Realme 7 Smartphone Review - China phone with great performance for the money
Comparison devices
Bewertung | Rating Version | Datum | Modell | Gewicht | Laufwerk | Groesse | Aufloesung | Preis ab |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
79.7 % v7 (old) | v7 (old) | 11 / 2020 | Realme 7 Helio G95, Mali-G76 MP4 | 196.5 g | 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | 6.50" | 2400x1080 | |
77.9 % v7 (old) | v7 (old) | 10 / 2020 | Motorola Moto G9 Play SD 662, Adreno 610 | 200 g | 64 GB eMMC Flash | 6.50" | 1600x720 | |
79.7 % v7 (old) | v7 (old) | 09 / 2020 | Samsung Galaxy M21 Exynos 9611, Mali-G72 MP3 | 188 g | 64 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | 6.40" | 2340x1080 | |
79.9 % v7 (old) | v7 (old) | 09 / 2020 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Helio G85, Mali-G52 MP2 | 199 g | 64 GB eMMC Flash | 6.53" | 2340x1080 | |
80.7 % v7 (old) | v7 (old) | 06 / 2020 | Realme 6 Helio G90T, Mali-G76 MP4 | 191 g | 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | 6.50" | 2400x1080 |
Case, equipment and operation - Plenty of memory on request
Starting from 179 euro one gets the realme 7 already, then 4 GB RAM and 64 GB mass storage are built in. With 6 GB RAM you get this variant for 199 Euro and finally there is a configuration with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB mass storage, which we also have in our test lab and for which you have to pay 249 Euro. The prices are all significantly lower than the realme 6
The memory configuration is very appealing for this price range and the case also makes a good impression for around 200 Euros: Although the back side is made of plastic, the manufacturer has made an effort to make the optional blue or white case look chic. Under the matt finish, for example, light reflections can be seen which are refracted differently on the left and right of the camera module. The stability of the chassis is not outstanding, but OK for the price range.
WiFi 5, on the other hand, comes with all the comparable devices, the realme 7 shows itself to be on class level in terms of speed. Our test with the reference router Netgear Nighthawk AX12 reveals this. Besides two SIM slots, there is also a separate slot for a microSD card. NFC is also on board so that mobile payment services can be used.
The touch screen is easy to operate and is sensitive over its entire surface. The fingerprint sensor is integrated in the standby button on the right. It is easy to touch and works quickly and reliably.
Networking | |
iperf3 transmit AX12 | |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 | |
Realme 7 | |
Realme 6 | |
Samsung Galaxy M21 | |
Motorola Moto G9 Play | |
iperf3 receive AX12 | |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 | |
Samsung Galaxy M21 | |
Realme 6 | |
Realme 7 | |
Motorola Moto G9 Play |
Cameras - Cheap realme with four cameras
The realme 7 has four camera lenses on the back, the main camera has a maximum resolution of 48 megapixels. By default, four pixels are combined for higher light output, resulting in images with 12 megapixels. This means that the resolution is lower than with the predecessor, but that doesn't necessarily mean poorer image quality in everyday use.
In fact, pictures look a bit blurred in detail, similar to the real 7 Pro, but the image dynamics and color rendering are quite acceptable for the price range. Even in low light and high contrasts, the smartphone camera cuts a decent figure. In the lab, the smartphone shows a quite sharp image under good lighting, even if there are problems with text in front of a colored background.
Of the three other lenses on the back, only two can be used for taking pictures: These are a wide-angle lens that has some catching up to do in terms of sharpness and allows pixel patterns to appear on surfaces, and a macro lens that can only be used in a special mode for extreme close-ups.
You can only switch between wide-angle and main lens directly, there is no hybrid zoom. The front camera has a resolution of 16 megapixels and makes good selfies.
The main camera records videos at a maximum of 4K and 30 fps. The image quality is good, changes in exposure are no problem and the autofocus works relatively solid
Image Comparison
Choose a scene and navigate within the first image. One click changes the position on touchscreens. One click on the zoomed-in image opens the original in a new window. The first image shows the scaled photograph of the test device.
Hauptobjektiv BlumeHauptobjektiv UmgebungHauptobjektiv Low LightUltraweitwinkel

Display - 90 Hz for 200 Euro
A somewhat strange decision is repeated with the realme 7 series: While the Pro model is equipped with an AMOLED screen with only 60 Hz, the cheaper realme 7 gets an IPS screen with 90 Hz refresh rate. The smoother scrolling and the perceived faster operation give the realme 7 a special feature that is not found on comparable devices.
With extended FullHD resolution the screen is otherwise on class level and offers decent brightness. The contrast value is slowed down by the only mediocre black level, so that the display looks a bit bland.
Colors and grayscales are displayed fairly accurately, but for the professional evaluation of printing colors, the accuracy is not sufficient.
