Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G Review

In the highly competitive mid-range smartphone segment, the Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G stands out with its impressive specifications and attractive price point. Retailing at around ₹15,000, this smartphone promises a blend of performance, design, and features that appeal to budget-conscious consumers. In this comprehensive review, we will explore its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, software experience, and overall value.

Design and Build Quality

The Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G features a modern and sleek design, measuring just 7.6 mm in thickness and weighing 185 grams. This lightweight design ensures a comfortable grip, making it suitable for prolonged usage. The device showcases a unique dual-tone design, combining shades of yellow and black, which adds a touch of sophistication.

Constructed with polycarbonate for both the back and frames, the Narzo 70 Turbo maintains a durable yet lightweight feel. It also includes an under-display fingerprint scanner for modern security and convenience. Additionally, the device is rated IP65, providing resistance against dust and water, making it suitable for everyday use.

The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a notable feature, as many modern smartphones have omitted this functionality. Users also benefit from a hybrid SIM slot, allowing for dual SIM usage alongside expandable storage.

Display Quality

The smartphone features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. With a 120 Hz refresh rate, the display offers smooth scrolling and a more responsive touch experience, ideal for gaming and media consumption.

At a peak brightness of 1200 nits, visibility in bright sunlight is impressive, making outdoor usage manageable. The display supports HDR video, enhancing the viewing experience for movies and videos by providing better contrast and color accuracy. Realme has included protection against scratches and damage, adding to the display’s durability.

Performance and Software

Powering the Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, built on a 4nm process. This SoC provides a significant performance boost compared to its predecessor, the Realme 3. The phone is available in multiple configurations, including 6GB, 8GB, and 12GB of RAM, paired with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via microSD.

In benchmarking tests, the Narzo 70 Turbo achieved a score of approximately 678,000 on AnTuTu, showcasing its capabilities for multitasking and gaming. Users can enjoy popular games such as Call of Duty and Genshin Impact with smooth frame rates, often exceeding 60 fps in less demanding titles.

Software Experience

While the hardware is commendable, the software experience leaves much to be desired. The device runs on Realme UI, based on Android 13, which has received mixed reviews from users. The presence of bloatware and pre-installed applications can clutter the user interface and impact overall performance. Users have reported unwanted ads and notifications from third-party applications, which detracts from the otherwise seamless experience.

Tips for Software Optimization

• Navigate to Settings to disable unnecessary applications and notifications.

• Use the App Management features to optimize background apps and enhance performance.

• Consider removing or disabling apps that are not essential to your daily use.

Battery Life

The Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G comes equipped with a 5000mAh battery, supporting 45W fast charging. This allows users to charge the device from 0 to 100% in around one hour, providing convenience for those on the go.

Battery Performance

During testing, the phone demonstrated impressive endurance. With 120 Hz refresh rate and full brightness, it lasted approximately seven hours of continuous 4K video playback, draining about 50% of the battery. For mixed usage, including social media, gaming, and video playback, users can expect to achieve a full day’s worth of battery life comfortably.

Camera Capabilities

The camera system on the Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor (OmniVision) paired with a 2-megapixel secondary sensor for depth. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is noticeable; however, electronic image stabilization (EIS) helps stabilize video recordings.

Camera Performance

• Daylight Photography: In well-lit conditions, the camera produces vibrant images with good detail and accurate color representation. Portrait shots benefit from good edge detection, providing a pleasing aesthetic.

• Low-Light Photography: Performance in low-light conditions is average, with noticeable noise and less detail. Users may find that night mode does not significantly improve the results.

• Video Recording: The rear camera supports 4K video recording at 30fps, while the front camera offers 16 megapixels and supports Full HD video at 30fps. Video quality is decent in good lighting but tends to suffer in low-light conditions, where flickering may occur.

Connectivity Options

The Narzo 70 Turbo 5G supports a variety of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring fast and reliable connections for streaming and gaming. With support for multiple 5G bands, users can expect compatibility with future networks as 5G continues to roll out.

Additional Connectivity Features

• Widevine L1 certification allows users to stream content in high definition on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

• The presence of essential sensors, such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and ambient light sensor, enhances the overall usability of the device.

Pricing and Variants

The Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G is available in three configurations:

• 6GB RAM + 128GB Storage

• 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage

• 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage

With a starting price of around ₹15,000, the device offers excellent value, particularly when considering ongoing discounts and promotional offers. Compared to its predecessor, the Realme 3, which starts at around ₹23,000, the Narzo 70 Turbo provides superior specifications at a lower price point.

Final Thoughts

The Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G positions itself as a strong contender in the budget smartphone market. With its impressive display, robust performance, and decent battery life, it caters well to users looking for a reliable device without breaking the bank.