Realme has officially launched the Realme 16 Pro and Realme 16 Pro+ smartphones in India, and this time the brand is clearly leaning hard into two things that matter to most buyers right now: camera hardware and battery life. Alongside the phones, Realme also unveiled the Realme Pad 3 tablet and the Buds 8 TWS earphones. The launch event, held on January 6, 2026, felt like a statement for the mid-range segment, especially with the kind of specifications being offered across devices.
Both smartphones come equipped with a 200MP primary camera and a massive 7000mAh battery, which is still relatively rare in this price bracket. The newly launched tablet goes even further with a huge 12,200mAh battery. All of the new devices run on Realme UI 7, which is based on Android 16, and they integrate several Google Gemini AI tools aimed at improving everyday usability, photo handling, and interaction. It is not revolutionary, but it does feel like Realme is trying to keep the software experience relevant.
Key Takeaways
- Camera: Both phones feature a 200MP primary sensor, while the Pro+ model adds a 50MP periscope telephoto lens for long-range shots.
- Battery: The smartphones pack 7000mAh batteries with 80W fast charging support, while the Realme Pad 3 carries a 12,200mAh battery.
- Performance: The Realme 16 Pro+ is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, while the Realme 16 Pro and Pad 3 use the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Max.
- Durability: Both smartphones offer high levels of water and dust resistance, including IP69K certification.
- Price: Realme 16 Pro starts at Rs 31,999, and the Pro+ begins at Rs 39,999.
The Realme 16 Pro+ sits at the top of the lineup and comes with a curved 6.8-inch 1.5K AMOLED display. It supports a 144Hz refresh rate and can reach a peak brightness of up to 6,500 nits, which on paper sounds impressive, especially for outdoor usage. Powering the device is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, a 4nm octa-core chipset designed to handle heavy multitasking and sustained performance.
The standard Realme 16 Pro, on the other hand, features a slightly smaller 6.78-inch flat AMOLED display. It runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Max processor, which is also used in the Realme Pad 3. Both phones offer configurations of up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, which should be more than enough for most users, at least for the next couple of years.
In terms of design, Realme has gone with what it calls an “Urban Wild” theme, created in collaboration with designer Naoto Fukasawa. The Pro+ model stands out with a bio-based organic silicone back cover that has a textured finish. It is slightly different from the usual glass backs, and while opinions may vary, it does give the phone a distinct feel in hand. Durability has clearly been a big talking point this year. Both phones come with IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, along with IP69K certification, meaning they can withstand high-pressure water jets and elevated temperatures. That is not something you see often in this segment.
On the camera front, both models use the 200MP Samsung HP5 sensor as their main shooter. The Realme 16 Pro+ adds a 50MP periscope telephoto camera that offers 3.5x optical zoom and up to 120x digital zoom, which Realme is clearly marketing as a flagship-level feature. Selfies are handled by a 50MP front camera on both phones. The camera software includes AI-driven features such as AI Framing Master and Google Gemini Live, which assists with real-time conversations, image editing, and context-based suggestions. Some of these features feel experimental, but they do add to the overall experience.
The Realme Pad 3 tablet features an 11.6-inch display with a 2.8K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It uses the same Dimensity 7300 Max chipset found in the Realme 16 Pro smartphone. The tablet has a slim 6.6mm metal body and houses a massive 12,200mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging. It seems aimed at users who want long screen time, whether for entertainment or productivity, without constantly reaching for a charger.
Alongside the phones and tablet, Realme also launched the Buds 8 TWS earphones. These come with up to 55dB active noise cancellation and promise a total battery life of up to 58 hours when used with the charging case. While not groundbreaking, they round out the ecosystem nicely.
Realme 16 Pro series pricing and sale dates
The Realme 16 Pro is priced at Rs 31,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant, while the 12GB + 256GB version costs Rs 36,999. The Realme 16 Pro+ starts at Rs 39,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model and goes up to Rs 44,999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant. The first sale begins on January 9 at 12:00 PM via Flipkart and the Realme website.
The Realme Pad 3 is priced starting at Rs 26,999 for the WiFi model and will go on sale from January 16, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the battery capacity of the Realme 16 Pro series?
A1: Both the Realme 16 Pro and Realme 16 Pro+ come with a 7000mAh battery and support 80W fast charging.
Q2: Does the Realme 16 Pro series include Google AI features?
A2: Yes, the series runs on Android 16 and includes Google Gemini AI features for voice assistance, image editing, and smart interactions.
Q3: What are the camera specifications of the Realme 16 Pro+?
A3: The Realme 16 Pro+ features a 200MP main camera, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera.
Q4: When will the Realme Pad 3 be available in India?
A4: The Realme Pad 3 will go on sale starting January 16, 2026, through Flipkart and Realme’s official sales channels.
