realme 15T Unboxing and First Impressions - Return to value?

We unbox the new value-focused realme 15T, equipped with a Dimensity 8400 Max chipset, a 4,000 nit AMOLED screen, and a 7,000mAh battery.

realme 15T 5G

In a surprising move, realme has refocused its priorities for its realme 15 series. This is also evident in the realme 15T, where it strategically forgoes certain features to keep the price competitive.

The new phone features a 120Hz 6.57-inch AMOLED screen, a 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Max octa-core processor, a Mali G57 MC2 GPU, LPDDR4X RAM, 128GB/256GB of storage, and a 7,000mAh battery with 60W fast charging via USB-C.

It is IP66 + IP67 + IP69 dust and water-resistant. In front is a 50MP f/2.4 selfie camera, while at the back is the 50MP f/1.8 main camera with an LED flash.

Other features include an in-display fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, WiFi, Bluetooth 5.3, 4G, and 5G.

In the Philippines, the price starts at PHP 16,999 for the 8GB/256GB variant.

Let's take a look at it.

Unboxing/Accessories

realme 15T's packaging

Like recent realme number series, it comes with a bright yellow packaging with a diagonal yellow pattern. Around the box are the realme branding and regulatory information.

realme 15T in Floating Silver with box inclusions

Inside the box are the realme 15T, a USB-A to USB-C cable, SIM ejector, silicone case, a 60W wall charger, and documentation.

Unfortunately, the box does not include earphones.

Build Quality/Design

realme 15T's rear design

At first glance, the phone caught our eye because of the flowing silver pattern and the solid square-ish camera module at the back. It measures 158.36 x 75.19 x 7.79mm and weighs 183 grams.

The frame is metal-like with a brushed texture. It is sandwiched with glass front (glossy) and rear (frosted) panels. 

Solid, glossy, and premium feeling

It is IP66 + IP68 + IP69 dust and water resistance rated, meaning that the product is resistant to most immersion for a limited time. 

realme 15T's display

In front is the aforementioned 6.57-inch flat AMOLED screen with a 2,372 x 1,080 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 240Hz touch sampling rate, and a 4,000 nits peak brightness. It supports 2,160Hz PWM Dimming, and is DT Star D+ Glass protected.

Around the panel are nearly symmetrical bezels with an 8mm rounded corners.

realme 15T's top and bottom sides

On top are the microphone port and the second speaker, while at the bottom are the speaker grill, USB-C port, microphone port, and a SIM ejector tool.

Around the phone is realme's Antenna Array Matrix, which supports 360-degree NFC and boosts signals.

realme 15T's SIM tray

The SIM tray accommodates up to two nano SIM cards or one nano SIM and one MicroSD card. There is a rubber gasket that confirms the IP rating.

realme 15T's left and right sides

On the left is a smooth surface, while on the right are the volume rocker and the power button. Both have that plastic-y feel and sound when pressed.

At the back is the 50MP f/1.8 main camera with the 1/2.88-inch Omnivision OV50D40 sensor with an LED flash. It does not have OIS.

In front is the 50MP f/2.4 selfie camera with the 1/2.88-inch Omnivision OV50D40 sensor. 

Both cameras can record up to 1080p at 60fps.

The stock camera app includes Photo, Video, Portrait, AI Landscape, Night, Pro, Hi-Res, Pano, Street, Movie, Slo-Mo, Time-lapse, Dual-View Video, Underwater, Text scanner, and Tilt-Shift.

The Pro mode allows for controls of ISO (100-6400), Shutter Speed (1/8000 - 30 secs), EV (+- 3), Focus, and White Balance. Users can also shoot in either JPEG or RAW format.

First Camera Samples

realme 15T rear camera sample

realme 15T rear camera sample close-up

realme 15T rear camera sample

realme 15T selfie camera

realme 15T selfie camera portrait mode

Powering the phone is the 7,000mAh Battery with 60W fast charging via USB-C. realme is claiming that 5 minutes of charge yields 2.5 hours of video streaming. It should take 75 minutes to fully charge the phone. It supports ByPass Charging and reverse wired charging. It should retain up to 80 percent battery health after 5 years or 1,600 charge cycles.

Inside is the 2.5GHz 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Max 5G octa-core processor. It is cooled by a 6050 mm2 AirFlow Vapor Chamber cooling system that promises 3.5 times better heat dissipation than the previous realme 14T 5G.

Alongside the processor are the 8GB/12GB LPDDR4X RAM, 256GB/512GB UFS 2.2 internal storage, and it is expandable via microSD through the Hybrid SIM tray.

The phone comes with symmetric stereo speakers, and it supports dual nano SIMs. 

Other features include NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi, 4G, 5G, and stereo speakers.

realme 15T 5G Specs

Display: 6.57-inch AMOLED screen w/ 120Hz refresh rate, FHD+ 2372 x 1080 resolution at 401 ppi

CPU: 2.4GHz 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Max octa-core processor

GPU: Mali-G57 MC2

RAM: 8GB/12GB 

ROM: 256GB

Back Camera: 50MP f/1.8 w/ PDAF  + 2MP f/2.4 depth + LED flash

Selfie Camera: 50MP f/2.4

Battery: 7,000mAh w/ 60W SUPERVOOC

OS: Android 15 w/ realme UI 6.0

Connectivity: WiFi 6 (2.4GHz/5GHz), 5G SA/NSA, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.3, OTG, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC, dual SIM

Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic

Others: In-Display fingerprint sensor, IP68/69 dust and water splash resistance, Super Linear Dual Speakers, Hi-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos, Dual-mic Noise Cancellation, Vapor Chamber Cooling System, USB-C, Colors: Silk Blue, Suit Titanium, Flowing Silver

Dimensions: 158.4 x 75.2 x 7.8 mm

Weight: 181 g

Price: PHP 16,999 (8GB/256GB), PHP 19,999 (12GB/512GB)

Quick thoughts

realme 15T websurfing

With a starting price of PHP 16,999,  does the realme 15T offer competitive value because of its 120Hz 4,000 nits FHD+ AMOLED screen, dual 50MP cameras, and the 7,000mAh battery with 60W fast charging?

The screen is large and bright, with crisp text. But what caught our attention even more were the near-symmetrical slim bezels. 

It is made of a metal frame and glass front and rear panels with a unique rear pattern design and a solid metal square camera module.

It comes with the Dimensity 6400 Max 5G octa-core processor, 8GB/12GB LPDDR4X RAM, and 256GB/512GB UFS 2.2 storage. 

realme 15T's AnTuTu and GeekBench results

It scored a respectable 605,158 in AnTuTu as well.

Inside is the massive 7,000mAh battery with 60W fast wired charging that also supports reverse wired charging.

At the back are the triple 50MP rear cameras and a 50MP selfie camera. This is where the value proposition is questioned, as we only have one usable rear camera. An ultra-wide camera would have been a big, convenient option.

Overall, we found select features competitive, but the phone lacked some features that are considered essential by some.

We will also be taking more photos with the phone and running our usual battery of tests.

What do you guys think?