Realme P3 5G : In the fiercely competitive mid-range smartphone landscape, Realme has consistently pushed the envelope with devices that bring premium features to more accessible price points.
The newly launched Realme P3 5G continues this tradition, positioning itself as a gaming-focused powerhouse that doesn’t skimp on other essential features.
As the first device in India to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset, the P3 5G marks a significant milestone in Realme’s product strategy – but does it live up to the hype in everyday use? Let’s dive deeper.
Design: Cosmic Inspiration with Practical Durability
The Realme P3 5G strikes an impressive balance between eye-catching aesthetics and practical durability. Drawing inspiration from what Realme calls “boundless cosmos,” the device features a modern design language with a rectangular camera island housing circular lens cutouts.
The Space Silver variant I’ve been using reflects light beautifully while admirably resisting fingerprints and smudges – a welcome relief for those tired of constantly wiping down their devices.
While the frame is constructed from plastic rather than metal, the device doesn’t feel cheap. What truly sets the P3 5G apart from competitors is its exceptional durability credentials.
Boasting triple IP ratings – IP66, IP68, and the rare IP69 – this phone offers protection against dust, water immersion up to 2.5 meters for 30 minutes, and even high-pressure water jets.
This level of water and dust resistance is virtually unheard of at this price point and adds tremendous value for users concerned about accidental damage.
Measuring 163.15 × 75.65 × 7.97mm and weighing approximately 194g, the P3 5G sits in the Goldilocks zone of modern smartphones – substantial enough to feel premium but not unwieldy during extended use.
The button placement is intuitive, with a responsive in-display fingerprint sensor complementing the face unlock option for biometric security.
Display: Gaming-Centric Excellence
The front of the device is dominated by a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate that delivers smooth scrolling and fluid animations.
With a peak brightness of 2000 nits, the screen remains legible even under direct sunlight – a common pain point for mid-range devices.
What makes this display particularly noteworthy is its gaming-centric optimization. The 120Hz refresh rate works in concert with a high touch sampling rate to ensure responsive gaming controls, while the panel’s color accuracy and contrast ratio create an immersive visual experience for both gaming and media consumption.
The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass (though Realme doesn’t specify which generation), adding an extra layer of durability to complement the phone’s impressive IP ratings.
While not quite matching the quad-curved displays found in the pricier P3 Ultra or P3 Pro models, the flat panel on the P3 5G is arguably more practical for gaming, where accidental touch rejection can be crucial.
Performance: Mid-Range Price, Flagship-Adjacent Gaming
The headline feature of the Realme P3 5G is undoubtedly its Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor – the first implementation of this chipset in the Indian market.
Built on an advanced 4nm process, the chipset delivers exceptional efficiency alongside raw power that punches above its weight class.
In benchmark tests, the P3 5G reportedly scores around 750,000 points on AnTuTu, with Geekbench multi-core scores hovering around 3097.
These numbers translate to smooth real-world performance across everyday tasks, but the phone truly shines when gaming.
Realme has equipped the P3 5G with their GT Boost technology, which leverages AI enhancements like AI Motion Control and AI Ultra Touch Control to optimize gaming performance.
The 90fps support for Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) at lower graphics settings delivers a competitive edge in fast-paced gaming scenarios, maintaining frame rates above 65fps in most situations.
Memory configurations include 6GB or 8GB of RAM paired with 128GB or 256GB of storage.
The virtual RAM expansion feature allows users to allocate up to 10GB of additional RAM from storage, bringing the total to 18GB for improved multitasking performance.
The thermal management system deserves special mention – a 6050mm² vapor chamber cooling solution efficiently dissipates heat during extended gaming sessions, preventing the performance throttling that plagues many mid-range gaming phones.
This aerospace-grade cooling system ensures sustained peak performance, even during marathon gaming sessions.
Camera System: Capable but Not Revolutionary
While the P3 5G’s primary focus is clearly gaming performance, its camera system holds its own against similarly priced competitors.
The rear setup consists of a 50MP primary sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor, while a 16MP front-facing camera handles selfies and video calls.
