Image source: Indianepxress.com
Realme 12 Pro 5G: An appealing, reasonably priced mid-range smartphone with a telephoto lens and a high-end design.
The inclusion of three or four cameras in mid-range smartphones is not new. However, aside from the primary camera, the extra sensors typically serve as placeholders and don’t contribute much. But things are beginning to change, and the Realme 12 Pro is proof of that. It boasts a specialized telephoto lens, making it one of the rare smartphones priced below 361.38 USD.
Moreover, the Realme 12 Pro isn’t just another phone boasting about its specifications. Premium design, rapid charging, and cutting-edge software are purportedly its main selling points, as they are the experiences that the majority of customers care about. After a week of using the Realme 12 Pro regularly, I’d like to share my thoughts on it.
Enhanced Design
The industrial design of an iPhone or Galaxy makes them easily identifiable in a crowded room. The 12 Pro, another offering from Realme, follows the same approach. While its dimensions are identical to those of the Realme 11 Pro+, the design is markedly different. Compared to other phones, such as the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, the Submarine Blue Realme 12 Pro looks far more refined, thanks to its dark blue vegan leather back panel and subtle gold accents. I’ve been putting it through its paces.
Despite sporting a massive 6.7-inch screen, the Realme 12 Pro feels much more compact than other phones in its class. This is due to its curved design and reduced bezels. Additionally, it now boasts an IP65 rating, indicating resistance to dust and water. If I must nitpick, the built-in screen protector and the volume and power buttons both have a cheap, flimsy feel to them.
Elite Display Quality
Similar to other smartphones in its price category, the Realme 12 Pro features a 6.7-inch FHD+ screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. With a screen-to-body ratio of 93%, this phone exudes a high-end vibe akin to any Android flagship. Moreover, it achieves a maximum brightness level of 950 nits, ensuring visibility even in bright, direct sunlight. An additional feature is the quick and accurate optical in-screen fingerprint scanner.
In terms of everyday use, gaming, and media consumption, the screen performs admirably. Dolby Atmos compatibility and a dual-speaker configuration provide for a stunning audiovisual experience. As it boasts an OLED screen, colors appear brilliant and vibrant, particularly in vivid mode, while the contrast ratio is superb. For those preferring more realistic colors, there’s Cinematic mode; for those seeking a bit more contrast, there’s Dazzling mode, which enhances colors a tad, albeit at the expense of naturalness.
If you’re in the market for a smartphone around 301.15 USD with a fantastic screen, your search can end here—barring the possibility of a flat panel display, of course.
Top-tier Camera Performance
At this price point, it’s not uncommon to find phones boasting 108 MP or even 200 MP sensors. However, Realme has taken a step back from the high-megapixel competition and adopted a more practical approach to camera design. The Realme 12 Pro features three cameras: a 50-megapixel wide-angle (Sony IMX882), a 32-megapixel telephoto (Sony IMX709) that supports 2x optical zoom, and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle. Additionally, there’s a 16 MP selfie camera nestled beneath the notch on the front.
Through testing, I found that both the primary camera and the telephoto lens exhibit very similar color constancy. However, sharpness is somewhat compromised by the low-resolution ultra-wide-angle lens, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Realme has added a fresh watermark that complements the frame’s color scheme, which is a lovely touch.
Performance
Fully charging the Realme 12 Pro’s 5,000 mAh battery, which supports 67W rapid charging and takes about 50 minutes, is quite impressive, given its size. With typical use, the phone’s screen can remain on for up to six hours after a full charge. However, compared to other handsets, such as the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, I found the battery life somewhat lacking.
Both of the device’s slots are compatible with 5G networks. Jio 5G reception was flawless, and the call quality was top-notch as well. For those interested in call recording, I recommend the ODialer app from the Play Store. It offers features like auto-call recording for unknown numbers and has a dialer interface that’s more akin to the Realme UI.
The Realme 12 Pro: Is It Worth the Price?
At a time when the market is flooded with great mid-range smartphones like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, OnePlus Nord 3 CE, and Poco X6 Pro, the Realme 12 Pro couldn’t have arrived at a better moment. If you’re seeking a phone in its price range that stands out visually, look no further than the Realme 12 Pro. Its dedicated telephoto lens is a game-changer, and the camera quality is head and shoulders above the competition. The Realme 12 Pro stands as one of the greatest camera smartphones in its market, and with a bank discount, its base variant can be yours for just 289.14 USD.
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