Verdict
The Realme 14 Pro+ is a compelling option in its price range, offering a robust IP69-rated design, smooth performance, a reliable camera setup, and excellent battery life. Features such as Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection and rapid 80W charging further enhance its appeal. However, the device has its drawbacks, including a cluttered UI due to numerous pre-installed apps and a display brightness that falls short compared to the competition.
Design and Display
Realme has refined the design of the 14 Pro series, featuring sleek, glossy edges and a smooth glass back panel, replacing the sandblasted finish of its predecessor. While the device looks elegant, it is quite slippery, making a case necessary for better grip and protection. The circular camera module remains unchanged but is now more seamlessly integrated into the phone’s body, featuring sophisticated etching that reads ‘Hyperimage+ f1.8mm 24mm 120x.’
We reviewed the Bikaner Purple variant, which is exclusive to India. While striking, this colour may not suit everyone. Other options include Suede Grey and Pearl White, with the latter featuring a colour-changing back that shifts to vibrant blue when exposed to temperatures below 16°C. However, prolonged UV light exposure may reduce this effect over time.
Despite housing a large 6,000mAh battery, the Realme 14 Pro+ remains lightweight and comfortable to hold. Its IP69 certification ensures durability against extreme conditions, while Corning Gorilla Glass 7i provides additional screen protection.
The device includes a USB Type-C port, a speaker grille on the bottom edge, and an IR blaster on the top. The optical fingerprint scanner embedded in the display is quick and responsive.
| Smartphones | Display Size | Peak Brightness |
|---|---|---|
| Realme 14 Pro+ | 6.8-inch AMOLED | 1,500 nits |
| Redmi Note 14 Pro+ | 6.67-inch AMOLED | 3,000 nits |
| Motorola Edge 50 Pro | 6.7-inch pOLED | 1,600 nits |
The Realme 14 Pro+ sports a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut. However, its peak brightness of 1,500 nits is lower than both its predecessor and competitors, making outdoor visibility under direct sunlight somewhat challenging.
The display remains highly responsive, offering vibrant and sharp visuals. Users can customize the colour profile with five preset options: Vivid, Natural, Pro, Cinematic, and Brilliant. HDR10 support is present but is currently limited to YouTube, while Netflix and other streaming platforms are capped at FHD resolution. Despite this, multimedia consumption is enjoyable, thanks to excellent viewing angles and a dual-speaker setup.
Cameras
The Realme 14 Pro+ retains the same camera resolution as its predecessor but incorporates improved Sony sensors and an additional LED flash. It features a 50MP OIS Sony IMX896 main sensor, a 50MP 3x Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. The regular Realme 14 Pro lacks both the telephoto and ultra-wide cameras.
For selfies, the handset houses a 32MP front camera. Images are detailed and well-balanced in good lighting conditions, but processing speed remains a weak point. Colour accuracy may require a firmware update, as Realme’s software tends to oversaturate images.
The 3x optical zoom delivers impressive details, and the MagicGlow Triple Flash system improves low-light photography, though images can sometimes appear overexposed. In various lighting conditions, the Realme 14 Pro+ holds its own but could use some refinements in night mode processing.
Performance and Software
The Realme 14 Pro+ is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. There is no microSD card slot for expandable storage. The device runs smoothly in everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and video streaming. It handles gaming well, supporting 90 FPS in BGMI, though it experiences noticeable heating under heavy loads.
| Smartphones | Pre-installed Apps | OS Updates |
| Realme 14 Pro+ | 63 | 2 years major + 3 years security |
| Redmi Note 14 Pro+ | 66 | 3 years major + 4 years security |
| Motorola Edge 50 Pro | 41 | 3 years major + 4 years security |
The Realme UI 6.0, based on Android 15, comes with numerous pre-installed apps. AI-powered features such as AI Ultra Clarity 2.0, AI Snap Mode, and AI Eraser 2.0 provide additional functionalities, though they aren’t as polished as those found in Samsung’s Galaxy AI or Google’s Pixel AI.
A key drawback is Realme’s software update policy, offering only two major OS updates and three years of security patches, while competitors provide longer support.
Battery and Charging
With a 6,000mAh battery, the Realme 14 Pro+ achieves an impressive PCMark battery test score of 16 hours and 10 minutes, outperforming many rivals. In a 30-minute YouTube streaming test, it consumed just 3% battery, showcasing efficiency. However, intensive usage results in higher battery drain than competitors.
| Smartphones | Charging Speeds | Charging Time (20-100%) |
| Realme 14 Pro+ | 80W | 45 minutes |
| Redmi Note 14 Pro+ | 90W | 53 minutes |
| Motorola Edge 50 Pro | 125W | 16 minutes |
The 80W SuperVOOC fast charging fully recharges the device from 20% to 100% in approximately 45 minutes. A Smart Rapid Charge feature is available but does not significantly improve charging times.
Final Verdict
The Realme 14 Pro+ delivers notable improvements over its predecessor, but there are areas where it falls short. The display’s peak brightness is lower than competitors, and the innovative colour-changing back panel may degrade with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Camera processing speed and colour accuracy also require refinement. Additionally, Realme’s limited software support lags behind rival brands.
However, for users seeking a well-rounded smartphone with a modern design, solid performance, a versatile camera system, and excellent battery life, the Realme 14 Pro+ presents a strong value proposition. Its refined design, Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, 6,000mAh battery, and 6.8-inch AMOLED display work in its favour.
The Realme 14 Pro+ is priced in India at Rs 29,999 ($360) for the base 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. The 8GB RAM + 256GB storage model costs Rs 31,999 ($385), while the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option is available for Rs 34,999 (~$420).
