I have spent the last week using the realme P4 Lite as my primary device to see how it performs in the competitive Indian budget market. This specific unit comes in the Sea Blue color with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Throughout my testing, I focused on battery life, display quality under sunlight, and how the processor handles popular apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and basic photo editing. The realme P4 Lite aims to capture the attention of users who want a stylish device without spending a fortune.
Key Takeaways
- The Sea Blue finish provides a premium look that resists fingerprints well.
- Battery life easily lasts beyond a single day with moderate to heavy usage.
- The 128GB storage is generous for this price bracket and allows for many apps.
- Display brightness is sufficient for indoor use but struggles slightly in direct harsh sunlight.
- Charging speeds are standard for the segment but slower than more expensive models.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing I noticed when taking the realme P4 Lite out of the box was the Sea Blue color. It has a subtle gradient that shifts when you tilt the phone under light. The plastic back does not feel cheap or hollow. It has a sturdy feel that gives me confidence when holding it without a case. The edges are flat, following the current design trend, which helps with the grip. I found the button placement to be ergonomic. Both the power button and the volume rockers sit on the right side. The power button also acts as a fingerprint scanner. It is fast and recognized my thumb almost every time during my week of testing.
At the bottom, you will find the USB Type C port, the primary microphone, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Many brands are removing the headphone jack, so seeing it here is a plus for those who prefer wired earphones. The speaker grille is also located at the bottom. The phone is not too heavy, making it comfortable for long video calls or scrolling through social media feeds for an hour.
Display Performance
The realme P4 Lite features a 6.7 inch LCD panel. While it is not an AMOLED screen, the colors are fairly punchy for an LCD. I watched several YouTube videos and found the contrast levels acceptable for the price. The 90Hz refresh rate makes a difference when navigating the interface. Swiping through the app drawer and settings menu feels smoother than the standard 60Hz screens found on older budget phones.
Brightness is a mixed bag. Indoors, the screen is sharp and clear. However, when I took the phone out at noon in Delhi, I had to crank the brightness to the maximum to read text clearly. The viewing angles are decent, meaning the colors do not distort much when you look at the screen from the side. The bezels are relatively thin on three sides, though the bottom chin is thick. This is common in this price segment.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the realme P4 Lite uses the MediaTek Helio G81 chipset. With 4GB of RAM, I was curious to see how it would handle multitasking. For basic tasks like Chrome browsing, using UPI apps, and checking emails, the phone works fine. I noticed slight delays when opening heavy apps like Facebook or when switching between five or six active apps. The 128GB storage is a highlight because it gives you plenty of room for photos and videos without worrying about the “Storage Full” notification appearing every month.
The software is realme UI 5.0, which is based on Android 14. The interface is colorful and offers many customization options. You can change icon shapes and font sizes easily. One downside is the presence of pre installed apps. I spent about ten minutes uninstalling or disabling apps that I did not need. Once cleaned up, the UI felt much lighter. The software includes a game mode that helps manage notifications while you are playing, though this phone is not meant for heavy gaming like Genshin Impact. It handles casual games like Subway Surfers or Candy Crush perfectly.
Camera Capabilities
The 50MP main camera is the star of the setup on the back. In daylight, the photos come out with good detail. The colors look natural and not overly saturated. I took several shots of plants and street scenes. The dynamic range is average; sometimes the sky looks a bit too white in bright backgrounds. However, for social media posts, the quality is more than enough.
In low light, the camera struggles. There is visible noise in the darker areas of the photo. The dedicated night mode helps by increasing the exposure time, but you need steady hands to get a usable shot. The 8MP front camera is adequate for selfies and video calls. In good lighting, skin tones look accurate. It does tend to soften facial details, which some users might like, but I prefer a more natural look. Video recording is limited to 1080p, which is standard for the Helio G81 platform. The lack of electronic image stabilization means videos can look shaky if you are walking while recording.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance is where the realme P4 Lite shines. The 5000mAh battery lasted me through a full day of heavy use with about 20 percent left by bedtime. My usage included two hours of video streaming, constant WhatsApp messaging, and some GPS navigation. If you are a light user, you could likely get two days of use out of a single charge.
The charging speed is 15W. In an era where 33W or 65W charging is becoming common, 15W feels slow. It takes over two hours to charge the phone from zero to a hundred percent. I found it best to plug it in at night. If you are in a hurry and need a quick top up before leaving the house, you will only get a small percentage in fifteen minutes. This is one area where realme could have improved the user experience.
Audio and Connectivity
The single bottom firing speaker is loud enough for ringtones and watching short clips. It lacks bass, so music sounds a bit flat at high volumes. Using headphones via the 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth 5.3 provides a much better audio experience. I did not face any issues with call quality. The earpiece is loud, and the person on the other end could hear me clearly even in noisy environments.
The phone supports 4G LTE. I tested it with a Jio SIM card and found the signal reception to be consistent. Wi-Fi speeds were stable on my home 5GHz network. It is important to remember that this is a 4G device, not a 5G one. If you live in an area with great 5G coverage and want those higher speeds, this might be a factor to consider.
User Experience and Daily Reliability
Using the realme P4 Lite daily feels reliable for someone who is not a power user. I did not encounter any random reboots or major bugs during my week. The haptic feedback is basic and feels a bit buzzy, which is expected at this price point. The face unlock feature works quickly in bright light, though it is less secure than the fingerprint sensor.
The Sea Blue variant looks fresh and helps the phone stand out. It does not attract as many smudges as a glossy black phone would. The screen protector comes pre applied, which is a nice touch. I also appreciate that realme continues to provide a charger in the box, as some brands are starting to remove them even from budget offerings.
Key Product Specifications
- Processor: MediaTek Helio G81 Chipset
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 128GB internal (expandable via microSD)
- Display: 6.7 inch LCD with 90Hz refresh rate
- Rear Camera: 50MP Main Sensor
- Selfie Camera: 8MP Front Lens
- Battery: 5000mAh capacity
- Charging: 15W Quick Charge
- Software: realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14
- Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3
- Color: Sea Blue
Verdict
The realme P4 Lite is a practical choice for users who prioritize battery life, storage, and design over raw processing power or 5G connectivity. It serves well as a secondary device or a primary phone for someone whose needs are limited to communication and light entertainment. The Sea Blue 4GB/128GB variant offers a balanced package for the Indian market, especially for those who want a reliable brand name without overspending. While the slow charging and 4G limitation are drawbacks, the overall stability and screen quality make it a strong contender in the entry level segment. If you spend most of your time on social media and need a phone that won’t die before the day ends, this device fits the bill.
FAQs
Q1: What is the battery capacity of the realme P4 Lite?
A1: The phone comes with a 5000mAh battery which supports 15W charging.
Q2: Does the realme P4 Lite support 5G networks in India?
A2: No, this specific model is a 4G LTE device and does not support 5G connectivity.
Q3: Is there a dedicated slot for a microSD card?
A3: Yes, you can expand the 128GB internal storage using a microSD card.
Q4: What are the color options for the realme P4 Lite?
A4: The variant reviewed here is Sea Blue, which is one of the primary colors available for this model.
Q5: Does it come with a charger in the box?
A5: Yes, realme includes the charging adapter and a USB cable inside the retail package.
