Realme’s front-runner for its newest 12 sequence is the 12 Professional+ 5G, and it’s simply essentially the most fascinating of the lot. Whereas the corporate is most popularly recognized for its funds choices, it does have a number of mid-range fashions with distinctive options. The massive spotlight on this one, and why I used to be ready to get my fingers on it, is a periscope telephoto digital camera with 3x optical zoom and a maddening 120x of digital zoom.
It is a longer zoom vary than even what Samsung gives on the Galaxy S24 Extremely. Whereas the real-world usefulness of such a excessive zoom degree is debatable, the truth that we now have a cellphone round $400 that packs related telephoto digital camera tech as telephones above $1,000, is a feat in itself.
And if you happen to assume Realme has needed to compromise in different areas as a way to promote it at such a low value, you’d be unsuitable. The 12 Professional Plus 5G packs a flagship-grade important digital camera, a curved-edge 120Hz AMOLED show, IP65 score, and an enormous battery with very quick charging. So, is there a catch or might this be the very best cut price in its phase? Time to search out out.
Realme 12 Professional Plus 5G: Worth and availability
The Realme 12 Professional Plus 5G begins at ₹29,999 (round $360) in India, however it’s additionally out there in different markets like Malaysia and Philippines. The bottom mannequin comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The upper storage variant with 256GB is priced at ₹31,999 ($383), whereas the top-variant comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage for ₹33,999 ($407).
Realme tends to have perpetual reductions for the higher tier variants if you happen to purchase it from its web site, so it makes good sense to purpose for both the highest or second-top variant. It additionally has loads of cashback and banking gives, and is even bundling the Realme Buds 2 Neo TWS earphones with any buy.
This prime mannequin within the 12 sequence additionally has a extra thrilling alternative of colours, in comparison with the Realme 12 Plus 5G. The Navigator Beige trim that I acquired seems elegant, however I’d a lot relatively have bolder shades just like the Submarine Blue or Explorer Purple (extra like orange, going by the press photographs).
| Class | Realme 12 Professional Plus 5G |
|---|---|
| OS | Realme UI 5.0 (Android 14) |
| Show | 6.7-inch Curved AMOLED, FHD+ (2,412×1,080), 120Hz refresh fee |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 |
| RAM | 8GB, 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB |
| Audio | Stereo audio system, Dolby Atmos |
| Connectivity | 5G (dual-5G standby), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Safety | In-display fingerprint sensor |
| Safety | IP65 water and mud resistance |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 67W SUPERVOOC charging |
| Cameras | Rear: 50MP Sony IMX890 with OIS major + 8MP ultrawide + 64MP OmniVision OV64B 3x telephoto with OIS; Entrance: 32MP Sony sensor |
| Dimensions | 161.47 x 74.02 x 8.75mm |
| Weight | 196g |
| Colours | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Purple |
Realme 12 Professional Plus 5G: What I like
When you favored the design language of the 12 Plus 5G, you then’ll definitely love 12 Professional Plus 5G too. In truth, this mannequin feels a bit extra premium because of a sturdier body, and curved edges on the again and the show. The faux-leather end feels nice to carry, and it provides to the grip whereas maintaining fingerprints at bay. The round digital camera module embodies a luxurious watch design, which is a operating theme with the 12 sequence. The Professional mannequin has an added ornamental gold ring across the rear digital camera dial, for a little bit of aptitude.
The cellphone feels slim to carry at 8.75mm, and has simply the appropriate heft so it doesn’t really feel toy-like. The buttons are clicky, speaker grills are positioned properly so your fingers don’t unintentionally block them, and also you get a dual-SIM slot. There’s no microSD assist, so storage just isn’t extendable. The 12 Professional Plus 5G will get a nifty IP65 score for mud and water resistance.
The opposite wonderful thing about the Realme 12 Professional Plus 5G is the show. It’s a big 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a Full HD+ decision. It produces wealthy colours and may get very shiny. Viewing content material even beneath direct exhausting daylight was not a problem. You get an in-display fingerprint sensor too which is fast, however the face unlock is the quickest option to get to your apps.
The curved edges on both aspect of the show provides you the sensation of utilizing a way more costly cellphone. The show additionally will get a 120Hz refresh fee, which scales to 90Hz or 60Hz primarily based on the app or your interplay with the display screen.
The Realme 12 Professional Plus 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, which is peppy and does a very good job of dealing with all of your typical social and productiveness apps. Multitasking was a breeze on the 12GB mannequin that I examined, and I really feel it needs to be an identical expertise on the decrease variants too. HDR movies regarded good on this show and the stereo audio system supplied an interesting expertise.
Battery life is very good because of the 5,000mAh capability, which simply lasts for a couple of day and half on medium to heavy workloads. There’s no wi-fi charging, however wired charging is a fast 67W with the bundled adapter.
One of many important causes it’s best to think about this cellphone is for the cameras. The 12 Professional Plus options the 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor for the principle digital camera, which can be discovered within the OnePlus 12, whereas the telephoto is the OmniVision OV64B 64MP sensor as seen within the OnePlus Open. Each sensors are optically stabilized and provide very good readability, colours, and particulars in each daylight and evening time photographs.
