– Generous RAM and a large OLED display at an approachable price, with long battery life and five major Android updates.
– Not the best choice for high-end performance or modern gaming; the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Max undercuts peak performance and benchmarks.
– Competing budget options (e.g., Xiaomi Poco X8 Pro) offer better price-to-performance; multiple viable alternatives exist under $300.
Realme 16 Pro review
the Realme 16 Pro offers a generous memory configuration with up to 12GB of RAM despite the current DRAM crisis. While other lower-mid-range smartphones, such as the Motorola Moto G67, sometimes only come with 4GB of RAM, the Realme phone is still well equipped with 8GB of RAM in the base model.
Performance and price
in our review, however, the Realme 16 Pro did not always convince us, although the affordable Realme phone could offer an interesting overall package for some users. The mid-range smartphone currently starts at around $300 or €250.
design, display and longevity
in our in-depth review, the Realme 16 Pro presents itself as an attractive mid-range smartphone that stands out above all with its generous RAM options, large 6.79-inch OLED display, and long battery life. Long-term update support with five major Android upgrades is another strong argument for budget-conscious users who want to keep using their smartphone in everyday life for a longer period of time.
Cons and alternatives
even so, the Realme 16 Pro showed some clear weaknesses in our review. It is not the best choice for users who expect high system performance or want to play modern Android games on their smartphone. Those interested in an affordable mid-range phone should instead consider the Xiaomi Poco X8 Pro, which we have already reviewed as well. The MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Max in the Realme 16 Pro does not deliver the promised “buttery-smooth” performance and also falls behind the competition in benchmarks.
Buying guidance
anyone looking for an attractive price-to-performance ratio under $300 for their next smartphone will find many viable alternatives to the Realme 16 Pro in our corresponding buyer’s guide.