The Realme P3 Ultra 5G, launched on March 19, 2025, in India, marks a bold step for Realme as it introduces its first-ever “Ultra” device in the P-series lineup. Priced starting at ₹26,999 (approximately $325 USD), this smartphone positions itself as a premium mid-range contender, blending cutting-edge technology with a price point that undercuts many rivals. Targeting young professionals, students, and gaming enthusiasts, the Realme P3 Ultra 5G aims to deliver flagship-like features—such as a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra chipset, a 1.5K curved AMOLED display, and a robust 6,000mAh battery—to a budget-conscious audience eager for 5G connectivity and modern design.
The anticipation surrounding the Realme P3 Ultra 5G was electric in the weeks leading up to its unveiling. Realme teased its India-exclusive P-series expansion with promises of “ultra-performance, ultra-camera, and ultra-design,” sparking excitement among tech enthusiasts and casual users alike. Launched alongside the Realme P3 5G, the Ultra variant stood out as the star of the show, debuting as the world’s first smartphone powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra chipset. With an AnTuTu score exceeding 1.45 million and a glow-in-the-dark Lunar design, the device promised to redefine expectations in the sub-₹30,000 segment. This review dives deep into every aspect of the Realme P3 Ultra 5G, evaluating whether it truly lives up to its ambitious claims.
Design and Build Quality
Materials and Construction
The Realme P3 Ultra 5G showcases a design that balances aesthetics with practicality, reflecting Realme’s knack for delivering eye-catching devices at accessible prices. The phone features a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, paired with a plastic frame and a back panel that varies by color variant. The Neptune Blue and Orion Red options sport a premium vegan leather finish, offering a soft, tactile grip that resists fingerprints and adds a touch of sophistication. In contrast, the Glowing Lunar White variant uses a sleek polycarbonate back with a unique “Starlight Ink Process,” embedding star-like particles and a lunar soil texture that glows green in low-light conditions—a standout feature that elevates its visual appeal.
The vegan leather finish on Neptune Blue and Orion Red feels luxurious, mimicking the texture of high-end devices while keeping the phone lightweight and durable. The Glowing Lunar White variant, with its micro-sculpted texture and light-sensing color shift, appeals to those who value individuality. While the plastic frame and back lack the premium heft of metal or full-glass designs, the build quality is solid, with no noticeable flex or creaks, ensuring it withstands daily use.
Dimensions, Weight, and Ergonomics
Measuring 163.10 x 76.90 x 7.47 mm and weighing 186 grams (183g for the Glowing Lunar White variant), the Realme P3 Ultra 5G strikes a commendable balance between screen size and portability. Its slim 7.47 mm profile—among the thinnest in its class with a quad-curved display—makes it easy to slip into pockets or bags. At 186 grams, it’s lighter than many competitors with similar battery capacities, reducing strain during prolonged use, whether gaming, streaming, or texting.
Ergonomically, the phone excels with its 3D curved design, which softens the edges for a comfortable grip. The ultra-narrow 1.6mm bezels enhance the premium feel, while the flat frame ensures stability when placed on surfaces. The power button, integrated with an under-display fingerprint sensor, sits on the right edge, with volume rockers on the left—both positioned for intuitive access. The bottom houses a USB-C port, speaker grille, and SIM tray, maintaining a minimalist layout that prioritizes usability.
IP66, IP68, and IP69 Ratings
The Realme P3 Ultra 5G boasts an impressive trio of IP ratings—IP66, IP68, and IP69—making it one of the most durable mid-range smartphones available. The IP66 rating ensures resistance to powerful water jets and dust, while IP68 allows submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. The IP69 certification, rare even among flagships, protects against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets, offering unmatched resilience for a phone in this price range. This durability suits users in humid climates, dusty environments, or those prone to spills, though Realme notes that resistance may diminish with wear over time.
Color Options
Available in Neptune Blue, Orion Red, and Glowing Lunar White, the Realme P3 Ultra 5G caters to diverse tastes. Neptune Blue offers a deep, glossy hue with vegan leather, appealing to those seeking elegance. Orion Red, also with vegan leather, brings a bold, vibrant flair. Glowing Lunar White stands out with its glow-in-the-dark feature and lunar texture, targeting users who value uniqueness. Each variant enhances the phone’s aesthetic, with the leather options prioritizing grip and the Lunar design adding a futuristic twist.
