Realme 2 Review: Stylish Budget Phone with a Giant Battery

1. Introduction

Launched in August 2018, the Realme 2 4/64GB remains a competitive choice in the entry-level Android smartphone market. With its diamond-cut rear design, large notched display, reliable Snapdragon 450 processor, and an impressive 4,230mAh battery, the Realme 2 targets budget-conscious users, students, or those seeking a capable secondary phone. It succeeds the popular Realme 1, introducing dual cameras and a rear fingerprint scanner for the first time in the series. The phone runs ColorOS 5.1 based on Android 8.1 Oreo, offering a smooth daily experience. For those exploring Realme’s latest lineup and philosophy, visit the official Realme page.

Realme 2 (4GB/64GB) Key Features Table

3. Design & Build Quality

Realme 2 sets itself apart in the budget segment with a unique diamond-cut polycarbonate back panel that reflects light in geometric patterns. Despite its plastic construction, the phone feels sturdy and modern, with subtle curves and a good in-hand presence thanks to the 168g weight. The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is responsive, and the power/volume buttons are intuitively placed. The dedicated triple card slot allows dual SIM and microSD card use simultaneously, enhancing versatility for users juggling calls and local storage. The phone is available in striking color options like Diamond Black, Diamond Blue, and Diamond Red, making it stand out visually in a crowded segment.

4. Display

The Realme 2 features a notched 6.2-inch IPS LCD display with HD+ resolution (720x1520 pixels) and a tall 19:9 aspect ratio, offering more screen area for media consumption and multitasking. Gorilla Glass 3 enhances scratch resistance. While the pixel density (271 ppi) isn’t the sharpest, visuals are vibrant, and viewing angles are decent. The notch houses the front camera and earpiece, maximizing screen-to-body ratio for immersive content viewing. In the display settings, users can tweak color temperature and enable a blue light filter. For a phone at its price, the display is bright enough for outdoor usage and provides good performance for movie streaming and casual gaming.

5. Performance

Running on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 450 chipset paired with 4GB RAM and Adreno 506 GPU, the Realme 2 delivers smooth performance for daily activities like browsing, messaging, and social media. The processor, fabricated on 14nm technology, strikes a balance between efficiency and responsiveness. While it isn’t a powerhouse for demanding games, lightweight titles and essential apps run without lag. ColorOS 5.1 provides useful customization and memory optimization features, ensuring a consistent user experience even with basic hardware. Storage needs are well met by 64GB internal memory, with expansion possible up to 256GB via the microSD slot, ideal for music, photos, and offline content.

6. Cameras

The Realme 2 sports a dual rear camera setup: a 13MP main sensor (f/2.2) and a 2MP depth sensor. The primary camera captures crisp photos in daylight, and the secondary sensor enables decent portrait shots with background blur. AI Scene Recognition and features like HDR and Bokeh add to the photographic toolkit. Low-light performance is average, with some noise and loss of detail. The 8MP front camera, equipped with AI Beautify 2.0, takes clear selfies with enhancements for skin tones and facial features. Extras like AR stickers and AI Face Unlock round out the experience for casual photographers and social media users.

7. Battery Life

Battery life is one of the Realme 2’s strongest features. Its 4,230mAh battery can easily last a full day and often stretches into a second with moderate use. Realme’s software optimization further extends longevity during standby and active use. The phone ships with a standard 5V/2A charger (Micro-USB port); fast charging is not included, so a full top-up can take around 2 hours. For users prioritizing all-day reliability for calls, streaming, and web surfing, the Realme 2’s battery is a major selling point.

8. Connectivity & Other Features

The device supports dual 4G VoLTE SIM cards, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, FM radio, GPS, and retains the 3.5mm audio jack—a crucial feature for budget headset compatibility. The rear fingerprint sensor and face unlock offer flexible and fast security options. The ColorOS 5.1 skin brings additional features like gesture navigation, app cloning, and enhanced settings for everyday convenience. Sensors include an accelerometer, proximity, ambient light, e-compass, and more. Micro-USB and dedicated slot configuration reflect its era but remain functional and dependable for core tasks.

9. User Experience

Day-to-day usage of the Realme 2 is smooth, with clean navigation through ColorOS and satisfactory multitasking for typical social and productivity apps. The UI is simple, with accessible shortcuts and recommended AI optimizations. While the device may show its limits with heavier games or complex tasks, it remains lag-free in general usage. AR face unlock and fingerprint authentication both work promptly, and the handy Smart Assistant card offers shortcuts and features at a swipe. For those stepping up from feature phones or older smartphones, the Realme 2 meets daily needs reliably.

10. Pros and Cons

11. Comparison

Compared to rivals like the Redmi 6 Pro and Honor 7C, Realme 2 stands out with its distinctive design and larger battery. While the Redmi 6 Pro offers a similar screen and dual camera, Realme 2 boasts better battery endurance. Against the Realme 1, this phone adds dual cameras, a notch, and fingerprint sensor but takes a hit in processing power. Versus contemporaries like the Redmi Note 5 or Moto E5 Plus, the Realme 2 offers competitive storage, battery, and a standout look, making it an attractive choice within the entry-level segment.

12. Pricing, Variants & Availability

At launch in India, the Realme 2 was priced at around ₹10,990, making it one of the budget smartphones with premium design touches and big battery. It was available in Diamond Black, Diamond Blue, and Diamond Red via online flash sales on Flipkart and Realme’s website. Now, it can be found on secondary markets and refurbished phone stores. To check latest offers and should you seek updated Realme models, visit Realme’s official India store.

13. Verdict /Conclusion

Realme 2 remains an appealing choice for budget seekers: it offers a stunning geometric design, dependable battery life, dual SIM flexibility, and a reasonably smooth user experience for daily needs. While the entry-level chipset and basic cameras reflect its affordable nature, the phone’s strengths in battery and utility outshine such compromises. It’s well-suited for students, first-time smartphone buyers, or anyone needing a backup device that doesn’t compromise on appearance or all-day use. Users wanting more gaming or photography power may wish to explore newer Realme models.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does the Realme 2's performance hold up for gaming?
The Realme 2, powered by a Snapdragon 450 and 4GB RAM, is optimized for daily tasks and lighter games like Subway Surfers or Candy Crush. While it can run advanced games like PUBG Mobile, expect only basic graphics and occasional slowdowns, making it less suited for intensive gaming.

Q2: What are the key camera features of the Realme 2?
It includes a dual rear camera setup (13MP main + 2MP depth), producing good daylight images and offering Bokeh/Portrait effects. HDR, AI Beautify, and AR Stickers add more creativity, while the 8MP selfie camera supports AI-driven enhancements and face unlock.

Q3: How long does the 4,230mAh battery last?
The battery typically lasts a full day or more with mixed use. For moderate users, extending into the second day is possible. Heavy video streaming or gaming may reduce runtime, but it remains among the strongest in its segment.

Q4: Can I use two SIMs and a microSD card together on the Realme 2?
Yes. The Realme 2 offers a dedicated triple card slot — two nano SIM slots plus a separate microSD slot (expandable up to 256GB), allowing for maximum flexibility with storage and connectivity.

Q5: Is the Realme 2 still a good buy in 2025?
Though it lacks modern features like Full HD display, fast charging, or high-end cameras, the Realme 2 remains a practical entry-level or secondary phone for calls, messaging, and basic apps. Those requiring better performance or newer Android support should consider newer Realme or Redmi phones.