The latest addition to the Realme P-Series is here. Realme has unveiled the Realme P2 Pro 5G, targeting the highly competitive mid-range smartphone market. Starting at approximately $264, the Realme P2 Pro 5G offers impressive specifications, including the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, a 5200mAh battery, 80W fast charging, 512GB of storage, 12GB of RAM, a 50MP camera, and an OLED display. It runs on Android 14 and integrates AI features such as AI Eraser and AI Ultra Clarity. But the key question remains: can it stand out in an already crowded segment? Let’s dive into the review:
Realme P2 Pro 5G Review – Design & Build
Realme is known for its bold design choices, and the Realme P2 Pro 5G is no exception. It is available in two colors: Eagle Grey and Parrot Green. The version I tested was the Parrot Green, featuring an eye-catching design with a cushioned camera module and subtle hexagonal details. The unique green finish has a brushed texture that not only looks stylish but also resists smudges and fingerprints, offering a secure grip. The curved-edge display further enhances its ergonomic feel, making it comfortable to hold.
The rear panel houses a slightly raised camera module with two sensors and an LED flash. Realme’s branding is subtly placed in silver at the bottom, while a gold-colored trim surrounds both the camera module and the body, giving the device a premium aesthetic.
On the right edge, you’ll find the power button and volume controls, while the bottom edge is home to the speaker grille, USB-C port, and SIM tray. The top edge has a secondary speaker and an IR blaster for added functionality.
Weighing just 180 grams and measuring 8.21mm in thickness, the Realme P2 Pro 5G feels both lightweight and refined. It’s IP65-rated, meaning it offers decent protection against water and dust, and its Armor Shield Glass ensures improved durability. Additionally, its Rainwater Smart Touch display lets you interact with the phone even if your fingers are wet. The device also includes AI Eye Protection certification for a more comfortable viewing experience.
Realme P2 Pro 5G Review – Display
The smartphone features a 6.7-inch OLED display with FHD+ resolution, delivering vibrant colors and good viewing angles. Since it has a curved design, the screen can sometimes register accidental touches, but overall performance remains reliable. The 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth scrolling, making it a great option for reading, browsing, and gaming.
Realme has boosted the local peak brightness to an impressive 2000 nits, which significantly improves visibility in direct sunlight. The display also supports Full HD streaming on services like Netflix and YouTube, making it ideal for media consumption.
The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, offering reasonable durability for its price.
Realme P2 Pro 5G Review – Software
The Realme P2 Pro 5G ships with Android 14, featuring Realme UI. One drawback is the considerable amount of pre-installed bloatware. Upon setting up the phone, you’ll find over 60 apps, including third-party offerings like Netflix, Snapchat, and Spotify, as well as several pre-installed games. While some apps can be uninstalled, others, including Realme’s proprietary apps, are not removable, which may frustrate users.
Aside from the bloatware, the user experience mirrors that of other Realme devices, offering AI features such as AI Smart Loop, which suggests content for sharing, and AI Smart Removal, which eliminates unwanted elements from your photos.
Another AI feature, AI Ultra Clarity, aims to enhance photo sharpness, though it is still in its beta stage.
The phone also includes Air Gestures, enabling hands-free control. However, this feature can be inconsistent, making it less reliable for those who prefer not to use touch. Realme has committed to two years of OS updates and three years of security updates for this model.
Realme P2 Pro 5G Review – Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, the Realme P2 Pro 5G handles daily tasks with ease. In my experience, it performed well during multitasking, calls, social media browsing, video streaming, and casual gaming. The device comes with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, allowing for seamless app switching and ample space for media and files.
Though not designed specifically for gaming, it can run titles like Asphalt 9 and PUBG for short sessions. However, after about 20 minutes, the device started to show signs of performance drop-off, such as stuttering and lower graphics quality. Additionally, it tends to heat up during extended gaming or benchmark testing, suggesting that thermal management could be improved.
For gaming enthusiasts, an extra GT Mode allows you to adjust CPU and GPU performance for quicker response times, though it does increase power consumption.
Realme P2 Pro 5G Review – Cameras
The dual-camera setup on the Realme P2 Pro 5G features a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultrawide lens. Realme has also integrated its HYPERIMAGE AI+ technology, which enhances clarity, dynamic range, and portrait quality.
In daylight, the primary 50MP sensor captures bright and vibrant images, though the level of detail is slightly lower compared to some competitors. The ultrawide camera offers a broad field of view and produces images with decent color accuracy, though colors can sometimes appear oversaturated.
The low-light performance is satisfactory, with the primary sensor producing bright and relatively detailed shots. Night Mode helps minimize noise, and users can take advantage of the phone’s zoom options (0.6x, 1x, 2x, 5x) even in low-light conditions.
The 32MP front-facing camera shines in low-light environments, delivering clear selfies with good detail and color accuracy, even in dimly lit settings.
Realme P2 Pro 5G Review – Battery Life and Charging
The Realme P2 Pro 5G is equipped with a large 5200mAh battery, which comfortably lasts through a full day of moderate use. This includes messaging, video streaming, music, casual gaming, and benchmark tests. On more intensive usage days, such as extended gaming sessions, a top-up charge by evening is required.
With 80W wired fast charging, the battery can go from 0 to 100% in about 45 minutes, which is more than adequate for a device in this price range. A charger is also included in the box.
Review Verdict: Should You Buy the Realme P2 Pro 5G?
The Realme P2 Pro 5G, starting at approximately $264, offers a balanced mix of aesthetics, performance, and features. It impresses with its long-lasting battery, fast charging, a capable front-facing camera, and generous internal storage. Advanced features like the IP65 rating and AI functionalities add to its appeal. While issues like bloatware, mediocre low-light camera performance, and thermal management might deter some users, the Realme P2 Pro 5G remains a strong contender for those seeking a reliable mid-range device.
