Realme has been a key player in India’s smartphone market, delivering feature-rich devices at budget-friendly prices. However, over the past couple of years, some of their releases have felt lackluster compared to competitors. The Realme P3 series, launched in March 2025, aims to change that narrative with a strong focus on performance, design, and durability. Comprising the Realme P3 and P3 Ultra, this series targets gamers, students, and young professionals looking for value-packed phones under ₹30,000. In this detailed review, we’ll dive into the design, display, performance, camera, battery, and software of the P3 series, with a special emphasis on the P3 Ultra, to help you decide if these phones are worth your investment.
Design and Build Quality: Stylish Yet Durable
The Realme P3 series brings a refreshing design approach that balances aesthetics with practicality. The Realme P3 Ultra grabs attention with its world-first glow-in-the-dark lunar design, available in the Glowing Lunar White variant. This unique feature creates a moon-like texture that shifts with light, making it a conversation starter. Despite housing a massive 6000mAh battery, the P3 Ultra is remarkably slim at 7.38mm and weighs only 185 grams, thanks to its plastic frame with a glossy finish. While it doesn’t feel as premium as glass-backed phones, the IP69, IP68, and IP66 certifications ensure top-tier protection against water, dust, and high-pressure jets, allowing for underwater photography. The phone also features Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which proved resilient during drop tests, showing no damage from minor falls.
The Realme P3 opts for a more industrial, mechanical look in colors like Space Silver, Nebula Pink, and Comet Grey. It’s slightly thicker at 8mm and heavier at 193.6 grams but shares the same IP69, IP68, and IP66 ratings for durability. The orange-accented power button on both phones adds a vibrant touch, enhancing their modern appeal. Both resist fingerprints well, making them practical for daily use. For Indian users, especially students, the P3 Ultra’s lightweight build and unique design make it stand out, while the P3 offers a sleek, understated look.
Display: Immersive and Bright
The display is a highlight of the P3 series, catering to users who prioritize vibrant visuals. The Realme P3 Ultra features a 6.83-inch 1.5K quad-curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1500 nits peak brightness. The quad-curved design minimizes bezels, delivering a premium, edge-to-edge experience that feels like a flagship phone. With 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and 10,000 levels of brightness adjustment, the display offers rich colors and sharp contrasts, ideal for gaming, streaming, and browsing. Features like 3840Hz PWM dimming and eye comfort mode reduce strain during extended use, a boon for students or professionals.
The Realme P3 sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, also with a 120Hz refresh rate, but it boasts a higher peak brightness of 2000 nits and a 1200-nit high brightness mode (HBM). While it lacks the curved edges, the flat panel is crisp, vibrant, and excels in outdoor visibility. Both displays support Widevine L1 for HD streaming on platforms like Netflix and YouTube, though HDR is limited to YouTube. The P3 Ultra’s higher resolution and curved design feel more premium, but the P3’s brighter screen is better for outdoor use. Features like AI Ultra Touch Control and AI Motion Control enhance gaming and scrolling fluidity on both devices.
Performance: Powerhouse for Gamers
Performance is the P3 series’ strongest suit, positioning it among the top performers in its price range. The Realme P3 Ultra is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra chipset, a segment-first, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. With an AnTuTu score of 1.4–1.45 million, it delivers near-flagship performance, effortlessly handling multitasking and demanding games like Genshin Impact. During testing, it maintained 59.2–59.5 FPS for 30–45 minutes, with temperatures staying below 40°C (36–38°C), thanks to a 6050mm² vapor chamber cooling system. Features like GT Boost technology and ray tracing support under ₹25,000 make it a dream for gamers.
The Realme P3 is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset, another segment-first, paired with up to 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, expandable up to 1TB via microSD. It scores around 760,000 on AnTuTu, impressive for a phone under ₹20,000. It handles casual gaming like Call of Duty: Mobile at 60 FPS and BGMI at up to 90 FPS, with the upcoming BGMI 3.7 update expected to enable 120 FPS. Both phones feature a 6000mAh vapor chamber cooling system, ensuring sustained performance without thermal throttling. The P3 Ultra is ideal for power users, while the P3 offers excellent value for budget gamers.
Camera: Functional but Not the Star
The P3 series prioritizes performance over photography, but the cameras are decent for the price. The P3 Ultra features a 50MP Sony IMX896 primary sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. The primary sensor captures detailed, vibrant images in daylight, with natural skin tones and good dynamic range. The ultra-wide lens adds versatility but struggles in low light. The 16MP front camera produces punchy selfies, ideal for social media. The P3 Ultra supports 4K 60FPS video recording, delivering stable, high-quality footage.
