Realme has been delivering high quality smartphones within the mid-range for a number of years. The Realme 12 Pro+ certain made fairly an impression at launch. We acquired a smartphone that regarded the half for a mid-ranger, packed in sufficient efficiency with succesful {hardware}, and provided an attention-grabbing set of cameras which until date are unparalleled at this worth level. Then, there’s the enticing pricing, which makes an excellent higher case for this mid-range gadget. However, the mid-range has advanced fairly a bit over the previous 12 months.
Smartphones now pack 200-megapixel cameras, an IP68 score for mud and water resistance, and super-fast charging (as much as 120W). Surprisingly, there are smartphones on this section that occur to supply simply this, however fall flat on execution or come up quick by way of digital camera consistency. And that is why these aren’t precisely simple to suggest. There’s additionally the truth that consumers will come throughout premium smartphones that provide equally spectacular worth however have just lately acquired worth cuts, like Google’s excellent Pixel 7a.
With a premium design and a premium telephoto digital camera, the Realme 12 Pro+ absolutely looks as if a worthy improve over its predecessor however can it maintain its personal in opposition to the cut-throat competitors? I’ve been utilizing the Realme 12 Pro+ for a number of weeks and here is what I feel.
Realme 12 Pro+ Review: Price in India
The Realme 12 Pro+ is on the market in three finishes – Submarine Blue, Explorer Red, and Navigator Beige. There’s additionally three variants to select from. There’s an 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant which is priced at Rs. 29,999, an 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant priced at Rs. 31,999, and a top-of-the-line variant with 12GB RAM + 256GB storage obtainable at Rs. 33,999. We acquired the 12GB + 256GB variant in Submarine Blue for assessment. Given the minor worth variations between the variants I’d suggest stretching your price range a bit and getting the top-end mannequin.
Realme 12 Pro+ Review: Design
The Realme 12 Pro+ is not precisely altering the sport or introducing a model new design language just like the earlier Realme 11 Pro+ did. But there are refined design adjustments that do make it really feel much less cheesy than the earlier mannequin in my view.
The Realme 12 Pro+’s curved edge design provides it a slim profile
I just like the watch-inspired design which appears to be a factor with BBK umbrella manufacturers lately. It provides a pleasant golden fluted bezel across the round rear digital camera module. This mixed with the vegan-leather laden break up rear panel provides the telephones a really luxurious and extra grounded conventional really feel, which can immediately remind lots of luxurious timepieces or costly hand baggage. It’s additionally unexpectedly heavy at 196 grams, which is presumably all the way down to the metallic adornments and the chunky digital camera module.
The cheesy stitches from the Realme 11 Pro+ aren’t any extra, however I’m not an enormous fan of the golden insert with a diamond sample which runs throughout the again and is meant to remind one in every of a metallic watch strap.
Love it or hate it, the general design of the smartphone certain makes an impression and the vegan-leather again and likewise lends it a strong grip. My assessment unit, regardless of being positioned on a wide range of surfaces (stone, rocks, picket tables) , remained in pristine situation, just about the other of Apple’s Finewoven circumstances.
The cheesy stitches on the rear panel of the Realme 11 Pro+ have been changed by a extra refined metallic strip
And it isn’t all present, because the premium-looking design additionally comes with an official IP65 score for mud and water resistance. This one’s good for splashes of water however is not so good as the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, because it affords a correct IP68 score, which may stand up to submersion in water.
The delicate, champagne gold end of the digital camera ring additionally extends onto the plastic body. Despite not being made out of metallic, it is completed properly with no seen sharp edges or cutouts. I additionally like how Realme has stored the flattened prime and backside edges of the body matte, whereas sustaining the polished look on the facet for added grip. Adding to the curvy design, is the 6.7-inch curved-edge show with a skinny bezel that provides to the premium feel and look.
Realme 12 Pro+ Review: Specifications and software program
The Realme 12 Pro+ is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, which is constructed utilizing the 4nm fabrication course of and affords a most clockspeed of two.4GHz. What this implies is that this processor is as energy environment friendly as an SoC in a premium smartphone however isn’t as quick as a top-tier premium (sub Rs. 50,000) smartphone. Communication requirements embrace Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, a Type-C port and SIM card tray with house for two nano SIM playing cards. The cellphone helps a handful of 5G bands (n1/3/5/8/28B/40/41/77/78) and likewise affords twin 5G-standby. Powering all of it is a 5,000mAh battery which will be charged up utilizing the supplied 67W charger.
It’s good to see Realme provide the most recent model of Android 14 with its 12 Pro+ out of the field. Realme UI 5.0 comes with some new options which have trickled down from Oppo’s ColorOS and one in every of them consists of Flash Capsule, which known as Fluid Cloud on OnePlus’ OxygenOS and Aqua Dynamics on Oppo gadgets. They all operate in the very same method, relaying notifications in a really Dynamic Island-like vogue.
