The smartphone market is constantly evolving, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what's possible in a pocket-sized device. Among these innovations, the Realme X3 SuperZoom has emerged as a notable contender, offering high-end features at a surprisingly affordable price point. This comprehensive review will delve deep into what makes this device stand out, with a particular focus on its impressive camera capabilities.
Design and Build Quality
The Realme X3 SuperZoom adopts a design language that has become somewhat standard in the modern smartphone era. It features a 6.6-inch display with a dual punch-hole cutout for the front-facing cameras, a design choice that maximizes screen real estate without resorting to a notch. The back of the device is glass, adorned with a subtle gradient finish that adds a touch of elegance. While not revolutionary, this design approach allows the X3 SuperZoom to blend in with more premium devices.
One notable design choice is the side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which doubles as the power button. This placement is both practical and ergonomic, offering quick and reliable access for unlocking the device. The build quality is solid, with the phone feeling premium in hand despite its mid-range price point. The glass back, while attractive, does make the phone somewhat slippery and prone to fingerprints, so users may want to consider a case for added grip and protection.
Display Technology
The X3 SuperZoom boasts a 6.6-inch Full HD+ LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. While some may lament the absence of an AMOLED panel, Realme has compensated by incorporating a 120Hz refresh rate. This high refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, contributing significantly to the overall user experience.
The display's brightness is adequate for most situations, though it may struggle in direct sunlight compared to some flagship devices. Color reproduction is good, if not exceptional, with the LCD technology providing accurate, if somewhat muted, tones compared to the vibrant hues of AMOLED displays. The high refresh rate is particularly noticeable when gaming or scrolling through content-heavy apps, providing a premium feel that belies the phone's price point.
Performance Powerhouse
Under the hood, the X3 SuperZoom packs a surprising punch. It's powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ processor, a chip that, while not the absolute latest, was until recently found in many flagship devices. This is paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, depending on the configuration, and 128GB or 256GB of non-expandable storage.
This hardware combination delivers excellent performance across a wide range of tasks. Demanding games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile run smoothly, even at high graphics settings. Multitasking is a breeze, with the generous RAM allowing numerous apps to remain open in the background without noticeable slowdown. For everyday usage, the X3 SuperZoom feels snappy and responsive, with the 120Hz display further enhancing this perception of speed.
The choice of the Snapdragon 855+ is particularly interesting. While not the newest chip on the market, it offers performance that rivals many current mid-range processors while keeping costs down. This decision allows Realme to offer near-flagship performance at a much more accessible price point, a strategy that has paid off in terms of the device's overall value proposition.
Battery Life and Charging
The X3 SuperZoom is equipped with a 4200mAh battery, which provides decent, if not exceptional, battery life. Under normal usage conditions, most users should be able to get through a full day on a single charge. However, heavy users, particularly those taking advantage of the 120Hz display and powerful processor for gaming, may find themselves reaching for the charger before the day is out.
Where the X3 SuperZoom truly shines is in its charging capabilities. The device supports 30W Dart Charge fast charging, which can fully charge the phone in under an hour. More impressively, it can charge from 0 to 70% in about 30 minutes, making it easy to top up the battery quickly when needed. This fast charging capability helps mitigate any concerns about battery life, as even a short charging session can provide hours of usage.
It's worth noting that the 120Hz display, while smooth and enjoyable, does have a significant impact on battery life. Users looking to extend their usage time may want to consider switching to the 60Hz option in the settings, which can noticeably improve battery performance at the cost of some visual smoothness.
Software Experience
The X3 SuperZoom runs on Realme UI, which is based on Android 10. Realme UI offers a clean and customizable interface that strikes a balance between stock Android and more heavily skinned interfaces like Samsung's One UI or Xiaomi's MIUI. The UI is generally snappy and intuitive, with useful features like a system-wide dark mode and various gesture navigation options.
One potential downside is the presence of some pre-installed apps, though many of these can be uninstalled if desired. The gesture navigation, while generally smooth, can sometimes be finicky when used with certain cases, a minor annoyance that may affect some users.
Realme has been relatively consistent with software updates, though they may not be as frequent or long-term as what you might expect from Google or Samsung devices. Nonetheless, the software experience on the X3 SuperZoom is generally positive, offering a good balance of features and performance.
Camera System: The True Star
The camera system is undoubtedly the standout feature of the Realme X3 SuperZoom, and it's here that the device truly shines. The rear camera setup consists of four lenses:
- A 64MP main sensor (Samsung GW1)
- An 8MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom
- An 8MP ultra-wide lens
- A 2MP macro lens
This versatile array is complemented by dual front-facing cameras: a 32MP main selfie camera and an 8MP ultra-wide selfie camera.
