The Realme 11x 5G was recently introduced as part of Realme’s latest smartphone series, alongside the Realme 11. Positioned at a competitive price of Rs 14,999, this smartphone stands as the most budget-friendly variant in its line-up. The sub-Rs 15,000 segment is currently thriving, providing users with a compelling blend of performance and hardware. Realme has established a strong foothold in this category, and with the launch of the Realme 11x 5G, they are set to intensify the competition further. It boasts an efficient chipset and a commendable camera setup. However, it comes with both strengths and weaknesses, which we will explore in this review to determine if the Realme 11x 5G is a solid choice under Rs 15,000 or if you should consider alternatives.
Realme 11x 5G: Price in India
The Realme 11x 5G is available in two configurations: 6GB RAM + 128GB storage priced at Rs 14,999 and 8GB RAM + 128GB storage priced at Rs 15,999. As we approach the festive season, attractive offers may soon follow, making this device even more appealing to potential buyers. The smartphone comes in two elegant color variants: Purple Dawn and Midnight Black.
Realme 11x 5G: Design and Display
The design of the Realme 11x 5G is characterized by its sleek boxy shape. With a thickness of just 7.9 mm and a weight of 190 grams, it feels lightweight and comfortable in hand. Constructed from polycarbonate with a glass-like finish, the back panel exhibits an astonishing shimmer, shifting between blue and purple when exposed to light. The rear features a prominent circular camera module housing two smaller camera lenses and an LED flash, adding to its stylish aesthetic. The volume rockers and power button, which doubles as a fingerprint sensor, are placed conveniently on the right side, providing rapid and accurate unlocking. Additionally, the phone supports expandable storage of up to 1TB through its triple SIM card tray, accommodating two SIMs and a microSD card.
Equipped with a vibrant 6.72-inch IPS LCD display, the Realme 11x 5G offers an impressive FHD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, complemented by a 120Hz refresh rate for a fluid visual experience. The display showcases thin bezels, achieving a screen-to-body ratio of about 86.6%. The colors are vibrant, but a slight blue tint can occasionally be noticed, which can be adjusted within the settings. Although it holds Widevine L1 certification to stream HD content, HDR support is absent. Brightness levels peak at 550 nits, making it suitable for indoor use, whereas outdoor readability may present challenges under direct sunlight.
Realme 11x 5G: Specifications and Software
Under the hood, the Realme 11x 5G is powered by an octa-core 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC, capable of being coupled with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage. The device boasts compatibility with nine 5G bands, future-proofing it for upcoming network advancements. Connectivity features include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and GPS/A-GPS, ensuring a comprehensive network experience.
Running on Realme UI 4.0 based on Android 13, the interface offers various customization options. However, new users may find it cluttered with pre-installed apps that cannot be uninstalled in bulk. Thankfully, most of these apps can be disabled, and features like split-screen mode, flexible window, smart sidebar, kid space, and a simplified mode for senior citizens enhance user experience. Nevertheless, there’s room for improvement in RAM management, which may cause background apps to refresh often. On the plus side, Realme guarantees two years of operating system upgrades and three years of security updates.
Realme 11x 5G: Performance and Battery
In daily performance, the Realme 11x 5G stands out. The MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset handles tasks efficiently, and during testing, it scored 10405 in PCMark’s Work 3.0 test — an indication of superior performance. Even while multitasking between BGMI and various social media applications, the device provided a seamless streaming experience. In benchmark tests, it garnered scores of 726 and 1931 in Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core evaluations, and an impressive 430589 in AnTuTu, on par with competitors in this price range.
The gaming experience is also commendable. BGMI runs smoothly at HD graphics and high frame rates, averaging around 45 fps without any noticeable lag. Asphalt 9 maintained a playable experience, despite some frame drops. The claimed 240Hz touch sampling rate further enhances gaming operations. Thermal management showed solid performance, with efficient heat dissipation during extensive usage.
Battery performance was adequate during usage, lasting through a full day with casual gaming, social media browsing, and video streaming. However, extended gaming and prolonged video sessions necessitated a recharge before day’s end. In video loop tests, the device managed 11 hours, indicating a below-average battery performance. Thankfully, included in the box is a 33W charging adapter, capable of charging the battery from 0-50% in around 30 minutes and achieving a full charge in approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Realme 11x 5G: Camera Capability
The camera setup features a dual rear arrangement, prominently led by a 64-megapixel OV64B main sensor. It produces striking images in well-lit conditions, capturing sharp details with accurate exposure and contrast. Although colors might appear slightly oversaturated, the photographs hold up remarkably well for social media sharing. The dedicated 64MP mode enhances image quality but results in larger file sizes. If storage is a concern, the standard mode suffices well for most scenarios.
While the primary lens lacks a telephoto option, it does support 2x zoom, delivering reasonably detailed shots, though some images exhibit a haze effect easily correctable with basic editing. Indoors, the performance can be mixed; while good lighting yields impressive results, quality diminishes with lower light, where noise levels increase. Fortunately, the Night Mode significantly enhances low-light performance, though detail may be sacrificed upon zooming.
For selfies, the 8-megapixel front camera captures natural skin tones with commendable detail in bright environments, although low-light performance struggles. Video recording capabilities are limited to 1080p at 30fps for both cameras, with results being rather average concerning stability and dynamic range.
Realme 11x 5G: Conclusion
The Realme 11x 5G emerges as an appealing budget-friendly option in the 5G smartphone market, showcasing impressive build quality, a capable camera system, and an engaging display at its entry price of Rs 14,999. While the absence of stereo speakers and average battery performance might be points of contention for some, the fast charging feature compensates well. The smartphone lacks an IP rating, a shortcoming compared to some competing models.
Overall, if you’re in the market for an affordable device with solid performance for everyday tasks, the Realme 11x 5G stands out. While it makes an excellent alternative to the Realme 11, you might also explore options like the Infinix HOT 30 5G, which offers benefits such as extended battery life, stereo speakers, and an IP53 rating for water and dust resistance.