realme 13 series was just announced, and we were lucky enough to get our hands on one of their devices—the realme 13 Pro 5G.
While it’s essentially the same device as the realme 13 Pro+ 5G, it comes with a few minor tweaks that make it more affordable.
But what sets this device apart from its higher-end sibling? Did the cost-cutting measures affect its value? Let’s find out!
Design
One of the most notable differences between the realme 13 Pro 5G and the realme 13 Pro+ 5G is the design. Unlike the Pro+ model, this device features a glass back with a sandblasted finish, giving it an elegant and premium feel.
The Monet-inspired design adds a touch of artistry that looks stunning. The phone retains the same rounded camera module, but without the gold accents seen on the Pro+ variant.
In terms of dimensions, the realme 13 Pro 5G offers a slim profile, thanks to its curved edges. Weighing in at 190g, it isn’t too heavy, but the smooth finish on the back panel can make it a bit slippery, so we recommend using the included case to prevent any accidental drops.
The device’s frame houses the power and volume buttons on the right side, a microphone and speaker grille on top, and a USB-C port, speaker grille, and SIM tray at the bottom.
When it comes to design, the realme 13 Pro 5G stands out more than its higher-end sibling. It has a more eye-catching and luxurious appearance. Both models offer premium looks, but if we’re judging based purely on aesthetics, the realme 13 Pro 5G takes the win.
Display
Switching to the front of the device, the realme 13 Pro 5G boasts a 6.7-inch FHD+ OLED display with up to 2000 nits of peak brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate. It also supports HDR content and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.
The display quality is impressive, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp details whether you’re indoors or outdoors. The bezel-less design enhances the viewing experience, making it ideal for binge-watching shows. In our tests, we had no issues with the display and thoroughly enjoyed using it.
Camera
The realme 13 Pro 5G is equipped with a triple camera setup, featuring a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro shooter.
The front houses a 32MP selfie camera in a punch-hole cutout.
In terms of camera performance, the 50MP rear camera captures accurate colors with good sharpness and detail. The dynamic range is wide, and there are no overly dark areas in the shots. Low-light photos also retain good color accuracy, detail, and sharpness. Like the Pro+ variant, the rear cameras offer social media-ready photos without the need for much editing.
The ultrawide and macro lenses are fairly standard and don’t offer anything exceptional. The results can be underwhelming, with minor distortions at the edges and some deep blacks and shadows.
The 32MP selfie camera does a good job capturing facial details and natural skin tones. While it isn’t as detailed as the Pro+ variant, it still produces impressive results.
For video recording, both the rear and front cameras can shoot up to 4K at 30fps. The rear cameras also support 1080p at 60fps with ultra-steady stabilization, although the front camera lacks any stabilization features.
Performance
Under the hood, the realme 13 Pro 5G is powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, similar to the Pro+ model.
It comes with 12GB of RAM, expandable by an additional 12GB, and 256GB of internal storage. The device runs on Android 14 with realme UI 5.0 out of the box, providing a near-stock Android experience with some pre-installed apps that can easily be uninstalled.
In terms of performance, the realme 13 Pro 5G handles games and other tasks reasonably well. During our testing, it performed decently with games like Zenless Zone Zero, with occasional frame drops that weren’t severe enough to detract from the experience. For those interested, here are some benchmark results.
Battery Life
The realme 13 Pro 5G packs a 5200mAh battery, similar to the Pro+ variant, but it supports a slightly slower 45W fast charging.
In our video loop test, the battery lasted around 17 hours and 44 minutes. For a casual user, it should easily last a day and a half on a single charge.
Charging from 0 to 100% took about 50 minutes with the 45W charger, which is quite satisfactory for a battery of this size. A charging time of under an hour is always a plus.
Pricing
The realme 13 Pro 5G is priced at PHP24,999 for the 12GB with 256GB of storage. If you’re on a strict budget but still want a device that offers most of what the realme 13 Pro+ 5G does, this model is a solid choice. It boasts a sleek design, an impressive display, and a capable camera setup. While the chipset might not be the most powerful, it still delivers acceptable performance for everyday use.
realme 13 Pro 5G Specs
- OS: Android 14, realme UI 5.0
- Network: Dual SIM | 5G
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Resolution: FHD+ 2412 x 1080 pixels
- Screen Size & Display: 6.7 inches OLED
- Chipset: Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Triple Main Camera: 50MP f/1.88 (main) | 8MP f/2.2 | 2MP (macro )
- Front Camera: 32MP f/2.45
- Battery & Charging: 5200mAh | 45W SUPERVOOC wired | Type-C
- Colors: Monet Purple, Emerald Green
So that is our review of the realme 13 Pro 5G. What are your thoughts about this smartphone? Let us know in the comments below. Additionally, for a more detailed exploration of realme 13 Pro 5G performance, don’t forget to check out our video review on our YouTube Channel.