Opinion: Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G is the best budget smartphone since Redmi Note 10 Pro - News - NewsOpinion: Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G is the best budget smartphone since Redmi Note 10 Pro - News - News

Title: Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G: A New Contender in the Sub-20K INR Smartphone Market

The sub-20K INR (approximately $250) price segment remains the most dynamic category in the Indian smartphone market, accounting for a significant portion of sales. However, this segment has lost its charm for tech enthusiasts due to lackluster offerings compared to earlier times. The Redmi Notes and Realme numbers once ruled this segment, but their absence left a large void for other brands to fill. Recently, Realme introduced the Narzo 70 Pro 5G, which promises to revive interest in this price range with its impressive features.

Historically, the Redmi Notes and Realme number series have catered to different audience segments within the budget category. The Redmi Notes were the go-to option for many, while the Realme numbers presented an alternative choice. However, with price hikes and improved competition, these product lineups left a considerable gap in the market that needed to be addressed.

Enter Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G: A New Contender in the Sub-20K INR Smartphone Market

The Realme Narzo series has always provided better value than its cousin Realme number series. This trend continues with the new Narzo 70 Pro 5G, which not only matches but surpasses the Redmi Note 10 Pro in several aspects. In my opinion, this latest Narzo model is the first truly interesting sub-20K INR smartphone since the much-loved Redmi Note 10 Pro from 2021. Here’s why:

What Made Redmi Note 10 Pro Special?

High-end smartphones generally excel in all areas that the brand can offer. In contrast, budget devices shine in one or a few specific categories. Consequently, consumers have several options as each device caters to different needs. Occasionally, there are some products that stand out by delivering exceptional performance across various aspects of their segment. The Redmi Note 10 Pro was one such handset.

The Redmi Note 10 Pro offered more than just an AMOLED display—it came with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1200 nits peak brightness level, and HDR10+ support. This device was powered by the most powerful 4G-only Qualcomm mid-range chipset—the Snapdragon 732G. Moreover, it boasted a 108MP primary camera and a 5MP telemacro camera, which were unheard of in this price range. Additionally, it featured Dolby Atmos-supported dual stereo speakers and a large 5,020mAh battery with support for 33W wired charging. Lastly, it had a premium look and feel with a frosted glass back design.

Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G: A Shining Star in the Budget Segment

The Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G shares many similarities with the Redmi Note 10 Pro. In essence, we can consider the Narzo as the 5G version of the Note. The Narzo 70 Pro 5G boasts the brightest display in its segment, with a local peak brightness level of 2000 nits. Although its screen-to-body ratio is not the best at 92.65%, it is still impressive compared to other competitors in this price range.

The Narzo 70 Pro 5G truly shines in its design and camera departments. It is one of the few phones in this segment with a glass back, which adds to its premium look and feel. Moreover, it sports Realme’s signature dual-tone finish (matte and glossy) that gives it a unique edge over competitors.

Perhaps the most significant highlight of this device is its primary camera, which features a flagship-grade Sony IMX890 sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). It is the first and only device in its segment to feature this advanced sensor.

Under the hood, the Narzo 70 Pro 5G is powered by a Dimensity 7050 chip, which, while slower than its rival iQOO Z9 5G’s Dimensity 7200 SoC, still offers impressive performance. In other departments, such as charging speed and display quality, the Narzo 70 Pro 5G outperforms its competition.

Catering to All Types of Consumers: A Winning Formula

Just like the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G appeals to various consumer segments, including tech enthusiasts. However, there’s a significant difference between these two devices—the Redmi Note 10 Pro was a multi-channel product that was available both offline and contact, making it accessible to a wider audience. In contrast, the Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G is an exclusive contact offering, available only on Realme.com and Amazon.

Although the Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G offers unparalleled features for its price, its contact-exclusive availability limits its reach compared to the Redmi Note 10 Pro. As a result, despite being the best product in the sub-20K INR price segment, it may not garner the same level of popularity as its predecessor.

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* Is Poco X6 Neo Better than Redmi Note 13?

By Pier

Your go-to destination for the latest news and insights on all things China! I'm Pier, your guide through the fascinating world of Chinese culture, economy, technology, and more.