Best Realme phones of 2022: find yourself a great-value Android handset

Best Realme phones
(Image credit: TechRadar / Realme)

The best Realme phones are a great proposition for anyone looking for a mid-range or budget smartphone. The company often offers useful features in its devices without breaking the bank. 

Since launching its first ever phone in 2018, Realme has gone from strength to strength, proving to be one of the more interesting companies around. The manufacturer is so interesting, we've even written a guide on its history

Typically, Realme phones offer great specs and features, while keeping prices relatively low. 

Offering a few phone ranges, the top one is the Realme GT line which began in 2021, and includes phones like the Realme GT 2 and Realme GT Neo 3. The GT family replaced the X line which is still worth considering. 

For cheaper options, Realme also has its numbered line of low-cost phones like the Realme 9 4G. 

Realme has become a highly prolific phone producer in 2022 and it has some great options on the market. That's why we've ranked the best Realme phones below. Each entry includes specs, pros and cons, along with a link to the full review to find out more.

Best Realme phones 2022

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Realme GT

Realme GT (Image credit: Realme)

1. Realme GT

A mid-range Android marvel

Specifications

Release date: March 2021
Weight: 186g
Dimensions: 158.5 x 73.3 x 8.4mm
OS: Android 11
Screen size: 6.43-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Snapdragon 888
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 4,500mAh
Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP

Reasons to buy

+
It has a distinctive design
+
It charges impressively quickly

Reasons to avoid

-
The phone heats up often
-
The user interface has bloatware

The Realme GT easily earns its place as the top handset from the company, and it'll likely be one of the highlights of 2021. It's a great way for Realme to kick off its newest line of smartphones, also called the GT line.

The Realme GT has a top-end Snapdragon 888 chipset, super-fast 65W wired charging, a distinctive faux-leather rear broken up by a black stripe, and an easily-totable body thanks to its small size.

The real clincher, though, is the low price of the Realme GT, as it sits comfortably in the low-mid-range section. That more than makes up for the one or two little shortcomings we found with the phone, which include its tendency to heat up, and the fact that it has a few bloatware apps out of the box.

Note: in some regions, like Europe, the Realme GT is only on sale through AliExpress, not the standard retailers which our pricing tool pulls through. You can find the official product listing here.

Check out our full Realme GT review.

Realme 9 Pro Plus

(Image credit: Realme)
A mid-range champion

Specifications

Release date: February 2022
Weight: 182g
Dimensions: 160.6 x 73.3 x 8mm
OS: Android 12
Screen size: 6.4-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 920 5G
RAM: 6/8GB
Storage: 128GB/246GB
Battery: 4,500mAh
Rear camera: 50MP + 8MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic value
+
Perfect for low-light photography

Reasons to avoid

-
Display is only 90Hz
-
Heart monitor is hidden in menus

A budget phone yet somehow packing in some surprising features, the Realme 9 Pro Plus has two unique abilities. It has a heart rate monitor built into the fingerprint scanner, albeit hidden away amongst menus. More noticeable is its rear which changes color in sunlight and looks positively eye-catching. 

Elsewhere, it offers some above-average performance for the price range, along with a camera that works particularly well in low-light conditions. The rest of the time, its 50MP main snapper, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP macro does a good job of providing bright and bold imagery. 

It's all pretty good for such an inexpensive phone and easily makes the Realme 9 Pro Plus worth your consideration.

Check out our full Realme 9 Pro Plus review.

Realme 8 Pro

(Image credit: Realm)

3. Realme 8 Pro

Realme's cheap champ

Specifications

Release date: March 2021
Weight: 176g
Dimensions: 160.6 x 73.9 x 8.1mm
OS: Android 11
Screen size: 6.4-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Snapdragon 720G
RAM: 6/8GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 4,500mAh
Rear camera: 108MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP

Reasons to buy

+
It feels snug in the hand
+
Its cameras are good for the price

Reasons to avoid

-
The screen refresh rate is only 60Hz
-
It doesn't support 5G

If you're looking for a great cheap Android phone, the Realme 8 Pro is a great choice - it's the top-end member of the company's 2021 numbered series, which are generally Realme's most affordable handsets.

We found this Realme phone was a cheap and cheery alternative to the huge handsets which often crowd this market segment. Plus it had a super-high-res main camera, impressively fast charging, and a comfortable-to-hold textured plastic back.

It's not perfect for everything - if you want a large display, 5G, a high-refresh-rate screen or the absolute best processing power, you might find it misses a trick or two. But if you just need a useful budget phone, it's a great choice.

Check out our full Realme 8 Pro review.

