Realme believes that optics – at least in packages that fit into a smartphone form factor – have reached their ceiling and further improvements in image quality can only be achieved with advanced AI image processing. The company invited us to a showcase of its upcoming Realme 13 Pro+ and even allowed us to take pictures with it.
The Realme number series has a long history of bringing camera innovation to the masses. This trend will continue as Realme has announced a strategic partnership with Sony, the supplier for sensors in the main and periscope cameras.
Official demo of AI ultra clarity image processing
The Realme 13 Pro series will be the first to use the new Sony LYT-701. Not much is known about this sensor yet, but the proof is in the camera samples we have.
The Pro+ model will also have a periscope lens with the LYT-600 behind it. This is the first time this sensor has been found in such an arrangement, but otherwise it is well known – it is a 50MP 1/1.93” sensor.
The periscope lens offers 3x magnification (73mm) and combined with the in-sensor zoom on the LYT-600, it can also do 6x lossless zoom (146mm). Realme claims that image quality remains intact even at 10x magnification. As for the other two cameras, the Realme 13 Pro+ has a 24mm main and a 16MP ultra wide (0.6x).
Before we move on to the camera samples, let’s take a look at the phone. Just a glimpse, Realme isn’t ready to reveal the design of the 13 Pro+ just yet. For now, all we can tell you is that it will have a curved screen – a bit of a surprise, as the 12, 11 and 10 Pro+ models had.
An early look at the Realme 13 Pro+
We should also mention HyperImage+, which is Realme’s AI-based image processing pipeline. It has three components, including state-of-the-art optics to capture the best RAW data possible. Then comes the on-device AI image processing algorithms, which enhance light and shadows, ensure natural skin tones, render realistic-looking bokeh and even have a mode for group shots. The third component is AI-based image editing in the cloud, in case you want to improve some of your images.
Without further ado, here are camera samples taken with the Realme 13 Pro+ in a specially prepared photo area.
In the first scene, we used the main camera at its native focal length, then at 2x magnification, and the telephoto at its native 3x and 6x modes.
Realme 13 Pro+ camera samples: 24mm • 49mm • 73mm • 144mm
The next scene was filmed with the telephoto camera only, starting at 73 mm (3x) and going up to 239 mm (i.e. 10x magnification).
Realme 13 Pro+ periscope cam sample: 73mm • 144mm • 239mm
The next scene was shot in low light, which is a problem for most zoom cameras. We start with the main and then take two photos with the periscope. Each shot has the main settings printed at the bottom of the image: focal length, aperture, shutter speed and ISO.
Realme 13 Pro+ in the dark: 24mm • 73mm • 144mm
OK, back to Lego Town. The next four shots go from 1x to 6x:
Realme 13 Pro+: 24mm • 49mm • 73mm • 144mm • 239mm
Here are some more 6x shots. These combine the 3x optical magnification of the periscope with the in-sensor zoom on the LYT-600 sensor:
Realme 13 Pro+ camera sample at 6x (239mm)
The camera can also be used for close-ups. Here are some pictures shot with the main and periscope cameras:
Realme 13 Pro+ close-up shots: 24mm • 73mm • 144mm
And a close-up of the rambutan fruit:
Realme 13 Pro+ close-up shots: 24mm • 49mm • 73mm • 144mm
Realme also let us go outside to take some pictures of Bangkok. The event started in the afternoon and by the time it was over, the sun was setting. It remained beautiful despite the difficult lighting conditions.
Here’s the view from our high up spot, starting with the 16mm ultra-wide camera and going up to 6x with the periscope.
External samples of Realme 13 Pro+: 16mm • 24mm • 49mm • 73mm • 144mm
We turned the camera in the other direction and once again covered the 16-144mm range:
External samples of Realme 13 Pro+: 16mm • 24mm • 49mm • 73mm • 144mm
It’s a rooftop bar and there were some decorative lights up, so we used the main 24mm Sony LYT-701 camera to capture the scene.
Realme 13 Pro+ main camera sample
And here’s the same view, this time through the ultra wide camera’s 16mm lens
Realme 13 Pro+ ultra wide camera sample
The Realme 13 Pro series is coming soon, although the company has still not publicly decided on an announcement date.