The Realme 12 Pro+’s Flash Capsule characteristic is similar to OnePlus’ Fluid Cloud
Start a timer (utilizing the clock app), and you’ll discover it minimising right into a capsule which stays on the left of your standing bar when switching to a different app or the house display screen. A protracted press on the capsule will see it animate and come out right into a smaller card revealing extra buttons (pause, cease). A faucet will see the capsule develop into the clock app, taking over the entire display screen.
While I like how sensible Flash Capsule is, these intuitive interactions are restricted to pick out native apps and simply two third-party apps. Zomato and Swiggy are at present supported and you may maintain observe of deliveries utilizing the Smart Suggestions characteristic, which relays real-time updates from these apps to the always-on show (AOD) on the cellphone’s lockscreen. This reduces the necessity to decide up your cellphone, unlock it and open the respective supply app for real-time updates.
Other new software program options like File Dock (accessing just lately used recordsdata by way of pop-out console), Smart Touch (for choosing up textual content from screenshots) and Smart Image Matting (selecting up cutouts of individuals or objects from photos) as I’ve described intimately in my Oppo Reno 11 Pro assessment are additionally fairly useful and sensible.
The Realme 12 Pro+ has a vegan leather-based again however for the primary time brings alongside an official IP65 score for its quantity collection
What I didn’t like in regards to the software program expertise is the bloatware and preinstalled third-party apps. The cellphone packs in a ton of them and whereas I may uninstall most of them, there are lots of that can’t be uninstalled. Another element I didn’t like have been the a number of doppelganger apps which will be complicated for a primary time smartphone person and even somebody who’s used to an easy near-stock Android software program expertise. There’s 2 app shops, 2 net browsers, 2 file browsers, 2 SMS apps, 2 picture gallery apps and two apps for managing video games (Games + Game Centre). Again none of those apps will be uninstalled, which implies it’s a must to dwell with them even when you’ll by no means use them.
Realme 12 Pro+ Review: Performance
Despite the bloatware and double-apps, software program efficiency isn’t one thing you have to to fret about with this mid-ranger. I confronted no cases of lag or stuttering on my assessment unit (which is supplied with 12GB of RAM). Multi-tasking and recalling beforehand used apps from reminiscence was not an issue both, with minimal app restarts.
The show is kind of brilliant (with a worldwide brightness of 800 nits) and might simply deal with the outside beneath brilliant or direct daylight. It produces vibrant colors within the Vivid color mode by default so you will have to change to the Natural color mode for extra toned down true-to-life colors. The full-HD+ show decision appears sharp sufficient when displaying photos and textual content.
Despite getting the “ProXDR” branding (helpful for viewing Ultra HDR pictures) there isn’t any Dolby Vision or HDR10+ assist for streaming apps, however streaming content material appeared sharp, for the reason that cellphone helps the Widevine L1 certification (full-HD playback) on Netflix. The 120Hz refresh price is dynamic when utilizing the Auto-select setting, however solely switches between 30, 60, 90, and 120Hz relying on the applying displayed on the show, that means the battery financial savings from this show know-how are modest.
(*12*)
The Realme 12 Pro+’s curved edge show certain appears the half however is not HDR10 or Dolby Vision licensed for video streaming
The gaming expertise was good total. The cellphone is ready to deal with informal video games with ease and heavy titles with a little bit of a wrestle. Strangely, regardless of having 12GB of RAM onboard, video games like Call of Duty: Mobile didn’t provide settings above High graphics and Max Frame price (which once more limits gameplay to 60fps). I additionally discovered the 240Hz contact sampling price a bit laggy whereas taking part in the FPS recreation. The giant VC cooling system does its job properly each when utilizing the digital camera and taking part in graphics heavy video games.
Coming to benchmarks. The Realme 12 Pro+ managed a rating of 6,43,951 in AnTuTu together with 929 and a pair of,792 in Geekbench’s single and multi-core assessments respectively. These are pretty-much on par with the competitors, however Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 13 Pro+ did carry out higher total managing 7,21,512 in AnTuTu and 1,122 and a pair of,598 factors in Geekbench’s single and multi-core assessments respectively. Graphics efficiency additionally appears to be half nearly as good because the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, which explains why most video games didn’t present higher graphics and framerate choices.
The Realme 12 Pro+ has three rear cameras two of which have optical picture stabilisation
Battery life on the Realme 12 Pro+ is fairly good and the cellphone can simply final a day and half on single cost with an hour of gaming and half an hour of digital camera utilization other than the common social media and workplace apps. The cellphone managed a strong 26 hours and 46 minutes in our commonplace video loop battery check, which is spectacular for a mid-ranger that is focussed on design, however one thing we’ve come to anticipate from a Realme gadget at this worth level.
Charging isn’t one thing one should fear about both. The cellphone’s 67W charger prices the battery to 72 % in half-hour and completes the cost in precisely 1 hour.
Realme 12 Pro+ Review: Cameras
The Realme 12 Pro+ comes geared up with three rear-facing cameras, which features a Sony IMX890 50-megapixel main digital camera with OIS, an Omni Vision OV64B 64-megapixel periscope telephoto digital camera, and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide digital camera. Selfies are dealt with by a 32-megapixel digital camera, which doesn’t have autofocus.
