Highlights

• Premium design with vegan leather back and association with Ollivier Savéo.
• Impressive 6.7-inch OLED display with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
• Versatile camera setup with 64MP periscope telephoto lens.
• Robust performance with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and 67W SuperVOOC charging.

The Realme 12 Pro+, an evolution in Realme’s product line, has not truly transcended the company’s traditional budget-friendly territory, venturing into the premium segment, breaching the Rs 30,000 mark.

However, this leap forward brings with it an array of top-notch features, possibly setting a new benchmark in the mid-range smartphone market.

In this detailed review, let’s explore how the Realme 12 Pro+ balances its upscale pricing with advanced functionalities, a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation and quality, while also catering to a more discerning consumer base.

Realme 12 Pro+: Pros and Cons

Realme 12 Pro+: Unboxing

The unboxing experience of the Realme 12 Pro+ is quite satisfying, especially for tech enthusiasts who appreciate the attention to detail.

As you open the box, you’re first greeted with the phone itself, showcasing its sleek design and immediately drawing attention to its standout features.

Beneath the phone, neatly arranged, is the 67W charger.

Alongside the charger, there’s a USB Type-C cable, essential for charging and data transfer.

In a separate compartment, you’ll find a clear silicone case.

This inclusion is a thoughtful touch, offering immediate protection for the device right out of the box.

It’s a practical addition that many users will appreciate, as it ensures the phone’s safety against scratches and minor impacts from day one.

Additionally, the box includes the usual paperwork, which provides important information about the device, and a sim ejector tool, an indispensable item for setting up the phone with your SIM card.

Realme 12 Pro+: Unboxing Video

Realme 12 Pro+: Key Specs

• Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
• 12GB RAM and 256GB storage
• 7-inch OLED, 120Hz
• 64MP periscope telephoto + 50MP Sony IMX890 + 8MP ultra-wide rear cameras
• 32MP front camera
• 5,000mAh battery with 67W SuperVOOC charging
• RealmeUI 5.0, Android 14

Realme 12 Pro+: Design and Display

The Realme 12 Pro+ in my opinion has a design that expertly melds luxury with functionality.

A standout feature is its vegan leather back, a continuation from its predecessor, imbuing the device with an air of sophistication and eco-conscious appeal.

The back panel’s aesthetics were made in association with French luxury watchmaker Ollivier Savéo, and the style is evident in the 12 Pro+’s design language.

As has been evident from the last few iterations, Realme’s craftsmanship is meticulous, reflecting a deep attention to detail that rivals even higher-priced competitors.

The aesthetic appeal of the Realme 12 Pro+ is not just superficial.

In my opinion, the device feels robust and well-built, a commitment to quality that Realme has increasingly become known for.

Other aspects of the phone such as the button placement, USB Type-C port, and speaker grille find themselves in areas that you can expect them to be.

Basically, it’s a design that doesn’t just look good; it feels good too, offering a comfortable grip and a sense of durability.

Overall, I feel that the Realme 12 Pro+ is a testament to the fact that premium design and practicality can coexist, creating a device that is as pleasing to use as it is to look at.

Moving on, when I first laid eyes on the Realme 12 Pro+, the display immediately caught my attention.

The curved edges of the screen give it a modern and sophisticated feel, while the slim bezels allow for a more immersive viewing experience.

I was particularly impressed by the screen’s brightness, which makes it easy to use outdoors.

Talking about specs the Realme 12 Pro+ has a 6.7-inch OLED screen with FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 1.07 billion colors, 100% P3 color gamut, a 240Hz touch sampling rate.

The colour accuracy is remarkable, ensuring that images are both vibrant and true to life.

Moreover, the addition of Dolby Vision and HDR10+ certifications enhances the viewing experience, especially for streaming content.

Realme 12 Pro+: Cameras

In my experience with the Realme 12 Pro+, the daylight photography was quite impressive, especially with the 64MP 3X periscope telephoto lens and the 50MP Sony IMX890 primary camera.

The ultra-wide camera didn’t quite meet my expectations, as the focus tended to be softer than I preferred.

As for the main sensor, the dynamic range was commendable, and I appreciated the fast shutter speeds and excellent focusing capabilities.

