Realme’s front-runner for its newest 12 collection is the 12 Pro+ 5G, and it’s simply essentially the most attention-grabbing of the lot. While the corporate is most popularly recognized for its funds choices, it does have just a few mid-range fashions with distinctive options. The huge spotlight on this one, and why I used to be ready to get my palms on it, is a periscope telephoto digital camera with 3x optical zoom and a maddening 120x of digital zoom.
This is an extended zoom vary than even what Samsung provides on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. While the real-world usefulness of such a excessive zoom stage is debatable, the truth that we now have a telephone round $400 that packs comparable telephoto digital camera tech as telephones above $1,000, is a feat in itself.
And if you happen to assume Realme has needed to compromise in different areas with a view to promote it at such a low worth, you’d be flawed. The 12 Pro Plus 5G packs a flagship-grade most important digital camera, a curved-edge 120Hz AMOLED show, IP65 score, and a large battery with very quick charging. So, is there a catch or may this be one of the best cut price in its section? Time to seek out out.
Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G: Price and availability
The Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G begins at ₹29,999 (round $360) in India, nevertheless it’s additionally obtainable in different markets like Malaysia and Philippines. The base mannequin comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The larger storage variant with 256GB is priced at ₹31,999 ($383), whereas the top-variant comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage for ₹33,999 ($407).
Realme tends to have perpetual reductions for the higher tier variants if you happen to purchase it from its website, so it makes good sense to goal for both the highest or second-top variant. It additionally has loads of cashback and banking provides, and is even bundling the Realme Buds 2 Neo TWS earphones with any buy.
This prime mannequin within the 12 collection additionally has a extra thrilling alternative of colours, in comparison with the Realme 12 Plus 5G. The Navigator Beige trim that I obtained seems stylish, however I’d a lot fairly have bolder shades just like the Submarine Blue or Explorer Red (extra like orange, going by the press images).
| Category | Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G |
|---|---|
| OS | Realme UI 5.0 (Android 14) |
| Display | 6.7-inch Curved AMOLED, FHD+ (2,412×1,080), 120Hz refresh fee |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 |
| RAM | 8GB, 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB |
| Audio | Stereo audio system, Dolby Atmos |
| Connectivity | 5G (dual-5G standby), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Security | In-display fingerprint sensor |
| Protection | IP65 water and dirt resistance |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 67W SUPERVOOC charging |
| Cameras | Rear: 50MP Sony IMX890 with OIS major + 8MP ultrawide + 64MP OmniVision OV64B 3x telephoto with OIS; Front: 32MP Sony sensor |
| Dimensions | 161.47 x 74.02 x 8.75mm |
| Weight | 196g |
| Colors | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red |
Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G: What I like
If you favored the design language of the 12 Plus 5G, then you definitely’ll definitely love 12 Pro Plus 5G too. In truth, this mannequin feels a bit extra premium due to a sturdier body, and curved edges on the again and the show. The faux-leather end feels nice to carry, and it provides to the grip whereas preserving fingerprints at bay. The round digital camera module embodies a luxurious watch design, which is a working theme with the 12 collection. The Pro mannequin has an added ornamental gold ring across the rear digital camera dial, for a little bit of aptitude.
The telephone feels slim to carry at 8.75mm, and has simply the suitable heft so it doesn’t really feel toy-like. The buttons are clicky, speaker grills are positioned nicely so your palms don’t unintentionally block them, and also you get a dual-SIM slot. There’s no microSD help, so storage just isn’t extendable. The 12 Pro Plus 5G will get a nifty IP65 score for mud and water resistance.
The different wonderful thing about the Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G is the show. It’s a big 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a Full HD+ decision. It produces wealthy colours and might get very shiny. Viewing content material even beneath direct laborious daylight was not a problem. You get an in-display fingerprint sensor too which is fast, however the face unlock is the quickest method to get to your apps.
The curved edges on both aspect of the show offers you the sensation of utilizing a way more costly telephone. The show additionally will get a 120Hz refresh fee, which scales to 90Hz or 60Hz based mostly on the app or your interplay with the display screen.
The Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, which is peppy and does a very good job of dealing with all of your typical social and productiveness apps. Multitasking was a breeze on the 12GB mannequin that I examined, and I really feel it ought to be the same expertise on the decrease variants too. HDR movies regarded good on this show and the stereo audio system offered an attractive expertise.
Battery life is very good due to the 5,000mAh capability, which simply lasts for a few day and half on medium to heavy workloads. There’s no wi-fi charging, however wired charging is a fast 67W with the bundled adapter.
One of the primary causes it is best to think about this telephone is for the cameras. The 12 Pro Plus options the 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor for the primary digital camera, which can be discovered within the OnePlus 12, whereas the telephoto is the OmniVision OV64B 64MP sensor as seen within the OnePlus Open. Both sensors are optically stabilized and provide excellent readability, colours, and particulars in each daylight and evening time pictures.
