The Realme 11 Pro+ 5G is an absolute cracker of a phone, especially when it comes to its design and camera. It also has some pretty solid hardware too. However, it is severely let down by the bloatware and sheer volume of ads that it serves to its users
Pros
– Vegan leather back
– Super impressive display
– Impressive 200MP camera
– Great speakers
– Great battery life and fast charging
Cons
– Tons of bloatware and ads
– Photos taken under scant artificial lighting can be a hit or a miss
– Ultrawide camera needs to be better optimised
Rs 29,999 for the tested 12GB + 256GB variant (starts at Rs 27,999)
Rating: 4/5
Realme, for quite some time now, has been launching some of the best mid-level budget phones under their number series. Despite a few shortcomings, the Realme 10 Pro+ from last year was a pretty good phone. The year before that, Realme had a solid, bankable device with the 9 series. Back then, however, only the top-tier devices in these series were worth considering.
This year though, things are a bit different. Both the devices in the series, the Realme 11 Pro+ and the Realme 11 Pro are almost the same. Barring a few areas on the spec sheet, and of course, its pricing, it’s really difficult to tell the Pro+ version apart from the Pro.
Just like last year Realme is marketing this year’s offering from the number series, the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G as a smartphone that offers a high-end experience and design that is typically associated with devices that typically cost three to six times more.
The Realme 11 Pro+ 5G boasts a wide range of features, impressive specifications, and eye-catching aesthetics that are sure to grab attention. However, it also has a few chinks in its iron, especially its software. So, how does the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G perform overall, and is it a worthwhile purchase for those in search of a new smartphone? How does the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G stand today, at a time when the Indian budget smartphone market has become even more competitive and fierce?
Realme 11 Pro+ 5G review: The design
First things first, the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G is one of the best-looking devices that has been released this year and is bound to win some design award or the other. Realme has collaborated with Matteo Menotto, a fashion designer who has worked with brands like Gucci and Bulgari, for the 11 Pro series.
Both the devices in the series look exactly the same. You get a premium-feeling vegan leather back that has this 3D-woven mesh running down the middle. You also get this intricately done seam of stitches that make it feel hand-crafted. For colour options, you get to choose from three colours – Sunrise Beige, Oasis Green, and Astral Black. For the Realme 11 Pro+, we had the Oasis Green colour. Do note, that the black variant doesn’t have the metallic mesh running down the middle. Still, we feel that even the black variant is majestic to look at.
Thanks to the vegan leather used for the back panel, there’s no chance of this turning into a fingerprint magnet. What will be interesting to see is how long the leather back last before it starts to fray. Do keep in mind that the beige-coloured variants will start picking up stains, especially if you’re not careful with them.
Like the Pro+ variant from last year, the Realme 11 Pro+ as well as the Real Me 11 Pro has a curved display that looks and feels majestic. Yes, they are a little tricky to live with, considering how difficult it is to find tempered glass for these, but that shouldn’t be a major issue as Realme has services to help you get the screen replaced should you need it.
The display of the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G features a hole punch design to accommodate the front-facing camera. The bezels surrounding the screen are extremely thin, especially on the sides, creating a nearly bezel-less look.
The side bezels are remarkably slim, almost non-existent, while the bottom bezel measures an astonishingly thin 2.33mm. Realme has achieved this thin bezel design, combined with a curved display, at an affordable price point by utilizing a new packaging process called COP ultra. We also get an under-the-display fingerprint scanner.
On the right side of the device, you’ll find the power buttons and volume rockers. The left side has no buttons, and the top edge is equipped with a set of microphones.
Moving to the bottom, there is a speaker grille that houses one of the stereo speakers, along with the presence of a USB Type-C port. Additionally, the dual-SIM slot is also located at the bottom. However, it’s worth noting that the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G does not support a microSD card for expandable storage.
Going back to the rear, we see a huge camera island in the shape of a circle. This seems to have become a design choice that many brands are going for, considering just how big camera sensors have become. The central camera has the primary 200MP sensor, whereas the right camera houses the 8MP ultrawide. On the left, we get a 2MP macro sensor.
In the Realme 11 Pro, you don’t get an ultrawide or a micro setup. Instead, on the right you get a 2MP portrait camera.
Despite being lightweight and slim, the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G has a sturdy build and feels solid when held. Overall, in terms of aesthetics, the device is surely going to turn heads and be a great conversation starter.
Realme 11 Pro+ 5G review: The display
The Realme 11 Pro+ features a display similar to the one found in the Realme 10 Pro+ released last year, although with some minor adjustments.