However, I did notice the absence of a macro mode, which could have added more versatility.

The periscope lens, a key feature of the phone, offers a 6X zoom by cropping into the 3X shooter.

While the detailing is satisfactory, I believe there’s room for improvement in future iterations of the device.

Regarding low-light photography, the Realme 12 Pro+ performs as well as one could expect at this price point.

The AI-based scene detection is a helpful feature, adding extra lighting to images, although I found the focusing to be a bit slower in these conditions.

The night mode is a highlight, adding good details to images, even though the colors are sometimes more saturated than I would like.

In low-light situations, the periscope lens doesn’t significantly enhance the quality.

The front-facing 32MP camera captures detailed selfies, rounding out a versatile camera setup.

Realme 12 Pro+ Camera Day Samples

Realme 12 Pro+ Camera Night Samples

Realme 12 Pro+ Night Video

Realme 12 Pro+ Day Video

Realme 12 Pro+: Performance and Features

In my testing, the Realme 12 Pro+ with its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, impressed me with its performance.

It mirrored the capabilities I’ve seen in the Redmi Note 13 Pro series, particularly in benchmarking.

Graphically, it remained stable under load, showcasing about 90% of its maximum performance.

The 12GB RAM and 256GB storage option efficiently handled background apps, ensuring smooth multitasking.

I was particularly taken with the UI’s fluid animations and the 120Hz display’s smooth scrolling.

Gaming was a delight too, running heavy-duty games smoothly, though not quite on par with the highest-end chips.

Feature-wise, the stereo speakers were a highlight, offering loud, crisp, and deep audio.

The 5G connectivity was stable on Noida’s Airtel network, and the in-display fingerprint sensor provided seamless authentication.

Realme 12 Pro+: Software, Battery, and Charging

The RealmeUI 5.0 on the Realme 12 Pro+, based on Android 14, introduced some interesting features.

For instance, while using Spotify, the always-on display not only shows audio controls but also recommends songs, a feature I found quite handy.

However, the interface felt a bit cluttered to me, primarily due to the numerous pre-installed Realme apps.

Also, the persistent window suggesting similar apps every time I downloaded a new app was somewhat intrusive.

I was impressed with features like File Dock, which made managing and extracting content like text, images, and links straightforward.

The Flash Capsule was another standout, providing quick access to services like Grab and Zomato.

The Smart image matting feature, allowing easy isolation of subjects from photos, was particularly useful for social media sharing.

Despite these minor interface drawbacks, I found RealmeUI 5.0 to be intuitive, customizable, and user-friendly overall.

The 5,000mAh battery of the Realme 12 Pro+ is quite impressive, especially considering the phone’s slim design.

I was particularly pleased with the extended standby time.

The battery showed minimal drain even after a couple of hours of non-use.

In terms of daily usage, the phone delivered around 7 hours of screen-on time, which is commendable for its price range.

The 67W SuperVOOC charging feature is another highlight, efficiently charging the phone in about 40 minutes.

Overall, these aspects contribute to a strong battery performance that stands out in the device’s category.

Realme 12 Pro+: Final Verdict

The Realme 12 Pro+ marks a significant stride in Realme’s journey towards premium smartphones.

Balancing cost with high-end features, it offers a compelling choice for just above Rs 30,000.

The meticulous design, impressive display, and versatile camera setup stand out, though with room for improvement in ultra-wide and periscope lens performance.

Its robust performance, enhanced by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, and user-friendly RealmeUI 5.0, add to its appeal.

The battery life and fast charging are commendable, ensuring the phone keeps up with daily demands.

Overall, I am recommending the Realme 12 Pro+ as a strong contender in the mid-range segment, ideal for users seeking a blend of style, performance, and value.

5 Reasons to Buy

• Excellent Price-Performance Ratio: The Realme 12 Pro+ offers high-end features at a mid-range price, providing great value for money.
• High-Quality Display: With its OLED screen, 120Hz refresh rate, and Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, the display offers a premium viewing experience.
• Versatile Camera Capabilities: The combination of a 64MP periscope telephoto lens, a 50MP primary camera, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens allows for a wide range of photography options.
• Robust Build Quality: The vegan leather back and collaboration with Ollivier Savéo give the phone a luxurious and durable feel.
• Reliable Battery Performance: The 5,000mAh battery and 67W fast charging mean the phone can easily last a day and recharge quickly.

