Realme X3 SuperZoom is the cheapest phone with 5x optical zoom

Realme is getting a reputation for bringing high-end features to more affordable price points. The Realme 6 was the first midrange phone in Australia to feature a high refresh rate display, and now, the new Realme X3 SuperZoom offers periscopic zoom at a fraction of the price of other players.

The 8MP telephoto lens uses a periscope design to fit a longer lens into the phone's body without adding thickness - it's been rotated by 90 degrees, and a prism refracts light into it. This allows for 5x optical zoom (where the lens does all the work), and up to 60x digital zoom (where software is used to zoom in beyond what the lens is physically capable of).

First saw this kind of camera design on 2019 flagship smartphones such as the Huawei P30 Pro and OPPO Reno 5G. This year's Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra also has a periscopic camera with 5x optical zoom. These phones have historically launched with price tags of at least $1,499. The Galaxy S20 Ultra sells for $1,999. For comparison, the Realme X3 SuperZoom will start at just $699 outright. That makes it the cheapest phone you can buy with 5x optical zoom.

On the back, you'll also find a 64MP primary lens, a 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens.

Notably, the Realme X3 SuperZoom is powered by a Snapdragon 855+ processor, last year's fastest Android processor. While the Snapdragon 855+ has now been superseded by the 865, it's certainly no slouch, and helps further the value proposition on offer.

Other key specifications for the Realme X3 SuperZoom include a 6.6-inch 120Hz 1080p+ display, a minimum of 128GB of non-expandable storage, at least 8GB of RAM, and a 4,200mAh battery. Realme says a 30-minute charge will take the phone from flat to 70%.

You'll be able to pick up the Realme X3 SuperZoom from July 2 from JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, Amazon, Catch, Mobileciti, and the Realme e-store in a choice of "Arctic White" or "Glacier Blue". A 128GB model with 8GB of RAM will set you back $699, while a 256GB model with 12GB of RAM costs $799. The 256GB model is a JB Hi-Fi exclusive.

Read our review of the Realme X3 SuperZoom here.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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