Realme GT Master Edition

(Image credit: Realme)

4. Realme GT Master Edition

A capable mid-range phone

Specifications

Release date: July 2021
Weight: 174g
Dimensions: 159.2 x 73.5 x 8mm
OS: Android 11
Screen size: 6.43-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Snapdragon 778G
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128/256GB
Battery: 4,300mAh
Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP
Front camera: 32MP

Reasons to buy

+
It charges very quickly
+
Its display looks great

Reasons to avoid

-
It isn't waterproof
-
Its design is fairly ordinary

The second of its family, the Realme GT Master Edition takes some of the specs of the original GT but cuts some corners, and sells for a lower price as a result. Ignore the name, though - this isn't the master of the series.

The GT ME has a slightly weaker chipset, smaller battery and less eye-catching design than its sibling, but it also costs a fair amount less. So it's a good option if you like the look of the GT but don't need all its top specs.

Note: in some regions, like Europe, the Realme GT Master Edition is only on sale through AliExpress, not the standard retailers which our pricing tool pulls through. You can find the official product listing here.

Check our our full Realme GT Master Edition review.

Realme GT Neo 3

(Image credit: Realme)
Great performance at a shrewd price

Specifications

Release date: March 2022
Weight: 188g
Dimensions: 163.3 x 75.6 x 8.2 mm
OS: Android 12
Screen size: 6.7-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2412
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 8100
RAM: 6/8/12GB
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 50MP + 8MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP

Reasons to buy

+
Flagship-level performance
+
Rapid 150W charging

Reasons to avoid

-
No telephoto lens and mediocre ultra-wide lens
-
Small battery

The Realme GT Neo 3 packs plenty in for a good price. One huge highlight is it includes a 150W wired charger so you can get back up to 100% in just 15 minutes. Granted, it has a small battery so this will be needed more often, but that's a small trade off.

Elsewhere, the Realme GT Neo 3 offers up a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, that works well in most lighting. It also has a great 50MP main camera lens although the lack of telephoto lens will disappoint some. 

With speedy performance across the board for the price, and a reasonable style, the Realme GT Neo 3 is a decent all-rounder.

Check out our full Realme GT Neo 3 review.

Realme 9

(Image credit: Realme)
Reliable for the price

Specifications

Release date: April 2022
Weight: 178g
Dimensions: 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm
OS: Android 12
Screen size: 6.4-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G
RAM: 6/8GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 108MP + 8MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP

Reasons to buy

+
Good photo taking abilities
+
Long-lasting battery

Reasons to avoid

-
No 5G
-
Mediocre performance

If you don't need 5G, the Realme 9 4G offers a fair amount for the price. It has a 108MP main camera lens that works well with a plethora of software options boosting its performance. 

A long-lasting 5000mAh battery means no need to find a charger too often, while its 6.4-inch AMOLED display offers a decent 90Hz refresh rate.

The only place the Realme 9 4G truly falters is with mediocre performance, but if you're solely looking for a daily phone rather than a gaming device, it's got you covered. 

Read our full Realme 9 4G review.

A Realme 9 5G against a white background

(Image credit: Realme)
Stylish yet cheap

Specifications

Release date: May 2022
Weight: 191g
Dimensions: 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm
OS: Android 12
Screen size: 6.6-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2412
CPU: Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64/128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 50MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP

Reasons to buy

+
Smart design
+
Good main camera

Reasons to avoid

-
No ultra-wide lens
-
Average display

The Realme 9 5G is a fairly competent phone for the price. Compromises have been made to squeeze in 5G connectivity but it still looks pretty good. Feeling like the Pro version of the range, it has a plastic frame and rear but has an eye catching color to it that looks good and glitzy. 

The 6.6-inch screen isn't so exciting being only a LCD display but it has a 120Hz refresh rate which proves useful when browsing. 

Elsewhere, a 50MP main camera does a good job of providing decent throats in good lighting with a nice natural tone to its results. However, the lack of an ultra-wide lens and only 2MP depth and macro sensors feel a bit poor. Still, as a budget phone, the Realme 9 5G covers the key bases if you're not a photographer. 

Check out our full Realme 9 5G review.

Realme 8 5G

(Image credit: Realme)

6. Realme 8 5G

A super-cheap 5G phone

Specifications

Release date: April 2021
Weight: 185g
Dimensions: 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.5mm
OS: Android 11
Screen size: 6.5-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Dimensity 700
RAM: 4/6/8GB
Storage: 64/128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 48MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP

Reasons to buy

+
It offers affordable 5G
+
It has a large, bright screen

Reasons to avoid

-
Its design is rather basic
-
The camera is only average

If you're looking for super low-cost 5G, the Realme 8 5G is one of the best options for you, as it lets you access the next generation of data connectivity for a lower price than most other devices.

