Phones with big batteries often come with compromises on design. However, the Realme 16 5G proves otherwise by offering a 7000mAh battery in a thin and light body without compromising on comfort. The question is, what about the other aspects? Is it worth owning? Here’s the full review.
Specifications
Realme 16
AMOLED screen, 120Hz, HDR
1000 nits (typical), 1400 nits (peak)
6.57 inches (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
1080 × 2372 pixels (~397 ppi)
Mediatek Dimensity 6400 Turbo processor (6 nm)
2 x 2.5 GHz Cortex-A76 chips
6 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55
Mali-G57 MC2 Graphics Chip
12GB of RAM
Virtual RAM (+10GB RAM)
Internal Load 256 UFS 2.2
Primary Camera 50MP f/1.8, 26mm wide
Front Camera 50 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide)
7000mAh Li-Ion battery
Wired 60W
Support 45W PPS
Dual SIM Nano SIM/Telephony /5G
NFC Yes
Infrared Yes
Waterproof IP64
Scanning System Fingerprint Scan
Face Scan
Selling Price RM1599
Usage Experience
Realme 16 5G is designed to be quite thin with a thickness of only 8.1mm and a weight of 183g, despite carrying a large 7000mAh battery. Usually phones with large batteries feel thick and heavy but Realme manages to maintain a comfortable shape. Holding it for a long time with one hand also does not irritate or feel heavy. In fact, its weight balance makes prolonged use comfortable without causing fatigue.
In terms of daily experience, Realme 16 5G gives a grip feeling that is almost the same as the Honor 600 Lite that I have reviewed before. It comes with a new design using flat front and back panels, giving a modern appearance through the 'Air Design' style that targets young people. Personally, it reminds me of a combination of two brands that are already on the market but overall it feels comfortable to hold. Its balanced weight makes Realme 16 5G a practical device for everyday use.
The white unit I tried came with a rough textured plastic (polycarbonate) back panel that produces interesting reflections when hit by light from certain angles. The side frame also uses plastic with a matte finish. Although this plastic material does not give a luxurious feel compared to some competitors in the same segment, it still offers a good experience in its class. The lightweight and comfortable to hold build makes the Realme 16 5G suitable for daily use without feeling cheap.
The most eye-catching feature on the Realme 16 is the physical 'Mirror Selfie', which is a small shiny panel on the rear camera module. The purpose is so that users can see the reflection of their faces when using the 50MP main camera for selfies. It is not just a software function but an actual small mirror installed on the phone. However, this feature is actually more of an effort to highlight the device than a practical function in daily use.
I am sure many users are more comfortable using the 50MP front camera than relying on the small mirror provided by Realme. The resulting images sometimes look awkward because the eyes seem to be looking in the other direction. This happens because the position of the 50MP main camera is located on the left end, while the mirror is on the right end next to the camera bump. As a result, the experience of using this ‘Mirror Selfie’ is more about style than practical function.
Logically, when the eyes are focused on the mirror, the resulting image shows that the eyes are not aligned with the camera, giving the impression of squinting. Therefore, although Realme is trying to present a unique idea, this function feels ordinary and does not provide great added value in the daily experience.
The claim that this feature is a first in the industry may be debatable because Nokia introduced it earlier. Several classic Nokia models came with a small mirror on the back next to the camera with the same purpose, which is to help users take selfies. In that era, high-resolution front cameras were not yet standard, so this small mirror became a practical solution for those who wanted to take pictures of themselves.
Unlike the Realme 16, now the front camera is sophisticated with a high resolution of 50MP, making this physical mirror more of a nostalgic element that has been revived. Nokia used to do it out of necessity while Realme brought it as an additional style to give style.
In terms of actual use, I am sure many users are more comfortable using the front camera than relying on this small mirror. In conclusion, there is no real need for this feature and it would be better if Realme focused on improving the front camera instead of introducing such a gimmick.
The buttons and ports provided are in the usual places, so there is no problem getting used to it. In addition, there are no other additional buttons besides the standard ones provided by the manufacturer. It also does not have an audio jack like the C100, but that is not a big issue because the feature is rarely offered this year. If it is there, it is considered a bonus. On the other hand, if it is not there, it does not make a big impact.
Realme also includes stereo speakers, something that is quite surprising for a phone of this class. The performance can be said to be good because it produces strong sound with satisfying bass, although the bottom speaker is more dominant than the top. In addition, the fingerprint scanner on the screen works smoothly while the basic waterproof function also helps the device withstand some liquid without problems.
Internal Hardware – MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Turbo
Realme 16 uses the Dimensity 6400 Turbo chip (6nm) with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. It also supports virtual RAM up to 10GB, making the total amount of RAM available reach 18GB. However, it is important to remember that this virtual RAM is not actual physical RAM because it uses part of the internal storage to function as additional space when the system requires larger capacity for multiple simultaneous tasks.
Realme C100 – Dimensity 6300 (6nm)
Samsung Galaxy A37 5G – Exynos 1480 (4nm)
Honor 600 Lite – Dimensity 7100 Elite (6nm)
Infinix Note Edge – Dimensity 7100 (6nm)
Nothing Phone (3a) – Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm)
AnTuTu 3D
Score Device
Realme 16 5G 531,226
Realme C100 577,629
Samsung Galaxy A37 5G 1,059,377
Honor 600 Lite 726,401
Infinix Note Edge 805,806
Nothing Phone (3a) 803,992
Geekbench 6
Single Core Multi Core Device
Realme 16 5G 801 1902
Realme C100 663 1758
Samsung Galaxy A37 5G 1138 3489
Honor 600 Lite 867 2660
Infinix Note Edge 972 2827
Nothing Phone (3a) 1146 3123
3DMark Wildlife Extreme
Score Chip
Realme 16 5G 381
Realme C100 383
Samsung Galaxy A37 5G 1042
Honor 600 Lite 640
Infinix Note Edge 692
Nothing Phone (3a) 1043
Performance in daily use can be said to be adequate for normal tasks and moderate games but not the best choice for heavy or high graphics games. It offers stable performance with 120Hz display support but in terms of gaming it is only suitable for the casual category.
