn’t really convince me is the operating system, Realme UI 6.0, which comes with pre-installed apps at other levels: in the start menu, you’ll have up to two additional screens full of casual games and others such as Temu, Fotocasa, and Miravia.
I think Realme could significantly reduce the number of apps that come by default, as it can worsen the phone’s setup experience. Although this is something that can be solved by spending an hour deleting apps, there is another issue that I have not been able to remove.
This is the continuous update notification from the AppMarket store, which comes as a complement to Google’s Play Store. Although I haven’t used it and have responded negatively to its updates, the message has not disappeared.
Its main camera achieves surprisingly sharp and vivid results
Many manufacturers are recently making a decision that, in my opinion, I love: ignoring macro and ultra-wide-angle sensors. Generally speaking, these tend to be more aesthetic than functional in this range.
However, in exchange, the Realme 14 5G has a 50-megapixel main camera that has surprised me. And not just me, as everyone around me who has seen the results has said the same thing: what sharp and vivid results.
Of course, it’s not all down to the optics, but also to the processing power of the phone to achieve these kinds of results, which may or may not be to everyone’s taste, but offer incredible detail for the price.
It should be noted that the zoom is digital, so don’t expect miracles when you use it. It allows for different increments up to 10x, although you’ll need a steady hand or a tripod.
As usual, it has a portrait mode for subjects that are a little closer, allowing you to adjust the depth of field to blur the background, depending on what you need to photograph.
It performs perfectly with the details you’ve already seen in normal shots, although if you take the shot with a slightly wider frame, it may not recognize the central subject perfectly.
As for the front camera, the person in the photo is remarkably detailed, although the background tends to be overexposed in the sky, which appears whitish, and does not allow you to see more distant elements in detail.
At night, however, some areas of the image do begin to appear blurred. With a normal shot, when it detects low light, the phone automatically increases the exposure time, which is the same as in night mode.
Interestingly, even if you disable this, the device will still recognize that it is nighttime, and with automatic shooting, the ISO value is higher, which directly influences whether there are focal points of light.
In short, even though this is a phone that focuses primarily on performance, the main camera is well worth it.
You’ll forget about sensors and lenses you’ll never use, and you’ll find that the automatic shooting mode works incredibly well in a variety of situations.
The Realme 14 5G is one of the best options in the mid-range.
The Realme 14 5G is positioned as an excellent mid-range option, combining solid performance, innovative features, and a competitive price. The device’s processing capabilities, visual display quality, and 5G functionality align with the demands of users seeking efficiency, fluidity, and optimal performance in routine activities such as web browsing, social media engagement, and casual gaming.
Whilst the camera does not reach the performance levels of more expensive models, it offers adequate functionality for those who enjoy capturing everyday moments. A notable strength of the camera is its long battery life, which allows for extended use without the need to recharge mid-day.
However, while the design is aesthetically pleasing, it may not be the most innovative on the market, and it lacks some of the advanced features offered by other competitors in this price range, such as wireless charging or more sophisticated cameras.
In summary, the Realme 14 5G is a highly recommended option for those seeking a balanced smartphone in terms of price and performance, without compromising essential features such as 5G connectivity and battery life. In the event of a limited budget being the primary concern, yet the necessity for an efficient device for everyday use remains, this model represents an excellent choice within its category.
