The realme Neo7: A Power User's Playground With Compromises You'll Feel
Let me put it this way: If smartphones were cars, the Neo7 would be a lifted truck with a jet engine – wildly capable in specific scenarios, occasionally awkward in daily use, and guaranteed to turn heads at the tech enthusiast cookout. After putting it through its paces, here's what you need to know.
That Screen: A Sunlight Warrior With a Quirk
The 6.78" AMOLED isn't just big – it's aggressively bright. That 6,000-nit peak brightness isn't just a number. During a weekend hike, I could clearly see trail maps in direct Arizona sun while friends squinted at their iPhones. But here's the catch: You'll rarely need this outside of desert expeditions, and the curved edges (while sexy) lead to accidental touches when typing. That 2160Hz PWM dimming? Your eyes will thank you during late-night TikTok binges.
Performance That Bites – With Some Bark
The Dimensity 9300+ chip isn't messing around. Swiping between 12 Chrome tabs while downloading a COD Mobile update felt like using a gaming PC. But here's the engineering truth: That active cooling system isn't just for show. After 30 minutes of Genshin Impact at max settings, the back was warm but never uncomfortable – like holding a fresh latte rather than a burning pan. The plastic body? Actually helps dissipate heat better than glass flagships I've tested.
Camera: Daylight Hero, Nighttime Sidekick
Realme's using Sony's LYT-600 sensor here, and it shows. Daylight shots have crisp details that survive Instagram compression – I captured a hummingbird mid-flight that actually looked like a bird, not a blurry smudge. The 8MP ultrawide? Serviceable for group shots. Low-light performance is where the engineering tradeoffs show: Photos get grainy past sunset, though the OIS helps prevent motion blur. That 16MP selfie cam? Perfectly adequate for Zoom calls, but don't expect influencer-level skin tone rendering.
The Battery That Spoils You
7000mAh isn't a typo. This thing lasts like a Nokia 3310 on steroids. My typical day (2 hours of navigation, constant Slack, evening gaming) left 40% by bedtime. The 80W charging? 0-50% in 18 minutes flat. But there's a catch: That massive battery makes it weigh 213g. After a week, my pinky finger developed a temporary dent from propping it up. You'll feel this in your pocket during jogs.
Real-World Quirks You Should Know
- The Plastic Paradox: Yes, it feels less premium than glass, but survived multiple waist-high drops onto concrete during testing
- Software Jitters: RealmeUI 6.0 has occasional stutters when switching between heavy apps – surprising given the horsepower
- Regional Roulette: No Google Services in some markets means sideloading apps – a dealbreaker for non-techies
- Niche Appeal: IP68/IP69K rating means it can survive being hosed down – perfect for construction workers or clumsy coffee drinkers
Who Should Buy This?
This phone screams "power user on a budget." If you're:
- A delivery driver needing all-day navigation + entertainment
- A mobile gamer who hates carrying power banks
- Someone who breaks phones every 6 months
...it's a steal at €376. But casual users might find it overkill – like buying a semi-truck for grocery runs.
My Personal Take
Would I use this as my daily driver? For travel weeks – absolutely. That battery life is revolutionary. But as a city dweller? The weight and occasional software hiccups would frustrate me long-term. It's like dating an exciting but high-maintenance partner – thrilling in short bursts, exhausting over years.
The real magic here is realme's balancing act. They've created a device that punches above its price class in raw power and endurance, while making calculated cuts (materials, camera polish) that power users can live with. Just don't expect it to be something it's not – this is a workhorse, not a show pony.
