Realme Narzo 30A Review: A Budget Phone That Falls Short

The Realme Narzo 30A positions itself as an affordable gaming phone, but it faces stiff competition in a market where alternatives offer more value. With a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS LCD screen, the display falls short of modern standards, especially when compared to rivals that provide Full HD+ panels at similar price points. The phone's 6000mAh battery delivers exceptional longevity, easily lasting through a full day of use, though its 18W charging speed feels sluggish by today's standards.

Under the hood, the MediaTek Helio G85 chipset handles casual gaming well, performing adequately in titles like PUBG Mobile and COD Mobile. However, the 3/32GB storage configuration proves restrictive, leaving only about 18GB available after system files. Realme also bundles the phone with Android 10 and its proprietary UI, with an Android 11 update promised only for late 2021—a timing that feels too delayed for users.

Camera performance remains another weak point. The dual-camera setup, led by a 13MP primary sensor, struggles to match the detail and dynamic range of competitors like the Redmi 9 Power. Nighttime photography suffers from soft, hazy images and lens flare issues. The 8MP selfie camera also falls short in dynamic range and detail compared to rivals.

Despite these shortcomings, the Narzo 30A does offer a sleek design with a distinctive diagonal stripe pattern and decent audio quality from its single bottom-firing speaker. However, for most users, spending a little more on alternatives like the Redmi Note 10 would deliver a significantly better overall experience.