
Realme 14 Pro+ Review: The Ultimate Mid-Range Powerhouse?
The mid-range smartphone market is a battlefield, and Realme has consistently thrown punches with devices that punch above their weight. In 2025, the brand doubles down with the Realme 14 Pro+, a device that blends flagship-tier specs with a price tag that won’t empty your wallet. But does it truly redefine the mid-range segment? Let’s dive into the details.
Design & Build: Rugged Elegance Meets Practicality
The Realme 14 Pro+ doesn’t scream luxury, but it doesn’t have to. With dimensions of 163.5 x 77.3 x 8 mm (or 8.3 mm) and a weight of 194–196g, it’s sleek yet substantial. The plastic frame and back might disappoint premium seekers, but the matte finish on our Suede Gray review unit felt surprisingly refined. Gorilla Glass 7i shields the front, adding scratch resistance without bulk.
Where this phone truly shines is durability. It’s IP68/IP69-rated for dust/water resistance (1.5m for 30 minutes) and even boasts a manufacturer rating for 2m submersion for 48 hours—a rarity in mid-range devices. Add MIL-STD-810H compliance and GJB 150.18A certification (China-only), and you’ve got a phone that laughs at rough handling. The triple-SIM tray (dual Nano-SIM + eSIM) is a bonus for globetrotters.
Display: A Visual Feast
The 6.83-inch OLED panel is a stunner. With 1 billion colors, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a jaw-dropping 1500 nits peak brightness, it’s vibrant indoors and legible under direct sunlight. The 1272 x 2800 resolution (~450 PPI) ensures crisp text and buttery-smooth scrolling, while the 89.7% screen-to-body ratio minimizes bezels without intrusive curves.
Streaming HDR content on this display is immersive, and gamers will appreciate the 120Hz fluidity. Corning Gorilla Glass 7i offers peace of mind, though a pre-applied screen protector would’ve been nice.
Performance: Snapdragon Power, No Compromises
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) chipset delivers flagship-adjacent performance. Paired with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage, the 14 Pro+ handled everything from multitasking to graphic-heavy gaming without breaking a sweat. Benchmark scores back this up:
- AnTuTu v10: 765,537
- GeekBench 6: 2,627 (single-core)
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 1,024
Games like Genshin Impact ran smoothly at medium settings, and the Adreno 710 GPU (940 MHz) didn’t throttle even during extended sessions. The absence of a microSD slot is a letdown, but with up to 512GB onboard, most users won’t mind.
Camera: Mid-Range Photography Redefined
Realme’s camera game is strong here. The triple-lens setup includes:
- 50MP Wide (f/1.8): Sharp, detailed shots with excellent dynamic range. OIS and PDAF ensure stability even in low light.
- 50MP Periscope Telephoto (3x optical zoom): A rarity in mid-range phones! Shots at 3x are crisp, and digital zoom up to 10x remains usable.
- 8MP Ultrawide (112˚): Decent for landscapes, though details soften at the edges.
The 32MP selfie cam nails skin tones and handles backlit scenes well. Video recording tops out at 4K@30fps (rear) with gyro-EIS and OIS, but the lack of 8K is forgivable at this price.
Battery & Charging: Two-Day Lifespan
The 6000mAh battery is a beast. Our 14-hour active use test included streaming, gaming, and GPS navigation, and it still had 15% left by bedtime. The 80W wired charging hits 50% in 24 minutes—ideal for rushed mornings. Wireless charging is absent, but at this price, it’s no dealbreaker.
Software: Android 15 & Realme UI 6.0
The phone ships with Android 15 and Realme’s UI 6.0, which is cleaner than previous iterations. Bloatware is minimal, and features like Split Screen and Quick Launch enhance productivity. Security updates are promised for three years, a welcome commitment.
Audio & Connectivity
The stereo speakers deliver rich sound (-25.5 LUFS), though bass lovers might crave headphones. Sadly, there’s no 3.5mm jack, but Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and 360˚ NFC (region-dependent) ensure modern connectivity.
Price & Verdict
Priced at ₹27,598 in India, the Realme 14 Pro+ undercuts rivals like the Redmi Note 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A35 5G while offering superior specs. Its periscope zoom, flagship-tier display, and monster battery make it a standout.
Pros:
- Exceptional value
- Rugged, water-resistant design
- Versatile camera system
- Blazing-fast charging
Cons:
- Plastic build feels less premium
- No wireless charging
- Ultrawide camera lacks detail
The Bottom Line:
The Realme 14 Pro+ isn’t just a mid-range contender—it’s a powerhouse. For photographers, gamers, and durability-focused users, this phone is a no-brainer. If you’re seeking flagship features without the sticker shock, look no further.
FAQs
1. Is the Realme 14 Pro+ waterproof?
Yes! The phone is rated IP68/IP69 for dust and water resistance, meaning it can survive submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. Additionally, Realme claims it can withstand 2 meters for 48 hours under controlled conditions. However, avoid exposing it to saltwater or high-pressure water jets.
2. Does the phone support 5G connectivity?
Absolutely. The Realme 14 Pro+ is 5G-ready, ensuring future-proof connectivity for faster downloads, lower latency, and smoother streaming in supported regions.
3. How does the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 compare to flagship chips?
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is a 4nm mid-range powerhouse designed to balance performance and efficiency. While it’s not as robust as a Snapdragon 8 Gen series chip, it handles gaming, multitasking, and AI tasks smoothly. Benchmarks like AnTuTu (~765K) place it slightly below 2024’s flagship processors but ahead of most mid-range rivals.
4. Can I expand the storage with a microSD card?
No, the Realme 14 Pro+ lacks a microSD slot. However, it offers up to 512GB of internal storage, which should suffice for most users. Consider cloud storage for additional space.
5. How good is the periscope telephoto camera?
The 50MP periscope telephoto lens offers 3x optical zoom and up to 10x hybrid zoom. Shots at 3x are sharp and detailed, while 10x digital zoom retains decent clarity in good lighting. It’s a standout feature rarely seen in mid-range phones.
6. Does the phone support wireless charging?
No, the Realme 14 Pro+ skips wireless charging. However, its 80W wired charging is blazing fast, juicing up the 6000mAh battery to 50% in just 24 minutes.
7. Is the display suitable for outdoor use?
Yes! With a peak brightness of 1500 nits and 1200 nits in HBM mode, the screen remains visible even under direct sunlight. The OLED panel’s contrast and color accuracy further enhance outdoor readability.
8. What software updates will the phone receive?
Realme promises three years of Android OS updates and four years of security patches for the 14 Pro+, ensuring it stays up-to-date until 2028.
9. Can I use two SIMs and an eSIM simultaneously?
Yes! The phone supports dual Nano-SIMs + eSIM (max two active at a time), making it ideal for travelers or users juggling personal and work numbers.
10. How durable is the plastic build?
While the plastic frame and back lack the premium feel of glass or metal, the MIL-STD-810H certification ensures resistance to drops, shocks, and extreme temperatures. The matte finish also minimizes fingerprints.