Hey guys, Realme dropped the Narzo 90 5G in India yesterday (December 16, 2025), and it's already creating some buzz in the budget-midrange segment. Starting at just ₹16,999 for the 6GB+128GB variant (and ₹18,499 for 8GB+128GB), this phone is packing some seriously impressive specs on paper – especially that massive 7000mAh battery and a bright OLED display. I've been digging into the details since the launch, and while it's not perfect, there's a lot to like here if you're looking for a practical daily driver under 20k.
Let me share my thoughts based on the official specs and early impressions floating around.
Design and One-Hand Usage: Surprisingly Comfortable
First off, the design is a win for me. At just 7.79mm thick and 181g light, with a compact 6.57-inch flat display and super slim 2.23mm bezels, this feels way more premium and ergonomic than most phones in this price range. No curved edges means better grip and no accidental touches, and the smaller screen size makes it perfect for single-hand use – something that's getting rare these days with all these 6.8-inch giants.
It comes in Victory Gold (that layered, flowing line pattern looks classy) and Carbon Black. Plus, triple IP rating (IP66/68/69) means it's tough against dust and water – great peace of mind. Overall, the look and feel scream "easy to carry all day" without compromising on modern vibes.
Display: One of the Best in This Segment
The screen is easily one of the highlights. It's a 6.57-inch BOE Q10 FHD+ flat OLED with 120Hz refresh rate, insane 4000 nits peak brightness (1400 nits HBM for real-world use), and 2160Hz PWM dimming for eye comfort. Colors pop, blacks are deep, and it's super visible even under direct sunlight. Scrolling feels buttery smooth, and gaming/videos look fantastic.
If you hate PWM flicker or spend a lot of time outdoors, this display is a massive upgrade over LCDs in cheaper phones. Realme nailed it here – it's bright, vibrant, and comfortable.
Performance: Decent for Everyday and Light Gaming
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Max (a 6nm chip that's basically a refreshed older midrange SoC), performance is solid but not groundbreaking. It handles multitasking, social media, browsing, and casual games like COD Mobile or PUBG at medium-high settings without issues. Benchmarks are in the ~390k-400k AnTuTu range – decent for the price, no lag in daily use.
It's not a gaming monster (no high-end cooling or flagship chip), but for most people? Absolutely fine. Paired with expandable storage up to 2TB via microSD, it's practical for hoarders like me.
Battery Life: An Absolute Monster
7000mAh battery with 60W fast charging (and an 80W charger in the box – nice touch, Realme!). This thing will easily last 2-3 days on moderate use, or a full heavy day with gaming and streaming. Charging from 0-100% in under an hour? Yes please.
In a world where most phones struggle to hit a full day, this is a game-changer for travelers, heavy users, or anyone who forgets to charge overnight.
Cameras: Rear is Good, But Selfie Falls Short
Rear: 50MP OmniVision OV50D main + 2MP depth. From early samples and Realme's claims, daylight shots are sharp, colors are natural, and low-light performance is surprisingly good thanks to the sensor. Portrait mode with edge detection works well, and AI features like Edit Genie add fun edits. Overall, solid rear camera for the price – punches above its weight.
Front: Also 50MP OV50D. On paper, megapixels sound great, but honestly? The selfie camera feels underwhelming. Processing tends to over-smooth skin, colors can look washed out in indoor light, and detail isn't as crisp as I'd hope from a 50MP sensor. It's okay for quick snaps or video calls, but if selfies are your thing, this might disappoint compared to rivals with better-tuned front cams.
Software and Extras
Ships with Android 15 and Realme UI 6.0 – clean, feature-packed, with promised updates. Stereo speakers, in-display fingerprint – all good.
Final Verdict: Strong Buy for Practical Users
At ₹16,999, the Realme Narzo 90 5G is a no-brainer if you want killer battery life, a gorgeous bright display, comfortable design for one-hand use, and reliable rear cameras. Performance is plenty for most, and the build feels premium.
The only real letdown for me is the selfie camera – it's not bad, but it could've been better tuned. If you're not a selfie enthusiast, ignore that and grab this for the endurance and screen alone.
Competing with stuff like Moto G series or Redmi Note entrants, this stands out for battery and display. Definitely one of the best value picks right now.
What do you think – planning to pick one up? Or waiting for sales/reviews? Let me know in the comments!
Best Buy Link: https://amzn.to/4s2kwRG
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