Realme Note 50 Review: Is It Worth Buying?

 You're looking for an affordable phone with decent specs, right? Well, the new Realme Note 50 might just fit the bill. This phone punches above its weight with impressive hardware like a lightning-fast processor and crisp display. But how does it hold up in real-world use? Is it actually a good value or are there too many compromises? You want the full scoop before buying. That's where this review comes in. After testing the Realme Note 50 for two weeks, we have the inside details on how it performs. We'll give you the rundown on all the key features and help you decide if it's worth your hard-earned cash. Stick around to see if this budget phone should be your next purchase or if you're better off looking elsewhere.

Realme Note 50 Overview

The Realme Note 50 is Realme’s latest affordable smartphone released in 2022. For only around $250 USD, this phone packs some impressive specs and features for its price point.

Design

The Realme Note 50 has a simple yet sleek design with a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a teardrop notch at the top and slim bezels on the sides. The back panel is made of plastic and comes in two colors: Light Blue and Dark Blue. It’s not the most premium build, but it looks good for a budget phone and feels sturdy in the hands.

Performance

Inside, the Realme Note 50 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor and either 4GB or 6GB of RAM. This combination provides enough power for most everyday tasks like browsing social media, sending messages, streaming music and video, and casual gaming. Storage options include 64GB or 128GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 512GB with a microSD card.

Cameras

The Realme Note 50 features a triple rear camera setup including a 50MP main camera, 2MP depth sensor for portrait mode shots, and a 2MP macro lens. The main 50MP camera takes detailed 12MP pixel-binned shots in most lighting conditions. Portrait mode works reasonably well, and macro shots can capture subjects as close as 4cm. For selfies and video calls, there’s a 16MP front-facing camera.

Battery life

A large 5,000mAh battery provides enough juice to power the Realme Note 50 for up to two days of normal use on a single charge. When it’s time to recharge, the included 22.5W fast charger can refuel 50% of the battery in just 30 minutes.

For under $250, the Realme Note 50 ticks a lot of boxes and provides great value as an affordable Android smartphone. If you’re on a budget but still want capable performance, solid cameras, and long battery life, the Realme Note 50 should be on your shortlist.

Design and Display

Premium look and feel

The Realme Note 50 has an attractive design with a premium glass back and an aluminum frame. It comes in two color options - Fantasy Blue and Fantasy White. Both options feature a gradient design that gives off a holographic effect when light reflects off the back. The phone feels solid in the hand and the curved edges make it comfortable to hold. An under-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock provide quick unlocking options.

Punch-hole display

The front of the phone features a large 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a left-aligned punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. The display has thin bezels, especially the side bezels, giving you an almost all-screen front. The resolution is a crisp Full HD+ which provides a vivid and immersive viewing experience when streaming videos or playing games. The display can get bright enough for comfortable outdoor viewing on sunny days. An always-on display option is available to quickly view information like the time, date and notifications without waking up the phone.

Hardware and software

Under the hood, the Realme Note 50 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. This hardware combination provides smooth performance for most daily tasks like browsing social media, streaming media and casual gaming. The phone ships with Realme UI based on Android 11. Realme UI brings useful features like an app drawer, smart assistant, driving mode and ride mode. Realme has promised two major Android updates for the Note 50 as well as regular security updates to keep your phone secure.

The Realme Note 50 brings a premium design, capable hardware and software in an affordable package. The large Super AMOLED display is great for media consumption on the go while the phone's performance can handle most daily needs and casual gaming. For the asking price, the Realme Note 50 is a compelling mid-range option worth considering if you're on a budget.

Camera Performance

The Realme Note 50 comes with a quad-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 48MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, there is a 16MP camera on the front.

Primary Camera

The 48MP primary camera uses pixel binning to deliver 12MP photos. Images captured in good lighting conditions showcase vibrant colors and sharp details. The dynamic range is decent, and highlights and shadows are well-balanced. Low-light photos are quite noisy though, and lack detail. Using Night mode helps reduce noise and improves image quality. Overall, the primary camera gets the job done for casual photography in daylight.

Ultra-wide Camera

The 8MP ultra-wide camera provides a wider field of view, capturing more of the scene. However, image quality takes a hit, with soft details and dull colors. There is also visible distortion around the edges of the frame. This camera struggles in low light and should only be used in daylight for landscape or architecture shots.

