Realme P4 Pro: A Powerful Contender in the Sub-₹25,000 Smartphone Market

The Realme P4 Pro emerges as a formidable option in the competitive smartphone arena in India, with a price tag under ₹25,000. This model boasts impressive specifications, including a 7000mAh battery, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, and a 144Hz AMOLED display. After several days of practical usage, encompassing gaming, benchmarks, and general daily tasks, an assessment of its performance is outlined below.

Design and Build

Realme has taken steps to differentiate itself with the P4 Pro’s design. The Birch Wood finish offers a unique aesthetic. However, the review unit showcased was in Midnight Ivy, which exudes elegance. With a slim profile of 7.69mm and a weight of approximately 189g, it is lighter than many competitors featuring similar battery capacities, enhancing one-handed usability.

Additionally, the device boasts an IP65 and IP66 rating, offering resistance to splashes and rain, albeit it does not achieve the higher IP68 rating found in more premium models.

Display and Audio

The 6.7-inch AMOLED display stands out as one of the primary attributes of the Realme P4 Pro. Featuring a resolution of 1.5K and a refresh rate of 144Hz, along with a peak brightness of 6500 nits, it excels in both indoor and outdoor environments. During testing, visibility in sunlight was never an issue. While it rarely reached the maximum brightness level of 6500 nits, it sufficiently illuminated content without any drawbacks. The colours are vivid, HDR10+ operates smoothly on platforms like Netflix, and the curved edges provide a premium feel while minimising accidental touches.

Realme’s integrated HyperVision AI chip claims to enhance clarity, frame interpolation, and HDR upscaling. Although the “Hyper Clarity” feature did not show significant improvements, features like MEMC and HDR upscaling contributed to a smoother viewing experience for compatible content. The stereo speakers complement the display, offering loud, clear audio with sufficient depth for gaming and streaming.

Performance and Gaming

The heart of the P4 Pro is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, accompanied by up to 12GB of RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. Everyday operations are seamless, and multitasking is fluid, with benchmark results reflecting impressive CPU and GPU performance.

In gaming, Realme aims to impress users. For example, during BGMI gameplay, the phone maintained 90fps on Smooth + Extreme+ settings, with consistent frame rates and reasonable temperatures. Power efficiency was commendable, showcasing minimal throttling.

However, the promises made by Realme regarding its AI frame interpolation feature for achieving up to 144fps gameplay fell short in practical testing, where actual frame rates seldom exceeded 90fps, despite higher numbers appearing on the in-game overlay.

Cameras

The rear configuration includes a 50MP Sony sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, while the front features a 50MP camera. In daylight scenarios, the main sensor produces detailed images with commendable dynamic range, though there can be inconsistencies in colour temperatures. The ultra-wide camera is acceptable for casual photography but is noticeably softer compared to the primary camera.

Low-light capabilities exceed expectations for this pricing segment, aided by OIS for stable images. The night mode effectively brightens scenes while maintaining low noise levels. The 50MP front camera captures ample detail, though it may occasionally struggle with accurately rendering skin tones.

Software

The P4 Pro comes pre-loaded with Realme UI 6, based on Android 15. The interface operates smoothly, showcasing refined animations and a wealth of customisation options. Realme has also included AI functionalities, such as AI Edit Genie in the gallery, allowing users to edit images through text or voice instructions. While this may seem gimmicky initially, it has proven to be quite enjoyable.

Although some bloatware is present out of the box, most applications can be uninstalled. Realme’s commitment to providing three years of OS updates and four years of security patches aligns with current mid-range standards.

Battery and Charging

The standout feature of the P4 Pro is undoubtedly its 7000mAh battery. Despite heavy usage, including hours of gaming, media streaming, and social networking, it comfortably lasted more than a day.

Charging speed is satisfactory, with the included 80W charger completing a full charge in approximately 70-80 minutes. A quick 15-minute boost can provide nearly 50% battery life, a valuable asset for intensive users. Moreover, the phone supports reverse charging for other accessories.

Overall Assessment

The Realme P4 Pro excels in performance, display quality, and battery longevity. Nonetheless, the HyperVision AI chip may feel more like a marketing gimmick than a substantial enhancement. The ultra-wide camera underwhelms and the IP rating does not match those of some competitors.

For anyone in search of a reliable smartphone under ₹25,000, the Realme P4 Pro is a strong recommendation, starting at ₹24,999. It is one of the more well-rounded devices Realme has introduced recently, demonstrating that large batteries do not need to compromise on design.