The main digital camera captures pictures with pure color tones and good dynamic vary that means there’s loads of particulars within the shadows as properly. The digital camera additionally manages to seize quite a lot of element so most photos find yourself trying fairly sharp. This additionally means you may go pixel peeping and nonetheless will not run out of decision when cropping photos. In low-light taking pictures conditions the OIS system does a unbelievable job of sustaining wonderful element and sharpness. The digital camera can seize superb particulars from a distance which speaks volumes about its {hardware} and software program optimisation. Surprisingly the photographs at 2X magnification (which is the cropped output from the first digital camera) is not nice and seems a bit washed out. Thankfully, you’ll hardly ever want to make use of it given the wonderful 3X optical digital camera, which may additionally concentrate on close by objects.
Realme 12 Pro+ daylight digital camera samples. Top to backside: Ultra-wide digital camera, main digital camera, telephoto digital camera (3X optical zoom) (faucet photos to see full dimension)
The telephoto digital camera is the actual showstopper on the Realme 12 Pro+. The cellphone makes use of the identical 64-megapixel periscopic telephoto digital camera from the OnePlus 12, OnePlus Open, and another premium gadgets. However, not like these high-end smartphones, the digital camera is not paired with a top-end ISP obtainable on a high-end processor on this case.
Thankfully, not a lot is misplaced, there’s wonderful element relating to texture making individuals and objects seem fairly sharp. Good dynamic vary ensures that there is greater than sufficient element in each the brilliant and darkish areas of the scene. What’s extra spectacular is that Realme has managed to tune the telephoto digital camera properly to match the color and white steadiness of the first digital camera. This degree of consistency is unparalleled on this worth section. The magic continues at evening with the digital camera producing good element when zooming into landscapes and even taking pictures close-ups. I additionally managed to get sharp-looking portraits at native 3X focal size. Shooting at 6X zoom additionally manages good high quality photos, however this drops considerably thereon and it’s in all probability all the way down to the mid-range processor backing it.
The telephoto digital camera mixed with its lossless in-sensor zoom captures detailed close-ups within the absence of a macro mode
The ultra-wide digital camera is the usual fare and doesn’t sustain with the first and telephoto cameras by way of particulars and dynamic vary. Photos have common element in textures, and whereas the dynamic vary produces first rate particulars within the shadows, the colors seem fairly washed out in comparison with the opposite two cameras. In low-light situations photos seem fairly delicate and are largely not usable.
The cellphone doesn’t provide a macro digital camera or perhaps a macro mode, however the 3X telephoto digital camera with its 6X, in-sensor lossless zoom lets me get nearer to things for some juicy and crisp close-ups. Even in low mild, close-ups come out very well with loads of element and sharpness. Selfies in daylight seem sharp and have good edge detection when utilizing Portrait mode. However, it doesn’t carry out properly in low mild. Thankfully, the Night mode involves the rescue managing first rate picture high quality.
Realme 12 Pro+ Low mild digital camera samples: Top: Primary digital camera, backside: telephoto digital camera (3X optical zoom) (Tap photos to develop)
4K 30fps video recordings come out a bit shaky however have good element and are low on noise even in street-lit, low-light situations. 1080p 30fps and 60fps video recordings do not seem as sharp or detailed because the 4K footage, however have a rocksteady framerate and good stabilisation in all sorts of lighting situations.
Realme 12 Pro+ Review: Verdict
The Realme 12 Pro+ with its overhauled design, up to date core {hardware} and a really succesful telephoto digital camera simply makes for a worthy improve even should you occur to personal final 12 months’s mannequin. As a mid-range gadget stacked up in opposition to smartphones just like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, it does fall a bit quick when evaluating specs on paper.
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (Review) absolutely goes massive on bragging rights with a greater IP68 score, sooner 120W wired charging and an enormous 200-megapixel digital camera sensor and ought to be high-up in your listing if uncooked efficiency is a precedence. And these bragging rights do come at a better beginning worth of Rs. 31,999 (for the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant). But it misses out on a number of issues that Realme 12 Pro+ latches on to love a leech.
There’s a class-leading telephoto digital camera that performs like nothing else we’ve used on this section and even above it (Pixel 7a). There’s good shot to shot consistency between the first and telephoto cameras as properly, which is uncommon within the mid-range.
But all the pieces else on this smartphone is not dangerous or common by any means. You get a good IP65 score for mud and water resistance, a high quality curved edge AMOLED show, some attention-grabbing software program options (provided that it’s a mid-ranger) and wonderful battery life and quick charging. And then there’s the enticing and cutthroat pricing which undercuts the competitors. At Rs. 29,999 (for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant), it ought to be excessive up in your listing, when buying a mid-range smartphone in 2024, if cameras are a precedence. If solely Realme can do one thing in regards to the bloatware state of affairs, we may have had a wonderfully balanced mid-ranger.
