We used the Realme 16 Pro+ for a couple of days; here’s how it tries to justify its price hike

For years, Realme’s number-series of phones have lived in a comfortable sweet spot. They were the devices you picked when you wanted a bit of flagship polish without crossing into flagship pricing. That balance, however, has been getting harder to maintain in a market where phones are quietly creeping upwards in price.

When flagships like the OnePlus 15 and the Realme GT 8 Pro launched last year with higher-than-expected price tags, the justification was expected: components cost more now. What felt less clear was whether that inflation would eventually trickle down to phones that still wear the “mid-range” label. With the Realme 16 Pro+, that answer appears to be yes.

ALSO READ: Realme 16 Pro, 16 Pro+ launched with 200MP triple cameras, 7,000mAh battery

Starting at Rs 39,999, the 16 Pro+ represents a noticeable shift for the series. The Realme 15 Pro+ debuted closer to Rs 32,000, while the 14 Pro+ hovered around the Rs 30,000 mark. Realme seems to be betting that buyers are now more willing to pay extra for a phone that feels complete, rather than save money and live with obvious compromises.

The question, then, is whether the Realme 16 Pro+ does enough to justify that bet. Let’s dive deeper in our first impressions.

Realme 16 Pro+ design

If there is one thing the Realme number series has consistently understood, it is visual appeal. The 16 Pro Plus leans heavily into that strength. The Master Grey finish is understated rather than flashy, paired with a vegan leather back that feels premium the moment you pick it up. However, it attracts quite a bit of dust and lint, so expect to wipe it down often.

That small annoyance aside, the phone looks and feels expensive. The metallic camera module looks eye-catching, and despite the large battery inside, the device remains surprisingly slim. It feels like a carefully designed large phone, not one that has simply grown thicker to accommodate bigger numbers on a spec sheet.

Realme 16 Pro+ display

Curved displays are slowly falling out of favour, but Realme is clearly not ready to let go. The 16 Pro Plus features a large OLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, and it is one of the phone’s standout elements. In real-world, the panel also gets bright enough to remain legible under harsh sunlight.

Colours are vibrant without veering into excess, text stays sharp, and the high refresh rate makes everyday interactions feel fluid. All in all, the display stands out in a sea of flat-display phones in 2026.

Realme 16 Pro+ performance and battery

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset is where the pricing debate becomes unavoidable. On paper, pairing this processor with a higher launch price than last year feels underwhelming. That reaction is understandable.

In daily use, however, the experience feels solid. Apps open quickly and multitasking is smooth. We will test more demanding apps in the coming few days, and give our full performance verdict in the review.

Battery life is where the 16 Pro Plus makes one of its most meaningful upgrades. It houses a gargantuan 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, that too in a phone that still feels sleek.  Paired with 80W fast charging, it offers a great package where the phone lasts long, and when you do need to charge it, top-ups are speedy as well.

Realme 16 Pro+ cameras

Cameras have long been a highlight for Realme’s Pro Plus phones, and early impressions suggest that the 16 Pro Plus continues that trend. The combination of a 200MP primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto, and an 8MP ultra-wide offers genuine versatility.

Some of the initial shots we clicked show good detail and pleasing colour reproduction without aggressive processing. The telephoto lens, in particular, adds flexibility that many rivals still lack. We’ll, of course, do more exhaustive testing later, and we’ll share more detailed insights in our full review. So, stay tuned for that.

Realme 16 Pro+ early impressions

After testing the phone for a couple of days, we can say that the Realme 16 Pro+ feels like a well-rounded phone. The design is premium, the curved OLED display is vibrant and fluid, and the camera setup offers useful versatility beyond the main sensor.

Performance is steady and reliable rather than class-leading, but we’ll have to test it further to give you a proper verdict here.

All in all, though, the 16 Pro+ feels cohesive and thoughtfully put together, staying true to what the Pro Plus series does best. We’ll dive deeper in our full review so stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for that and more reviews of the latest gadgets.