The major digital camera’s large f/1.8 aperture ensures a creamy bokeh impact in close-up images, whereas in low mild, the app routinely takes a long-exposure shot. The telephoto or Portrait digital camera as Realme calls it, is equally spectacular. It has a 3x optical zoom, which has good stabilization once you’re framing. Image high quality is sort of spectacular even at 10x magnification. However, there are diminishing returns as you transcend 20x zoom. At the utmost 120x stage, massive textual content on distant objects is nearly recognizable nevertheless it’s clear that the digital camera is nicely past its consolation zone.
Video recording maxes out at 4K30 on the Realme 12 Pro Plus. Image high quality is sort of good throughout the day and you’ve got the power to change between the ultra-wide, major, and telephoto cameras when recording at 1080p. The major and tele can shoot at 4K, however you must select which sensor you need earlier than you hit file.
The 32MP selfie digital camera is equally spectacular, capturing sharp and detailed photos in daylight and indoor lighting. The post-processing works nicely in cleansing up noise, and the default pores and skin smoothing filter isn’t too aggressive and produces pleasing portraits.
Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G: What I do not like
The Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G doesn’t have a macro digital camera or perhaps a macro capturing mode, which some would possibly miss. Realme may have accomplished the trifecta through the use of a extra substantial ultrawide digital camera with autofocus. This would have helped in getting sharper images in addition to enabled macro pictures. This is the one rear digital camera that may’t file at 4K decision, which I really feel was a missed alternative.
The different space which may have used a greater improve is the SoC itself. Don’t get me flawed, it really works simply high quality in day-to-day use nevertheless it’s not as highly effective as a few of the others on this section. Going by benchmark numbers, it put out almost the identical scores or simply barely higher numbers than the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, which sits in Realme’s less expensive 12 Plus 5G. We additionally may have gotten higher options like 4K at 60fps video recording on the 12 Pro Plus 5G, had Realme used a stronger processor.
The final criticism with this telephone has been a recurring one on most Realme telephones, and that’s the software program. Realme UI 5.0 is predicated on Android 14, and my unit obtained a number of updates for Android safety patches and bug fixes, which is nice to see. But there’s no getting round how pointless bloated it feels, with tons of pointless apps and plenty of first-party ones that bombard you with unsolicited notifications. You can work round this by being cautious throughout setup and never giving permission to sure apps, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a problem which we shouldn’t need to cope with.
Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G: Competition
The Realme 12 Pro Plus’s largest competitor is the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus. It sits in the same worth vary, and boasts of higher water resistance, a higher-resolution AMOLED show, and faster charging. Between the 2, I’d nonetheless put my cash on the 12 Pro Plus 5G merely due to the higher auxiliary cameras and because of the truth that it comes with Android 14 out of the field.
The Vivo V30 is one other telephone that competes on this section, that includes an equally eye-catching design as its costlier sibling, good high quality rear cameras, 80W charging, and a extra highly effective SoC. It does miss out on a telephoto digital camera although, which is the massive spotlight of the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
For these within the U.S., it is nonetheless laborious to beat the Pixel 7a at its present worth. The Pixel 8a may be very new, and can finally substitute the 7a as our go-to advice as soon as it will get a good deal.
Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G: Should you purchase it?
You should purchase this if…
- You want a flexible telephoto digital camera with good zoom vary
- You desire a fashionable mid-range telephone
- You need long-lasting battery life
You should not purchase this if…
- You need clutter-free consumer interface
- You need sturdy gaming efficiency
- You want wi-fi charging
Realme continues to ship nice worth even with its mid-range choices, and the 12 Pro Plus 5G is an efficient instance. For what it prices, the telephone really excels within the digital camera division due to a powerful major sensor, versatile telephoto digital camera, and a stable selfie digital camera. Realme would not cease there although, because it delivers an equally premium utilization expertise due to a faux-leather again panel and the luxury-watch impressed rear modules. Performance can be respectable, the telephone is water and dustproof, and the battery simply lasts greater than a day. The vivid curved-edge AMOLED show is superb for binge-watching on the transfer.
The typical software program hurdles proceed to hang-out Realme telephones, because the interface is simply too cluttered and bloated with pointless apps. The ultrawide digital camera can be nothing particular, when in comparison with how good the opposite cameras are. Lastly, there’s the processor itself, which might have been completely respectable on a telephone at round $300, however not at this worth. If the 12 Pro Plus 5G is not obtainable the place you reside, here is a listing of nice options that ought to work simply as nicely.
An excellent telephoto digital camera beneath $400
For a telephone priced round $400, the Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G boasts of superb most important and telephoto digital camera sensors, and is again by a premium vegan-leather end. You additionally get a curved-edge show, 67W charging, and a strong Snapdragon platform. All these options collectively makes it good worth.