Realme has finally joined the “Ultra” smartphone fray with its new flagship, the Realme P3 Ultra 5G, which went on sale today in India. Having spent some hands-on time with the phone at yesterday’s preview event, I can safely say this phone packs a punch well above its weight class.
The P3 Ultra 5G is Realme’s most ambitious attempt so far to grab the premium mid-range market in India, offering flagship-grade specs at surprisingly affordable prices. But does it live up to its hype? Let’s find out.
A Quick Look at the Specs
Here’s a snapshot of the smartphone’s standout features:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 2,500Hz touch sampling rate |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra |
| RAM & Storage | 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP Sony IMX896 OIS (primary), 8MP ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 16MP |
| Battery | 6,000mAh with 80W AI Bypass Charging |
| Operating System | Realme UI based on Android 13 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth |
Let’s explore what makes this smartphone so special.
Design That Stands Out
The first thing that struck me about the P3 Ultra was its distinctive “Glowing Lunar” design. The Lunar Grey variant I tested has a unique glow-in-the-dark element that’s both practical and conversation-starting. At 7.38mm thick, it’s impressively slim considering all the tech packed inside.
Coming in Neptune Blue, Orion Red, and Lunar Grey options, there is something for anyone. The quality of the build is premium, with a relaxed in-hand feel that defies its price category.
A Screen to Behold
The 6.83-inch micro-curved AMOLED display is just beautiful. Colors spring to life in vivid clarity, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes all from scrolling on social media to menu navigation smooth as butter.
What truly impressed me was the 2,500Hz touch sampling rate—I could feel the difference immediately when gaming, with touch inputs being registered almost instantly. For content consumption and gaming both, this screen is difficult to criticize.
Performance That Impresses
Beneath the surface, Realme has powered the P3 Ultra with MediaTek’s newly minted Dimensity 8350 Ultra chipset. This is indeed the first phone globally to be powered by this processor, and the performance does not disappoint.
In my testing, the phone had well over 1.45 million points on AnTuTu, beating out the competition in this price range. Whether I was juggling a bunch of apps or playing graphically demanding games, the phone didn’t even break a sweat.
The GT Boost functionality is a mobile gaming game-changer—I held a consistent 90fps in PUBG Mobile for more than an hour without seeing any thermal throttling.
Camera Capabilities
The camera system can look modest on paper with only two rear sensors, but Realme has focused on quality, not quantity:
The 50MP Sony IMX896 primary sensor with OIS takes great photos in all lighting situations. I was most impressed with low-light performance, where the sensor found surprising amounts of detail while managing noise nicely.
The 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens offers passable perspective for landscape photography, although there’s some inevitable distortion toward the edges.
For selfies, the 16MP front camera takes natural-looking photos with decent detail, although beauty filters are on by default (mercifully simple to disable).
All-Day Battery and Then Some
The enormous 6,000mAh battery comfortably lasted me a full day of intensive use. When it did need to be charged, the 80W AI Bypass Charging system filled it up in impressively short order—I jumped from 15% to 60% in around 18 minutes.
What’s great about this charging system is its ability to handle heat generated. The phone stayed significantly cooler than other fast-charging phones I’ve reviewed, which should assist with long-term battery longevity.
Working Cooling System
Gaming phones tend to exaggerate when it comes to thermal management, but the P3 Ultra’s 6,050 mm² vapor chamber cooling system really does live up to the hype. Following an hour of gaming, the phone was still easy to hold with only slight warming on the rear panel—considering the processing power available, that’s impressive.
Built to Last
IP69-rated, the P3 Ultra is remarkably dust- and waterproof. You might not want to take it swimming, but splashes, rain, and the odd accidental dunk should be no problem.
You get extensive connectivity options with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth keeping you connected with the latest networks at the fastest speeds.
Price and Availability
Here’s what you’ll have to pay for the various versions:
- 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage: Rs 26,999
- 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage: Rs 27,999
- 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage: Rs 29,999
But with the launch offers (Rs 2,000 bank discount and Rs 1,000 limited period offer), you can acquire the base model starting at just Rs 22,999, which is a grave bargain.
Availability starts next week on March 25th at noon through Realme’s website, Flipkart, and local retail stores countrywide.
Should You Buy Realme p3 Ultra?
Having used the Realme P3 Ultra 5G, I’m surprised at how little has been compromised. It provides flagship-level performance, a unique design, and an all-day battery life at mid-range prices.
For gamers and heavy users in particular, this phone is an incredible value. The combination of the new Dimensity chip, efficient cooling system, and high-refresh display makes for a premium experience that punches well above its price class.
If you’re looking to buy a new phone priced below Rs 30,000, the P3 Ultra 5G has to be on your list. Just don’t wait too long—with these launch deals, I predict the first stock will fly off the shelves fast.
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