Realme Narzo 50A Prime

Realme Narzo 50A Prime Review

Key Features

• Display: 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 2408 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), 400 ppi, 600 nits peak brightness.
• Processor: Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) Octa-core CPU, Mali-G57 GPU.
• RAM: 4GB LPDDR4X.
• Storage: 64GB/128GB UFS 2.2.
• Cameras: Rear: 50MP main (f/1.8) + 2MP B&W (f/2.8) + 2MP macro (f/2.4). Front: 8MP (f/2.0).
• Battery: 5000 mAh with 18W fast charging.
• Operating System: Android 11.
• Connectivity: Dual SIM, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG.
• Sensors: Side-mounted fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Large, sharp display with good peak brightness for the price range.
• Decent battery life with 5000 mAh capacity.
• Fast charging capability (18W).
• Side-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick unlocking.
• UFS 2.2 storage provides faster read/write speeds compared to eMMC storage found in some competitors.
• Dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
• USB Type-C port with OTG support.

Cons:

• Uses Android 11, which is an older version of the operating system.
• Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset is not as powerful as competitors.
• No NFC support.
• No optical stabilization for the main camera.
• The secondary and macro cameras have low resolution and limited functionality.
• The device doesn’t have a high refresh rate display.

User Experience

The Realme Narzo 50A Prime offers a generally smooth user experience for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and media consumption. The large 6.6-inch display is suitable for these activities, with decent clarity thanks to its FHD+ resolution. The 180Hz touch sampling rate makes the touch input feel responsive enough for everyday use. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor works accurately and quickly. The 5000 mAh battery capacity easily lasts a full day of moderate usage, and the 18W fast charging capability is helpful to quickly top up the battery.

However, the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset struggles with more demanding tasks, like graphic-intensive games. There might be occasional lags or stuttering when multitasking or while using intensive apps. The device runs on Android 11, which is not the latest version, and may miss out on some of the newest features and security updates. The camera performance is adequate for its price but lacks detail and clarity in low-light conditions. The secondary cameras are mostly for novelty purposes, given their low resolution.

Hardware & Design

The device is built with a plastic frame and back, giving a solid and robust feel to it, despite its low price. The overall design is typical of budget smartphones, with a waterdrop notch on the display and a rectangular camera module on the back. It is relatively lightweight at 189 grams and measures 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm.

The internal hardware is composed of an Octa-core CPU (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) paired with a Mali-G57 GPU. The device has 4GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage, which ensures fast storage speeds. It houses a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for security. The device includes the standard set of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, and compass. Audio is handled through a single speaker, and there is no 3.5mm headphone jack.

Conclusion

The Realme Narzo 50A Prime is a budget-friendly smartphone with a large display, decent battery life, and fast storage. It's a suitable choice for users looking for a reliable phone for basic everyday use such as social media, media consumption, or web browsing. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner and 18W fast charging are great add-ons at this price point. However, it’s not the best option for power users who require a high-performing processor. The older Android version and the relatively basic camera system are also factors to consider. It's a good pick if the price point is the primary concern and you can live with the listed cons.