realme has launched the realme 16 Pro Series in Malaysia, introducing two models, the realme 16 Pro+ and realme 16 Pro, with a focus on high-resolution imaging, updated design, and improved hardware performance within the mid-range segment.
realme 16 Pro Series
Starting off, the new lineup features a significantly different look from its predecessor, as the Chinese smartphone maker largely credited its collaboration with renowned industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa for the updated looks. There’s a lot of marketing jargon thrown at the proverbial wall here, but here’s the key features you should be aware of, as far as the new designs are concerned.
The realme 16 Pro+ uses a “bio-based organic silicone” back cover with a textured “wheat-grain pattern” finish, and bucking the trend of increasingly flat-looking smartphones, the Pro+ models keeps its edges curved for optimal hand grip. Diagonal to the off-center realme logo is the camera bump that houses the trio of sensors, which doesn’t feature the usual harsh edges on virtually all smartphones today (except Google Pixel 10a); instead, it’s got a volcano-style shape that, aside from aesthetics, also offer a practical benefit: no more annoying trapped dust or smudges.
Meanwhile, the realme 16 Pro is understandably more conventional – think flat edges, raised camera bumps with visible bulge (though it gets the same layout within the island), that kind of stuff. In any case, both devices also feature IP69-rated water and dust resistance (realme even claims it can support underwater photography with a dedicated underwater mode for its camera software), while the Pro+ model also gets Corning Gorilla Glass 7i for frontal protection.
For imaging, both models share the same 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HP5 primary sensor for their main “LumaColor” camera, while the Pro+ model also features a periscope telephoto lens capable of 3.5x optical zoom; oddly, realme didn’t specify on what exactly the regular Pro model’s third camera does, aside from the 8MP ultrawide shared on both variants. Either way, they feature optional lens kit support that brings another 4x optical zoom onboard on top of the native hardware.
In terms of performance, the realme 16 Pro+ is powered by a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset (same as the realme 15 Pro), while the realme 16 Pro uses a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Max chipset instead. Both devices include 144Hz AMOLED displays, with the Pro+ featuring a 6.8-inch 1.5K curved panel and the Pro offering a 6.78-inch flat display. Battery capacity is rated at 7000mAh for both models, with vapor chamber cooling system keeping the thermals in check for their internals.
The realme 16 Pro+ with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage is priced at RM2,299, while the realme 16 Pro is available in 12+256GB and 12+512GB configurations priced at RM1,599 and RM1,899 respectively. The devices are available through realme brand stores, authorized retailers, and various online platforms.
Pokdepinion: Smartphones should look unique once again!
