The Realme X3 SuperZoom is known for its impressive photography capabilities, especially with its periscope-style 5x optical zoom camera and 120Hz refresh rate display, positioning it as a solid choice for photography enthusiasts and gamers alike. However, like many smartphones, the Realme X3 SuperZoom comes with a set of reported issues and performance drawbacks. In this article, we’ll explore common problems that users experience, possible solutions, and an assessment of whether it’s worth purchasing the Realme X3 SuperZoom or exploring similar options in its class.
Key Specifications of the Realme X3 SuperZoom
- Model: Realme X3 SuperZoom
- Operating System: Android 10, Realme UI
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm)
- Memory: Up to 12GB RAM, 256GB UFS 3.0 storage (non-expandable)
- Display: 6.6-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080), 120Hz refresh rate
- Camera: Quad rear camera setup, featuring a 64MP main, 8MP periscope zoom, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP macro camera
- Battery: 4,200mAh with 30W fast charging
- Connectivity: 4G LTE, Dual SIM (nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
1. Battery and Charging Concerns
One of the primary concerns with the Realme X3 SuperZoom is its battery life. While the 4,200mAh battery may appear sufficient for regular use, the 120Hz refresh rate display and the powerful Snapdragon 855+ processor can lead to faster battery drain, especially for users who enjoy gaming or extended photography sessions.
Battery Drain: Users frequently report that the phone’s battery drains quickly, particularly when the refresh rate is set to 120Hz or during heavy gaming sessions.
"I love the performance, but the battery life just doesn’t last through a full day, especially if I use it for gaming or photography," says one user.
Charging Speed: While the device supports 30W Dart Charging, a feature that promises rapid charging, some users feel that it doesn’t live up to expectations, especially if the phone is being used during charging.
Potential Solutions:
- Switch to 60Hz Refresh Rate: Users can extend battery life by reducing the refresh rate to 60Hz.
- Limit Background Activity: Using battery optimization settings to control app activity in the background can help preserve battery life.
- Use Original Charger: For consistent charging speeds, it’s best to use the official Realme 30W Dart Charger.
2. Display Performance and Issues
The Realme X3 SuperZoom features a 120Hz display that delivers smooth visuals, a significant selling point for gaming and media consumption. However, users have encountered several display-related issues that affect the overall experience.
Screen Tint and Color Shifting: Some users have noticed a green or yellowish tint on the display, particularly at lower brightness levels. This color shifting can be more noticeable when viewing the display in dimly lit environments.
"The color shifting is annoying, especially when watching movies or playing games with darker visuals," noted one user.
Touch Sensitivity Problems: Several users report issues with the touchscreen sensitivity, such as delayed responses or the screen failing to register taps accurately. This can be particularly bothersome in gaming scenarios where precision is crucial.
Potential Solutions:
- Adjust Brightness Settings: Increasing the brightness slightly may reduce the noticeable color tint at lower brightness levels.
- Screen Calibration: Some users find that enabling "Screen Color Mode" in the display settings to "Vivid" helps improve color accuracy.
- Update Firmware: Realme frequently releases updates, so keeping the software updated may help resolve touch sensitivity issues.
3. Performance and Thermal Issues
The Realme X3 SuperZoom packs the Snapdragon 855+ processor, a high-performance chip suitable for gaming, multitasking, and handling intensive applications. However, some users report performance-related challenges, particularly concerning thermal management.
Overheating During Gaming: Extended gaming sessions or high-performance tasks often lead to the phone overheating, which may result in throttling that reduces overall performance.
"The phone heats up quite a bit when playing games like PUBG or COD Mobile, and performance seems to drop after some time," reported a user.
System Lag and Stutter: Although equipped with ample RAM (up to 12GB), users sometimes experience lag or stutter, especially if multiple applications are running simultaneously.
Potential Solutions:
- Cooling Intervals: To prevent overheating, users should take breaks during long gaming sessions.
- Disable Background Processes: Limiting background activity and regularly clearing RAM may help improve system performance.
- Game Space Optimization: Realme’s Game Space app allows users to optimize gaming performance by customizing graphics settings and limiting notifications during gameplay.
