Realme 15 Pro Review: Best Phone Under 35K?

The Realme 15 Pro has been launched with a lot of hype. With a sleek design and big promises, it’s marketed as an “all-rounder” phone for 2025.  But here’s the million-rupee question: is it really an all-rounder, or is it just another phone that looks good on paper but cuts corners where it hurts?

I’ve reviewed real user comments, reviews, and my own testing experience to provide an honest breakdown. Let’s get started.

Design & Build – Premium, But Déjà Vu

At first glance, the Realme 15 Pro 5G looks like a very polished and expensive device. It has slim bezels, curved edges, and a glossy black color.

But let’s be honest: if you’ve seen the last few Realme phones, you’ve basically seen this one too.

• No headphone jack (RIP wired earphones).
  
• No SD card slot (say hello to cloud storage).
  
• Mostly plastic, built with a sprinkle of metal.
  

This isn’t a bad-looking phone; in fact, it’s quite stylish. But it doesn’t scream “pro” the way it should.

Display – Gorgeous, With a Side of Gimmick

Its 6.7-inch AMOLED display is one of the best things about this phone. It has vibrant colours, deep blacks, and a buttery smooth 144Hz refresh rate. Sounds like a dream, right?

Well… almost.

That 144Hz is more of a “flex” feature than a game-changer. Sure, scrolling feels smoother, but in real-world use, it doesn’t make a massive difference. Netflix, YouTube, and gaming look great, though, so casual users will be more than happy.

But, if you’re expecting it to be leagues ahead of previous models, lower your expectations, buddy.

Performance – Fast, But Not Flawless

Under the hood, the Realme 15 Pro 5G runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7-series chip. It’s fast enough for daily use, multitasking, and even moderate gaming. Apps open quickly, switching between tasks feels smooth, and there’s no annoying lag.

But when it comes to heavy gaming, some users noticed performance throttling. During long PUBG or Genshin sessions, frame rates dip, and it’s clear the phone prefers “stability” over “raw, continuous power.”

So, if you’re a casual gamer, it’s fine. Hardcore gamer? You might want something beefier.

Cameras – The Real Controversy

This is where Realme really divided its fans. On paper, the triple-camera setup looks exciting, especially with the 50MP ultrawide upgrade. Let’s break it down:

• Main Camera: Bright, sharp, solid dynamic range.
  
• Ultrawide (50MP): Finally, Realme listened. This is actually a win.
  
• Zoom/Telephoto: Oh wait… It’s missing. Ouch.
  

Yep, no telephoto lens here. And that’s where a lot of users felt cheated. Digital zoom works, but push it too far, and your photos start looking like Minecraft screenshots.

The front camera is… fine. Good enough for selfies and video calls, but not a huge leap over older models.

Real users summed it up best: “I can forgive the gimmicky 144Hz, but no telephoto? That’s a dealbreaker.”

Battery & Charging – Fast Charger, Average Tank

On paper, the battery is big. In reality, battery life is average at best. You’ll get a full day of moderate use, but if you’re into gaming, binge-watching, or heavy camera use, prepare to reach for the charger sooner than you’d like.

Talking about charging – this is where Realme shines. The super-fast charging is insane. In just 20–30 minutes, you’re back at 80–100%. So even though the battery isn’t a beast, at least you don’t have to sit around waiting.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review: Is It Worth ₹1.75 Lakh?

Software & UI – Smooth, But Still Annoying

The Realme UI is clean, customizable, and mostly smooth. You get plenty of features, and the experience is fluid.

But… long-term users flagged the infamous storage bug. The “Other” storage category keeps eating up space over time, and unless Realme fixes it, you’ll end up resetting your phone every year or so. Annoying? Very.

Also missing: bootloader unlock, FM radio, and custom ROM support. Not a dealbreaker for average folks, but power users aren’t happy.

Price – The Real Sticking Point

Now let’s talk money. The Realme 15 Pro isn’t dirt cheap. At its price point, people expected a more complete package. And when phones like the GT series or older Pro+ models are available around the same range, the 15 Pro starts to feel less special.

Many users outright said: “Nothing special. No telephoto, no SD card, average battery. Just buy something else.”

That stings.

Real User Opinions

To make this review less of “just my opinion,” here’s what actual users said:

• “Battery life is meh. Expected better.”
  
• “144Hz looks cool, but honestly, it’s a gimmick.”
  
• “Removing telephoto was a downgrade. Why gatekeep this as a flagship feature?”
  
• “No SD card, no headphone jack? Come on, Realme.”
  
• “Finally a 50MP ultrawide 😁 … but no telephoto 😭.”
  
• “Global launch, but nothing feels global-worthy.”
  

So yeah, it’s not just me nitpicking, the fanbase itself is split.

Pros and Cons

Pros ✅

• Premium design with a sleek AMOLED display
  
• Smooth performance for everyday use
  
• The 50MP ultrawide upgrade is actually impressive
  
• Super-fast charging saves the day
  
• Supports the latest 5G bands
  

Cons ❌

• No telephoto lens (the biggest complaint)
  
• Battery life is underwhelming
  
• Long-term software storage issue
  
• No headphone jack or SD card slot
  
• The front camera isn’t much of an upgrade

Also Read- Google Pixel 10: 7 Real User Opinions, Features & Specs

Verdict – All-Rounder or Overrated?

So, where does the Realme 15 Pro stand? Honestly, somewhere in the middle.

If you’re looking for a stylish phone with a gorgeous display, smooth day-to-day performance, and ridiculously fast charging, this phone delivers. For the average user, it checks most boxes.

But… if you are a detail-obsessed user who cares about battery endurance, telephoto shots, or long-term stability, then you will find yourself disappointed

In short:

• All-rounder for casual users.
  
• Overrated for power users and camera nerds.
  

It’s safe to say that the Realme 15 Pro 5G is not a disaster, but it’s also not the “Pro revolution” that Realme wanted us to believe.

💡 My verdict: it’s like that friend who’s fun at parties but terrible at keeping secrets. You’ll enjoy the good parts, but the flaws will stick out if you’re picky.

FAQs – Quick Answers

Khushbu sedai

Tech blogger and founder of GoGadgetGuide. I review gadgets and share honest opinions.