The budget smartphone segment in India has seen massive growth over the years, with brands like Realme leading the charge. Among their offerings, the Realme Narzo series has consistently delivered competitive features at affordable prices. The latest in the lineup, Realme Narzo 70 5G, aims to offer a balanced experience with 5G connectivity, MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, a 120Hz display, and a stylish design — all under ₹15,000. But does it truly deliver in real-world usage? Here's our in-depth, human-written review after extensive testing.
Realme Narzo 70 5G: Quick Specs
- Display: 6.72-inch FHD+ IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh rate
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm)
- RAM & Storage: 6GB RAM + 128GB storage
- Camera: 50MP (Primary) + 2MP (Portrait), 8MP front
- Battery: 5000mAh with 45W fast charging
- Software: Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14
- 5G Support: Yes, Dual SIM 5G
- Price: ₹13,499 (Launch Price in India)
Design and Build Quality
Realme has done a great job in terms of aesthetics. The Narzo 70 5G features a dual-tone glossy back with a matte stripe running down the middle, making it look premium and modern. The rear panel is made of plastic but doesn't feel cheap at all. The phone is fairly slim and weighs just around 190g, making it comfortable for one-handed use.
The flat edges and rounded corners add to the ergonomic design, and the side-mounted fingerprint scanner is fast and accurate. It’s available in two colors — Ice Blue and Forest Green, both offering a clean, trendy vibe.
Display Quality
The 6.72-inch FHD+ IPS LCD panel is one of the highlights of this phone. It comes with a 120Hz refresh rate, making animations, scrolling, and UI transitions smooth. Though it's not AMOLED, the display is bright and vibrant for an LCD panel. Outdoor visibility is decent with peak brightness going up to 680 nits.
Colors are punchy, text appears sharp, and watching content on YouTube or Netflix is enjoyable. Widevine L1 certification ensures HD playback on streaming platforms.
Performance: Dimensity 6100+ at Work
Under the hood, the Realme Narzo 70 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+, a 6nm chipset designed for efficient performance and good thermal control. It is paired with 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, which is expandable via microSD card.
In day-to-day usage, the phone handles basic tasks like calling, browsing, social media, and video playback with ease. Multitasking is smooth, thanks to the 120Hz panel and optimization in Realme UI 5.0. Apps open quickly, and background memory management is decent.
For gamers, the phone can handle BGMI at Medium settings and Call of Duty: Mobile without major frame drops. Casual games like Subway Surfers, Clash Royale, or Candy Crush run effortlessly.
Software Experience
The Realme Narzo 70 5G runs on Realme UI 5.0 based on the latest Android 14, which is a big win at this price point. The UI is fluid and feature-rich, with features like Smart Sidebar, Dual-mode audio, screen recording, and extensive theme customization.
Yes, there is some bloatware like Moj, Josh, and Dailyhunt pre-installed, but they can be uninstalled. Realme has improved its UI over time, and now it feels more refined, offering a clean experience with useful customizations.
Camera Performance
The Narzo 70 5G comes with a 50MP primary sensor accompanied by a 2MP portrait lens. The 50MP sensor captures good details in daylight with decent dynamic range and natural colors. Close-up shots are sharp, and autofocus is fairly quick.
Portrait shots are surprisingly decent, with proper edge detection, though it sometimes struggles with complex backgrounds. In low-light conditions, the camera performs averagely — noise is noticeable, and details are lost unless night mode is turned on.
The 8MP front camera is acceptable for selfies and video calls. It adds a bit of beautification by default, but you can turn it off. Overall, the camera system is quite capable for casual users who mostly shoot in daylight.
Battery Life and Charging
The device houses a 5000mAh battery, which easily lasts more than a day with moderate use. Even with heavy usage involving gaming, streaming, and navigation, it should comfortably give 6-7 hours of screen-on-time.
Another strong point is the 45W SUPERVOOC fast charging. It charges the device from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes and up to 100% in just over an hour. This is excellent at this price range where most phones still offer 18-33W charging.
5G Connectivity and Call Quality
One of the key USPs of this phone is its 5G support. The Realme Narzo 70 5G supports multiple 5G bands in India and offers dual SIM 5G support. We tested it with Jio and Airtel 5G, and the experience was excellent — fast downloads, low ping, and stable connections.
Call quality is clear with good noise cancellation on both ends. The speaker is loud enough for calls and media consumption, although a stereo speaker setup would’ve been better.
Other Features
- Fingerprint Sensor: Fast and reliable side-mounted sensor
- Face Unlock: Works well under good lighting conditions
- 3.5mm Jack: Present — a big win for budget buyers
- IP54 Rating: Splash-resistant design for durability
- Storage Expansion: Dedicated microSD card slot
Realme Narzo 70 5G: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔️ 120Hz large FHD+ display
- ✔️ Solid battery life with fast charging
- ✔️ Good day-to-day and gaming performance
- ✔️ Android 14 out of the box
- ✔️ 5G support with dual SIM
- ✔️ Stylish design and lightweight feel
Cons
- ❌ No ultra-wide or macro camera
- ❌ LCD display instead of AMOLED
- ❌ Some pre-installed bloatware
- ❌ No stereo speakers
Should You Buy the Realme Narzo 70 5G?
If you are looking for a reliable smartphone under ₹15,000 with strong performance, a high-refresh-rate display, and 5G connectivity, the Realme Narzo 70 5G is definitely a solid contender. While it skips on AMOLED and a secondary camera that adds real value, the core experience is polished and practical.
Realme has managed to strike a great balance between features and price here. It’s a particularly good option for students, casual gamers, and content consumers looking for a budget 5G phone that doesn't feel like a compromise.
Final Verdict
The Realme Narzo 70 5G punches above its weight class in many ways. With a smooth display, decent performance, clean UI, and fast charging, it offers great value for money. Yes, it has a few shortcomings, but considering the price, it's hard to complain. If you're planning to buy a budget 5G phone in 2024, this one should be on your shortlist.
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