The IPS display has the advantage that it shows no PWM flickering, even at the lowest brightness.
|
Brightness Distribution: 90 %
Center on Battery: 525 cd/m²
Contrast: 955:1 (Black: 0.55 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 4.4 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.89
ΔE Greyscale 4.3 | 0.5-98 Ø5.1
99.3% sRGB (Calman 2D)
Gamma: 2.3
Realme 7 IPS, 2400x1080, 6.5" | Motorola Moto G9 Play IPS, 1600x720, 6.5" | Samsung Galaxy M21 Super AMOLED, 2340x1080, 6.4" | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 IPS LCD, 2340x1080, 6.5" | Realme 6 IPS, 2400x1080, 6.5" | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Response Times | -63% | 65% | -22% | 11% | |
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 38 ? | 52 ? -37% | 10 ? 74% | 38.8 ? -2% | 35.6 ? 6% |
Response Time Black / White * | 18 ? | 34 ? -89% | 8 ? 56% | 25.6 ? -42% | 15.2 ? 16% |
PWM Frequency | 215.5 | ||||
Screen | -2% | 31% | 63% | -4% | |
Brightness middle | 525 | 450 -14% | 617 18% | 553 5% | 456 -13% |
Brightness | 512 | 428 -16% | 614 20% | 527 3% | 427 -17% |
Brightness Distribution | 90 | 88 -2% | 95 6% | 89 -1% | 88 -2% |
Black Level * | 0.55 | 0.23 58% | 0.12 78% | 0.46 16% | |
Contrast | 955 | 1957 105% | 4608 383% | 991 4% | |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 4.4 | 5.49 -25% | 2.11 52% | 3.8 14% | 4.4 -0% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 6.75 | 10.19 -51% | 3.41 49% | 8.7 -29% | 7.7 -14% |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 4.3 | 7.5 -74% | 2.6 40% | 2.2 49% | 4.4 -2% |
Gamma | 2.3 96% | 2.495 88% | 2.073 106% | 2.3 96% | 2.22 99% |
CCT | 7472 87% | 8711 75% | 6921 94% | 6727 97% | 7154 91% |
Total Average (Program / Settings) | -33% /
-15% | 48% /
39% | 21% /
46% | 4% /
-1% |
* ... smaller is better
Display Response Times
↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
---|---|---|
18 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 7 ms rise | |
↘ 11 ms fall | ||
The screen shows good response rates in our tests, but may be too slow for competitive gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 37 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (20.9 ms). | ||
↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
38 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 19 ms rise | |
↘ 19 ms fall | ||
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.165 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 52 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (32.7 ms). |
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
Screen flickering / PWM not detected | |||
In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 8619 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 343500) Hz was measured. |
Performance, emissions and battery life - Lasts for a very long time
The still quite new MediaTek Helio G95 is used as SoC in the realme 7. It offers quite similar data as the Helio G90T in the realme 6, only the graphics unit clocks a bit higher. Nevertheless, the realme 7 is faster than most other comparable devices, which makes it a good value for money in its price range, if you only consider the pure processor and graphics performance.
Our reference microSD Toshiba Exceria Pro M501 is read and written quite fast, even the internal memory proves to be quite fast in comparison to other devices at this price level, thanks to the UFS 2.1 standard.
The maximum temperature that the real 7 reaches under longer load is not critical, at most it could become unpleasant to use the smartphone longer under load in very hot ambient temperatures.
The mono loudspeaker on the bottom edge can become somewhat loud, but at maximum volume the sound quickly becomes an indefinable mush. If you lower the volume, the speaker sounds a bit dull, so the spark doesn't really want to jump over. Via Bluetooth or 3.5mm jack you can connect external sound devices, then you get clean sound.
The realme 7 comes with a very strong 5,000 mAh battery, which lasts 16:46 hours in our WLAN test, which speaks for several days of normal use without charging. The device can be charged with up to 30 watts, it then takes slightly more than an hour until the battery is fully charged again.
