Realme 3 Officially Here; Quick Hands-on

The sub-10k smartphone segment has been stirred and shaken up once again as the fairly newcomer Realme launches the Realme 3. It’s definitely a looker, and its looks can be deceiving because the Realme 3 is a smartphone punching way above its price.

Realme 3
OS:Android 9.0 Pie
ColorOS 6
Processor:MediaTek Helio P60
Octacore:
4x Cortex A73 @2.0 GHz
4x Cortex A53 2.0 GHz
Mali-G72 MP3 GPU
Display: 6.2" IPS LCD
720 x 1520
19:9 dew-drop notch
Wireless Connections:LTE, Bluetooth 4.2, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, A-GPS, GLONASS
FM Radio
Memory:4 GB RAM + 64 GB internal
3 GB RAM + 32 GB internal Storage expandable up to 256 GB via microSD Card (dedicated slot)
Connectors:microUSB 2.0, OTG Support
3.5mm audio jack
Cameras:Rear: 13 MP f/1.8 + 2 MP depth sensor
Front: 13 MP f/2.0
Security:Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor
Face unlock
SIM Card Slots:2x Nano SIM Cards
Battery:4,230 mAh
SRP:3 GB + 32 GB: P6,990 (Online Exclusive)
3GB + 64 GB: P7,990
4GB + 64 GB: P9,990

At a starting price of just P6,990, the Realme 3 is packing impressive hardware. Starting with the body, Realme is really going for eye-catching aesthetics to distinguish itself from its more subdued competitors. Dynamic Black has a distinctive two-tone black and blue design, and Radiant Blue is, well, shiny blue.

The 6.2″ HD+ screen features a small and non-intrusive dew-drop notch that houses the 13MP selfie camera. This display won’t be winning any pixel density contest. But after a brief hands-on, Realme (and OPPO) has done a good job with the ColorOS UI to hide and it’s no deal-breaker whatsoever.

Realme 3

We managed to do a few snapshots with the front and rear cameras. The launch venue had terribly purple lighting so it’s too early to judge these camera samples color-wise. But the built-in Chroma Boost and Nightscape mode are the most intriguing aspects of the software which will definitely be fun to further test.

The portrait mode for the rear cameras worked really well even in the tricky shot with the Realme case as seen below. Even without a secondary camera for depth sensing, selfie portrait mode did just as well.

But the main thing that struck me during our brief time with it was the build quality. The Realme 3’s plastic unibody construction felt really solid, convincingly premium, and is even on par with some flagships. Oh, and did I mention it has a 4,230 mAh battery? No doubt Realme’s gunning for that best battery life crown.

Combine all of that with the very capable octacore MediaTek Helio P60, and it all makes for one hell of bang-for-the-buck smartphone.

Pre-orders from retail stores nationwide starts at March 30 for the 3GB/64GB (P7,990) and 4GB/64GB (P9,990) models and will come with freebies worth P1,299. There’s also two stylish Realme cases available, costing P399 and P499 each.

As a Shopee exclusive, the 3GB/32GB model (P6,990) will be marked down to P6,290 using voucher code SHPXREALME3 during Shopee’s March 25 flash sale. Furthermore, customers can get the Realme 3 via Home Credit financing. The 3GB/64GB model will be available through a 9 or 12 month easy plan while the 4GB/64GB variant will be available through a 6-month 0% interest plan.

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