3 Reasons Not to Buy

• Some amount of bloatware in RealmeUI: The interface, slightly cluttered with pre-installed apps, might not appeal to users who prefer a cleaner, more streamlined experience.
• Limited Ultra-Wide Camera Performance: The ultra-wide lens, while useful, does not match the quality of the main camera, especially in terms of focus.
• Underperforming Periscope Lens in Low Light: The periscope lens doesn’t significantly enhance the quality of low-light photography, which might be a drawback for night photography enthusiasts.

Top 5 Alternatives

• POCO F5

This phone comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

It is powered by a Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2 processor and has 8GB of RAM.

The phone has a triple camera setup with a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens.

It also has a 16MP front camera and a 5000mAh battery with Turbo Charging support.

• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 2023

This phone features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

It is powered by a Snapdragon 888 processor and has 8GB of RAM.

The handset has a triple camera setup with a 12MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens.

It also has a 32MP front camera and a 4500mAh battery.

• Realme GT 2 Pro 5G

This phone comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and has 8GB of RAM.

The device has a triple camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens.

It also has a 32MP front camera and a 5000mAh battery with Super Dart Charging support.

• iQOO Neo 7 Pro

This phone comes with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor and has 8GB of RAM.

The phone packs in a triple camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens.

It also has a 16MP front camera and a 4500mAh battery.

• OnePlus Nord CE 3 5G

This phone comes with a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate.

It runs on the Snapdragon 750G processor and has 8GB of RAM.

The phone has a triple camera setup with a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP mono lens.

It also has a 16MP front camera and a 4500mAh battery with Warp Charge 30T support.

Realme 12 Pro+ vs Realme 11 Pro+: Key Upgrades

The Realme 11 Pro+ and Realme 12 Pro+ have several key differences.

The Realme 12 Pro+ upgrades to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen2 processor from the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 in the 11 Pro+, offering improved performance.

It also features a 50MP Sony IMX890 main camera, compared to the 100MP Omnivision sensor in the 11 Pro+.

The selfie camera in the 12 Pro+ is 32MP, an upgrade from the 16MP camera in the 11 Pro+. 

Both models have a similar screen size and resolution, 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED displays, and a 5000mAh battery, but the 12 Pro+ supports a newer Android version, Android 14.

These updates contribute to enhanced performance, photography capabilities, and overall user experience in the Realme 12 Pro+.

Realme 12 Pro+ vs Realme 12 Pro: Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between the Realme 12 Pro+ and Realme 12 Pro depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some considerations to help you decide:

• Camera Capabilities: If photography and videography are your priorities, the Realme 12 Pro+ might be the better choice. It offers advanced features like a periscope telephoto lens with higher zoom capabilities and a more sophisticated imaging algorithm. The Realme 12 Pro, while still capable, has a slightly less advanced camera setup.
• Performance: The Realme 12 Pro+ is equipped with a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon processor compared to the Realme 12 Pro. If you require a device for more intensive tasks like gaming or multitasking, the Pro+ model could be more suitable.
• Battery and Charging: Both models have similar battery capacities and charging technologies. Your choice in this aspect would depend more on the other features of the phone.
• Design and Display: If the aesthetics of the phone and the quality of the display are important to you, compare the design elements and screen specifications of both models. The Pro+ version might offer slight enhancements in terms of luxury design elements and display quality.

Realme 12 Pro Plus Specs

FAQs

What are the key features of the Realme 12 Pro+’s display?

The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a 6.7-inch OLED screen with FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

How does the Realme 12 Pro+ perform in terms of photography?

It excels in daylight with its 64MP periscope telephoto and 50MP Sony IMX890 primary camera, though the ultra-wide camera and low-light performance have room for improvement.

What makes the Realme 12 Pro+ stand out in design?

Its vegan leather back and meticulous craftsmanship, developed in collaboration with French luxury watchmaker Ollivier Savéo, offer a luxurious feel.

