Realme X2 Pro review

Real-ly impressive.

(Image: © Future)

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Performance

Realme X2 Pro is powered by top-of-the-line Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus chipset which has been used on nearly all flagship phones released this year. The Snapdragon 855 Plus is a slightly overclocked version of the 855 chipset, with a tweaked GPU for a 15% better performance over the original.

(Image credit: Future)

Running the Geekbench 4 test, it achieved a single-core score of 3,615 and a multi-core score of 10,776. These are pretty good numbers as far as Geekbench scores are considered.

What this means is that taxing games such as PUBG Mobile will be able to run at maximum settings without any issues.

(Image credit: Future)

Realme X2 Pro runs on ColorOS 6.1 which is based on Android 9.0 Pie and is set to receive an upgrade to Android 10 soon. While setting up, users have the option to switch to the Drawer mode to enable app drawer, and to choose between navigation by gestures or by buttons. Going to the left from the home screen, we have a shelf-like area, in which various semi-useful widgets are stored.

Swiping through the interface was smooth as ever thanks to the high refresh rate screen and the super-powerful chipset under the hood. We didn't find any bugs or crashes either with a very stable and generally enjoyable experience.

With a large battery, surround sound speakers, a luxurious screen and a headphone jack, the Realme X2 Pro is a champ when it comes to content consumption.

The powerful Snapdragon 855 Plus chipset means that there isn't a game on the market it can't play at the highest settings, while the high refresh rate of the screen means that supported titles will be a little smoother to play.

With HDR support and high maximum brightness, watching movies on public transport is a great experience, and the large battery means it will likely survive a long haul flight.

Lastly, the stereo speakers pump out rich balanced audio with a decent volume, while the headphone jack means an end to annoying Bluetooth connectivity issues with wireless earphones. It's rare to see phones these days with a headphone jack, so this is certainly a welcome move.

Battery life

The Realme X2 Pro has a decent 4,000mAh battery that ensures more than a day’s worth of battery life. It supports 50W SuperVOOC fast charging standard which can charge the phone from 0% to 100% in 35 minutes flat. The SuperVOOC charging adapter and cable is bundled in the box.

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Running the TechRadar battery test (a full-resolution video, played over Wi-Fi for 90 minutes), the battery dropped to 87% from 100%, which is a strong showing, if not the best we’ve seen.

However, the fast charging technology is certainly impressive as we almost always noted that it took around 32-33 minutes for the X2 Pro to fully charge, which is better than the claimed numbers. This is a real game-changer and we hope that more manufacturers adopt super-fast charging solutions.

Verdict

(Image credit: Future)

As we’ve previously stated, a phone is more than a mere list of specifications, as multiple different factors build the overall experience of using the phone. The Realme X2 Pro is a decent smartphone for its price tag and is a compelling offering by the brand that’s a blend of performance and price.

It’s got a large, bright, vibrant and high refresh rate display which makes it snappy to use. However, the lack of a microSD card slot could be an issue for people who want even more storage on their phones.

The battery is enough to last through a heavy day of usage, and the unparalleled fast charging solution means that even if you run out of juice, only a quick top-up is needed to get back into the groove.

It isn’t all roses however, as there are a few compromises one should keep in mind. While the camera system is very versatile, image quality in many situations isn’t exactly inspiring, with the lack of OIS meaning that low light performance is hampered significantly compared to some rivals.

The default colors of the screen are also too saturated for certain situations, and the software can feel quite cartoonish and a little unfinished.

Taken as a whole, however, and for the price, the Realme X2 Pro is an excellent offering from the fledgling brand, and is certainly something we'll be keeping an eye on.

Nick Rego

A former IT & Marketing Manager turned full time Editor, Nick enjoys reviewing PC components, 3D Printers, projectors, and anything shiny and expensive. He can also be found baking up a storm in the kitchen, which we are more than happy to encourage.