Here’s a bold statement: the Realme P4 Power isn’t here to win a camera shootout, and that’s perfectly fine. But here’s where it gets controversial—while it skips the telephoto lens, it packs a massive 10,001mAh battery, a trade-off that’s sure to spark debate among tech enthusiasts. Is it a step backward or a strategic move? Let’s dive in.
The P4 Power’s name hints at its priorities—power over pixel perfection. Its camera setup feels like a slightly toned-down version of the P3 Ultra’s, featuring a dual rear camera and a straightforward front-facing option. The main camera uses a 1/2.0-inch Sony sensor, similar to the Oppo Reno15, which is impressive for its price range. However, it’s smaller than the P3 Ultra’s 1/1.56-inch sensor, making it more of a side step than an upgrade. And this is the part most people miss—while it lacks a telephoto lens, it compensates with features like a massive battery, which many competitors can’t match.
The ultrawide camera is a carryover from the P3 Ultra—an 8MP unit with fixed focus. It’s standard for the segment, though we’ve seen some phones introduce autofocus-capable 8MP lenses. The selfie camera is equally unremarkable, relying on a 16MP Quad Bayer sensor with fixed focus.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Main Camera (Wide): 50MP Sony IMX 882 (LYT-600, 1/1.95", 0.8µm-1.6µm); 26mm, f/1.8, OIS, multi-directional PDAF; 4K30/1080p60 video.
- Ultrawide: 8MP (1/4.0", 1.12µm); 16mm, f/2.2, fixed focus; 1080p30.
- Front Camera: 16MP (1/3.0", 1.0µm-2.0µm); 23mm, f/2.4, fixed focus; 1080p30.
Daylight Performance:
The main camera delivers surprisingly solid photos, with sharp details and well-balanced exposures. While some might find the sharpening a tad aggressive, it’s a minor quibble for most users. Colors are vibrant, and dynamic range is impressive, though shots lean slightly brighter and flatter. Skin tones in portraits are natural, and subject separation is commendable without relying on artificial bokeh.
But here’s the catch—the 2x zoom, while decent, can’t replace a dedicated telephoto lens. That said, it’s a fair compromise for the phone’s endurance-focused design. The ultrawide camera performs adequately, with pleasing colors and dynamic range, though sharpness leaves room for improvement.
Selfies:
Selfies are hit-or-miss. In perfect lighting, you might snag a decent shot, but backlit scenes or less-than-ideal conditions result in soft, noisy images. Don’t expect 16MP-level detail, even in optimal settings.
Low-Light Performance:
The main camera shines at night, outperforming some larger-sensor competitors. Images are detailed, though slightly gritty, with excellent exposures and dynamic range. White balance can be inconsistent under certain lighting, but colors generally hold up well. The 2x zoom is usable but shows noticeable pixelation and sharpening artifacts. The ultrawide struggles in low light, producing soft, noisy shots with harsh highlights.
Video Quality:
The P4 Power supports up to 4K30 video on the main camera, with 1080p60 as an alternative. The ultrawide and selfie cameras cap at 1080p30. The Pro mode adds a 24fps option, and you can switch between h.265 (HEVC) and h.264 codecs. 4K footage is solid, with good dynamic range and colors, though 2x zoom clips are underwhelming. The ultrawide maintains color accuracy but falls short in sharpness. Low-light video is decent at 1x, but 2x and ultrawide clips struggle.
Stabilization works well in stationary shots but falters during walking, with noticeable shake and focus hunting. The Ultra Steady mode doesn’t significantly improve stability despite the added crop.
Final Verdict:
The Realme P4 Power’s camera is a mixed bag. Its main camera excels in daylight and low-light stills, but the lack of a telephoto lens and underwhelming ultrawide hold it back. Video quality is reliable at 1x, but that’s about it. Selfies are average at best. Here’s the question for you—would you sacrifice camera versatility for a massive battery? Let us know in the comments!
