Introduction
Launched in April 2024, the Realme P1 5G enters the budget 5G phone segment with an aggressive price tag starting at ₹13,999. Targeted toward students, mobile gamers, and everyday users, the P1 5G brings a refreshing mix of performance and style. First impressions? For its price, the Realme P1 5G punches well above its weight.
Unboxing & First Impressions
Inside the yellow Realme-branded box, you’ll find:
- Realme P1 5G handset
- 45W SuperVOOC charger
- USB Type-C cable
- Transparent TPU case
- SIM ejector tool
- Quick start guide and warranty booklet
The inclusion of a fast charger and case is a welcome bonus. The phone feels solid and surprisingly light in hand, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints.
Design & Build Quality
- Back Panel: Polycarbonate with a matte-finish
- Frame: Plastic frame with flat edges
- Weight: 188g
- Thickness: 8.0mm
- Colors: Peacock Green, Phoenix Red
- Fingerprint Resistance: Excellent
- IP Rating: IP54 (splash resistance)
Ergonomically, the Realme P1 5G feels well-balanced. The in-hand feel is excellent for prolonged use, though the plastic build is a slight compromise. The flat sides offer a modern look reminiscent of more premium devices.
Display
- Size: 6.67-inch
- Resolution: Full HD+ (2400 x 1080)
- Panel: AMOLED
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Touch Sampling Rate: 220Hz
- Peak Brightness: 2000 nits
- HDR: HDR10+ certified
This is one of the best displays in this price range. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures buttery-smooth scrolling. The AMOLED panel offers deep blacks and vibrant colors. Outdoor visibility is excellent thanks to the 2000-nit peak brightness.
Performance & Benchmarks
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7050 (6nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x Cortex-A78 @ 2.6GHz + 6x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz)
- GPU: Mali-G68 MC4
- RAM: 6GB / 8GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1
- AnTuTu v10: ~550,000
- Geekbench 6: 905 (single-core), 2300 (multi-core)
- CPU Throttling: 92% sustained performance over 15 mins
Apps launch quickly, multitasking is seamless, and app retention is impressive. The UFS 3.1 storage provides fast load times.
Gaming Experience
We tested the Realme P1 5G on the following titles:
- BGMI: Smooth + Extreme (60 FPS)
- Call of Duty: Mobile: High graphics + Max FPS
- Asphalt 9: No frame drops or heating
- Genshin Impact: Medium settings playable at ~40 FPS
Thermals are well-managed thanks to Realme’s cooling system. After 1 hour of continuous gaming, the device reached a maximum of ~41°C.
Game Space provides useful overlays and performance tweaks, enhancing immersion.
Software & UI
- OS: Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14
- Bloatware: Some pre-installed apps, most uninstallable
- Ads: Minimal to none
- Features: Smart Sidebar, Dynamic Island-style mini capsule, RAM expansion
- Updates: 2 years OS + 3 years security patches (as promised)
The UI is clean and responsive. No major bugs were encountered during testing. Privacy options like app lock and secure vault are built-in.
Camera System
- Main Camera: 50MP Sony JN1 sensor, f/1.8, PDAF
- Secondary Camera: 2MP depth sensor
- Front Camera: 16MP selfie shooter, f/2.5
- Video: Rear – 4K @ 30fps, Front – 1080p @ 30fps, EIS supported
Photo Performance
- Daylight: Sharp, contrasty with accurate colors
- Portraits: Good edge detection, slightly aggressive blur
- Low Light: Usable Night Mode, some noise present
- Selfies: Natural tone, consistent results
- Video: Stable footage with good dynamic range
There’s no ultra-wide or macro sensor, but the primary camera compensates with solid image processing.
Battery Life & Charging
- Capacity: 5000mAh
- Charging: 45W SuperVOOC
- 0–50%: ~27 minutes
- 0–100%: ~65 minutes
- Screen-On-Time:
- Light usage: 8.5–9 hours
- Heavy usage: 6–7 hours
Charging is impressively fast for the price. The phone remains cool during charging thanks to thermal throttling and adaptive charging.