Is the Realme 12 Pro+ good for gaming and multitasking?

Yes, its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and 12GB RAM ensure smooth gaming and efficient multitasking.

What about the Realme 12 Pro+’s battery life and charging capabilities?

The phone features a 5,000mAh battery with 67W SuperVOOC charging, providing extended usage and fast recharge times.

What are the Key features of realme 12 Pro+ 5G ?

realme’s latest flagship, the realme 12 Pro+ 5G promises to take photography to the next level for smartphone photographers.

It features a 64MP Periscope Telephoto camera, 50 MP Sony IMX 809 Main camera, 8MP Ultra Wide Camera and a 32MP Sony selfie camera with an OV64B camera sensor with 3X optical zoom and 6X in-sensor zoom and boasts the largest-in-class periscope telephoto lens, marking it as the best periscope telephoto lens in this segment.

This is a crucial milestone in realme’s flagship photography journey, making advanced photography more accessible and enabling young enthusiasts to explore and capture cinematic views beyond the horizon at an incredible price range.

Does Realme 12 Pro + 5G have the Best periscope telephoto lens in the segment ?

The realme 12 Pro+ 5G, realme’s latest flagship, aims to take photography and videography to an entirely new level for smartphones.

It features the OV64B sensor with 3X optical zoom and 6X in-sensor zoom, making it the greatest periscope telephoto lens in this market at an unbelievable price.

This is a crucial milestone in realme’s flagship photography journey, making advanced photography more accessible and enabling young enthusiasts to explore and capture cinematic views beyond the horizon.

Is Realme 12 Pro + 5G Design inspired by Luxury Watch ?

Ollivier Savéo, a renowned international luxury watch design master recognized for cooperation with major Swiss watch brands, Roger Dolby, Piaget, Breitling, Rolex and Quentin has collaborated with realme to infuse the design of the new realme 12 Pro+ 5G with elements of premium watch workmanship.

realme and Ollivier Savéo came together and drew inspiration from elements of luxury found in watches, deconstructing and incorporating them into the design of the realme 12 Pro Series, bringing luxury workmanship to mobile phones.

How is the display of realme 12 pro plus 5G?

• 120 Hz Curved Vision Display

realme 12 Pro+ 5G has a magnificent 120Hz Curved Vision Display, to provide an excellent viewing experience.

The display features a 6.7-inch OLED panel with 2412 x 1080 FHD+ resolution, 1.07 billion colors, a 100% P3 color gamut, a touch sampling rate of 240Hz, and an instantaneous sampling rate of up to 2000Hz.

It has a global maximum brightness of 800 nits and a local peak brightness of 950 nits. The display is covered by 0.55mm secondary tempered high-strength glass, making this an inexpensive premier curved screen for users to enjoy.

To complete the immersive experience, the device features breathtaking Dolby Atmos sound for an unparalleled audio experience that you can feel all around you.

With Dolby Atmos, your favorite content comes to life with greater depth, clarity, and details like never before.

Is Realme 12 Pro plus 5G powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Mobile Platform ?

The realme 12 Pro+ 5G has been built using 4nm process and has remarkable energy efficiency enabled by the advanced Qualcomm® Kryo™ CPU and Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU and powered by a dedicated Qualcomm® AI Engine for enhanced photography, smooth multitasking and gaming, and backed by speedy recharging via Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 4+ technology.

Using an 8-core 64-bit architecture, which includes 4 ARM Cortex-A78 cores running at 2.4GHz and 4 ARM Cortex-A55 cores running at 1.95GHz, it provides exceptional performance.

The Adreno GPU operates at 940MHz and improves graphics capabilities. The improved CPU provides a significant 20% increase in output, raising the Antutu benchmark from 170000 to 210000 compared to the realme 11 Pro+ 5G.

Similarly, the GPU, GFX 1080P Manhattan ES3.0 Offscreen, improves performance by 9%, increasing frame rates from 67 to 73 and demonstrating superior graphics capabilities when compared to the 11 Pro+ 5G. Also, with 4G Internet access even during phone calls, you will never be stranded without a signal.

How is the battery life of Realme 12 pro plus 5G?

