Every year, smartphone makers claim their latest flagship will deliver sharper cameras, faster performance, and smarter features. The realme 14 Pro+ 5G is no different—on paper, it offers all three in spades. But how does it perform in real-world use? From its AI-powered imaging tools to its sleek, minimalist design, I put this device to the test across everyday tasks, content creation, and value for money. Here’s how it fared.
Design: 4/5
I had the Suede Grey variant in hand, and my first impression was that it looks—and feels—far more premium than its price point suggests. The matte finish has a silky smooth texture that adds a layer of sophistication while helping to resist fingerprints and smudges.
Ergonomically, the phone strikes a great balance. It features curved sides that make it comfortable to hold, even with its large display. Despite the expansive screen, the realme 14 Pro+ 5G doesn’t feel bulky or unwieldy. The circular camera module at the back is slightly raised, but it’s a small price to pay for what turns out to be a powerful imaging system.
Hardware: 4/5
The realme 14 Pro+ 5G is no slouch in the performance department. Whether you’re browsing, gaming, or switching between multiple apps, the device stays snappy and responsive.
Its 6.7-inch AMOLED Curved Vision Display is bright and punchy, with a 120Hz refresh rate that ensures silky-smooth scrolling and fluid animation transitions. Colors are rich and blacks are deep, making it a fantastic screen for binge-watching your favorite shows or editing photos on the fly.
Battery life is solid. With moderate use—messaging, social media, music streaming, and casual gaming—the phone easily lasts a full day. And when you do need to recharge, the 45W SUPERVOOC fast charging gets the battery back up to speed quickly. It’s not the fastest on the market, but it’s fast enough that battery anxiety won’t be an issue.
A subtle yet welcome touch is the in-display fingerprint scanner, which works quickly and reliably. It adds to the phone’s clean look and contributes to a more modern, premium feel.
User Experience: 4/5
This is where the realme 14 Pro+ 5G begins to distinguish itself. As someone who enjoys mobile photography, I found the camera system and AI enhancements to be impressive. The dual 50MP Sony IMX882 OIS cameras offer crisp, detailed images with excellent dynamic range.
The AI Eraser is a standout feature—it smartly removes unwanted objects from your photos with minimal fuss. Meanwhile, AI Ultra Clarity 2.0 adds that extra punch to your shots, sharpening and enhancing details without making images look artificial. Low-light performance is strong, with night mode delivering surprisingly vivid and noise-free results.
realme UI is easy to navigate, and the phone’s generous 12GB RAM and capable Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset make multitasking seamless. The dual speakers offer respectable audio quality, and gaming is fluid with very little lag, even during intensive sessions.
Value: 3.5/5
Priced at PHP27,899, this phone is a good mix of premium features, but a bit pricey. There are a number of smartphones with the same specs available at a lower price.
However, if you’re a photography and AI feature fan, you might not mind the slight price difference. The overall vibe is high-end, and the AI-powered camera features make it an attractive choice for smartphone photography enthusiasts.
Bottomline
If you enjoy photography and need a phone that will improve your shots effortlessly, the realme 14 Pro+ 5G is definitely worth considering. It’s quick, it’s sleek, and it comes loaded with AI-enabled photography tools that set it apart. It delivers an upper-tier experience that many will consider worth the price.
What’s Hot
- Stunning AMOLED display
- Fast charging and long battery life
- Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 5G Chipset
- IP69 Water Resistance, Drop Resistance
- Smooth performance and premium design
What’s Not
- Pricey
- Bloatware
Specifications:
- Processor: Snapdragon® 7s Gen 3 Mobile Platform
- Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED, 120Hz Curved Vision Display
- Rear Camera: 50MP Sony IMX882 OIS main camera
- Battery: 5000mAh with 45W SUPERVOOC Fast Charging
- AI Features: AI Eraser, AI Ultra Clarity 2.0
- Durability: IP66/IP68/IP69-rated for dust, water, and drop resistance
- Memory & Storage: 12GB RAM + 256GB internal storage
- Audio: Dual speakers with dual-mic noise cancellation
- Connectivity: Dual 5G (SA/NSA), Wi-Fi 6
- Build: 16.28 × 7.49 × 0.76 cm; approx. 179g
Reviewed by Phia Manuell Layoso
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE Vol. 25 No. 9 Issue