4. Camera Quality and Issues
One of the most attractive features of the Realme X3 SuperZoom is its periscope-style zoom camera capable of 5x optical zoom and up to 60x hybrid zoom. However, users have reported certain issues with the camera performance and software functionality.
Low-Light Photography Quality: Despite the advanced zoom capabilities, the phone’s performance in low-light conditions can be underwhelming. Photos taken in dark settings often suffer from noise and loss of detail.
Camera App Lag: Switching between different camera modes or lenses (such as switching from main to zoom mode) can result in lag, making it difficult to capture spontaneous shots.
Focus Issues: The camera sometimes struggles with focusing, particularly in close-up shots or at the higher zoom levels, where users report blurry or distorted images.
Potential Solutions:
- Enable Night Mode: Realme offers a dedicated Night Mode, which can enhance low-light images.
- Clear Camera App Cache: Going into the settings and clearing the cache for the Camera app may help reduce lag and improve focus accuracy.
- Third-Party Camera App: For users seeking greater control, a third-party app like Open Camera can offer additional customization and may address certain limitations of the stock app.
5. Software and UI Bugs
The Realme X3 SuperZoom runs on Realme UI, a custom interface based on Android. While generally smooth, users have experienced some software bugs that affect usability.
Random Reboots: Some users report that the phone occasionally restarts without warning, which may be due to software instability.
Delayed Notifications: Several users have complained about notification delays, with messages from apps like WhatsApp or Gmail not appearing in real-time.
Software Update Delays: Realme’s software update cycle can be inconsistent, meaning users might have to wait longer for bug fixes or new Android versions.
Potential Solutions:
- Check for Updates: Ensuring the latest software version is installed can often resolve these issues.
- Clear System Cache: Regularly clearing the system cache (under storage settings) can help improve performance and stability.
- Factory Reset: If software bugs persist, a factory reset may help resolve them but be sure to back up all important data.
6. Connectivity Problems
The Realme X3 SuperZoom is equipped with reliable connectivity options, but certain issues have been reported by users regarding connectivity stability and speed.
Wi-Fi Connectivity: Some users experience inconsistent Wi-Fi connectivity, where the phone may randomly disconnect from the network.
Bluetooth Connection Issues: Bluetooth connectivity can also be problematic, with complaints of unstable connections, especially when paired with wireless audio devices.
Weak GPS Signal: A few users report issues with GPS accuracy, which can be inconvenient for navigation apps like Google Maps.
Potential Solutions:
- Reset Network Settings: Resetting network settings can often resolve connectivity issues with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Unpair and Repair Bluetooth Devices: For Bluetooth stability, unpairing and re-pairing devices may help.
- Enable High-Accuracy GPS: Setting the location mode to “High Accuracy” in the settings may improve GPS performance.
Conclusion: Should You Buy the Realme X3 SuperZoom?
The Realme X3 SuperZoom offers a compelling package with its powerful camera setup, high refresh rate display, and capable performance thanks to the Snapdragon 855+. Its impressive zoom capabilities make it a standout in its category, appealing to those who enjoy mobile photography. However, its shortcomings—such as inconsistent battery life, potential display issues, and occasional software bugs—may be off-putting for some users.
Is it worth buying?
For photography enthusiasts and users looking for a high-performance device with unique zoom capabilities, the Realme X3 SuperZoom is worth considering. However, for those who prioritize battery life, consistent software stability, or 5G connectivity (which this model lacks), it may be wise to consider alternatives.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re open to exploring other models, consider the following alternatives:
- Google Pixel 6a - Known for its exceptional camera quality and reliable software updates, though without the extreme zoom.
- OnePlus Nord 2 - Offers a similar price range with great all-around performance, a reliable battery life, and consistent software support.
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G - Provides 5G support, excellent performance, and a vibrant display, though it lacks the extreme zoom capabilities of the Realme X3 SuperZoom.
Final Recommendation: The Realme X3 SuperZoom is an excellent choice for users who value a high refresh rate, unique zoom capabilities, and a smooth experience for most tasks. However, if stability and battery life are top priorities, alternatives may offer a better-rounded experience.