In many ways, this is your basic budget Android phone with a standard design, a fair processor, an average camera and a big but good-looking display. 

It's the price and 5G combination that really make this an interesting phone, and if you're keen to get yourself some super-speedy internet without breaking the bank, it's worth paying attention to the Realme 8 5G.

Check out our full Realme 8 5G review

Realme 8

(Image credit: Realme)

7. Realme 8

The suffix-less Realme 8 family member

Specifications

Release date: March 2021
Weight: 177g
Dimensions: 160.6 x 73.9 x 8mm
OS: Android 11
Screen size: 6.4-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Helio G95
RAM: 4/6/8GB
Storage: 64/128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front camera: 16MP

Reasons to buy

+
It performs well for gaming
+
It has a sharp display

Reasons to avoid

-
Its shiny look could be divisive
-
It feels a bit cheap

Despite being the only Realme 8 phone without a suffix, the standard model isn't technically the weakest - it's actually a more powerful phone than the 5G model, though of course it only connects to 4G networks.

This is a decent budget Android phone that's well-rounded where it matters, especially in the display and performance areas, where it's a good device for the cost.

We weren't too sure on the design - you probably had your own thoughts as you scrolled past the image just above this listing - and if you need 5G or particularly high specs, another Realme phone is probably better for you. But this is a valiant cheap choice too.

Read our full Realme 8 review.

Realme X3 SuperZoom

(Image credit: Realme)

8. Realme X3 SuperZoom

The last of a lost line

Specifications

Release date: May 2020
Weight: 202g
Dimensions: 163.8 x 75.8 x 8.9mm
OS: Android 10
Screen size: 6.6-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 2400
CPU: Snapdragon 855 Plus
RAM: 8/12GB
Storage: 128/256GB
Battery: 4,200mAh
Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 8MP + 2MP
Front camera: 32MP + 8MP

Reasons to buy

+
It has a long battery life and charges quickly
+
It's a powerful phone

Reasons to avoid

-
Its design is uninspiring
-
The camera performance is inconsistent

The Realme X series was replaced by the GT line, so there are no more coming out, and the X3 SuperZoom was one of the last ones.

This is a fairly high-end phone with a chipset that was great as of the X3's release, and its six cameras and long-lasting battery are all impressive too.

It's not a perfect phone - as you can expect for a low-placed entry in our list of the best Realme phones. Our main gripes are its uninspiring design, the LCD screen, and the fact the camera strategy was clearly 'quantity over quality', with some inconsistent results.

Read our full Realme X3 SuperZoom review


Realme phones Q&A

Is Realme a good phone brand?

We've sung the praises of Realme in various reviews, and the reason is that the company's phones are great value for money.

The devices often come with specs you don't tend to find at the price, especially in the chipset department, and have fewer rough edges (literally and metaphorically) than cheap phones from other brands.

Sure, a Realme phone won't compete with your top-end Samsung Galaxy or Xiaomi handset in terms of specs or features, but the low price makes up for that.

Should I go for Realme or Redmi?

Redmi is Xiaomi's line of low-cost phones, and in most markets it's arguably Realme's biggest competitior.

Redmi phones tend to be pretty big, with huge batteries and massive screens, which makes them large powerhouses for gaming and streaming media. However, the problem with that is that they can be annoying to use as your average smartphone, due to their giant size, especially if you've got small hands or shallow pockets.

Realme devices are often smaller and focus on the design and charging speeds - their svelte builds often make them easier to use as day-to-day handsets, but in the gaming or streaming department, they might miss out thanks to their restricted screen space. 

What are the main Realme phone lines?

Realme launched the GT line in 2021, which replaces the X series and offers top specs at mid-range prices. The other main line is the numbered series, like the Realme 7 or 8 - these often come with 5G and Pro versions, and have price tags which land them in the budget category.

In some regions, Realme has other lines, like the Narzo or V series, but these generally don't sell in any of TechRadar's main regions, so we haven't tested them. That's why you won't find them on this list.

If that changes, as we've heard it will for the Narzo line, maybe you'll see more handsets infiltrate this list soon.

Tom Bedford
Contributor

Tom Bedford was deputy phones editor on TechRadar until late 2022, having worked his way up from staff writer. Though he specialized in phones and tablets, he also took on other tech like electric scooters, smartwatches, fitness, mobile gaming and more. He is based in London, UK and now works for the entertainment site What To Watch.

He graduated in American Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. Prior to working on TechRadar, he freelanced in tech, gaming and entertainment, and also spent many years working as a mixologist.