In summary, the Realme P3 Ultra 5G’s design is a triumph of style and durability. It doesn’t rival the premium materials of flagships but delivers a compelling package for its price, with standout features like the glow-in-the-dark back and top-tier IP ratings.
Display
Screen Specifications
The Realme P3 Ultra 5G features a 6.83-inch 1.5K 3D curved AMOLED display with a resolution of 1220 x 2712 pixels, yielding a pixel density of approximately 451 ppi. This resolution sits between Full HD+ and 2K, offering sharp visuals that surpass typical mid-range panels. The 20:9 aspect ratio enhances immersion, ideal for movies and gaming, while the 93.8% screen-to-body ratio—enabled by ultra-narrow 1.6mm bezels—maximizes usable screen space.
120Hz Refresh Rate Impact
The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, a significant upgrade over the 60Hz displays common in budget phones. While not adaptive like LTPO panels (e.g., dropping to 1Hz), it offers fixed modes (60Hz or 120Hz), balancing smoothness with battery efficiency. In gaming, titles like BGMI (with 90fps support) feel responsive, aided by a 2,500Hz touch sampling rate—the fastest in its segment—making it a boon for competitive players. Casual tasks like browsing or swiping through apps also benefit, delivering a premium feel.
HDR Support and Brightness
HDR support enhances contrast and color depth for compatible content, with the AMOLED panel delivering true blacks and vibrant hues. Peak brightness reaches 1,500 nits (600 nits typical), ensuring visibility in bright outdoor conditions, though it falls short of flagships hitting 2,000+ nits. The 3840Hz PWM dimming reduces flicker, easing eye strain in low light, while 10,000-level brightness adjustment offers granular control.
Immersive Viewing Experience
The 1.6mm bezels and curved edges create a near-edge-to-edge display, immersing users in content. Gorilla Glass 7i adds durability, resisting scratches and minor drops. Viewing angles are excellent, with minimal color shift, making it ideal for shared viewing.
The display is a standout feature—its size, smoothness, and quality elevate the Realme P3 Ultra 5G above competitors, though brightness could be a minor limitation in direct sunlight.
Performance
MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra Chipset
The Realme P3 Ultra 5G debuts the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra, a 4nm chipset optimized for power and efficiency. Its octa-core CPU includes high-performance Cortex-A715 cores (up to 3.35 GHz) and efficiency-focused Cortex-A510 cores, paired with a Mali-G615 MC6 GPU. The 4nm process reduces power consumption and heat compared to older nodes, delivering flagship-grade performance in a mid-range package. Realme claims a 13% multi-core boost and 3.3x faster AI processing over predecessors.
CPU and GPU Performance
With an AnTuTu score exceeding 1.45 million—double some segment rivals—the chipset excels in daily tasks like app launches, browsing, and streaming. Multitasking is seamless, especially on the 12GB variant, while the GT Boost feature (AI-driven performance optimization) enhances gaming stability. The Mali-G615 MC6 GPU supports titles like BGMI at 90fps for up to three hours, though heavy games like Genshin Impact require medium settings for smooth play. A 6,050mm² vapor chamber cooling system keeps thermals in check, though extended gaming may warm the back slightly.
RAM and Storage Options
Available in 8GB or 12GB LPDDR5X RAM with 128GB or 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, the Phone 2a caters to varied needs. The 8GB/128GB variant suits casual users, while 12GB/256GB, with up to 14GB virtual RAM, handles intensive multitasking and gaming. The lack of a microSD slot limits expandability, a potential drawback for media-heavy users.
Real-World Performance
In practice, the Realme P3 Ultra 5G delivers a snappy, reliable experience, amplified by the 120Hz display and GT Boost. It’s not a flagship killer but offers exceptional value for its price, excelling in mid-tier gaming and everyday use.
Software Experience
Operating System and UI
Running Android 15 with Realme UI 6.0, the Realme P3 Ultra 5G offers a polished, feature-rich interface. Realme UI 6.0 refines the experience with sleek icons, expanded notifications, and NEXT AI enhancements like call translation and gesture controls. It’s less cluttered than past versions, though some pre-installed apps remain.