Audio & Haptics
- Speakers: Stereo
- 3.5mm Jack: Yes
- Bluetooth: v5.2; Supports SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Loudness: ~90dB (max)
- Vibration Motor: Basic linear motor
Audio output is loud and clear with decent stereo separation. Haptics are subtle and satisfactory for the price segment.
Connectivity & Network
- 5G Bands (India): N1, N3, N5, N8, N28, N40, N41, N77, N78
- SIM: Dual nano-SIM with 5G standby
- Carrier Aggregation: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi 5
- Bluetooth: v5.2
- NFC: No
- GPS: Good lock time, accurate routing
Call quality is excellent even in low signal areas.
Security Features
- Fingerprint Sensor: In-display optical sensor
- Face Unlock: Works well under good lighting
Unlock speed is fast and consistent.
Durability & Extras
- Screen Protection: Panda Glass
- Frame Strength: No flex under pressure
- Water/Dust Resistance: IP54 splash-proof
- IR Blaster: No
- Sensors: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, light
- Warranty: 1 year, wide service-center network
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| AMOLED 120Hz display | No ultra-wide camera |
| Dimensity 7050 performance | Plastic build |
| Long battery life + fast charging | No NFC |
| Stereo speakers + 3.5mm jack | Some bloatware |
| Good main camera for the price | No OIS |
Competition Check
| Feature | Realme P1 5G | Redmi 13 5G | iQOO Z9 | Narzo 70 5G | Poco M7 Pro |
| Price (Base) | ₹13,999 | ₹13,999 | ₹14,999 | ₹13,499 | ₹13,999 |
| Display | AMOLED 120Hz | IPS LCD 90Hz | AMOLED 120Hz | AMOLED 120Hz | IPS LCD 120Hz |
| Chipset | Dimensity 7050 | Dimensity 6100+ | Dimensity 920 | Dimensity 7050 | Dimensity 6100+ |
| Camera | 50MP + 2MP | 50MP + 2MP | 64MP OIS + 2MP | 64MP + 2MP | 64MP + 2MP |
| Battery + Charging | 5000mAh + 45W | 5000mAh + 18W | 5000mAh + 44W | 5000mAh + 45W | 5000mAh + 33W |
| Audio | Stereo + 3.5mm jack | Mono + 3.5mm jack | Stereo + No jack | Stereo + 3.5mm jack | Stereo + No jack |
Winner Picks:
- Display: Realme P1 / iQOO Z9
- Camera: iQOO Z9 (OIS)
- Gaming: iQOO Z9 / Realme P1
- Charging: Realme P1 / Narzo 70
- Value for Money: Realme P1 / Poco M7 Pro
Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip
Buy if you are:
- A student looking for a well-rounded 5G phone
- A casual to mid-tier gamer
- A user who needs good battery and display
- Someone who values stereo speakers and headphone jack
Skip if you are:
- A camera enthusiast (no OIS, no ultra-wide)
- Someone who wants a premium glass/metal build
- A user needing NFC or wireless charging
Final Verdict
Rating: 8.5/10
The Realme P1 5G is a solid all-rounder with powerful specs, excellent display, and dependable battery life. While it misses a few extras like OIS or an ultra-wide camera, it nails the basics and then some.
Verdict: Buy if you’re looking for a stylish and performance-driven 5G phone under ₹14,000.
FAQs
1. Does Realme P1 support carrier aggregation?
Yes, it supports CA for better 4G/5G performance.
2. How many 5G bands does the Realme P1 support?
It supports 9 major 5G bands suitable for India.
3. Does the Realme P1 5G have OIS in the camera?
No, it only offers EIS (electronic stabilization).
4. Is there a charger included in the box?
Yes, a 45W SuperVOOC charger is included.
5. Is the UI free from ads and bloatware?
Mostly yes. There are some pre-installed apps, but no ads.
6. Does it have a 3.5mm headphone jack?
Yes, and it supports hi-res audio via wired headphones.
7. Will it get future Android updates?
Yes, Realme promises 2 Android OS updates and 3 years of security patches.
Enjoyed the review? Share your questions or Realme P1 experiences in the comments below!
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