The Realme P3 has a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor, which feels like a missed opportunity compared to an ultra-wide lens. The primary camera performs well in daylight with sharp, colorful images, but low-light shots are average despite Night Mode. The 16MP selfie camera matches the P3 Ultra’s performance. Video recording is capped at 4K 30FPS, which is acceptable for the price. Both phones benefit from AI features like AI Ultra Clarity 2.0, AI Snap Mode, and AI Eraser 2.0, enhancing photo editing. The IP69 rating allows underwater photography, adding a creative edge. While not camera-centric, the P3 Ultra’s setup is more versatile.
Battery Life and Charging: Long-Lasting and Fast
Both phones pack a 6000mAh battery, ensuring exceptional endurance. The P3 Ultra supports 80W fast charging, fully charging in 45–50 minutes, while the P3 supports 45W charging, taking 60–65 minutes. In real-world use, both last 1–1.5 days with heavy gaming, streaming, and social media. Bypass charging reduces heat during charging, promoting battery health. Realme claims over 80% battery capacity retention after 4–5 years, making these phones reliable for long-term use. The slim design despite the large battery enhances portability.
Software: Smooth and Feature-Rich
Running Realme UI 6.0 based on Android 15, both phones offer a fluid, customizable experience. AI features like Circle to Search, AI Smart Loop, AI Writer, and AI Recording Summary are practical for students and professionals. The UI is smooth, with options for screen color modes and animations, but pre-installed apps like Facebook and Snapchat can be uninstalled during setup. Realme promises two major Android updates and three years of security patches. Gaming features like GT Boost and AI Motion Control enhance the experience, while the in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock work seamlessly.
Connectivity and Multimedia
Both phones support Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and 15 5G bands for robust connectivity. Voice over New Radio (VoNR) and Air Blaster are included, but NFC is absent, which may disappoint users needing contactless payments. Stereo speakers offer decent audio, though they lack depth for immersive multimedia. The displays, with Widevine L1 support, ensure excellent streaming quality, with the P3 Ultra’s higher resolution providing a slight edge.
Specifications Table
| Feature | Realme P3 Ultra | Realme P3 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.83-inch 1.5K Quad-Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1500 nits | 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz, 2000 nits |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB LPDDR5X | 6GB/8GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 | 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1, expandable up to 1TB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP Sony IMX896 (OIS) + 8MP Ultra-Wide | 50MP + 2MP Depth |
| Front Camera | 16MP | 16MP |
| Battery | 6000mAh, 80W Fast Charging | 6000mAh, 45W Fast Charging |
| OS | Realme UI 6.0 (Android 15) | Realme UI 6.0 (Android 15) |
| Build | IP69, IP68, IP66, Gorilla Glass 7i | IP69, IP68, IP66, Gorilla Glass 7i |
| Weight | 185g | 193.6g |
| Price | ₹26,999 (8GB+128GB), ₹27,999 (8GB+256GB), ₹29,999 (12GB+256GB) | ₹14,999 (6GB+128GB), ₹17,999 (8GB+128GB), ₹19,999 (8GB+256GB) |
Should You Buy the Realme P3 or P3 Ultra?
Realme P3 Ultra: Is It Worth It?
Starting at ₹26,999 (down to ₹24,999 with offers), the P3 Ultra is a powerhouse for gamers and power users. Its Dimensity 8350 Ultra chipset, 1.5K quad-curved AMOLED display, and 80W charging make it one of the best under ₹30,000. The glow-in-the-dark design and IP69 rating add a premium feel, while the camera is versatile enough for casual use. If gaming, display quality, and unique design matter to you, the P3 Ultra is a strong buy, especially for those with a flexible budget.
Realme P3: Is It Worth It?
Priced from ₹14,999 (around ₹15,000–₹17,000 with offers), the P3 is a steal for budget buyers. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset, 2000-nit FHD+ AMOLED display, and 6000mAh battery deliver excellent value. The lack of an ultra-wide lens and slightly heavier build are minor cons. For students or casual gamers seeking a reliable phone under ₹20,000, the P3 is hard to beat.
Verdict: Realme’s Strong Comeback
The Realme P3 series signals a promising U-turn for the brand, addressing past shortcomings with stellar performance, modern design, and robust durability. The P3 Ultra offers a near-flagship experience, making it a top pick for gamers and power users under ₹30,000. The P3 delivers exceptional value for budget-conscious buyers, competing strongly with brands like Redmi and Vivo. Whether you’re after a performance beast or an affordable all-rounder, the P3 series has something for everyone. Check out the P3 and P3 Ultra on Flipkart, Realme’s website, or retail stores during the 2025 summer sales for the best deals.
