Realme has recently launched the V50s as a new budget 5G smartphone offering capable specifications at an affordable price point. Let’s take a deeper look at what this new model brings to the table.

Design and Build

Measuring 165.7 x 76 x 7.9mm and weighing 190g, the V50s has a compact yet comfortable in-hand feel thanks to its rounded corners and symmetrical shape. It has a plastic unibody construction which helps keep costs down, but the matte finish adds a touch of premium appeal. Realme has opted for a side-mounted fingerprint sensor as the primary biometric authentication method. Overall, the V50s cuts a sleek profile that won’t look out of place amongst more expensive devices.

Display

Upfront is a 6.72-inch LCD panel with Full HD+ resolution. It delivers sharp, crisp visuals thanks to the high 392PPI pixel density. Realme has also included a 120Hz refresh rate for enhanced smoothness when scrolling, browsing menus, and in supported games. Brightness levels should be adequate for indoor use though we’ll have to test outdoor visibility. The 20:9 aspect ratio is great for media consumption as well.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the V50s relies on the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset for 5G connectivity. This mid-range SoC offers a good balance of specs and efficiency at an affordable price point. It’s paired with up to 8GB of RAM for multitasking and 6GB/8GB storage variants. Realme’s Android 13-based Realme UI 4.0 handles software duties. Early benchmarks indicate performance on par or better than rivals in the same price tier like the Redmi Note 12 5G.

Cameras

The dual rear camera system on the V50s consists of a 13MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor for portraits. On the front, an 8MP lens handles selfies and video calls. While megapixel counts are modest, the Dimensity 6100+ chip should enable capable imaging capabilities like HDR, Panorama, Night mode etc. We’ll have to wait for our review to pass judgment on the actual photo quality. Video recording maxes out at 1080p/30fps which should be sufficient for social media sharing.

Battery Life

To keep the lights on is a sizeable 5000mAh battery, a battery capacity that promises plenty of uptime between charges. However, the V50s misses out on fast charging support which is a slight downside considering rivals in the segment offer at least 33W speeds. Even 18W charging would have been appreciated at this price point. Realme does not specify charging speeds so we’ll have to see how long a full charge takes in practice.

Variants and Pricing

The Realme V50s is available in two configurations – 6GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB. Storage is expandable via the dedicated microSD card slot. On the software front, you get Realme UI 4.0 based on Android 13 out of the box plus the usual Realme apps and utilities. Early prices seem to be around the €240-€270ish mark which makes it very competitive in the market.

Competition

The V50s will go head to head with capable budget 5G devices like the Redmi Note 11E 5G, Infinix Note 12 5G, Samsung Galaxy M14, and upcoming devices like the Moto G82 5G. It offers a full package of a 120Hz AMOLED display, 5G, a decent mid-range chipset, and a large 5000mAh battery. Where it may lose out is in the camera and charging departments against rivals at similar price points.

Early Impressions

On paper, the Realme V50s shapes up to be a strong all-rounder for those on a strict budget but wanting 5G connectivity future-proofing. The Dimensity 6100+ SoC paired with up to 8GB RAM can handle moderate usage smoothly while the large 6.72-inch screen is great for watching videos and gaming. Realme’s software also provides a clean, customizable experience. Where it may cut some corners are the basic cameras and lack of fast charging support. We’ll have to spend more time with a review unit to judge Realme’s latest budget 5G contender in-depth so stay tuned for our full findings soon.