Realme Note 60x

At Rs. 22,799, the Realme Note 60x is a basic phone for light users who mainly call, chat and use social media. Its best points are toughness and battery, not speed or cameras.

• Strengths: ArmorShell build with IP54 dust and splash protection, 5000mAh battery in a slim 7.8mm body, dual SIM plus a dedicated microSD slot, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Weaknesses: only 3GB of real RAM, a modest Unisoc T612 chip, an HD+ screen, weak cameras, slow 10W charging and no charger in the box, which adds to the real cost

Opinions on it are split: some find it smooth enough for everyday tasks, while others notice stutter and suggest skipping it. The Samsung Galaxy A07 costs Rs. 35,599, much more, but brings a faster Helio G99 chip, a 50MP camera, 25W charging and up to 6 major Android upgrades.

Verdict: worth it only on a strict budget for basic use. Anyone who games, takes many photos or wants the phone to stay quick for years should spend more.

The Note 60x has a 6.74-inch IPS LCD with 720 x 1600 (HD+) resolution. Brightness is a strong point for the price: it reaches 560 nits peak, and outdoor visibility is good.

• The 90Hz refresh rate is not fully under your control: the settings offer only an Auto mode and a lower fixed rate, so you cannot lock the screen at 90Hz
• The HD+ resolution makes text and images less sharp than on a Full HD screen
• There is a dewdrop notch at the top and a visible chin at the bottom, which is common at this price

Overall it is an average screen: fine for calls, chats and videos, but not a highlight.

The Unisoc Tiger T612 is an entry-level chip that scores roughly 250,000 in AnTuTu. Opinions differ on daily use: some find scrolling social media and switching apps smooth enough for the price, while others notice stutter that grows worse over time, along with possible heating.

• RAM: the 3GB model is sold as having more memory because up to 5GB of virtual RAM can be added in settings, but virtual RAM is software and adds little real speed
• Storage: 64GB of eMMC 5.1 storage, slower than the UFS storage in pricier phones, with a dedicated microSD slot for expansion
• Gaming: not suitable for demanding games

Buyers who keep a phone for years should consider a 4GB model or a phone with a stronger chip.

The Note 60x has an 8MP rear camera with an auxiliary lens and a 5MP selfie camera. These are basic cameras, and opinions differ on how well they do.

• Good light: the rear camera focuses well, balances highlights and shadows reasonably, and takes acceptable portraits, though some rate the results below average
• Zoom: photos pixelate quickly when you zoom in
• Low light: rear photos are poor at night
• Selfies: the 5MP front camera captures little detail, though colours are acceptable outdoors
• Video: the rear camera records up to 1080p 30fps and the front camera up to 720p

If photos and video matter to you, this phone is not the right choice.

The Note 60x has a 5000mAh battery, which is a good capacity for a phone that is only 7.8mm thick.

Charging is the weak spot. It supports only 10W wired charging, which is slow for a battery this size, and no charger comes in the box, only a USB Type-C cable. Budget for a charger when you buy it.

We did not find a reliable battery life test, so real-world endurance figures are not given here.

The phone runs Realme UI based on Android 14. It includes some useful extras for a budget phone:

• Mini Capsule: the area around the notch shows charging status, step count and weather
• AI noise reduction for calls: cuts traffic and background noise so your voice comes through more clearly in loud places
• Side fingerprint scanner: built into the power button, which can also be set up for other shortcuts

Several games come preinstalled, so uninstall the ones you do not need after setup. Realme's Pakistan page lists a 24-month warranty but does not state how many Android updates the phone will get.