The Realme Narzo N63 is a mid-range smartphone that promises solid performance, good design, and affordable pricing, making it an attractive option for those who want a functional device without breaking the bank. With features like a decent display, fast charging, and capable cameras, the Narzo N63 has garnered attention for offering good value in its segment. However, despite its potential, users have encountered several common issues, problems, and bugs that can significantly affect its performance and user experience.
In this extensive review, we will explore the frequent issues with the Realme Narzo N63, provide a deeper understanding of the impact on daily use, and assess whether this phone is worth purchasing in a market filled with competitive alternatives.
1. Build Quality and Design: Functional but Fragile
The Realme Narzo N63 features a modern design with a polycarbonate back and a plastic frame, which is standard for budget smartphones. While the phone looks stylish and feels comfortable in hand, there are a few concerns regarding its durability.
a) Fragility of the Plastic Body
- Problem: Many users have reported that the plastic body of the Narzo N63 is more prone to scratches and scuffs than other phones in its class.
- Cause: The phone’s lightweight design prioritizes portability but compromises durability, with the material not being as resistant to daily wear and tear.
- Impact: This can lead to the phone looking worn out relatively quickly.
- User Experience:
“I’ve only had the phone for a month, and it’s already covered in tiny scratches. It’s frustrating because it was so shiny when I first got it.” – User feedback on an online forum.
b) Uncomfortable Button Placement
- Problem: Some users have noted that the power button and volume rocker are slightly difficult to press or located in a somewhat awkward position, especially when the phone is being used with one hand.
- Impact: This can cause inconvenience during regular use, such as unlocking the phone or adjusting volume settings.
- User Experience:
“I often find myself fumbling for the power button, especially when trying to adjust volume. It’s not a huge issue, but it can get irritating.” – Review on a tech blog.
2. Display Quality: A Mixed Experience
The Realme Narzo N63 boasts a 6.72-inch Full HD+ display, which offers decent colors and viewing angles for everyday use. However, some issues with the display affect the overall user experience.
a) Screen Flickering and Refresh Rate Issues
- Problem: A recurring issue with the Narzo N63’s display is the screen flickering when the phone is used at lower brightness levels or when certain apps are being used.
- Cause: This may be a result of inconsistent screen refresh rates or issues with the display panel's calibration.
- Impact: Flickering can be distracting and cause eye strain, especially during extended use.
- User Experience:
“The screen flickers when I lower the brightness, making it uncomfortable to use at night. It’s hard to ignore, especially when reading or watching videos.” – User feedback on a tech review website.
b) Poor Outdoor Visibility
- Problem: Despite being a Full HD+ display, users report that the Narzo N63’s screen is difficult to read in bright sunlight.
- Impact: In outdoor conditions or under direct sunlight, the display can appear washed out, making it challenging to use the phone for tasks like navigation or reading messages.
- User Experience:
“I had a hard time using the phone on a sunny day, and it made it frustrating when I was outdoors.” – User comment on a smartphone forum.
3. Performance and Software: Buggy and Sluggish
While the Narzo N63 is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage, several users have encountered performance-related issues that hinder smooth operation.
a) Lag and Slowdowns Under Load
- Problem: Although the Narzo N63 performs decently for day-to-day tasks, users have reported lag and slowdowns when multitasking or running demanding applications like games or video editing tools.
- Cause: The combination of limited RAM and software optimization issues could be the reason for sluggish performance when handling more resource-intensive tasks.
- Impact: This can lead to frustrations, especially when switching between apps or trying to run multiple apps simultaneously.
- User Experience:
“It works fine for texting and browsing, but once I start using apps like Instagram or even just switching between apps, it slows down considerably.” – Review from a tech forum.
b) Unnecessary Bloatware and UI Glitches
- Problem: The Realme Narzo N63 runs Realme UI, which, while offering several customization options, comes with significant bloatware that slows down the system. Additionally, users have encountered UI glitches, where certain elements of the interface appear misaligned or frozen.
