realme 12 Pro+ 5G is the mobile brand's latest upper mid-range smartphone, released in the Philippines on March 7, 2024, with a price tag of PHP 25,999.00.
realme 12 Pro Plus 5G is one of the phones in the realme 12 Series 5G. Among its main features are a Triple Rear Camera Setup (led by a 64MP Periscope Portrait Camera), a 32MP Sony IMX615 Selfie Camera, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 octa-core processor, 120Hz Curved OLED Display, and 67W SUPERVOOC Charge. The Luxury Watch Design of the device gives it a premium appearance. Additionally, the Android 14-based realme UI 5.0 software ensures a smart and secure user experience.
To learn more about the latest realme 12 Pro Plus 5G smartphone, check out our review below. It includes the phone's features, Antutu benchmark score, gaming performance, and camera samples.
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realme 12 Pro Plus 5G Specs
- Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED Curved display with FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2412 pixels, 394ppi), 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate, 1.07 billion colors, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, HDR10+, 950 nits (peak brightness), 0.55mm Double-Reinforced Glass, and punch-hole
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm), Up to 2.4GHz octa-core processor
- GPU: Adreno 710
- Memory: 12GB RAM (up to 12GB Dynamic RAM Expansion)
- Internal Storage: 512GB ROM, no micro SD card slot
- Triple rear cameras: 64MP f/2.8 OmniVision OV64B periscope, OIS, 3x optical zoom, 120x digital zoom + 50MP f/1.8 Sony IMX890 main, OIS + 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide, 112° FoV; LED flash, HDR, panorama, Up to 4K@30fps video recording
- Single front camera: 32MP f/2.4 Sony IMX615; Up to 1080p@30fps video recording
- SIM slot: Dual SIM (nano)
- Connectivity: 5G, 4G LTE, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB OTG, NFC, GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
- USB port: USB-C
- Audio: Dual Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, USB-C audio output
- Biometrics: Fingerprint scanner (in-display) and Face unlock
- Sensors: accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
- Operating System: Android 14 with realme UI 5.0
- Battery and Charging: 5,000 mAh Li-Po non-removable battery, 67W fast charging (wired)
- Dimensions: 161.47mm x 74.02mm x 8.75mm
- Weight: 196 grams
- Materials: Glass front, faux leather back; IP65 water and dust resistance; 3D VC cooling system
- Colors: Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige
Design and Build Quality
We have the realme 12 Pro Plus 5G in the color Navigator Beige, which is truly pleasing to the eye. On the back, it features a Luxury Watch Design infused with refined elements: a classic Polished Sunburst Dial (500 gradient patterns in the camera bump), a Golden Fluted Bezel (300 precision-crafted triangular grooves around the camera module), and a 3D Jubilee Bracelet (the zipper-like strip with diamond patterns in the middle), which are reminiscent of a custom premium watch, along with the very deep shade of blue.
According to realme, this exquisite new look is the result of a collaboration with the international luxury watch design master Ollivier Savéo, who worked with Swiss watch brands, including Rolex, Roger Dubuis, Piaget, Breitling, and Quentin.
On the right side of the realme 12 Pro Plus 5G, there is a volume control button and a power button. The buttons feel robust and responsive even after being pressed multiple times. At the bottom, there is a USB-C port, mic, a speaker grill (with four holes), and a dual nano SIM card tray (with a yellow rubber gasket). At the top, there is a speaker grill (with three holes) and a microphone. Although there is no 3.5mm earphone jack, it supports USB Type-C audio output.
Further, the phone's rear panel boasts a luxurious premium vegan leather finish that delivers a silky-smooth feel, exceptional dirt resistance, and a high-end texture that oozes sophistication. realme 12 Pro Plus has an IP65 rating, which means it can withstand exposure to dust and water splashes. This feature ensures that your device remains safe and protected even in harsh environmental conditions. However, it is important to note that it is water-resistant only and not waterproof, which means that it cannot be submerged. For further protection, you can use the free phone case included in the box.
The realme 12 Pro Plus 5G is also delightfully slim, measuring only 8.75mm (including the camera module), and with a width of 7.4mm, it's incredibly easy to handle. Despite a big 5000mAh battery capacity, the device only weighs 196 grams, so it's lightweight and convenient to carry around.
Ever since I first started using the realme 12 Pro Plus 5G, I've noticed that it remained clean even without the phone case. I thought the faux leather finish would get dirty quickly, but it still looks brand new. A little piece of cloth is all you need to clean the back panel if it's dirty. This phone looks high-end and is well-made, which makes it one of the best choices in its price range.
Display Quality
The 6.7-inch Curved AMOLED display of the realme 12 Pro Plus boasts a 120-hertz refresh rate, offering a superior visual experience with sharpness, accurate color reproduction, excellent brightness levels, and deep blacks. There are multiple screen color modes (vivid, natural, and pro) available in the settings to achieve optimal color accuracy.
I didn't encounter any issues with mistouch while using this device, thanks to its sleek curved edges. The viewing experience is further enhanced by the very thin side bezels and a small punch-hole on top.
