The Realme 7i is a budget-friendly smartphone that manages to pack in a surprising amount of features for its price point. As someone who has tested numerous devices in this segment, I can confidently say that Realme has once again delivered a compelling option for those looking for performance without breaking the bank. The phone strikes a balance between affordability and functionality, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious consumers.

Design and Build Quality

The Realme 7i sports a sleek and modern design that feels more premium than its price tag suggests. The plastic back has a glossy finish that mimics glass, giving it a high-end look. However, it’s worth noting that this finish is prone to fingerprints and smudges. The device is lightweight and comfortable to hold, thanks to its ergonomic design. The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is conveniently placed and responds quickly, adding a layer of security without compromising on usability.

The 6.5-inch display dominates the front, with a small waterdrop notch housing the front camera. The bezels are relatively thin, especially for a budget device, and the screen-to-body ratio is impressive. The build quality feels sturdy, and while it may not be as rugged as some higher-end models, it should withstand daily wear and tear without issue.

Display

The Realme 7i features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. While it’s not the sharpest display on the market, it’s more than adequate for everyday use. Colors are vibrant, and brightness levels are decent, making it usable outdoors under direct sunlight. The 90Hz refresh rate is a standout feature at this price point, offering smoother scrolling and animations compared to standard 60Hz displays. It’s a feature that’s usually reserved for more expensive devices, so its inclusion here is a welcome surprise.

Watching videos and playing games on this display is a pleasant experience, though the lack of HDR support is noticeable. The touch response is accurate, and the higher refresh rate makes interactions feel more fluid. If you’re coming from a 60Hz display, the difference is immediately apparent and hard to go back from.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Realme 7i is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset, paired with 4GB or 8GB of RAM depending on the variant. For day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming, the phone performs admirably. Apps open quickly, and multitasking is handled well, though heavier tasks like gaming can push the limits of this hardware.

Gaming performance is decent for casual titles like Among Us or Candy Crush, but more demanding games like Genshin Impact will require lower settings to run smoothly. The Adreno 610 GPU does a respectable job, but don’t expect flagship-level performance. Thermal management is good, and the phone doesn’t get excessively hot during extended use.

The device runs on Realme UI, based on Android 10. The software is clean and user-friendly, with minimal bloatware. Realme has done a good job optimizing the UI for smooth performance, and the inclusion of features like Dark Mode and customizable gestures adds to the overall experience. However, the lack of an Android 11 update at launch is a slight disappointment, though Realme has a decent track record with updates.

Camera Performance

The Realme 7i boasts a quad-camera setup on the rear, headlined by a 64MP primary sensor. The other lenses include an 8MP ultra-wide-angle shooter, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. In good lighting conditions, the primary camera captures detailed and vibrant photos with accurate colors. The dynamic range is impressive for a budget device, though shadows can sometimes lack detail.

The ultra-wide-angle lens is useful for capturing more of the scene, but image quality takes a hit, with softer details and noticeable distortion at the edges. The macro lens is fun to play with but requires steady hands and good lighting to produce usable shots. The depth sensor helps with portrait mode, which does a decent job of separating the subject from the background.

Low-light performance is where the Realme 7i shows its limitations. While Night Mode helps brighten up scenes, noise and loss of detail are evident. The 16MP front camera takes decent selfies, though it tends to overexpose in bright conditions. Video recording maxes out at 1080p at 30fps, and the lack of stabilization is noticeable when shooting handheld.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Realme 7i is its massive 5000mAh battery. Even with heavy use, the phone easily lasts a full day, and lighter users can stretch it to two days. The 18W fast charging isn’t the fastest, but it gets the job done, taking around two hours to fully charge the device. The inclusion of a USB-C port is a nice touch, as many budget devices still rely on micro-USB.

Audio and Connectivity

The Realme 7i features a single bottom-firing speaker that gets loud enough for media consumption but lacks depth and bass. A 3.5mm headphone jack is present, which is always appreciated. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and 4G LTE. The absence of 5G is expected at this price point, and call quality is clear and reliable.

Key Specifications:

Display: 6.5-inch IPS LCD, 720 x 1600 resolution, 90Hz refresh rate

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 662

RAM: 4GB/8GB

Storage: 64GB/128GB, expandable via microSD

Rear Cameras: 64MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, 2MP depth

Front Camera: 16MP

Battery: 5000mAh, 18W fast charging

OS: Realme UI (Android 10)

Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, 4G LTE, USB-C, 3.5mm jack

Final Verdict

The Realme 7i is a solid budget smartphone that offers excellent value for money. Its standout features include the 90Hz display, long battery life, and capable primary camera. While it has its limitations, such as average low-light performance and a plastic build, these are easy to overlook given the price. If you’re in the market for an affordable device that doesn’t skimp on features, the Realme 7i is definitely worth considering.