In well-lit conditions, the main camera captures detailed photos with pleasing, if slightly enhanced, colors and contrast. The camera software includes several useful features, including an AI Shutter technology that can push shutter speeds to an impressive 1/10000s to freeze motion effectively.
The lack of an ultrawide lens is disappointing, as the depth sensor adds minimal practical value compared to the versatility an ultrawide would provide.
This omission is one of the few areas where competitors like the Redmi Note 14 might edge ahead for photography enthusiasts.
Low-light performance is adequate but not exceptional, even with Night Mode enabled. Video capabilities are similarly middle-of-the-road, with recording capped at 1080p/30fps – perfectly serviceable for casual use but not for serious content creation.
The selfie camera performs admirably in good lighting, capturing natural skin tones and decent facial details.
The portrait mode delivers pleasing background blur with generally accurate edge detection, making for share-worthy social media shots.
Battery Life and Charging: Endurance Champion
Battery life is a critical consideration for gaming phones, and the Realme P3 5G excels in this department with its massive 6000mAh “Titan Battery.”
The cell’s 782Wh/L energy density allows for this capacity without excessive bulk – a testament to Realme’s engineering prowess.
In practical terms, this translates to up to 8.5 hours of continuous BGMI gameplay on a single charge, or approximately two days of moderate mixed usage.
The phone performed exceptionally well in battery tests, outlasting many competitors in its price bracket.
When it’s time to recharge, the included 45W fast charger brings the battery from empty to full in approximately one hour – not the fastest in this segment but certainly respectable.
The phone also features bypass charging technology, which can power the system directly when connected to a charger, reducing heat generation and battery wear during extended gaming sessions.
Software Experience: Feature-Rich but Cluttered
The Realme P3 5G runs Realme UI 6.0 based on Android 15, offering a feature-rich experience with extensive customization options.
The gaming-focused optimizations are evident throughout the interface, with the dedicated Game Space mode providing performance enhancements and distraction-free gaming.
Unfortunately, the software experience is somewhat marred by the presence of numerous pre-installed applications, including games and duplicate social media apps.
These can trigger unwanted notifications and detract from the otherwise clean user experience. Competitors like the CMF Phone 1 offer a significantly cleaner software experience in this regard.
On the positive side, the system animations are smooth and responsive, and features like Smart Connect enhance productivity by enabling seamless connectivity with larger screens for file transfers and content sharing.
Price and Positioning: Competitive Value Proposition
The Realme P3 5G is positioned as a gaming-focused mid-ranger with an attractive price point. The base 6GB/128GB variant is priced at ₹16,999, while the 8GB/256GB model comes in at ₹18,999.
Current street prices can be even lower, with some retailers offering the device for around ₹15,989.
This pricing puts the P3 5G in direct competition with devices like the Redmi Note 14, Poco X7, Motorola Moto G85, and Samsung Galaxy M35.
Against these rivals, the P3 5G distinguishes itself with superior gaming performance, exceptional battery life, and class-leading IP ratings for durability.
While some competitors offer advantages in specific areas – the Redmi Note 14 boasts faster charging, the Poco X7 has a brighter display, and the Moto G85 provides a cleaner software experience – the P3 5G delivers a more balanced overall package for gaming enthusiasts.
Verdict: A Compelling Gaming-First Mid-Ranger
The Realme P3 5G successfully carves out a niche as a gaming-focused device that doesn’t compromise significantly in other areas.
Its standout features – the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset, excellent thermal management, massive battery, and exceptional durability – create a compelling value proposition for users prioritizing gaming performance and reliability in the sub-₹20,000 segment.
Is it perfect? Certainly not. The camera system could benefit from an ultrawide lens, the software experience needs decluttering, and faster charging would be welcome.
However, these shortcomings are outweighed by the phone’s strengths for its target audience.
For mobile gamers seeking competitive-grade performance without breaking the bank, the Realme P3 5G represents one of the most balanced options currently available in the Indian market.
It delivers on its core promise of exceptional gaming capabilities while providing enough all-around competence to serve as a reliable daily driver.
In a segment filled with compromises, the P3 5G manages to keep the most important promises intact, making it a worthy contender for your next smartphone purchase.