The realme 16 Pro 5G is a mid-range phone announced on January 6, 2026, together with the 16 Pro+ 5G. It launched first in India at INR 31,999. In February 2026 it reached Europe, where it starts at €429.90 for 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. The phone is not sold in the US.
Design and display
The 16 Pro uses a flat display, a flat frame and a flat back. It measures about 162.6 x 77.6 x 7.75 mm and weighs about 192 g. The frame has a matte finish. Colors include Master Gold, Orchid Purple and Pebble Grey, but the European model comes only in purple and grey.
The 6.78-inch AMOLED panel has a resolution of 1272 x 2772 pixels and 450 ppi. It refreshes at up to 144 Hz. realme lists 1,400 nits in high brightness mode and a peak of 6,500 nits. AGC DT-Star D+ glass covers the screen.
Durability is a strong point. The phone carries IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings, so it handles dust, immersion and high-pressure water jets.
Performance
Inside is the MediaTek Dimensity 7300, sold here under the name Dimensity 7300 Max. It pairs with LPDDR4X memory and UFS 3.1 storage. Versions range from 8 GB + 128 GB in India to 12 GB + 512 GB. There is no microSD slot.
The chip handles daily tasks well. However, reviewers note that it trails stronger rivals in demanding games.
Cameras
The main camera uses a 200 MP Samsung HP5 sensor (1/1.56 inch) with an f/1.8 lens and optical stabilization. realme offers lossless 2x crops from this sensor. An 8 MP ultrawide camera with a 112-degree view completes the rear setup. There is no telephoto lens.
The front camera has 50 MP and an f/2.4 lens. Both the rear and front cameras record 4K video at 30 fps.
Battery and charging
Battery size depends on the market. The global and Indian models have a 7,000 mAh battery with 80 W charging. The European model uses a 6,500 mAh battery and charges at 45 W. Bypass charging and wired reverse charging are supported. A charger comes in the box.
Software and updates
The phone runs realme UI 7.0 based on Android 16. In Europe, realme promises five Android upgrades and six years of security patches. In India, the promise was raised to four Android upgrades and six years of patches after launch.
Other features include NFC, an infrared blaster, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4. European units add eSIM support next to two nano-SIM slots. The fingerprint reader sits under the display.
Should you buy the realme 16 Pro 5G?
The 16 Pro suits buyers who want a slim phone with strong water resistance and a high-resolution main camera. Long update support in Europe adds value. Buyers who need optical zoom or more gaming power should look at the 16 Pro+ 5G with its telephoto camera and Snapdragon 7 Gen 4. European buyers should also note the smaller battery and slower charging of their version.