Massive 5000mAh battery and 67W SUPERVOOC Charge

With the high-capacity 5000mAh battery, users can charge their smartphone to up to 50% in as little as 19 minutes.

This combination offers minimal waiting time and faster charging speed, allowing customers to fully utilize their device’s capabilities every day.

Does realme 12 pro plus 5G Come with realme UI 5.0 ?

The realme 12 Pro+ 5G comes with the new realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14, which allows users to enjoy smarter and more improved efficient experiences.

What are the Color’s available in Realme 12 Pro plus 5G?

The realme 12 Pro + 5G comes in three stunning colors: Submarine Blue reflects tranquil elegance, Navigator Beige offers refinement, and the exclusive Explorer Red adds a vibrant touch, exclusively available in India.

These colors draw inspiration from prestigious luxury watch series.

What is Realme 12 Pro series price in India & sale details ?

Realme 12 Pro is priced at Rs 25,999 for the 8GB/128GB and Rs 26,999 for the 8GB/256GB model. The phone comes in Submarine Blue and Navigator Beige colours.

Realme 12 Pro+ is priced at Rs 29,999 for the 8GB/128GB, Rs 31,999 for the 8GB/256GB model, and Rs 33,999 for the 12GB/256GB version.

The handset will be sold in Submariner Blue, Navigator Beige, and Explorer Red(only for India) colours.

The first sale of the phones is on February 6th at 12 PM via the Realme website, Flipkart, and retail stores.

The company is offering Rs 2,000 instant discount through the ICICI Bank card and no-cost EMI option.

There is also a Rs 1,000 exchange offer as well (pre-booking and early access sale benefit). There is an early-access sale today i.e. January 29th from 6 PM.

Pre-booking for offline stores starts today and from January 30th through Flipkart.

What Realme 11 Pros series vs Realme 12 Pro lineup Upgrades ?

The Realme 11 Pro+ and Realme 12 Pro+ have several key differences.

The Realme 12 Pro+ upgrades to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen2 processor from the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 in the 11 Pro+, offering improved performance.

It also features a 50MP Sony IMX890 main camera, compared to the 100MP Omnivision sensor in the 11 Pro+. The selfie camera in the 12 Pro+ is 32MP, an upgrade from the 16MP camera in the 11 Pro+.

Both models have a similar screen size and resolution, 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED displays, and a 5000mAh battery, but the 12 Pro+ supports a newer Android version, Android 14.

These updates contribute to enhanced performance, photography capabilities, and overall user experience in the Realme 12 Pro+.

The display size of the Realme 11 Pro and Realme 12 Pro remain the same at a 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2160 PWM Dimming support.

In terms of processor, the Realme 11 Pro series shipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC.

In comparison, the Realme 12 Pro comes with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, while the 12 Pro+ is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset.

Cameras is where the Realme 12 Pro series takes a lead over the Realme 11 Pro lineup. The Realme 12 Pro ships with a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary camera with OIS, a 32MP Sony IMX709 telephoto 1/2.74″ sensor with f/2.0 Aperture, OIS, and 4X support, and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens.

In comparison, the Realme 11 Pro shipped with a 100MP rear camera with f/1.75 aperture, OIS and a 2MP macro camera with f/2.4 aperture. The primary sensor should be able to click better images and there is also a new 32MP periscope telephoto shooter.

Realme 12 Pro+ comes with a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary camera with OIS, a 32MP OV64B periscope telephoto sensor with f/2.6 aperture, ALC anti-glare coating, OIS, 6X zoom support and 120x digital Super-Zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens.

In comparison, the Realme 11 Pro came with a 200MP Samsung HP3 sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 aperture, and a 2MP 4cm macro camera.

The charging speed on the Realme 11 Pro+ was 100W, in comparison, the Realme 12 Pro+ only has 67W speed. Both series have the same 5000mAh battery cells.

Also Read: Realme 12 Pro Series Launched in India with 3X Periscope Telephoto Lens, Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, and More: Pricing, Features, Specs

Also Read: Realme 12 Pro Series India Launch Today: Time, How to Watch Online Live Streaming, Expected Price, Expected Specs & Design

Also Read: Realme 12 Pro Series 5G Launch Confirmed for 29th January: What You Should Know