Realme 15 Pro Review: Balanced Performer or Just Another Mid-Ranger?
Smartphones in the mid-range segment are no longer just about compromises—they’re increasingly becoming practical alternatives to premium flagships. As more users demand better battery life, high-quality displays, and camera capabilities without breaking the bank, brands are now racing to meet those expectations. Realme, in particular, has consistently pushed the boundaries in this space.
Earlier this year, the Realme 14 Pro+ turned heads with its unique design and color-shifting back. Now, its successor—the Realme 15 Pro—takes a more grounded approach, focusing on meaningful upgrades rather than flashy gimmicks. It promises a massive 7,000mAh battery, a brighter and sharper AMOLED screen, and a smoother user experience driven by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip.
But does this updated formula deliver enough value to justify the ₹31,999 price tag? After testing the phone extensively, here’s how it really holds up.
Sleeker, Lighter, and More Refined
The Realme 15 Pro continues the brand’s tradition of launching good-looking devices. My review unit came in the Silk Purple finish, which looks stylish without being loud. At 187g, it feels surprisingly light considering the 7,000mAh battery inside. There’s no plastic-like hollowness; the build feels solid with a smooth matte finish that adds grip.
Unlike the previous generation’s circular camera layout, this one switches to a rectangular bump. It sits flush and doesn’t wobble on a flat surface. The button layout is ergonomic and clicky, and you get stereo speakers, a USB-C port, and a dual SIM tray. However, there’s no microSD card slot. One highlight that will be appreciated by clumsy users – IP69 dust and water resistance. That’s rare in this price segment.
The Display
Realme has packed a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with 1.5K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. But what really surprised me was the peak brightness – a whopping 6,500 nits. It’s easily one of the brightest displays under ₹35,000, and sunlight legibility is top-notch.
The curved edges are tastefully done and don’t suffer from glare or accidental touches. HDR10+ support, 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, and 10-bit depth make it great for Netflix, YouTube, and gaming. In terms of panel quality, it’s on par or better than rivals like the Nord 5 or Poco F7.
Capable Performance, But Falls Behind in Competition
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is a modest upgrade over the previous 7s Gen 3. Daily tasks like scrolling, switching between apps, and camera use feel fluid. My unit had 12 GB RAM and 256 GB UFS 3.1 storage – plenty for most users.
In synthetic benchmarks, it falls short of powerhouses like the Nord 5 (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3) and iQOO Neo 10 (Snapdragon 8s Gen 4). Gamers will notice the gap. Games like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile run well at high settings, but not at max graphics. On the plus side, the phone stays cool thanks to Realme’s improved heat dissipation system.
If you’re not chasing top-tier performance, you won’t find much to complain about. But if future-proofing is your concern, consider the more powerful options.
Camera Delivers Where It Counts
Realme has equipped the 15 Pro with a dual 50 MP rear setup using the Sony IMX896 sensor with 2-axis OIS. It also gets a 50 MP selfie shooter – an impressive spec on paper.
Photos taken during the day are clean and color-accurate. Realme has avoided going overboard with saturation, unlike some rivals. Portrait mode is particularly impressive, offering sharp edge detection and realistic blur. Low-light performance is boosted by AI MagicGlow 2.0, which helps reduce noise while keeping details intact.
Even though there’s no ultra-wide or telephoto lens, the phone pulls off decent digital zoom up to 10x. Beyond that, images lose clarity. The 50 MP selfie cam performs admirably in both daylight and indoor light, with accurate skin tones and minimal over-processing.
Video recording goes up to 4K at 60fps, front and back – a feature not common in this price band. For content creators and vloggers, this setup offers flexibility and dependability.
Battery That Outlasts the Competition
This is where the Realme 15 Pro truly shines. The 7,000mAh battery is a game-changer. Despite the big size, Realme has managed to keep the phone slim at 7.69mm. On mixed usage, including camera, video, and browsing, I easily got more than a day and a half of runtime.
Charging is fast too – 80W SuperVOOC fills it up in about an hour. Plus, it supports 10W reverse wired charging. This comes in handy when you need to top up other devices on the go.
Final Verdict: Worth Buying?
If you’re looking for a well-balanced phone under ₹32,000, the Realme 15 Pro is hard to ignore. It doesn’t try to be the fastest phone out there but focuses on practical upgrades that most users will value – a stellar display, dependable cameras, massive battery, and a refined design.
Yes, performance enthusiasts might lean toward the Poco F7 or iQOO Neo 10. But if your priority is lasting battery life, excellent display quality, and a solid all-rounder that doesn’t cut too many corners, the Realme 15 Pro delivers.
