There’s a certain magic in finding a phone that feels like it was made for real life, not just for glossy ads. You know the type something you can drop on a wet sidewalk, toss into a bag full of keys, and still trust to survive without a single crack or scratch. The Realme 14x wants to be that phone.
Launched in 2025, this device is making noise in the budget smartphone market for a few big reasons, it’s the first under $180 phone with an IP69 rating, it packs a massive battery, and it promises 5G performance without the usual compromises in durability. But here’s the twist it’s not perfect.
Over the past week, I’ve been using the Realme 14x as my daily driver, pushing it through everything from long commutes to late night gaming. In this review, I’ll break down exactly how it performs in design, display, performance, camera, battery, and real world use and where it might fall short for certain buyers.
Design: Rugged, Yet Surprisingly Slim
When I first unboxed the Realme 14x, my mind immediately jumped to rugged military style smartphones thick rubber bumpers, bulky corners, and an overall “survivor” vibe. But the 14x breaks that stereotype.At 7.9mm thick and weighing around 190g, it feels unexpectedly light and slim for something that can survive the harshness implied by an IP69 rating and MIL-STD-810H. You don’t get that “brick” feeling in your pocket, which is a relief if you hate carrying heavy devices.
Realme has clearly tried to keep the phone stylish. Available in Crystal Black, Golden Glow, and Jewel Red, the finish has a subtle sheen that catches light beautifully without screaming for attention. I tested the Crystal Black model, which has a slightly matte texture that helps hide fingerprints.
The back panel curves gently into the frame, making it comfortable to grip, even during long one handed texting sessions. The camera module a single large 50MP lens with a ring accent sits neatly in the top left corner without creating too much of a wobble when laid flat on a desk.
Display: Smooth but Soft
The Realme 14x comes with a 6.67 inch HD+ IPS LCD panel boasting a 120Hz refresh rate. On paper, this sounds like a treat for budget buyers smooth scrolling at a price point where 60Hz is still common. And yes, the high refresh rate does make animations and transitions feel fluid.But here’s where reality hits, the resolution is only 720p. If you’ve used a Full HD display recently, you’ll notice the difference in sharpness, especially with small text or high quality images. Watching YouTube videos is fine, but when you view crisp photos, the lack of pixel density becomes obvious.
Color reproduction is serviceable, leaning towards a slightly warm tone, which is pleasant for long reading sessions. The peak brightness of around 625 nits is okay for indoor use and shaded outdoor spots, but under direct sunlight, I found myself squinting to read WhatsApp messages.
One thing worth noting is touch responsiveness it’s quick, and I didn’t face ghost touches or lag when swiping through apps. This is a subtle but important detail, especially for fast typers or gamers.
Performance: A Steady Workhorse (Mostly)
Powering the Realme 14x is the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, built on a 6nm process. It’s paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, which can be expanded via microSD. This combination positions it well in the budget category for daily use.In my experience, multitasking between apps like Instagram, YouTube, and Chrome was smooth, with only occasional micro stutters when quickly switching between multiple heavy apps. For light to moderate users, it’s more than enough.
When it comes to gaming, titles like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile ran on medium graphics with stable frame rates. But heavier games like Genshin Impact pushed the chipset to its limits expect frame drops and faster battery drain during extended sessions.
Realme 14x runs Android 15 with Realme UI 6.0, and the company promises 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security patches. That’s reassuring for budget conscious buyers who don’t swap phones every year.
However, the software isn’t without quirks. There’s noticeable bloatware out of the box, and a few UI elements feel sluggish after the phone has been idle for a while. I also encountered a slight delay with the fingerprint scanner nothing major, but worth noting.
Cameras: Daylight Friend, Nighttime Struggler
The camera setup on the Realme 14x is as minimal as it gets in 2025, a 50MP (Wide and Depth) double rear shooter and an 8MP selfie camera. While some might see this as a downgrade compared to budget phones boasting triple or quad cameras, I’ve always been a believer that quality beats quantity.In good lighting, the main camera captures sharp and vibrant shots, especially with close up subjects. Colors are a touch more saturated than reality, which makes images pop on social media without editing. Skin tones are handled decently, though not perfectly sometimes leaning slightly towards a warmer tone.
Low light performance, however, is where reality sets in. The lack of OIS (optical image stabilization) means you need a steady hand to avoid blur, and images often have noticeable noise. Night Mode helps to an extent, but you shouldn’t expect flagship level results.
The 8MP front camera is fine for casual selfies and video calls. Under bright daylight, it produces Instagram ready shots. Indoors, the details soften, and colors become slightly muted.
Video recording maxes out at 1080p, and stabilization is purely electronic. It’s okay for quick clips, but not ideal if you’re into vlogging or content creation.
Battery Life: The Real Star
Now, let’s talk about the Realme 14x’s biggest flex its massive battery. Depending on your region, you’ll either get a 6,000mAh (India) or 5,000mAh (other markets) cell. Either way, endurance is excellent.On my heavy use days which included streaming, social media, light gaming, and hotspot usage the phone easily lasted a day and a half without dipping into battery saver mode. On lighter days, I could stretch it to two full days.
Charging speeds, however, are modest. The Indian variant supports 45W wired charging, taking about 74 minutes for a full charge. In other regions, it’s only 15W, which is noticeably slower around 2 hours to full. This could be a dealbreaker if you’re used to 30 minute top ups.
Audio & Connectivity
The Realme 14x uses a mono speaker, and while it’s loud enough for calls and casual video watching, it lacks depth for music lovers. Thankfully, Realme has kept the 3.5mm headphone jack, a blessing for those who still use wired earphones.5G connectivity was stable during my testing, and call quality was clear. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections were equally reliable, with no sudden drops.
Real World Impressions: The Good and the Frustrating
Here’s where it gets interesting. While the Realme 14x nails the basics, user reports (and my own experience) suggest some quirks:- Gesture lag - Drawing the “V” to activate the torch sometimes needs a second attempt.
- Fingerprint sensor delay - Occasional half second lag, especially after the phone’s been idle.
- UI freeze - Rare, but I did experience a few seconds of unresponsiveness when switching quickly between apps.
Pros & Cons
Pros- Massive battery with great endurance
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth animations
- Slim and light despite rugged rating
- Decent daylight photography
- 3.5mm headphone jack
Cons
- Low resolution display for the size
- Middling low light camera performance
- Charging speed varies by region (15W too slow)
- Occasional software lag and bloatware
- Mono speaker limits audio quality
Verdict: Who Should Buy the Realme 14x?
The Realme 14x is a rare breed in the budget segment a phone that offers rugged durability without sacrificing portability. If you’re someone who works outdoors, travels often, or simply wants a device that can survive accidental water splashes and dust storms, this phone is a standout choice.It’s also ideal for users who prioritize battery life above all else. The huge cell, paired with a power efficient chipset, means you won’t be hunting for a charger halfway through the day.
However, if your priorities include crisp display resolution, top tier gaming, or high quality low light photography, you might want to look elsewhere.
At the end of the day, the Realme 14x is like a trusty off road vehicle it might not be the fastest or flashiest, but it will get you through the rough patches without breaking a sweat.