realme 13+ Review

If you’re considering upgrading your phone but don’t want to stretch your wallet too far, the realme 13+ may have what you’re looking for. Aimed at the gaming crowd, this midrange device balances performance and affordability, packing features that can handle daily tasks and satisfy casual gamers.

Here’s our full review!

realme 13+ Review: Design

The realme 13+ 5G has a polycarbonate back with a marble-inspired finish, which adds a unique visual texture and feel. You’ll find the realme logo subtly placed at the bottom of the back panel, a nice touch that adds brand recognition without overwhelming the design.

Our review unit came in the bright Victory Gold color, perfect for those who enjoy a more vibrant, attention-grabbing look. For those who prefer a subtler style, there’s also the Dark Purple variant, offering a sophisticated, minimalist vibe.

The phone comes with a protective case in the box, and we recommend making use of it. Even though the realme 13+ has an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, an extra layer of protection never hurts. realme also claims it has wear and corrosion-resistant surfaces along with a cushioning protection structure, so it should hold up well to daily use and minor drops.

Meanwhile, the design is streamlined and straightforward. You have volume and power buttons on the right side, while the USB Type-C port, SIM card tray, and one half of the dual speakers sit at the bottom. The top houses the other speaker and—surprisingly—a 3.5mm headphone jack, which we didn’t expect but were glad to see. This jack means you can still use wired headphones for calls, music, or gaming, a thoughtful inclusion for users who prefer wired audio.

Overall, it’s a solid, functional design, but don’t expect luxury.

realme 13+ Review: Multimedia

The 6.7-inch AMOLED screen is bright and vibrant, which makes gaming and streaming enjoyable. With a 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling and animations feel smooth, adding to the overall user experience. Colors are punchy, and contrast is impressive, especially in well-lit areas. The display quality certainly helps immerse you in games and media, which is great for users looking for a vivid screen without needing a flagship.

In direct sunlight, however, visibility isn’t quite as sharp, which can be a minor annoyance outdoors. But indoors or in moderate lighting, the display performs impressively well for its price.

The realme 13+ comes equipped with dual stereo speakers, which offer decent audio quality. Sound is clear enough for casual gaming, video streaming, and music, though it lacks the depth and richness you’d find on higher-end models. For an even better experience, especially in games with directional audio like Call of Duty: Warzone, you might want to invest in a good pair of headphones.

realme 13+ Review: Software

The realme 13+ 5G is powered by realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14, delivering a smooth and fairly intuitive software experience with plenty of customization options. While there’s a bit of pre-installed bloatware, it’s not overwhelming and can mostly be uninstalled if you prefer a cleaner setup. Customization is a big win here, as you can adjust themes, icons, and layouts, which adds a personal touch to the device.

One feature we found particularly useful is Riding Mode, which optimizes the interface for easy access to essentials like Maps. Air Gestures also add an innovative edge, allowing you to control your phone hands-free by swiping or making hand movements that the front camera detects. It’s surprisingly responsive and convenient in situations when your hands are busy or dirty.

While realme UI 5.0 offers a lot of features, we noticed some lag during rapid app-switching. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you prioritize a minimalist and ultra-smooth experience. Overall, realme UI 5.0 brings a lot of functionality and customization to the table, making it a good fit for users who like to have plenty of tools at their fingertips.

realme 13+ Review: Performance

With the Dimensity 7300 Energy processor, 12GB of RAM (plus up to 14GB virtual RAM Expansion), and 256GB of internal storage, the realme 13+ is well-equipped for a midrange device, especially for gaming.

To start, we ran some benchmarks, which delivered respectable scores:

• Geekbench 6 CPU Benchmark (Single-Core Score): 1048
• Geekbench 6 CPU Benchmark (Multi-Core Score): 2970
• 3DMark Sling Shot: 6660
• 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme – OpenGL ES 3.1: 5166
• 3DMark Wild Life: 3181
• PCMark Work 3.0 Performance: 13639

While these numbers are solid, what matters most is how the phone performs during real gameplay. We put the realme 13+ to the test with several popular games, you can read it here.

The realme 13+ is a good pick for budget-conscious gamers who enjoy casual or semi-competitive gaming. GT Mode is a valuable feature that delivers a noticeable performance boost when needed, though it does increase the phone’s temperature slightly. It won’t match the frame rates or smoothness of premium gaming phones, but it handles most games well and is capable enough for everyday gaming needs.

realme 13+ Review: Camera

The camera setup on the realme 13+ 5G is a bit of a mixed bag. It features a 50MP rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.88 aperture, while the front has a 16MP selfie camera.

The camera app comes packed with various modes, including Street, Night, Portrait, and more, allowing flexibility depending on what you’re aiming to capture. Its AI-driven Beauty Mode is also great. However, it can overdo the enhancements, particularly with heavy face smoothing and lip color that feels a bit exaggerated. For those who prefer more natural selfies, it might be worth turning this feature down or off.

On the plus side, the phone includes an AI Eraser tool in post-processing, which can help remove unwanted objects or photobombers by blending with the background. This feature is not perfect yet, but it’s nice to have in a smartphone.

In short, the realme 13+ 5G’s camera can handle casual shots and everyday photos just fine, but for more detail-oriented photography, it might leave you wanting a bit more.

Sample Photos:

realme 13+ Review: Battery Life

The realme 13+ 5G’s 5,000mAh battery is a dependable performer, easily lasting through a full day of regular use, including gaming, social media scrolling, and video streaming. Of course, with intensive gaming sessions, the battery does drain a bit quicker, but that’s expected for a device in this category.

One standout feature is the 80W Ultra Charge, which is truly handy for those on the go. In our test, we charged the phone from 0% and reached 63% in just 30 minutes. It’s impressive how quickly you can get back to a decent charge level, making it convenient if you need a quick boost before heading out.

realme 13+ Review: Verdict

The realme 13+ delivers solid value for those looking to upgrade without stretching their budget too far. Priced at Php19,999, it sits comfortably in the midrange market, offering decent gaming performance, a vibrant AMOLED display, and the convenience of fast charging. It’s particularly appealing for casual gamers, with GT Mode providing a noticeable boost for games that need extra power.

In short, if you want a capable, affordable gaming phone that can handle daily tasks and casual games with ease, the realme 13+ is worth a look. It’s not the top choice for serious gamers but strikes a great balance for everyday use and light gaming.