The first digital camera’s extensive f/1.8 aperture ensures a creamy bokeh impact in close-up photographs, whereas in low mild, the app robotically takes a long-exposure shot. The telephoto or Portrait digital camera as Realme calls it, is equally spectacular. It has a 3x optical zoom, which has good stabilization while you’re framing. Picture high quality is kind of spectacular even at 10x magnification. Nevertheless, there are diminishing returns as you transcend 20x zoom. On the most 120x degree, giant textual content on distant objects is nearly recognizable however it’s clear that the digital camera is properly past its consolation zone.
Video recording maxes out at 4K30 on the Realme 12 Professional Plus. Picture high quality is kind of good in the course of the day and you’ve got the power to change between the ultra-wide, major, and telephoto cameras when recording at 1080p. The first and tele can shoot at 4K, however it’s a must to select which sensor you need earlier than you hit file.
The 32MP selfie digital camera is equally spectacular, capturing sharp and detailed photographs in daylight and indoor lighting. The post-processing works properly in cleansing up noise, and the default pores and skin smoothing filter isn’t too aggressive and produces pleasing portraits.
Realme 12 Professional Plus 5G: What I do not like
The Realme 12 Professional Plus 5G doesn’t have a macro digital camera or perhaps a macro capturing mode, which some may miss. Realme might have accomplished the trifecta by utilizing a extra substantial ultrawide digital camera with autofocus. This is able to have helped in getting sharper photographs in addition to enabled macro images. That is the one rear digital camera that may’t file at 4K decision, which I really feel was a missed alternative.
The opposite space which might have used a greater improve is the SoC itself. Don’t get me unsuitable, it really works simply superb in day-to-day use however it’s not as highly effective as among the others on this phase. Going by benchmark numbers, it put out practically the identical scores or simply barely higher numbers than the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, which sits in Realme’s less expensive 12 Plus 5G. We additionally might have gotten higher options like 4K at 60fps video recording on the 12 Professional Plus 5G, had Realme used a stronger processor.
The final criticism with this cellphone has been a recurring one on most Realme telephones, and that’s the software program. Realme UI 5.0 is predicated on Android 14, and my unit acquired a number of updates for Android safety patches and bug fixes, which is nice to see. However there’s no getting round how pointless bloated it feels, with tons of useless apps and lots of first-party ones that bombard you with unsolicited notifications. You possibly can work round this by being cautious throughout setup and never giving permission to sure apps, however it’s nonetheless a trouble which we shouldn’t should cope with.
Realme 12 Professional Plus 5G: Competitors
The Realme 12 Professional Plus’s largest competitor is the Redmi Notice 13 Professional Plus. It sits in an identical value vary, and boasts of higher water resistance, a higher-resolution AMOLED show, and faster charging. Between the 2, I’d nonetheless put my cash on the 12 Professional Plus 5G merely due to the higher auxiliary cameras and as a consequence of the truth that it comes with Android 14 out of the field.
The Vivo V30 is one other cellphone that competes on this phase, that includes an equally eye-catching design as its dearer sibling, good high quality rear cameras, 80W charging, and a extra highly effective SoC. It does miss out on a telephoto digital camera although, which is the large spotlight of the Realme 12 Professional Plus.
For these within the U.S., it is nonetheless exhausting to beat the Pixel 7a at its present value. The Pixel 8a could be very new, and can finally substitute the 7a as our go-to advice as soon as it will get a good deal.
Realme 12 Professional Plus 5G: Do you have to purchase it?
You should purchase this if…
- You want a flexible telephoto digital camera with good zoom vary
- You desire a fashionable mid-range cellphone
- You need long-lasting battery life
You should not purchase this if…
- You need clutter-free consumer interface
- You need robust gaming efficiency
- You want wi-fi charging
Realme continues to ship nice worth even with its mid-range choices, and the 12 Professional Plus 5G is an effective instance. For what it prices, the cellphone really excels within the digital camera division because of a powerful major sensor, versatile telephoto digital camera, and a stable selfie digital camera. Realme would not cease there although, because it delivers an equally premium utilization expertise because of a faux-leather again panel and the luxury-watch impressed rear modules. Efficiency can be respectable, the cellphone is water and dustproof, and the battery simply lasts greater than a day. The vivid curved-edge AMOLED show is superb for binge-watching on the transfer.
The standard software program hurdles proceed to hang-out Realme telephones, because the interface is just too cluttered and bloated with useless apps. The ultrawide digital camera can be nothing particular, when in comparison with how good the opposite cameras are. Lastly, there’s the processor itself, which might have been completely respectable on a cellphone at round $300, however not at this value. If the 12 Professional Plus 5G is not out there the place you reside, this is an inventory of nice options that ought to work simply as properly.
A fantastic telephoto digital camera beneath $400
For a cellphone priced round $400, the Realme 12 Professional Plus 5G boasts of excellent important and telephoto digital camera sensors, and is again by a premium vegan-leather end. You additionally get a curved-edge show, 67W charging, and a strong Snapdragon platform. All these options collectively makes it good worth.
