7 Pros and Cons of the Realme Note 50 (2024)

In January 2024, Realme surprised everyone by launching the first product in its latest series, the Realme Note 50. Although it jumps right to number 50, this device is actually the inaugural model in the Realme Note Series.

If you look closely, the Realme Note 50's body is identical to the Realme C51, which was released in August 2023. Not only the appearance but also the specifications and features are quite similar. It's said that the Realme Note 50 might just be a simplified version of the Realme C51.

Without further ado, please refer to the discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the Realme Note 50 below.

Pros of the Realme Note 50

Despite being an entry-level model, the Realme Note 50 boasts several impressive features. This is likely why it is eagerly anticipated in the Indonesian market. Here are some of the key benefits of the Realme Note 50:

1. Large and Bright IPS LCD Screen

One notable advantage of the Realme Note 50 is its bright display. The screen measures 6.74 inches and uses a 20:9 ratio. Interestingly, the bezels are slim, except for the bottom chin. Additionally, it still features a waterdrop notch and offers a screen-to-body ratio of 90.3 percent.

Not only is the display large, but it is also ideal for multimedia activities or other forms of entertainment, thanks to its HD+ resolution and a pixel density of 261 ppi. The clarity is quite impressive for its price range. It boasts a color gamut of 83 percent and can produce approximately 16.7 billion colors.

Moreover, the Realme Note 50 features an ultra-smooth 90 Hz refresh rate, which makes every movement it displays feel fluid. This enhancement is noticeable during activities like scrolling, browsing, and even gaming.

Another appealing aspect of the Realme Note 50 is its suitability for outdoor use. The phone's screen can reach a brightness of up to 560 nits, ensuring the display remains clear and easy to view, even in bright conditions.

2. Mini Capsule Feature

The Realme Note 50 is equipped with a unique feature called Mini Capsule, which was first introduced with the Realme C55 NFC priced at $205.00. Several other Realme phones in similar price ranges, like the Realme C53 NFC at $169.99 and the Realme C51 at $149, also include this feature.

Now, the Realme Note 50 joins the lineup with the Mini Capsule. This feature is not new to mobile phones and is similar to the iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island. It works by combining dynamic notifications with the front camera.

Other Android phones have also adopted this feature under different names. For instance, Itel calls it Dynamic Bar, and Infinix refers to it as Magic Ring.

The Realme Note 50 has a waterdrop-shaped notch for the front camera, making the Mini Capsule appear at the top edge of the screen. This is similar to the itel A70, which also uses a waterdrop notch. In contrast, the iPhone 14 Pro and Infinix Smart 8 use punch-hole designs, giving a more floating look.

Regardless of the design, the function remains the same. The Realme Note 50's Mini Capsule activates according to the activity, such as message notifications, battery information during charging, and other daily uses.

3. Stylish Thin Design

The Realme Note 50 has a design similar to the Realme C51. Both feature two finishes on the back: glossy and matte. The glossy part is at the top, near the camera module, while the matte part is at the bottom with a distinctive texture.

This texture not only feels comfortable but also resists fingerprint smudges. The camera array is arranged in a zigzag pattern without any modules.

Besides its stylish design, the Realme Note 50 is also thin. Realme describes it as ultra-thin at 7.99 mm and weighing 186 grams. The edges are slightly curved, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods.

One thing that sets the Realme Note 50 apart from the Realme C51 is its build quality. Despite its low price, the Realme Note 50 comes with IP54 certification, making it resistant to dust and water splashes.

The build quality of the Realme Note 50 is proven through various tests. It can withstand pressing the power button up to 500,000 times, USB plug-ins up to 20,000 times, pressure up to 25 kg for a thousand times, and light falls up to 14,000 times.

4. 5000 mAh Battery that Lasts All Day

The Realme Note 50 has a large 5000 mAh battery that provides good power endurance, especially for entry-level phones typically used for daily activities rather than continuous gaming.

According to HazelPhone, the Realme Note 50 is an excellent choice for everyday tasks, ensuring the battery won't die in the middle of your day.

Realme claims the Realme Note 50 can last up to 106 hours of music playback and more than 10 hours of video recording. Additionally, it can last up to 13 hours of YouTube watching, 24 hours of social media, 32 hours of phone calls, and 607 days in standby mode.

5. Reliable UNISOC T612

Another notable advantage is the performance of the Realme Note 50 due to its UNISOC Tiger T612 chipset. While not the best in its class, this chipset is well-suited for everyday tasks. Its 12 nm fabrication process ensures good power efficiency.

The chipset features eight CPU cores: two Cortex A75 cores (1.8 GHz) for performance and six Cortex A55 cores (1.8 GHz) for efficiency. It is also supported by a Mali G57 MP1 GPU with a frequency of 614 MHz.