Unique Features
AI-powered tools—AI Ultra Clarity 2.0 (photo enhancement), AI Snap Mode (fast shutter), and AI Eraser 2.0 (object removal)—add value for photographers. Gaming features like GT Boost and a 2,500Hz touch sampling rate cater to players, while customization options (themes, icons) appeal to tinkerers.
Software Updates
Realme promises two major Android upgrades (up to Android 17) and three years of security patches, ensuring support through 2028—a solid commitment for a mid-range device.
The software is a strength, blending innovation with reliability, though bloatware is a minor blemish.
Camera System
Rear Camera
Specifications and Features
The dual-camera setup includes a 50 MP Sony IMX896 sensor (f/1.8, OIS, multi-directional PDAF) and an 8 MP ultra-wide lens (112° FOV). Features like LED flash, HDR, panorama, and AI optimizations enhance versatility. Video recording supports 4K@30/60fps and 1080p@30/60/120fps with gyro-EIS and OIS.
Performance in Different Conditions
In daylight, the 50 MP sensor captures sharp, vibrant shots with excellent dynamic range, aided by OIS for stability. The ultra-wide lens performs decently, though edge distortion is evident. Low-light shots benefit from Night Mode, reducing noise and boosting detail, though they trail flagships. Video quality is strong, with stabilization excelling in 1080p.
Front Camera
Specifications and Features
The 16 MP Sony IMX480 front camera (f/2.4) supports 1080p@30fps video and basic enhancements.
Performance Assessment
Selfies in good light are detailed with natural tones, though low-light performance is average—adequate for casual use or calls.
The cameras shine in daylight and hold up in low light, though the lack of a telephoto lens limits versatility.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery Capacity and Performance
The 6,000mAh battery offers stellar endurance—8-9 hours of screen-on time with mixed use, stretching to two days for light users. Gaming or 5G reduces this, but it remains top-tier.
Charging Capabilities
80W wired charging achieves 50% in ~25 minutes and 100% in ~50 minutes, with bypass charging reducing heat during gaming. No charger is included, and wireless charging is absent.
Longevity Insights
Realme claims over 80% capacity retention after five years, a bold promise for longevity.
The battery life is exceptional, with fast charging adding convenience despite the lack of a bundled adapter.
Connectivity and Additional Features
Network and Connectivity
Supporting 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G (numerous bands), the Phone 2a offers future-ready speeds. Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 (upgradable to 6.0 via OTA), GPS, and USB-C 2.0 ensure robust connectivity, though NFC is absent in India.
Additional Features
The under-display fingerprint sensor is swift, joined by sensors like accelerometer, gyro, and infrared remote support. No 3.5mm jack pushes users to wireless audio.
Audio Quality
Stereo Speakers
The stereo speakers deliver loud, clear sound with decent separation, though bass is modest.
Hi-Res Audio
Hi-Res Audio certification enhances wired or wireless listening, compensating for the missing jack.
Storage Options and Expandability
The 128GB/8GB and 256GB (8GB or 12GB) UFS 3.1 options suit most, but no microSD slot limits expansion. The 256GB variant is ideal for power users.
Pricing and Availability
Priced at ₹26,999 (8GB/128GB), ₹27,999 (8GB/256GB), and ₹29,999 (12GB/256GB) in India, the Phone 2a offers strong value. Available in Neptune Blue, Orion Red, and Glowing Lunar White, it’s sold via Flipkart, Realme.com, and offline stores, with offers like ₹3,000 bank discounts and ₹1,000 exchange bonuses.
Comparative Analysis
Against the Poco X7 Pro (faster chipset, ₹29,999) and Redmi Note 14 Pro (better camera, ₹28,999), the Phone 2a excels in design, battery, and display quality but lags in camera versatility and storage flexibility. Its pros—durability, performance, aesthetics—outweigh cons like no NFC.
User Feedback and Reception
Early reviews praise the design, battery life, and gaming performance, though some critique camera inconsistency and UI stuttering under load (per X posts). It’s hailed as a segment redefiner.
Conclusion
The Realme P3 Ultra 5G is a mid-range titan, blending stunning design, robust performance, and exceptional battery life. Ideal for gamers and value-seekers under ₹30,000, it’s a top pick despite minor flaws like no expandable storage. Highly recommended.