I've watched several HD videos on YouTube, and I'm very impressed with the crisp and vibrant visuals of realme 12 Pro Plus. Also, you can enable video color boost from display settings for a more immersive viewing experience. Do note that this feature increases battery usage.
Specifically, realme 12 Pro Plus 5G's 6.7-inch screen comes with a 53-degree Curved OLED, Full HD+ (1080p) resolution, and a screen-to-body ratio of 93 percent. Further, it has a super high refresh rate of 120Hz for smooth scrolling, a touch sampling rate of 240Hz that can increase up to 2,000Hz depending if the activity is compatible (especially gaming), 1.07 billion colors, and HDR10+ support.
The phone boasts a 100% DCI-P3 Color Gamut and can reach up to 950 Nits of Brightness when used in direct sunlight. It also supports up to 20,000 levels of brightness, ensuring ease of use no matter how dim or dark the surrounding area is, thus protecting your eyes.
The phone also has 2160Hz PWM Dimming that helps lessen eye strain when the device is used in dark areas. In low-light conditions where DC dimming is not possible, the phone will automatically switch to 2160Hz PWM dimming mode to retain accurate colors on the display while providing a more comfortable viewing experience. It is also guaranteed by TÜV Rheinland for Flicker Free Certification and Low Blue Light Certification.
Moreover, realme 12 Pro Plus 5G has the same features coming from the realme 11 Pro Series 5G, including its X-Touch Anti-Mistouch Algorithm, Dynamic Touch Sampling Rate, 16x HyperPrecise Touch, and 0.55mm Double-Reinforced Glass.
The phone has an Always-On Display (AOD) feature that shows contextual info and notifications all day or as per schedule. You can access it by heading to settings, then Wallpapers & Style. There is an always-on-display music playback option with Spotify integration.
For security, you can use the in-display fingerprint scanner for quick and effortless biometric authentication. You can add up to 5 fingerprints. You can unlock the phone more easily, even under conditions such as low ambient temperatures and having dry fingers. It also comes with a heart rate monitor for convenient and easy checking of one's BPM or heart rate while on the go. Besides unlocking your screen, you can also use your fingerprint for various in-app features: App Lock, Private Safe, and Quick Launch. There are various fingerprint animations available for personalized customization. Furthermore, you can opt out of showing the fingerprint icon when the screen is off. The handset also has a Face unlock feature.
Speaker Quality
The realme 12 Pro Plus 5G features dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support and Hi-Res Audio Certification. You can find the speaker grills located at both the top (three holes) and bottom (four holes).
While indulging in some music and videos, I couldn't help but notice how the speakers of realme 12 Pro Plus delivered a powerful sound that was rich in quality and clarity. The highs were sharp and defined, the vocals were soothing, and the bass had a pleasing thump to it. Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by the sound system's performance.
Hardware and Software
The realme 12 Pro Plus 5G has a big 12GB RAM and 512GB storage but lacks a micro SD card slot. It has a RAM Expansion mode that can convert up to 12GB of unused ROM storage into virtual RAM (VRAM). This feature helps to improve the phone's performance and allows for efficient multitasking, even when running multiple mobile apps simultaneously. To extend your RAM, go to Settings > About Device > RAM, toggle on the switch button for RAM expansion and select among the options available, including 4 GB, 8 GB, and 12 GB. The system will request that you restart the phone to save changes. With a very large 24GB of RAM, enjoy a seamless experience without any lag.
realme 12 Pro Plus 5G was among the initial smartphones that were powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 4nm Mobile Platform. This processor boasts Octa-Core Qualcomm Kryo CPUs that include 4x Cortex A78 cores clocked at 2.4GHz and 4x Cortex A55 cores clocked at 1.96GHz. Moreover, the phone features an Adreno 710 GPU that delivers decent gaming performance. However, users may experience a slight temperature increase during intensive gaming sessions.
The 3D Vapor Chamber (VC) Cooling System of realme 12 Pro Plus has a large 3,394mm² stainless steel vapor chamber for a high area of coverage for heat dissipation that helps reduce temperatures even while running intensive apps for a more stable performance.
In the tests I conducted, I can conveniently accomplish my everyday tasks while seamlessly switching between four to five applications. For gaming, I was able to play Mobile Legends (ML) at 60 fps at 36 degrees Celsius. My gaming experience has been incredibly smooth, thanks to the high refresh rate and precise taps. I haven't experienced any lag or frame drops.
For connectivity, it has 5G, dual nano SIM slot, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 360-degree NFC, and Antenna Matrix System 2.0.
Connected to a 200 Mbps WiFi connection, realme 12 Pro Plus 5G registered 200 Mbps internet speeds.
Further, it packs a massive 5,000mAh battery capacity with support for 67W SUPERVOOC ultra-fast charging via USB-C. In my test, it can charge the device from 0 to 100 percent in just under 50 minutes. This charger uses GAN technology, which allows for efficient charging without generating excessive heat. The charger in the box is also PD-compatible, meaning it can accommodate different wattage and charging technologies from 18W Quick Charge, 20W & 30W Dart & VOOC Charge, as well as 33W/50W/65W, and 67W SUPERDART/SUPERVOOC Charge.
