Redmi Note 15 Pro+ vs realme 16 Pro+
Choosing the Smarter Mid-Range Phone in 2026
Both the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ and the realme 16 Pro+ are built for people who want a premium experience without paying flagship money. They just approach that goal differently. Redmi leans into durability, long-term reliability, and very fast charging. Realme puts more weight on raw performance, smoother visuals, and flexible cameras.
If gaming, speed, and camera versatility matter most to you, the realme 16 Pro+ will feel more exciting day to day. If you prefer a phone that feels tough, dependable, and offers better long-term value, the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ still makes a strong case.
1. Design and In-Hand Feel
The Redmi Note 15 Pro+ is slightly larger and heavier, coming in at around 207 grams. The realme 16 Pro+ feels lighter in comparison, hovering between 198 and 203 grams, and it’s also a bit slimmer. Realme’s aluminum alloy frame adds to that premium, refined feel when you hold it.
Both phones are rated IP69K for dust and water resistance, but realme edges ahead with support for submersion up to 2 meters, while Redmi is rated for 1.5 meters. Redmi counters with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front, offering excellent protection against drops and scratches.
2. Display Experience
| Feature | Redmi Note 15 Pro+ | realme 16 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| Using | 120Hz AMOLED | 144Hz AMOLED (Smoother) |
| Brightness | 3,200 nits | 6,500 nits (Brighter) |
| HDR Support | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | HDR10+ |
Realme delivers smoother motion and extreme brightness, while Redmi shines with stronger HDR support and deeper color reproduction (68 billion colors vs 1 billion).
3. Performance & Software
Redmi Note 15 Pro+: Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, LPDDR4X RAM, UFS 2.2 storage.
realme 16 Pro+: Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, LPDDR5X RAM, UFS 3.1 storage.
Realme is the clear winner for performance. In benchmarks and real-world gaming (BGMI, COD Mobile), the difference is noticeable with higher frame rates and faster load times.
Redmi: Android 15 (HyperOS 2.0) - 4 OS Updates, 6 years security.
Realme: Android 16 (realme UI 7.0) - 3 OS Updates, 4 years security.
Realme feels more modern out of the box with Android 16 and Gemini Live integration, but Redmi wins on longevity.
4. Camera Capabilities
Both rely on 200MP main cameras. Redmi uses a slightly larger sensor for better daylight shots, but realme adds a dedicated 50MP telephoto lens (3.5x optical zoom) which is a game changer for portraits.
Video: Realme supports 4K 60fps on rear and front cameras. Redmi tops out at 4K 30fps (rear) and 1080p 60fps (front).
5. Battery & Charging
- Redmi: 6,500 mAh battery + 100W Charging (Faster top-ups).
- Realme: 7,000 mAh battery + 80W Charging + Bypass Charging (Better for gamers).
Verdict: Which One to Buy?
Buy Redmi Note 15 Pro+ If:
- You prioritize long-term durability (Victus 2).
- You want longer software support (4 OS updates).
- You watch a lot of HDR content (Dolby Vision).
- You are on a slightly tighter budget.
Buy realme 16 Pro+ If:
- You are a gamer (144Hz, UFS 3.1, Bypass charging).
- You create content (4K 60fps video).
- You want a dedicated zoom lens (Telephoto).
- You prefer a lighter, slimmer phone.