Why You Should Buy the Realme 16 Pro Plus

• Realme 16 Pro Plus features industry-first bio-based silicone back with premium feel
• 200MP camera with 3.5x telephoto for true portrait photography
• Massive 7000mAh battery with 80W fast charging
• Bright 6.8-inch AMOLED curved display with 144Hz refresh rate
• Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 for smoother everyday performance
• IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings for extreme durability

Buying a phone around ₹40,000 in 2026 is no longer simple. At this level, expectations rise fast, and buyers want more than just good specs. They expect strong cameras, long battery life, smooth performance, and a design that feels special. Priced at ₹39,999, the Realme 16 Pro Plus lands nearly ₹8,000 above the Realme 16 Pro, which immediately complicates the choice.

For many people, that gap is a conscious stretch. Therefore, the real question is not whether the Pro Plus is good. Instead, it is whether it feels meaningfully better than the Pro in daily life. In other words, does it change how you use your phone, or does it only look better on a spec sheet? So, let’s find out

Design: Built to Feel Different

Across this price range, most phones feel familiar. Glass backs dominate. Surfaces feel cold. Textures repeat. Against that backdrop, the Realme 16 Pro Plus breaks routine with an industry-first bio-based organic silicone back, co-designed with Naoto Fukasawa.

In everyday use, the change is immediate. The surface feels soft and warm, while the subtle leather-like texture improves grip. Because of this, fingerprints stay away and the phone feels secure in hand. Over time, the device feels personal rather than mechanical.

Despite housing a massive battery, the body remains slim. The Master Gold and Master Grey variants measure 8.49mm, while the Camellia Pink version drops to 8.09mm. Weight stays close to 200 grams. Consequently, balance feels right, even during long reading or scrolling sessions.

Meanwhile, the metal mirror camera deco with PVD craftsmanship adds a premium accent. Ports and buttons follow a familiar layout. More importantly, durability becomes a standout. The phone carries IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings. It can handle dust, rain, splashes, and high-pressure water. Additionally, Realme claims resistance to 36 liquids and temperatures up to 80°C. In this segment, such protection remains rare.

Display: Immersion Without Effort

Up front, the phone features a 6.8-inch AMOLED HyperGlow 4D Curve+ display with a 2800 × 1280 resolution. It supports a 144Hz refresh rate, 10-bit colour, and 100 percent DCI-P3 coverage.

Thanks to slim bezels and deep curves, the screen flows into the frame. As a result, the phone feels immersive without sharp edges.

Brightness reaches a claimed 6500 nits. Therefore, outdoor visibility stays strong. At night, 4608Hz PWM dimming reduces eye strain.

What truly stands out, however, is touch response. With a 2500Hz instantaneous touch rate, every swipe feels immediate. Scrolling feels natural. Gaming feels tight. Rather than chasing esports numbers, the panel focuses on comfort and consistency.

Software and AI

Out of the box, the phone runs Realme UI 7.0 based on Android 16. Compared to older versions, it feels lighter. Animations flow smoothly, while app switching feels quick.

Under the hood, the Flux Engine improves responsiveness across the interface. Consequently, daily interactions feel cleaner than on older Realme phones.

AI tools remain practical. AI Edit Genie, AI StyleMe, and AI LightMe assist with photos. Meanwhile, AI Recording and AI Translate help during meetings and travel. Importantly, these features stay optional. They do not interrupt normal use.

Performance: Enough for Real Life

At the core, the Realme 16 Pro Plus uses the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset built on a 4nm process. It replaces the MediaTek chip used in the Pro model. The review unit includes 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB storage.

On paper, benchmark scores reflect solid mid-premium performance. Geekbench records around 1330 in single-core and 4280 in multi-core. AnTuTu crosses 1.4 million.

In practice, the phone feels smooth. Apps open quickly, while multitasking remains easy. Games like BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, Asphalt, and Pokémon GO run well at high settings.

Moreover, the AirFlow VC cooling system manages heat during long sessions. Throttling stays minimal. Still, rivals like the OnePlus 15R deliver far more raw power for slightly more money. Heavy gamers may notice that gap. For most users, though, this level of performance feels more than sufficient.

Cameras: The Real Upgrade

The camera setup defines the “Plus” identity. You get a 200MP Samsung HP5 main camera with OIS, a 50MP 3.5x telephoto portrait lens, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. On the front, a 50MP selfie shooter handles portraits and video calls.

In daylight, photos appear sharp and natural. Colours stay close to reality. Processing avoids heavy saturation.

More importantly, the telephoto lens changes how you shoot people. Subject separation looks clean. Background blur feels believable. As a result, you can shoot from a distance without losing quality.

At night, images retain controlled highlights and low noise. The LumaColor system preserves skin tones under mixed lighting.

Selfies remain detailed and balanced. Video supports 4K with reliable stabilisation. For camera-focused buyers, this setup adds real value.

Battery: Freedom From the Charger

The Realme 16 Pro Plus packs a 7000mAh Titan Battery. Heavy users finish a full day with ease. Meanwhile, moderate users stretch close to two days.

The 80W fast charger fills the large cell at a reasonable pace. At the same time, bypass charging during gaming reduces heat and improves long-term battery health.

As a result, the phone removes daily charging anxiety.

Verdict

The Realme 16 Pro Plus does not win through brute force. Instead, it wins through experience. Warm in hand, reliable in use, and thoughtful in design, it feels different from typical mid-premium phones.

Yes, faster phones exist near this price. Performance-focused buyers may look elsewhere.

However, for users who value design, camera quality, comfort, and battery life, the Realme 16 Pro Plus justifies its “Plus” tag. It does not just add features. It changes how the phone feels in daily life. That difference matters.