Navigator Beige and Submarine Blue Variants Realme 12 Pro 5G
Science and Technology

Realme 12 PRO 5G: All you need to know

January 2024 witnessed a slew of smartphone launches, with Realme introducing its latest offering in the Realme 12 Pro 5G series. This series includes the Realme 12 Pro 5G and the Realme 12 Pro+ 5G, bringing a fresh perspective to the table. Let's explore its various facets.

English News Desk

The Realme 12 Pro comes with a competitive price tag, starting at Rs. 25,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB variant and Rs. 26,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB variant.

Available in Navigator Beige and Submarine Blue finishes, the 256GB Submarine Blue variant takes the spotlight in our review. The package includes a 67W fast charger, essential for quick and efficient charging.

Unboxing Experience

The unboxing experience aligns with expectations for its price segment, providing essential accessories such as a 67W charging brick, USB Type-A to Type-C cable, protective case, SIM ejector tool, and documentation.

Realme 12 Pro Design

Realme takes a bold step in design innovation with the Realme 12 Pro. Sporting a vegan leather finish on the rear panel, the phone features a camera module reminiscent of luxury watch dials.

Collaborating with French luxury watchmaker Ollivier Savéo adds a touch of elegance with gold accents and a sunburst dial. Weighing 196g, the phone strikes a balance between substance and style.

The curved display and rear panel contribute to a slim appearance (8.75mm), and the vegan leather finish ensures a clean, fingerprint-free back.

Display and Bezels

The Realme 12 Pro boasts a 6.7-inch 2K AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering a visually immersive experience. Thin and uniform bezels contribute to a sleek front profile, while the curved display enhances its aesthetics. With an IP65 rating, the device adds durability to its list of features.

Specifications and Software

Powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, Adreno 710 GPU, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage, the Realme 12 Pro offers robust performance. The Dynamic RAM feature, borrowing up to 8GB of additional VRAM, enhances its capabilities.

Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6 dual-band, and dual 5G SIM support. The in-display fingerprint scanner adds a layer of security, while the phone runs on the latest Android 14-based Realme UI 5.0, promising a smooth user experience.

Performance

While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip provides satisfactory performance for daily tasks and gaming, the Realme 12 Pro prioritizes camera and design aspects. Benchmark results may not top the charts, but day-to-day tasks operate smoothly.

The 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with full-HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate delivers vibrant colors and satisfactory brightness for various usage scenarios. The dual-speaker setup complements the visual experience, providing good audio quality during calls.

Battery and Charging

The Realme 12 Pro packs a 5,000mAh battery, offering a commendable battery life even with heavy usage. The 67W fast charger efficiently charges the device, with Realme claiming a full charge in 48 minutes. In our tests, the phone reached 100 percent in just 43 minutes, showcasing its impressive charging capabilities.

Camera System

The Realme 12 Pro's camera system is a standout feature, featuring a triple rear camera setup with a fourth dummy camera.

The primary 50-megapixel Sony IMX 882 sensor, coupled with OIS and PDAF support, delivers excellent results in daylight conditions.

The 2x optical zoom and 4x lossless in-sensor zoom from the 32-megapixel telephoto sensor provide versatility. The ultra-wide sensor also performs well in daylight.

However, low-light scenarios reveal some limitations, with a noticeable drop in details and dynamic range. The 16-megapixel front camera captures good-quality selfies, with performance varying in different lighting conditions.

Video Capabilities

The Realme 12 Pro supports 4K resolution videos at 30fps, utilizing OIS stabilization effectively in 1080p at 60fps. The Ultra Steady mode produces satisfactory results, although some fringing is noticeable. Videos shot in 4K exhibit ample details in daylight, but low-light conditions introduce noise and artifacts.

Priced competitively at Rs. 25,999, the Realme 12 Pro 5G impresses with its unique design, vibrant display, efficient performance, and powerful camera capabilities.

As it enters a crowded market, it competes with contenders like the Redmi Note 13 Pro and Poco X6 Pro.

The choice between the Realme 12 Pro and its competitors hinges on individual preferences - those prioritizing design and camera prowess may find their match in the Realme 12 Pro, while performance-centric users might lean towards the Poco X6 Pro.