My first reaction after seeing it was absolute awe. How could a smartphone be this good-looking? With a design created by Matteo Menotto, a GUCCI print designer, the stakes for the Realme 11 Pro+ were already high for me. For any smartphone brand, perhaps the biggest challenge today would be to bring out the most unique design, as most smartphones today look largely identical. Realme has struck gold with its latest Realme 11 Pro+. I used the Realme 11 Pro+ as my daily driver for a few weeks, and here is what I learned about the device that goes much beyond its stunning design. Looks and feels premium The Realme 11 Pro+ is a head-turner, thanks to its premium-looking design with a leather back panel. The phone is designed in collaboration with Matteo Menotto, a GUCCI print designer, and this collaboration is evident in the overall look and feel of the device. While I fancy the Oasis Green variant that I tested, the Sunrise Beige variant with a gold accent definitely looks more striking and is intended for those who desire a smartphone that exudes luxury. Personally, I believe that a phone with a leather back panel has distinct advantages over phones with plastic or glass back panels, which are the two most commonly used materials for phones. Thanks to the vegan leather back panel, the device was easy to hold, even without a case. The glossy frame also adds to the overall elegance of the device. I mostly ended up using the phone without the bundled case. However, it does lack a 3.5mm headphone jack. While it looks and feels great in the hand, it will be interesting to see how it will withstand the test of time. Flagship like display Realme is a brand that democratised curved display on phones under the Rs 30,000 range and with the 11 Pro+, the company continues to offer the same at a slightly lower price. The FHD+ 120Hz curved display on the Realme 11 Pro+ has an in-display fingerprint sensor. However, the whole package feels similar to the Realme 10 Pro+ with no major improvements. I found that the display is adequately bright even for outdoor usage, and it even supports HDR video playback. The in-display fingerprint sensor is also fast and accurate. From gaming to content consumption, the display performs exceptionally well. However, due to its curved screen, I noticed occasional accidental touches. Overall, the Realme 10 Pro+ undeniably has one of the best displays on a phone under the Rs 30,000 price range, and I also appreciated the fact that the phone comes with a pre-installed screen protector. Cameras work well in most situations The Realme 11 Pro+ boasts a triple camera setup featuring a 200MP primary camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro camera. Additionally, the device has a 32MP selfie camera with support for up to 1080p video recording. I tested the poster feature of this phone, which offers 2x and 4x sensor zoom using the mighty 200MP sensor. Here are some camera samples from the Realme 11 Pro+. In my testing, the camera experience was above average, and the photos turned out good in most lighting conditions. However, if you are a shutterbug, we recommend getting the Pixel 6a or even the older Samsung Galaxy S20 FE if you desire a camera-centric phone. Nevertheless, if you are seeking a holistic device, the Realme 11 Pro+ is a good choice. Performance lacks that oomph The Realme 11 Pro+ is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, a rebranded Dimensity 1080. Paired with up to 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, the phone can handle normal day-to-day tasks with ease. However, phones like the Poco F5 and even the iQOO Neo 7 definitely have a more capable processor and will have an edge over the Realme 11 Pro+, particularly when it comes to tasks like gaming. Mixed software experience The Realme 11 Pro+ runs on Android 13-based Realme UI 4, which is based on ColorOS 13. While I appreciate the overall software experience, one aspect that was disappointing was the presence of bloatware and push notifications from first-party apps. Despite carefully setting up the device, I was bombarded with ads and notifications from various first-party and third-party apps. I hope Realme will address this issue with the next iteration of Realme UI. Fast charging, good battery life Despite being a lightweight phone that weighs just 183 grams, the Realme 11 Pro+ packs a 5,000mAh battery with support for 100W fast charging, and the charger is included in the box. The phone can easily last for an entire day and can deliver around six to seven hours of screen-on-time per charge. Verdict: Realme phone that delivers real experiences I quite like the Realme 11 Pro+ when compared to its contemporaries. While it may not be the camera or performance champion like some other devices, the Realme 11 Pro+ seems to deliver a balanced experience. It has a premium design, curved display, and a good camera setup, and even the performance is not bad. Overall, in my usage, the Realme 11 Pro+'s on-paper specs do translate into real-world performance. The key takeaway from my experience is that the Realme 11 Pro+ is a phone that is well-balanced and also offers everything and a bit more than one can ask for in a phone of this calibre.