PCMark for Android | |
Work performance score (sort by value) | |
Realme 7 | |
Motorola Moto G9 Play | |
Samsung Galaxy M21 | |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 | |
Realme 6 | |
Average Mediatek Helio G95 () | |
Work 2.0 performance score (sort by value) | |
Realme 7 | |
Motorola Moto G9 Play | |
Samsung Galaxy M21 | |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 | |
Realme 6 | |
Average Mediatek Helio G95 (9797 - 10153, n=3) |
GFXBench | |
on screen Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Onscreen (sort by value) | |
Realme 7 | |
Motorola Moto G9 Play | |
Samsung Galaxy M21 | |
Realme 6 | |
Average Mediatek Helio G95 (16 - 19, n=6) | |
Average of class Smartphone (5.5 - 166, n=200, last 2 years) | |
1920x1080 Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Offscreen (sort by value) | |
Realme 7 | |
Motorola Moto G9 Play | |
Samsung Galaxy M21 | |
Realme 6 | |
Average Mediatek Helio G95 (19 - 22, n=6) | |
Average of class Smartphone (3.4 - 321, n=200, last 2 years) | |
on screen Aztec Ruins High Tier Onscreen (sort by value) | |
Realme 7 | |
Motorola Moto G9 Play | |
Samsung Galaxy M21 | |
Realme 6 | |
Average Mediatek Helio G95 (10 - 12, n=6) | |
Average of class Smartphone (0.85 - 144, n=201, last 2 years) | |
2560x1440 Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen (sort by value) | |
Realme 7 | |
Motorola Moto G9 Play | |
Samsung Galaxy M21 | |
Realme 6 | |
Average Mediatek Helio G95 (6.8 - 7.8, n=6) | |
Average of class Smartphone (1.2 - 129, n=200, last 2 years) |
Realme 7 | Motorola Moto G9 Play | Samsung Galaxy M21 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 | Realme 6 | Average 128 GB UFS 2.1 Flash | Average of class Smartphone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AndroBench 3-5 | -20% | -10% | -14% | 4% | 10% | 285% | |
Sequential Read 256KB | 529 | 315.2 -40% | 487.8 -8% | 306.6 -42% | 525 -1% | 760 ? 44% | 1941 ? 267% |
Sequential Write 256KB | 200 | 187.2 -6% | 192.7 -4% | 248.1 24% | 203.9 2% | 297 ? 49% | 1558 ? 679% |
Random Read 4KB | 153.3 | 98.4 -36% | 126 -18% | 65.1 -58% | 179.4 17% | 152.9 ? 0% | 280 ? 83% |
Random Write 4KB | 151.3 | 96.1 -36% | 124.2 -18% | 146.9 -3% | 165.3 9% | 131.6 ? -13% | 320 ? 112% |
Sequential Read 256KB SDCard | 84.6 ? | 85.4 ? 1% | 77.9 ? -8% | 84.4 ? 0% | 84.6 ? 0% | 76 ? -10% | |
Sequential Write 256KB SDCard | 66.3 ? | 65.3 ? -2% | 62.2 ? -6% | 63.5 ? -4% | 63.7 ? -4% | 59.6 ? -10% |
Temperature
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 42.5 °C / 109 F, compared to the average of 35.1 °C / 95 F, ranging from 21.9 to 63.7 °C for the class Smartphone.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 41.9 °C / 107 F, compared to the average of 33.9 °C / 93 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 26.6 °C / 80 F, compared to the device average of 32.8 °C / 91 F.
Speakers
Realme 7 audio analysis
(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (81.6 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 66.1% lower than median
(+) | bass is linear (0% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(-) | nearly no mids - on average 66.1% lower than median
(+) | mids are linear (0% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(-) | nearly no highs - on average 66.1% lower than median
(+) | highs are linear (0% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(-) | overall sound is not linear (118.4% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 86% of all tested devices in this class were better, 9% similar, 5% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 36%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 96% of all tested devices were better, 3% similar, 1% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Realme 6 audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (87.4 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 33.7% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (10.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | reduced mids - on average 5.1% lower than median
(+) | mids are linear (5.8% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 4.9% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (5.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (22.3% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 43% of all tested devices in this class were better, 7% similar, 50% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 36%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 62% of all tested devices were better, 6% similar, 32% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Battery life
Realme 7 5000 mAh | Motorola Moto G9 Play 5000 mAh | Samsung Galaxy M21 6000 mAh | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5020 mAh | Realme 6 4300 mAh | Average of class Smartphone | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Battery Runtime | ||||||
WiFi Websurfing | 1006 | 962 -4% | 1298 29% | 867 -14% | 971 -3% | 1009 ? 0% |
Pros
Cons
Verdict - The better offer
The realme 7 is a good offer for buyers with small purse: One looks for a 90-Hz-Display otherwise in the price region around 200 euro usually in vain, also the capacity is high. The battery lasts very long and is recharged quite quickly, the cameras deliver decent picture quality and the Internet is quite fast. The optional large memory capacity is also a great argument for the smartphone.
One can complain about the moderate speaker sound and the moderate contrast of the screen, which often makes the content look a bit dull.
The realme 7 is not perfect, but at prices around 200 Euros a clear price-performance tip.
All in all, however, the realme 7 offers a pretty impressive performance for a smartphone that you can get for well under 200 euros. We even like it better than the Pro model, the difference in performance is not that big and if the more elegant appearance of the Pro model is not important to you, then the realme 7 is in our opinion the better and much cheaper choice.
Realme 7
- 11/13/2020 v7 (old)
Florian Schmitt