realme 13+ 5G Review; Mid-Range Powerhouse

Jonnah Pante
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realme is not a stranger to hit launches, especially in the Philippine market. This is a feat that's safe to say it continues to maintain, especially with the recent local reveal of the realme 13+ 5G. Spending a few weeks with the device as our main daily driver was enough to anticipate how this new realme offering is a great smartphone choice for tech consumers looking for a reliable all-rounder.


DESIGN and BUILD:


Before we get on to the strongest suits of the realme 13+ 5G, let's discuss first a sole area which we thought could use improvements. Coming from a brand known for eye-catching and premium-looking smartphones, it seems like the realme 13+ 5G has an underwhelming physique.


realme 13+ 5G
realme 13+ 5G

The unit that we got is in Deep Purple which honestly looks more black than purple. Another color option available on the realme 13+ 5G is Victory Gold.


Related: realme 13+ 5G; Redefining Gaming Performance in the Philippines


On the rear part of the realme 13+ 5G sits a protruding circular camera module surrounded by a metal accent with camera specs written on it. The lower half of the smartphone's back part comes with brushstroke-like streaks, which according to realme, mimic the appearance of lightning. This design detail is an effective take on repelling fingerprint smudges.


realme 13+ 5G back design
realme 13+ 5G back design


For the record, we're not saying that the realme 13+ 5G is an unappealing device. It's just that the difference in aesthetics is noticeable when it's compared to other realme devices closer to its price point, including its predecessor, the realme 12+ 5G.


With its flat screen and edges, the realme 13+ 5G provides a good grip. Its overall form factor also exudes a solid and sturdy feel. One-hand use could be a challenge for those with smaller hands, though, especially since the realme 13+ 5G is a tall device.


Also read: realme 13 5G; The Ultimate Gaming Smartphone Now Available in the Philippines


Its top part comes with a secondary speaker and microphone. There's also a 3.5 mm jack which is becoming an unusual sight for newer devices, let alone putting it at the top. 


The realme 13+ 5G comes with a 3.5mm jack.
The realme 13+ 5G comes with a 3.5mm jack.

The device's right cheek carries the power button and the volume rockers, while the opposite side is a clean slate. 


Power and volume buttons
Power and volume buttons

At the bottom is where you'll find the SIM tray which can carry either two nano SIM cards or a  nano SIM card and a microSD card at once, primary microphone, USB-C port, and another set of speakers.


The bottom part of the realme 13+ 5G
The bottom part of the realme 13+ 5G

The realme 13+ 5G comes in a standard realme packaging in the brand's yellow trademark shade. Inclusions are common with a free transparent case, a USB-A to USB-C wire, a SUPERVOOC brick charger, SIM ejector tool, and the paperworks. 


realme 13+ 5G package
realme 13+ 5G package

DISPLAY:


Now, on to the highlights of the realme 13+ 5G that makes it a mid-range powerhouse. With a 6.67-inch OLED Esports screen in Full HD+ resolution, the realme 13+ 5G gives exactly what users need in a smartphone screen – vibrant colors, sharp details, and a smooth scrolling experience. These are made possible through its features including a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, ProXDR technology, and Widevine L1. 


realme 13+ 5G
realme 13+ 5G

The surrounding bezels on the realme 13+ 5G's display is also present but not prominent. Its flat screen also somehow creates an illusion for an all-screen device, except from a punch hole selfie camera.


Apart from its IP65 dust and water resistance, the realme 13+ 5G is made for the weather. Its screen is enabled for Rainwater Smart Touch, which means it remains responsive to taps and swipes even when wet. Plus, its peak brightness can reach up to 2,000 nits which makes the display visible enough even when used outdoors under direct sunlight.


See More: The realme 13+ 5G gives mobile gamers a good smartphone choice


With this screen caliber, the realme 13+ 5G positions itself as an impressive smartphone for multimedia consumption. Binge watching is a delight on this smartphone even more because of its dual stereo speakers that provide decent audio.


PERFORMANCE:


This is where the realme 13+ 5G excels the most. Running on a powerful Dimensity 7300 Energy 5G Chipset with a combined 26GB RAM and 256GB onboard storage, it's a piece of cake for this device to switch between multiple demanding apps for productivity, entertainment, social media, and gaming. It can keep up smoothly to whatever task you have for the day.


Since the realme 13+ 5G is marketed as a gaming smartphone, it's fitting for the device to offer a lag-free gaming experience. Even the highest graphics setting on mobile games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is like a walk in the park for the realme 13+ 5G.


realme 13+ 5G
realme 13+ 5G 

The device also comes with a number of gaming functions to take advantage of, similar to realme's flagship gaming smartphone series, the realme GT. The GT Mode on the realme 13+ 5G brings Geek Power Tuning for clock speeds adjustments, Voice Changer for a fun streaming experience, and Game Focus Mode which automatically optimizes the device for uninterrupted gaming.


The realme 13+ 5G comes with gaming enhancements.

Unsurprisingly, the realme 13+ 5G comes with bloatware. Lots of it, actually. The pre-installed apps, which, majority of them we didn't need, are even grouped in folders. These can be uninstalled easily but honestly, we hope that there'll come a day that smartphone brands will finally realize that these are rather unnecessary.


realme 13+ 5G bloatware
realme 13+ 5G bloatware

realme onboarded the realme 13+ 5G with AI features alongside the realme UI 5.0, including AI Boost 2.0 which learns usage patterns to optimize smartphone performance.


Benchmark results of the realme 13+ 5G are as shown in the screenshots below.


realme 13+ 5G benchmark scores. Peep the 740,000+ score in AnTuTu.
realme 13+ 5G benchmark scores. Peep the 740,000+ score in AnTuTu.

CAMERA:


Gaming-centric smartphones are most likely to be camera-centric, too. The realme 13+ 5G proves this to be true with its impressive photography and videography prowess.


realme 13+ 5G rear cameras
realme 13+ 5G rear cameras


The cameras on the realme 13+ 5G include a 50-megapixel rear Sony LYT lens in F1.88 aperture with OIS, 2-megapixel rear portrait camera with F2.2 aperture, and a 16-megapixel selfie camera with F2.45 aperture.


The realme 13+ 5G comes with an Action Mode readily accessible on the main camera screen to capture moving subjects.
The realme 13+ 5G comes with an Action Mode readily accessible on the main camera screen to capture moving subjects.

Photos taken using the rear cameras of the realme 13+ 5G come with excellent saturation levels as well as detail sharpness. Even images shot indoors and in low-light conditions are also notable.


Selfies, on the other hand, are excellent, too. The realme 13+ 5G doesn't impose unbelievable filters on self-portraits but rather maintain a natural skin tone.


Check our camera samples here.


BATTERY:


What's a gaming smartphone with a lackluster power? With the realme 13+ 5G, this isn't an issue at all. In our actual usage, its 5,000mAh battery lasted us over two days on moderate use with Netflix binge-watching, gaming, and social media scrolling.


realme 13+ 5G 80W Ultra-Fast Charge feature

An even more impressive feat is how fast the realme 13+ 5G can go from empty battery to 100% – 53 minutes to be exact. Here's our charging timer for the device.


5 minutes — 0% to 10%

15 minutes — 31%

30 minutes — 61%

45 minutes — 89%

53 minutes — 100%


CONCLUSION:


realme 13+ 5G
realme 13+ 5G

There's no denying that realme has another powerhouse of a device with the realme 13+ 5G. It's praiseworthy for many reasons, making it a value-for-money smartphone for P19,999.


Read about the introductory offers for the realme 13+ 5G here.

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