- Impact: The presence of bloatware can occupy a significant portion of the available storage and memory, affecting the phone’s overall fluidity. UI glitches disrupt the user experience, making it less enjoyable to use.
- User Experience:
“The Realme UI has too many apps I don’t need, and the phone becomes unresponsive every once in a while. It freezes for a second, which is pretty annoying.” – User review on GSM Arena.
c) Software Updates and Security Patches
- Problem: The Narzo N63, like many budget smartphones, receives slow or infrequent updates, with some users reporting that the phone is stuck on outdated versions of Android.
- Impact: This affects security and introduces the risk of missing out on new features or bug fixes.
- User Experience:
“It’s been a few months since I received an update, and I feel like my phone is getting outdated compared to others in this price range.” – Comment from a user on a tech forum.
4. Camera Performance: Good for the Price but Not Perfect
The Realme Narzo N63 comes with a 50MP primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor, offering decent photo quality in favorable lighting conditions. However, the camera is not without its flaws.
a) Low-Light Performance
- Problem: The camera struggles in low-light conditions, resulting in noisy and blurry images.
- Cause: The 50MP sensor can only do so much in low light due to lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) and relatively small sensor size.
- Impact: Users may find the camera disappointing for nighttime photography or in environments with poor lighting.
- User Experience:
“The pictures come out blurry and grainy when I try to take photos indoors or at night. The camera just can’t handle low light very well.” – Review on a photography blog.
b) Inconsistent Autofocus
- Problem: Autofocus performance can be slow and inconsistent, particularly when taking close-up shots or moving subjects.
- Impact: This results in out-of-focus images, reducing the overall quality of photos taken in dynamic settings.
- User Experience:
“I tried taking a few photos of my dog running, and the camera couldn’t focus fast enough. It’s frustrating when you miss the moment.” – Comment on a mobile photography website.
5. Battery Life: Adequate but Not Extraordinary
The Realme Narzo N63 features a 5000mAh battery, which provides good battery life for most users. However, there are some performance inconsistencies in real-world usage.
a) Battery Drain in Standby Mode
- Problem: Some users have noticed that the Narzo N63’s battery drains significantly faster in standby mode, especially when connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
- Cause: This could be due to background apps or network-related processes consuming more power than expected.
- Impact: This results in needing to recharge the phone more frequently than anticipated.
- User Experience:
“I left my phone overnight on standby, and when I woke up, the battery had dropped by 10%. Not great for a 5000mAh battery.” – User feedback on Reddit.
b) Slow Charging Speed
- Problem: Despite offering fast charging capabilities, the phone charges at a relatively slow rate, taking about 2.5 to 3 hours to fully charge the battery.
- Impact: Slow charging can be frustrating, especially if you need to quickly top up the phone during short breaks.
- User Experience:
“It takes too long to charge, and I wish Realme offered faster charging speeds to keep up with other competitors.” – Comment from a tech user on a review site.
Conclusion: Is the Realme Narzo N63 Worth Buying?
The Realme Narzo N63 offers a solid design, decent performance, and good battery life, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers. However, the phone’s fragile build quality, screen issues, camera limitations, and software glitches may deter some potential buyers.
Pros:
- Attractive design with a large display.
- Decent camera for the price (during daylight).
- Good battery life with a large 5000mAh battery.
- Affordable price point.
Cons:
- Fragile build quality prone to scratches.
- Slow performance with demanding apps.
- Display issues like flickering and poor sunlight visibility.
- Inconsistent camera autofocus and low-light performance.
- Slow charging and battery drain in standby mode.
- Slow software updates and potential bloatware.
Better Alternatives:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: Offers superior performance, better camera quality, and faster charging.
- Samsung Galaxy A14: More reliable with a better build quality and better software support.
- Motorola Moto G73: Known for its reliable performance and a cleaner Android experience with more consistent updates.
Verdict: The Realme Narzo N63 is an affordable phone that offers value for money, but it is not without significant trade-offs in terms of build, performance, and camera quality. It’s a solid option for those on a tight budget, but those seeking a more reliable experience may want to consider other models in the same price range.