There is no doubt that there are still a few of the users who do not care much about 5G in their smartphones. Because of this, we can still see the presence of various 4G devices flooding the market at the moment. At the same time, various alternatives have also been provided for users.
For example, Realme 10 4G and its presence for the Malaysian market will be officially launched on October 13, 2022. But wehave been given early access to see the offerings on the device more closely. Continue reading this first look article to see a little more about it. Furthermore, we will share the comprehensive performance in the next review article.
Specifications
REALME 10 4G
6.4″ AMOLED FHD+ screen (1080 x 2400 pixels), 90Hz
Aspect ratio: 20:9 (~411 ppi density)
Mediatek Helio G99 processor (6nm)
4 x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 chips
6 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55
Mali-G57 MC2 Graphics Chip
RAM 8GB RAM
Internal Storage 128GB UFS2.2
Primary Camera 50MP, f/1.8, (Wide)
2MP, f/2.4, (B&W)
Selfie Camera 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
5000mAh battery
33W fast charging (wired)
SIM/Telephony SIM Nano + SIM Nano + MicroSD
NFC None
Audio Jack Yes
Waterproof None
Scanning System Fingerprint scanner on the side & face
Sale Price Not Announced
Design And Screen
In terms of design, Realme 10 4G does not bring much difference with their previous Realme 10 Pro 5G device. A boxy plastic body and a flat screen are used. While the entire curved side provides comfort when held in the hand. We also have no problem recognizing it because it is very comfortable in the hand or stored in a trouser pocket.
Not too excessive, the minimalist decoration is Realme's choice on the back panel of the device because it can be considered able to meet the latest trends of the young generation. Through it the combination of black, blue and gray tones named as Rush Black gives a relaxed mood to create a difference. It also sparkles in a rather beautiful way. As an option there is also Realme 10 Clash White with a combination of bright colors such as pink, white, purple and more used as the background of the device's back panel.
The screen is 6.4 inches from the AMOLED family with FHD+ resolution (2400 X 1080 pixels). This is the standard size for most Realme devices where it is able to provide an adequate visual experience. With an AMOLED screen, the screen certainly has good color, contrast and viewing angles. However, this is not something new compared to the previous generation Realme 9 4G. The device also has a screen-to-body ratio of 90.8% with three thin bezels and a thick chin.
This thick chin can be considered normal for a mid-range device. The AMOLED screen used also supports a 90Hz (High) refresh rate but no HDR certification is given. There is also a choice of either a 60Hz screen (standard) or auto select (automatic) through settings that help reduce battery consumption on the device. Furthermore, the existence of a small hole can also be seen in the upper left corner with the support of a single selfie camera.
The right side houses the power button which also functions as a fingerprint scanner. Although there is a clear and noticeable difference compared to the previous generation that provided an in-screen fingerprint scanner, the experience of opening the device quickly can still be enjoyed here. Then it is also considered easier to use, but we understand that there are limitations for left-handed users. Audio adjustment buttons with a solid construction and comfortable to press can also be found on the same side.
Next, the SIM card slot is placed on the opposite side. Through it as many as two different SIMs can be fully used without having to share with the microSD card. The speaker is placed at the bottom. Also included is a USB-C connection port and a 3.5mm audio jack that gives users easy access to listen to music.
We have to say, this device doesn't pass any waterproof and dustproof rating, wireless charging or NFC. Similarly, the speaker is only mono but Realme gives other added value through a 3.5mm audio jack that facilitates the use of wireless earphones. It is also interesting because this feature is being actively eliminated by the closest competitors and users are forced to increase the cost to get additional accessories. Another interesting thing that can also be seen is when the charging head is given for free in the purchase box.
Hardware And Software
As the name suggests, the device simply supports 4G networks powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 octa-core processor. The memory is 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage on the unit we received. An adequate combination, but the device also supports the addition of virtual RAM that can reach a maximum of 8GB RAM.
On the received device, the amount of RAM that can be used is up to 16GB if necessary. In addition, microSD support is also provided for users who need larger storage. Here we include the total benchmark test scores for the devices that have been made:
Geekbench 5 – 572/1743
Antutu 3D – 398,203
On the software front, the Android 12-based Realme UI 3.0 interface is used on the device. Most of the built-in features are well optimized, while also allowing the user to set the settings as needed. It also supports Split Screen, Flexible Windows and Smart sidebar capabilities to facilitate multi-tasking.
Other additional features that exist such as Game Toolkit become a settings hub for the game that is being played on this device. One more thing before forgetting, the Realme 10 4G also has a 5,000mAh capacity battery that supports a 33W fast charging system. The device can be recharged wired via the provided USB-C connection port.
Camera Settings
The Realme 10 4G is equipped with two main cameras with a setup of 50MP (main) + 2MP (B&W) which is then followed by a 16MP selfie camera. The device also allows users to record videos up to 1080P/30fps on both cameras, but there is no video stabilization feature provided. The ability to zoom up to 5x optical, further increasing to 10x digital.
There are also several functions built into the camera application such as Night, Street, Video, Photo, Portrait, 50M and More. The camera also supports built-in AI and HDR to allow photos to be taken with good light balance. At the same time, this ability can also be turned off manually through the settings available at the top of the camera application. The picture capture option can be taken at a ratio of 1:1, 4:3, 16:9 and full.
What's in the Box
Here is what was included in the box we received:
1 x Realme 10 4G.
1 x 33W Charger Head.
1 x USB-C to USB-A Cable.
1 x Silicone Frame.
1 x User Manual.
1 x SIM Extractor.
Conclusion
It is still too early to determine the value of the device in this 5G era. What we can conclude so far, the finish on the device is able to create a difference. Furthermore, it is felt that it is okay for the device to be limited to 4G considering that the 5G network in Malaysia is still small. A variety of built-in camera mode options allow users to be creative through it, especially more cinematic video recording through Film Mode.
The included 5,000mAh battery can also be charged with a 33W wired fast charging system. The device will be launched in Malaysia next February 13 and we will also update its selling price for joint sharing. We will also share the full review in the next article, stay tuned.
Pro
Relaxed and comfortable design in the palm of your hand.
AMOLED screen with high refresh rate
The combination of RAM and internal storage is adequate.
5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging.
Cons
No 5G support.
No waterproof rating.