In simple words, it is suitable for users who play daily popular games such as PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends and Genshin Impact at low to medium settings. 120Hz display support certainly provides a smoother daily experience, especially in social media use and light gaming. For heavy games with high graphics, low settings are required to avoid frame drops.
On the other hand, this chip emphasizes a balance between performance and battery that is suitable for mid-range phones that prioritize a balance of performance and cost. This is also the experience I have felt when testing the Dimensity 7100 chip before. This is proven in terms of battery life and it is even able to control heat well. Benchmark tests also feel more stable than some other mid-range chips that tend to get hot when tested.
Internal Software – Realme UI 7.0
From my personal experience using Realme UI 7.0, it feels almost the same as other Realme devices I have tried before. The interface remains minimalist with neater icons and animations, thus providing a fresh display experience. I also noticed that there are design elements that seem to be borrowed from Apple's style which makes the UI look more modern and attractive if viewed positively.
The icons used in Realme UI 7.0 are more boxy, similar to those found in ColorOS 13 by Oppo. This is not surprising since both brands are under the same umbrella. The theme and customization options are also still extensive, allowing users to change the system colors, icons, and layout according to their own tastes.
The Smart Sidebar function is also maintained as a quick access for simultaneous tasks. However, not all flagship features have been brought to the Realme 16, causing some differences with the premium model. For example, the Mind Space feature is not included here, which makes the experience quite different for those who are used to using it.
In terms of software, my experience found that ads and bulky applications still exist on the Realme 16, but they can be removed if the user wants. The AI features in the camera also clearly show an improvement compared to the previous generation. I also managed to try the AI Genie that was present on the Realme 15, and this time it felt smarter because it was able to produce text or images based on user commands with more relevance.
There are also improvements such as AI LightMe and AI StyleMe which provide different results depending on the type of image and prompt instructions. Interestingly, the pop-up image feature that was previously popular in the Oppo Reno series is also present on the Realme 16, thus offering more creative image results. In addition, the Realme 16 is said to receive 3 years of major operating system updates and 6 years of security updates.
example – AI styleMe
example – AI styleMe
Camera and Image Quality
In terms of camera quality, the images produced by the Realme 16 5G are actually sufficient for daily use. The term ‘adequate’ here refers to a level that is appropriate for this class of device since it is not a premium phone. The colors of the images look more natural, not too saturated and there is enough contrast to make the image clear and pleasing to the eye.
If you use the Vibrance mode, the colors look more vibrant but still controlled so that the image does not look awkward or excessive. The white balance is also consistent, while the bright parts (highlights) are well controlled so that areas that are usually easy to overexpose do not look excessive.
Although the camera only offers one focal length, the effect is quite limited to produce deeper bokeh. However, skin tones still look natural and not overly processed. The beauty mode feature is also minimal which makes the results more realistic than dramatic.
The autofocus on the Realme 16 5G camera is just average and makes it less suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects. However, the 50MP sensor is still able to produce satisfactory images even in low light conditions. In terms of functionality, this camera is more suitable for daily use because the modes offered are quite basic and similar to most other phones. It is not the best choice for professional use but enough for users who want consistent results without having to do a lot of complicated settings.
Battery
The Realme 16 is equipped with a large 7000mAh battery that is advertised to last more than a day of use. Based on real-world experience, the battery life is indeed good as I managed to get around 1 day 6 hours 35 minutes with an active screen time of 8 hours 10 minutes before needing to be recharged. Despite the large battery, the charging system is only 60W which is slow for a Chinese device. The battery recharge time is around 70 minutes.
This shows that the Realme 16 has good energy efficiency. It is suitable for active users who use a lot of applications such as TikTok, WhatsApp, Telegram and YouTube. Although the large battery capacity usually adds to the weight of the device, Realme has managed to maintain a lightweight and comfortable design.
Conclusion
The Realme 16 is able to provide a good daily use experience with a clear display, long-lasting battery and a comfortable design. It is also practical for everyday use whether watching videos, browsing social media or connecting with friends. However, there are some small things that may not stand out but still offer good value in its class.
In terms of performance, it works well but is not the fastest in its class. The camera function is also adequate for normal use, although the results may not be satisfactory for those who are more serious about photography. The charging speed is also moderate compared to other competitors, making users need to be a little more patient when recharging the battery.
Overall, the Realme 16 is a well-balanced device as it offers advantages in display, battery and design while maintaining sufficient basic functions. The minor shortcomings do not affect the daily experience too much, making it a suitable choice for users who want a simple and durable phone without overly emphasizing high performance or professional camera aspects.
At RM1,599, it can be considered a simple choice for daily use, especially for those who want a large battery, beautiful display and lightweight design. However, for users who prioritize smoother gaming performance, more flexible cameras such as ultra-wide or OIS, as well as charging speeds comparable to other competitors, this phone may not be focused on premium aspects such as cameras or gaming.
Pros
Long-lasting 7000mAh battery.
Slim and lightweight design.
Clear and beautiful display.
Enhanced AI camera features.
Natural skin tones.
Cons
Performance is just adequate.
Moderate autofocus.
Limited camera.
Medium charging
Basic camera mode.
Software with ads and bloatware.
