Monet-Inspired Design
Realme makes a stylish comeback with the launch of the Realme 13 Pro+, a phone that draws its color and design inspiration from classic artworks.
The Realme 13 Pro+ boasts a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1200 nits. It runs on Android 14 with the Realme UI 5.0, sharing design and functional similarities with Oppo’s ColorOS and OnePlus’s OxygenOS.
In terms of cameras, Realme is the first to use Sony’s 50-megapixel LYT-701 main sensor, equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS). It is accompanied by a 50MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor.
Following the current trend, the Realme 13 Pro+ incorporates numerous AI tools, including image deblurring, object removal, and AI refinements for skin tones, group photos, and portrait effects.
Under the hood, the device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Its 5,200mAh battery supports 80W fast wired charging, and the phone also features a 32MP selfie camera and an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. The international version offers 5G connectivity, NFC, and dual speakers.
Technical specifications take a back seat as all attention is drawn to the phone’s elegant, classic-meets-modern design.
The Monet Gold and Monet Purple color options are inspired by the works of Impressionist master Claude Monet and were created in collaboration with the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston.
The frosted glass back panel features a special sparkling effect that adds depth to the impressive design, while the chamfered gold rim around the camera module enhances its luxurious appeal.
Weighing just 190 grams, the device is relatively lightweight compared to other flagships on the market, and its curved sides provide a comfortable grip.
The Realme 13 Pro+’s strength lies in its design and color choices, particularly the Monet Gold variant. Digital Trends praises the Realme 13 Pro+ in Monet Gold as one of the most beautiful smartphones of the year.
Beauty with Limitations
Despite its stunning looks, the Realme 13 Pro+ has some limitations when it comes to camera performance. The main camera produces images that appear washed out and lack vibrancy. However, the 3x zoom delivers decent detail.
It’s worth noting that this is a fresh launch, and Realme may address these issues through software updates in the future. Typically, manufacturers take time to fine-tune image processing for new Sony camera sensors.
Alongside the Realme 13 Pro+, there’s also the more affordable Realme 13 Pro, which retains the same color options, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, and a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The battery capacity remains the same, but charging speeds are capped at 45W.
The camera setup sees the most significant difference, as this model features only the 50MP Sony LYT-600 main camera paired with an 8MP ultra-wide lens, forgoing the third telephoto camera. This also contributes to a slightly lighter weight of 183 grams.
Realme introduced the Realme 13 Pro+ and Realme 13 Pro in the Indian market, with the latter starting at 8 million VND for the 8GB/128GB variant, while the Realme 13 Pro+ is priced around 10 million VND. These are considered very competitive prices in the market. It remains unclear if Realme plans a global release.
Realme’s return is expected to spice up the smartphone market, especially in Asian countries. The brand has consistently prioritized design, and the Realme 13 Pro+ is no exception. While top-tier phones like the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy have seen minimal changes in their appearance over the years, the Realme 13 Pro+, with its artistic flair, offers a fresh alternative, even if users may have to compromise on performance and camera capabilities.
