Discover the ins and outs of the Realme 12 Pro 5G, a smartphone making waves with its distinctive design, robust hardware, and advanced camera capabilities.
Realme 12 Pro Price in India
Launched amid the smartphone frenzy in January 2024, the Realme 12 Pro 5G series has grabbed attention, featuring the Realme 12 Pro and Realme 12 Pro+ 5G. Priced at Rs. 25,999 for the base 8GB RAM + 128GB variant, and Rs. 26,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant, the Realme 12 Pro competes in a crowded market. With a sleek design and promising features, it aims to stand out in a sea of smartphones.
Realme 12 Pro Review: Design Elegance
The Realme 12 Pro’s design is a head-turner. Adorned in Submarine Blue with a vegan leather finish on the rear panel, it exudes sophistication. The collaboration with French luxury watchmaker Ollivier Savéo lends a touch of exclusivity, reminiscent of luxury watch dials.
The camera module, resembling a sunburst dial with gold accents, adds a premium feel. With a weight of 196g and curved edges, the phone offers a comfortable grip, emphasizing both style and ergonomics.
Unboxing Experience and Accessories
Opening the Realme 12 Pro box reveals a standard set of accessories. The inclusion of a 67W fast charger ensures speedy charging. The package also contains a USB Type-A to Type-C cable, a protective case, SIM ejector tool, and essential paperwork.
Realme maintains consistency in its unboxing experience, providing users with all the essentials for a seamless start.
Specifications
- Equipped with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, Adreno 710 GPU, and up to 256GB storage, the Realme 12 Pro ensures smooth performance.
- The Dynamic RAM feature, borrowing up to 8GB additional VRAM, enhances multitasking capabilities. While lacking Wi-Fi 6E and the latest Bluetooth standards, the phone compensates with a dual speaker setup, Bluetooth 5.2, and Wi-Fi 6 dual-band support.
- The Realme 12 Pro runs on Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14, promising two years of software updates and three years of security updates.
- Despite the smooth interface, bloatware is noticeable, including Hot Apps, Hot Games, and Glance lock screen. Useful features like File Dock, Smart image matting, and Phonelink enhance user experience.
Display Brilliance and Audio Prowess
- The Realme 12 Pro boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing vibrant visuals and smooth interactions.
- The curved display, with a maximum brightness of 800 nits, offers an immersive viewing experience. The inclusion of the O1 Video Colour Boost engine enhances SDR to HDR conversion, although limited to specific apps.
- With a dual speaker setup, the phone delivers impressive audio quality. Loud and clear, the speakers contribute to an enjoyable multimedia experience.
- The Realme 12 Pro’s display and audio capabilities cater to users seeking an immersive entertainment experience.
Performance Insights and Battery Efficiency
- While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip may not be a performance powerhouse, the Realme 12 Pro handles daily tasks and gaming adequately.
- Benchmark results reflect its mid-range positioning, but real-world performance is smooth for routine activities.
- The inclusion of the Dynamic RAM feature mitigates limitations during demanding tasks.
- The 5,000mAh battery, coupled with a 67W fast charger, ensures a reliable power supply.
- The phone easily lasts a day with diverse usage, and the fast-charging capability, claimed to charge from 0 to 100 percent in 48 minutes, proves efficient in real-world tests, taking just 43 minutes.
Camera Brilliance in Daylight
- The Realme 12 Pro’s triple rear camera setup shines in daylight conditions.
- The 50-megapixel Sony IMX 882 main sensor with OIS captures detailed and vibrant images.
- The 32-megapixel telephoto sensor with 2x optical zoom delivers satisfactory results.
- The ultrawide sensor, an 8-megapixel addition, contributes to the versatility of the camera system.
- In well-lit scenarios, the Realme 12 Pro produces impressive portrait shots with good edge detection.
- The 16-megapixel front camera ensures decent selfies with ample details.
- The inclusion of video features, including 4K recording and Ultra Steady stabilization, adds to the camera’s appeal.
Low-Light Challenges and Video Quirks
- In low-light conditions, the Realme 12 Pro exhibits some limitations.
- While the main sensor manages usable shots, the loss of details and challenges in dynamic range become evident.
- The 2x zoom and ultrawide camera struggle in low light, producing images with noise and washed-out details.
- Video recording capabilities showcase the phone’s strengths and weaknesses. 4K videos capture plenty of details in daylight, but noise and artefacts become noticeable in low light.
- The Ultra Steady stabilization, while effective, shows some fringing.
- The Realme 12 camera system excels in certain aspects but faces challenges in challenging lighting conditions.
Also Read: Realme Launches the Feature-Packed Realme 12 Pro+ with Android 14 and 67W Charging
Verdict: A Stylish All-Rounder
Priced competitively at Rs. 25,999, the Realme 12 Pro 5G presents a compelling option for users seeking a blend of style, performance, and camera capabilities. Its unique design, vibrant display, reliable battery, and efficient charging contribute to an appealing package.
While not the most powerful in its segment, the Realme 12 Pro strikes a balance, making it a worthy contender against rivals like the Redmi Note 13 Pro and Poco X6 Pro. Ultimately, the choice between performance-centric and design-focused phones depends on individual priorities. If design and camera prowess take precedence, the Realme 12 Pro emerges as a strong recommendation in the mid-range smartphone arena.
Also Read: Realme 12 Pro series cameras revealed, anticipated launch later this month.