Realme 6 Pro hands-on review

Software

We have Realme's brand new UI running the show out of the box. The new UI is based on Android 10, and it looks a lot more stock-ish than before. That's fairly good news for vanilla Android fans. The drop-down menu, the recent apps menu, and the app drawer look a lot like something you'd see on a Motorola, OnePlus, or Pixel smartphone. Gone is the heavy UI customization. That doesn't mean it lacks the essential features that ColorOS has.

Screenshots from the new Realme UI

In fact, Realme is pushing a particularly useful feature called DocVault. Well, at least in India, that is. DocVault lets you store and manage sensitive personal and government documents such as PAN Card, driving license, Aadhar card, vehicle registration documents, etc.

Early verdict

While the Realme 6 Pro looks like a great value smartphone, it doesn't go uncontested. We are yet to see the Redmi Note 9 Pro, and it could also lose some potential buyers to the Realme X2, which offers an OLED panel, slightly more powerful chipset, under-display fingerprint reader at the same price of INR 16,999. Then again, the Realme 6 Pro offers an actual telephoto camera, slightly bigger battery with the same charging tech, and although IPS, the panel runs at 90Hz. Also, its selfie game is more versatile.

Despite our wavering, it's hard not to remark the excellent value this phone provides. For less than INR 20,000, you are getting more than adequate chipset, a big screen with 90Hz refresh rate, flagship-grade fast charging, semi-premium build, big battery, and a camera setup that covers all focal lengths. Stay tuned for our full review.