As someone who’s passionate about exploring the latest smartphones, I was excited to get my hands on the Realme 14 Pro Plus. With its promising features and an attractive price tag, it seemed like a game-changer. However, after spending some time with the device, I feel compelled to share both its strengths and the glaring shortcomings that might make potential buyers think twice.
My Experience with the Realme 14 Pro Plus
First Impressions and Design
When I first unboxed the Realme 14 Pro Plus, I was impressed by its sleek design and vibrant Pearl White and Gray color options. The device feels premium, thanks to its slim build and matte finish. However, the lack of Gorilla Glass protection for the display left me concerned about its durability. A premium phone without robust screen protection feels like a missed opportunity.
Display: Stunning but Fragile
The 6.83-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate is undoubtedly one of the highlights. It delivers vibrant colors, sharp visuals, and smooth scrolling. But here’s the catch: despite the phone’s IP68/IP69 rating for water and dust resistance, it doesn’t inspire confidence due to the absence of additional screen durability measures.
Moreover, I noticed that while the 1500 nits brightness makes it easy to use outdoors, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight led to noticeable heat, which affected the display’s responsiveness.
Performance: Great but Not Flawless
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset delivers excellent performance for gaming and multitasking. The Adreno 710 GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks with ease. However, I experienced occasional stutters during prolonged gaming sessions, which was unexpected at this price point.
Additionally, the absence of a microSDXC card slot was a significant drawback for me. With apps, photos, and videos taking up so much space, the lack of expandable storage felt restrictive, especially for someone like me who loves capturing high-quality content.
Battery Life: Good, But Could Be Better
The 6000mAh battery easily lasts a full day with moderate use, and the 80W fast charging is a lifesaver when you’re in a hurry. But here’s where things fell short for me:
- No wireless charging.
- No reverse charging support, which is a feature I often rely on to charge accessories like wireless earbuds.
In 2025, these omissions are hard to overlook, especially when competing smartphones at similar price points offer these conveniences.
Camera System: A Mixed Bag
The 50MP wide sensor with OIS captures stunning shots in good lighting, and the periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom is impressive. I enjoyed using the ultrawide lens for capturing landscapes. However, in low-light conditions, the camera struggles to deliver consistent results.
Video recording, while sharp in 4K, occasionally suffers from stabilization issues despite having gyro-EIS support. The 32MP front camera is decent, but it overexposes selfies in bright conditions, making skin tones appear unnatural.
Audio: Missing the Essentials
One of the biggest disappointments for me was the lack of an audio jack. While stereo speakers provide decent sound quality, it’s not a substitute for wired headphones when you’re a music enthusiast or a gamer.
The omission of advanced audio features like Dolby Atmos or better tuning options further dampened my experience.
Connectivity and User Experience
As expected, the 5G network support and NFC compatibility are seamless. The phone also supports Dual Nano-SIMs, which is great for travelers like me. However, the absence of an infrared port was a letdown, especially since I often use my phone to control appliances at home.
On the software front, the combination of Android 15 and Realme UI 6.0 is intuitive and user-friendly. That said, I encountered minor bugs, including apps freezing intermittently. These glitches are frustrating and undermine the overall experience.
Realme 14 Pro Plus: Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick summary of what worked and what didn’t for me:
Pros
- Gorgeous 6.83-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate.
- Powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset for smooth performance.
- Impressive camera hardware with 50MP wide sensor and periscope telephoto lens.
- Long-lasting 6000mAh battery with 80W fast charging.
- Sleek design with IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance.
Cons
- No Gorilla Glass protection for the display.
- Lack of wireless charging and reverse charging support.
- No microSDXC card slot for expandable storage.
- Missing audio jack and infrared port.
- Inconsistent low-light camera performance.
- Minor software glitches in Realme UI 6.0.
FAQs: Addressing Common Concerns
Does the Realme 14 Pro Plus support wireless charging?
Unfortunately, no. While it supports 80W fast wired charging, wireless charging is not included.
Can I expand the storage with a microSD card?
No, the phone lacks a microSDXC card slot, so you’ll have to rely on the built-in storage options of 256GB or 512GB.
How durable is the display of the Realme 14 Pro Plus?
The display lacks Gorilla Glass protection, which makes it more susceptible to scratches and cracks despite the phone’s IP68/IP69 rating.
How is the low-light camera performance?
In low-light conditions, the camera struggles to deliver consistent quality. Noise and lack of detail are noticeable, which may disappoint photography enthusiasts.
Is the Realme 14 Pro Plus worth buying?
It depends on your priorities. If you value a premium display, robust performance, and great design, it’s a solid choice. However, if features like wireless charging, expandable storage, and durability are crucial, you might want to explore alternatives.
Final Verdict: Is the Realme 14 Pro Plus for You?
The Realme 14 Pro Plus is a well-rounded smartphone with standout features like a vibrant display, solid performance, and an impressive camera system. However, its shortcomings—such as missing wireless charging, lack of Gorilla Glass, and limited expandability—make it less appealing for users seeking an all-inclusive experience.