Realme claims that the UNISOC T612 in the Realme Note 50 scores 245,343 points on AnTuTu v10. This performance reduces app opening times by up to 5% and power-on time by up to 15%.

According to Nanoreview, this chipset scores 243,610 points on AnTuTu v10 and 421 (single-core) and 1,503 (multi-core) on GeekBench 6. JM Chavaria from YugaTech reports a higher AnTuTu v10 score of 247,239 points and GeekBench 6 scores of 422 (single-core) and 1,466 (multi-core).

Based on its architecture and test results, this chipset prioritizes efficiency over performance. It is optimal for light activities like watching movies, chatting, or social media.

While it can handle gaming, it is best suited for light games like Free Fire or Mobile Legends, with adjusted graphics settings.

6. Triple Slot: Two SIMs and MicroSD

The Realme Note 50 is not primarily designed for gaming, partly due to its memory capacity. It comes with 4 GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and the Dynamic RAM Expansion feature allows for an additional 4 GB.

There are two internal memory variants: 64 GB and 128 GB. However, it uses eMMC 5.1, not UFS, resulting in slower read and write speeds.

To compensate, the Realme Note 50 has a triple slot, allowing for a dedicated microSD slot. You can expand the capacity up to 1 TB, providing ample space for daily activities.

7. Impressive Camera Capabilities

Despite its around $95 price tag, the Realme Note 50 has impressive camera capabilities. The rear features two cameras: a 13 MP main camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a 0.08 MP depth camera.

The main camera handles most tasks and is supported by a 25mm focal length with PDAF for focus. The depth camera manages background clarity or blur. The front camera is 5 MP with an f/2.2 aperture and a 27mm focal length.

The Realme Note 50 offers a Night Mode for low-light photography, capturing more light while maintaining detail and sharpness.

JM Chavaria from YugaTech notes that the camera produces decent colors in good lighting. In low light, clarity is reduced despite the Night Mode. The front camera performs well despite its small resolution.

Below are some photos taken with the Realme Note 50, as referenced by JM Chavaria from YugaTech.

Source: YugaTech

Source: YugaTech

Source: YugaTech

Source: YugaTech

Cons of Realme Note 50

The Realme Note 50 is one of Realme's affordable phones, but it has some flaws to consider. Here are a few of the shortcomings of the Realme Note 50.

1. RAM Capacity of Only 4 GB

One drawback of the Realme Note 50 is its limited memory capacity. It comes with only one variant of LPDDR4x RAM, which is 4 GB. The Dynamic RAM Expansion feature can add another 4 GB, but this still feels insufficient for optimal performance.

The internal memory capacity has two variants: 64 GB and 128 GB. Unfortunately, the internal memory uses eMMC, which is slower than UFS. However, you can expand the storage with a microSD slot.

In comparison, other phones in the same price range offer more memory. For example, the itel S23 at $89 price range offers 8 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of internal storage. The Infinix Hot 40i, priced at $159, also offers 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory.

If you have a higher budget, the Redmi 12 costs $132 and comes with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory. Realme needs to consider offering better RAM and newer types of internal memory in its future models.

2. Missing NFC and Gyro Features

Another disadvantage of the Realme Note 50 is the lack of certain features. It does not have NFC (Near Field Communication), which is increasingly useful for daily tasks like digital transactions and checking or topping up e-money balances.

Many phones in this price range already have NFC, such as the Tecno Spark 10C NFC at $139. Other models like the POCO M5, Infinix Hot 30, and Realme C51 also include NFC and are sold at generally affordable price.

Additionally, the Realme Note 50 lacks a gyroscope sensor, which is also missing in the Realme C51. The available sensors are a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity, and light sensors.

3. No Stereo Speaker

The Realme Note 50 is suitable for everyday use, like watching videos or browsing social media. The large screen and its features are appealing for its price class.

However, for watching videos, I recommend using earphones, whether wired or wireless. The phone only has one speaker located at the bottom, next to the USB Type-C port and 3.5 mm audio jack.

While the sound is loud and can be increased to 150 percent, it still feels lacking compared to stereo sound. Using earphones provides a better audio experience when watching your favorite films.

Conclusion

As the first model in the Realme Note Series, the Realme Note 50 has made a good start. It has unique capabilities in some areas. For example, it features a Mini Capsule, similar to the iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island, despite still using a waterdrop notch.

The screen size is large at 6.74 inches, making it comfortable for multimedia activities. However, the single speaker can feel underwhelming. Fortunately, the 5000 mAh battery provides long-lasting usage throughout the day.

In terms of performance, the Realme Note 50 is decent for its class. Although the RAM capacity is limited, it can still handle some light games with adjusted graphics settings.

Other aspects are also good (given its price), such as the camera, dedicated microSD slot, and IP54 certification. Are you interested in the Realme Note 50? Share your thoughts and reasons in the comments.