In my test, the battery usage of realme 12 Pro Plus 5G is really impressive. Browsing social media apps like Facebook on a WiFi connection, I got 9 hours and 50 minutes of screen-on time. After this, I still had 30% of my battery left.
The X-Axis Linear Motor on realme 12 Pro Plus 5G makes use of both X-Axis Linear motors to send vibrations horizontally (X) to produce 4D Vibrations and enhanced haptics that are close to typing on or using an actual keyboard. Overall, haptics are made better.
When it comes to software, realme 12 Pro Plus 5G runs realme UI 5.0 on top of Android 14 OS. I must say, I am really impressed with this interface's high level of customization compared to others. realme UI 5.0 is optimized superbly, and I have not experienced any issues with animation, transition, or usability. However, the realme UI comes with an excessive amount of pre-installed apps, some of which are impossible to disable.
Antutu Score
I conducted a performance test of the realme 12 Pro Plus 5G using the Antutu Benchmark app version 10.
realme 12 Pro Plus 5G reached 612,147 points in the Antutu Benchmark. Here's the breakdown of its Antutu score: 190,532 (CPU), 123,011 (GPU), 152,624 (MEM), and 145,980 (UX). The result is great for an upper mid-ranger.
Camera Quality
- realme 12 Pro Plus triple rear camera system:
- 64MP Omnivision OV64B periscope telephoto lens, OIS, 3x optical zoom, 6X in-sensor zoom, up to 120x zoom, f/2.8 aperture, LED flash
- 50MP 1/1.56" Sony IMX890 sensor, f/1.8 aperture, OIS
- 8MP ultra-wide camera with f/2.2 aperture
- realme 12 Pro Plus single selfie camera:
- 32MP front-facing camera with Sony IMX615 sensor, f/2.4 aperture
The realme 12 Pro Plus features a 64MP Periscope Portrait Camera with an Omnivision 64B Sensor (1/2" Sensor Size) and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). It provides 3x Optical Zoom and 6x In-Sensor Zoom, along with an 80mm Portrait Focal Length in Portrait Mode and 71mm Focal Length in Photo Mode. It can take up to 3x Portrait In-Sensor Zoom shots. The camera is equipped with Cinematic Bokeh Algorithms that process photos to look more natural and better separated from the subject and background. It allows up to 120x SuperZoom, making it the highest-resolution telephoto lens available in any smartphone camera segment. Some flagships only have a 10MP and a 5MP Telephoto Lens. Additionally, it has one of the highest zoom capabilities in any smartphone in its segment, with other flagships only having up to 100x Zoom capabilities. This camera and its sensor work together with the Sony IMX890 Sensor and the other 8MP 112° Wide Angle Camera to make up the entire Flagship Omnifocal Photography System.
Additionally, the realme 12 Pro Plus boasts a 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor. This flagship-level sensor is well-known for its large size, which allows it to capture a lot of light and produce stunning, well-lit photos, even with a maximum of 50 megapixels. The sensor size measures 1/1.56", and the camera has a 24mm focal length and an f/1.8 aperture. Moreover, it offers Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and up to 2x In-Sensor Zoom.
Compared to the 64MP Periscope Portrait Camera, the 50MP Sony IMX890 camera is best for capturing HDR shots and Nightscape shots (Night Mode) as they require a significant amount of light in darker environments. The camera also boasts other software features and algorithms, including Cinematic Portrait, Flagship Omnifocal Mastershot Algorithm, and Unique Imaging Functions. These features work together to enhance the camera experience and maximize the potential of all three rear cameras on the device.
Both the Periscope Portrait Camera and the Sony IMX890 Camera are capable of using the "Master Portrait Filters," which are inspired by movies. Claudio Miranda, the Oscar Winner for Best Cinematography, has put together three movie filters exclusively for the realme 12 Pro Plus phone. These filters are inspired by his award-winning movies, which include the Journey Filter - influenced by "Life of Pi"; the Memory Filter - styled after "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"; and the Maverick Filter - inspired by "Top Gun: Maverick".
The 32MP Sony IMX615 Selfie Camera takes in light really well for taking very clear photos even in dimly-lit areas. It also has a wide field-of-view (FOV) at 90° for wider coverage when taking selfies.
Check out the photos I have captured with realme 12 Pro Plus 5G using the phone's default camera settings.
Final Thoughts
The realme 12 Pro Plus 5G boasts a stunning curved AMOLED display, a powerful zoom camera, a sleek design, reliable haptic feedback, lightning-fast performance, and dual speakers that pack a punch. However, it lacks a 3.5mm earphone jack, which could be a deal-breaker for some users.
From internet browsing to mobile gaming, realme 12 Pro Plus 5G can do all smartphone tasks with a breeze. Further, users who love capturing beautiful photos will appreciate this phone's 64MP Periscope Portrait Camera that captures every detail with stunning clarity.
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