The main 64MP sensor delivers excellent results in good lighting conditions, capturing images with impressive detail and realistic colors. The camera app offers a 64MP mode for when you want to capture the absolute maximum detail, though the standard mode, which uses pixel binning to produce 16MP images, often provides better results, especially in lower light.
The star of the show, however, is the 8MP periscope telephoto lens. This lens offers 5x optical zoom, with digital zoom extending up to an impressive 60x. While images at the maximum zoom level are more of a party trick than practically usable, the results at 5x and even 10x zoom are surprisingly good. This capability opens up new creative possibilities, allowing users to capture distant subjects with clarity that's rare in this price range.
The ultra-wide lens performs well for landscapes and group shots, though as is common with many smartphone ultra-wides, there's a noticeable drop in detail compared to the main sensor. The 2MP macro lens, while somewhat limited in resolution, can capture interesting close-up shots, though it requires patience and good lighting to get the best results.
One of the most impressive features of the camera system is its low-light performance. The improved Night Mode does an excellent job of brightening dark scenes while maintaining a natural look. It's not quite on par with the best flagship night modes, but it's very close, and certainly impressive for a device in this price range.
The X3 SuperZoom also introduces a Starry Mode for astrophotography. While this feature requires a tripod and ideal conditions to get the best results, it's capable of capturing stunning night sky images that were previously the domain of much more expensive devices or dedicated cameras.
The front-facing cameras also perform well, with the main 32MP sensor capturing detailed selfies with good color reproduction. The addition of an ultra-wide selfie camera is a nice touch, making it easier to capture group selfies or more of the background in your shots.
Who Should Consider the Realme X3 SuperZoom?
The Realme X3 SuperZoom is an excellent choice for several types of users. Photography enthusiasts on a budget will find a lot to love here, with the versatile camera system offering capabilities that are hard to find at this price point. The 5x optical zoom, in particular, opens up creative possibilities that are often reserved for much more expensive devices.
Users who want flagship-level performance without breaking the bank will also appreciate the X3 SuperZoom. The Snapdragon 855+ processor, coupled with generous RAM and the 120Hz display, provides a smooth and responsive experience that rivals many more expensive devices.
The X3 SuperZoom is also a great option for those who frequently use zoom capabilities in their smartphone photography. Whether you're capturing wildlife, sports events, or just want to get closer to distant subjects, the periscope lens on this device delivers impressive results.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
While the X3 SuperZoom offers a lot of value, it may not be the perfect choice for everyone. Users who prioritize AMOLED displays might be disappointed by the LCD panel, despite its high refresh rate. While the display is good, it doesn't offer the deep blacks and vibrant colors that AMOLED enthusiasts crave.
Those who need expandable storage should also look elsewhere, as the X3 SuperZoom doesn't offer a microSD card slot. While the 128GB or 256GB of internal storage will be sufficient for many users, those who store large amounts of media or frequently shoot 4K video might find themselves running out of space.
Fans of stock Android or heavily customized UI experiences might also want to consider other options. While Realme UI is generally well-received, it's neither as clean as stock Android nor as feature-packed as some other custom skins.
Final Verdict
The Realme X3 SuperZoom represents an impressive achievement in the mid-range smartphone market. It manages to offer a combination of features and performance that were, until recently, the domain of much more expensive flagship devices. While it may not have the most eye-catching design or the brightest display on the market, it more than makes up for these minor shortcomings with its stellar camera performance and powerful internals.
The camera system, in particular, deserves praise. The versatility offered by the combination of a high-resolution main sensor, an impressive periscope zoom lens, and capable ultra-wide and macro options is rare at this price point. The ability to capture everything from detailed close-ups to distant landscapes, and even reasonable shots of the moon, makes the X3 SuperZoom a photography enthusiast's dream on a budget.
Performance is another strong point, with the Snapdragon 855+ ensuring that the device can handle anything you throw at it, from demanding games to heavy multitasking. The 120Hz display, while not AMOLED, adds a premium feel to the user experience that belies the phone's mid-range price.
Battery life, while not class-leading, is adequate for most users, and the fast charging capability helps to alleviate any range anxiety. The software experience, while not perfect, offers a good balance of features and performance.
In conclusion, if you're a smartphone photography enthusiast looking for a device that can capture a wide range of subjects without emptying your wallet, the X3 SuperZoom deserves serious consideration. Its combination of versatile cameras, strong performance, and reasonable price make it a compelling option in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While it may not be perfect for everyone, for its target audience, the Realme X3 SuperZoom represents exceptional value and capability.
