Realme 16 smartphone: features, battery, and durability details

Realme has officially unveiled the base model of its series—the Realme 16—which debuted in Vietnam and is expected to reach other markets soon. Following the launch of the 16 Pro and 16 Pro+, the company is now expanding the lineup with a smartphone that focuses on battery life, durability, and a fresh design.

The new device features what Realme calls Air Design, with a flat chassis and a sleek camera strip on the back that echoes trends seen in recent flagship models. The main camera module includes a 50 MP Sony IMX852 sensor paired with a secondary 2 MP monochrome sensor. Realme has also added an unusual touch—a small mirror on the body for taking selfies with the main camera.

Up front, there’s a 6.57-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits. The phone also packs a 50 MP front-facing camera and an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, which is rare in this class. Powering the device is a MediaTek Dimensity 6400 Turbo processor, coupled with 8 GB of RAM and storage options of 128 GB or 256 GB. Realme positions the phone as a solid mid-range offering with enough performance for gaming and everyday tasks.

The standout feature of the Realme 16 is its massive 7,000 mAh battery, putting it firmly in the long-lasting category. It supports 60 W fast charging, and the build impresses with a suite of protection ratings: IP66, IP68, IP69, and even IP69K, meaning it’s resistant not just to water and dust but also to high-pressure exposure.

The Realme 16 comes in White Swan and Black Cloud colorways. In Vietnam, pricing starts at around $443 for the 8/256 GB version and goes up to about $481 for the 12/256 GB configuration, making it an unusual blend of high endurance and ruggedness in the mid-price segment.