Macro Camera

The 2MP macro camera allows you to get up close to your subject, but image quality is quite poor. Photos lack sharpness and details, even in good lighting. The low resolution means images look pixelated when cropped or zoomed in. The macro camera is mostly a gimmick and won't be useful for serious close-up photography.

Selfie Camera

The 16MP selfie camera takes decent selfies and portraits in daylight. There is an adequate level of detail, and skin tones look natural. However, in dim lighting, selfies turn out noisy and lack sharpness. The front flash helps to some extent but still cannot match the quality of daylight selfies. For video calling though, the front camera works fine even indoors.

In summary, the Realme Note 50 has a capable primary camera for everyday photos, but the other lenses are underwhelming. For a mid-range phone though, the camera performance is pretty standard. If mobile photography is a priority, you may want to consider other options with more advanced camera hardware.

Battery Life and Charging

The Realme Note 50 is powered by a massive 6,000mAh battery, so you can expect exceptional battery life from this device. On a single charge, the phone can easily last up to two days of moderate use. Even with heavy usage like gaming, streaming videos, browsing social media and clicking photos, it can still go on for more than a day.

The large battery capacity means you get impressive screen-on time. You'll get around 10 to 12 hours of continuous video playback, depending on the brightness level. For most users, the Realme Note 50 can provide a comfortable full day of use from a single charge. When the battery eventually runs low, the included 65W fast charger can quickly rejuice the Realme Note 50. It takes just around 35 minutes to charge the phone up to 50% and a little over an hour for a full charge.

While the battery life is a major highlight of the Realme Note 50, there are a few downsides to consider. The phone lacks wireless charging support, so you have to plug in the USB-C cable every time. The 65W fast charging, while speedy, can cause the phone to heat up during charging. It's a good idea to remove the case during charging to help dissipate the heat.

Overall though, the exceptional battery life and fast charging of the Realme Note 50 are hugely appealing. For many potential buyers, battery endurance is a top priority. The Realme Note 50 delivers on that front and lets you stay connected for long hours without worrying about finding a power outlet. The fast charging also ensures you're not tethered to the wall socket for too long. If battery life is important to you, the Realme Note 50 should scratch that itch nicely.

Realme Note 50 Review FAQs

Does the Realme Note 50 have good battery life?

Yes, the Realme Note 50 packs a massive 5,000mAh battery that can easily last up to two days of moderate use on a single charge. The phone also supports 18W fast charging, so you can quickly top up the battery when it's running low. If battery life is a priority, the Realme Note 50 should serve you well.

How is the Realme Note 50 for gaming?

The Realme Note 50 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G95 chipset and Mali-G76 MC4 GPU, which provides decent performance for most games. You can play popular titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends at medium graphics settings with minor stutters. However, graphics-intensive games may struggle on the Realme Note 50. If you're a serious mobile gamer, you may want to consider other options.

Should I buy the Realme Note 50 or wait for the Realme Note 50 Pro?

It depends on your needs and budget. The Realme Note 50 Pro is expected to launch in the coming months with upgraded specs like a more powerful processor, faster charging and improved cameras. If you want the latest and greatest tech, it may be worth waiting for the Pro model. However, the Realme Note 50 is still a very capable phone for most everyday tasks and should serve you well for years to come. Unless you need the additional power and features of the Pro version, the Realme Note 50 offers a lot of phone for the money.

What are some alternatives to the Realme Note 50?

Some good alternatives to the Realme Note 50 include:

• Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro - Similar price, larger 120Hz display, better cameras.

• Samsung Galaxy A52 - Premium design, water resistance, great software support. More expensive.

• Poco X3 NFC - High refresh rate screen, strong performance, lower cost. Bulkier design and weaker cameras.

• Oppo A74 5G - 5G connectivity, longer software support. Slightly higher price and weaker performance.

• Vivo Y31 - Cheaper option but with lower specs, plastic build and shorter software support.

So in summary, the Realme Note 50 is a solid mid-range phone with good value for the price. However, there are many compelling alternatives out there, so weigh up what's most important to you before making a final decision.

Conclusion

So in the end, only you can decide if the Realme Note 50 is the right phone for your needs and budget. The large 5000mAh battery and capable cameras make it appealing for the price. But the display and performance leave something to be desired. If you want the absolute best display or speed, you'll have to spend more. But if battery life and affordability are your priorities, the Note 50 could be a solid choice. Just weigh your must-haves versus trade-offs. At the end of the day, choose the phone that's the best fit for your lifestyle. With so many options out there, you can likely find a phone that checks all your boxes without breaking the bank.