A First Look at the Realme Smart TV: Unboxing and Impressions
After a three-month wait, the Realme TV is finally here. We have the 43-inch model, and a 32-inch version is also available. We will be unboxing it, giving our first impressions, and telling you about its video and audio quality.
Unboxing the Realme TV
The TV arrives in a plain brown box with black writing, highlighting features like Realme, Android TV, Google Assistant, Dolby Audio, and built-in Chromecast. The model we have is the 43-inch (108 cm) variant.
Inside the box, you will find the remote control, documentation, and a stand. The stand is made of plastic and comes with four screws for assembly, which is a very easy process to do yourself. It is important to remember that a wall mounting stand is not included in the box; you will need to purchase that separately.
Ports and Buttons
This smart TV comes equipped with all the ports you would need. It features three HDMI ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and a tuner port, which allows you to connect an antenna to watch free-to-air channels. A unique addition for a budget TV is the 3.5mm jack. There is also an RJ45 port, so you can directly plug in an internet cable for a stable connection.
Design and Build
The look of the TV is very boxy with what appears to be almost no bezels, though we’ll know for sure after turning it on. The bottom chin of the TV is slightly thick. The frame itself comes slightly over the panel, providing support. Otherwise, the design is fairly standard.
Setup and Software Experience
Setting up the TV is a seamless process. This is a stock Android TV, running Android TV 9.0 with a March security patch. Unlike many other smart TVs, it does not have a custom user interface layered on top. The included remote connects via Bluetooth 5.0, which made the setup process very smooth. The TV also offers support for the Hindi language, so you can set it up and use it in Hindi if you are not familiar with English.
Specifications
The Realme TV is powered by a MediaTek quad-core processor, making it the first TV in its price range to feature one. It comes with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage.
For audio, the TV is equipped with four downward-facing speakers that deliver a total output of 24W. This is a budget TV, not a premium one, and is expected to be priced under ₹20,000.
Smart Features and Remote Control
As this is a certified Android TV, it comes with the Google certified Play Store. This means you can download a wide variety of apps. Several apps like Netflix and Prime Video come pre-installed. The remote control has dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube.
The remote itself is simple but functional. It has volume buttons and a dedicated button for the Google Assistant. A notable design touch is the yellow ring, which is a familiar element from the cameras on Realme phones.
Display Quality
The display is the most important aspect of a TV. For a budget category TV, this Full HD panel looks nice. Viewing from the front, the picture is very good. Speaking of side viewing angles, they are okay, or average. Realme claims you can view it from 178 degrees, so even if people are sitting to the side in a large hall, they should be able to see the screen properly.
This is an FHD panel, not 4K, but it does come with HDR10 support. Because it’s a certified Android TV, Chromecast is built-in, allowing you to cast your phone’s smaller screen to the TV. Colors are punchy, and there are different picture modes available to make the colors even more vibrant if you prefer. When viewed from the front, the blacks look good, but they can appear slightly grey when viewed from an angle.
Audio Performance
The second most important feature after the display is the audio. The sound is definitely loud. In terms of quality, it can feel a bit hollow, but the bass is good. The audio isn’t particularly rich, but that is not something to be expected in this price range. Overall, the audio is average.
Build Quality and Performance
The TV has a plastic build, which is decent. It feels quite light, weighing around 7 kgs.
Regarding performance, there was a little bit of lag at the very beginning while apps were being installed. After that, the experience was very smooth. Thanks to the 1GB of RAM and MediaTek processor, you get a decent performance. We never experienced a situation where the screen completely froze. The stock Android software means there is no bloatware, and you get access to thousands of hours of content through apps like Netflix and Prime Video.
Pricing
The Realme TV 43-inch model is priced at ₹21,999. The 32-inch HD-ready version is priced at ₹12,999.
Made in India
While the current units are imported, future batches of the Realme TV will be made in India. The company was unable to do so for the initial launch due to the lockdown.
