Realme 12 Pro+ 5G: Is This the Budget Flagship We’ve Been Waiting For?

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The Realme 12 Pro+ is the latest flagship contender in Realme’s number series, arriving with a premium design, impressive camera specs, and a powerful new processor. It’s priced competitively at Rs. 29,999, potentially shaking up the mid-range smartphone market. This phone boasts a unique faux leather design, is water and dust-resistant with an IP65 rating, and features a vibrant 120Hz curved edge OLED display. But it’s the camera setup that truly stands out – it’s packed with a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS, a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto camera, also with OIS, and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera. The Realme 12 Pro+ packs a 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging, ensuring long-lasting use and quick top-ups. The device runs on Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14, bringing a fresh software experience and new features like Flash Capsule. This phone truly packs a punch, offering high-end features and specifications at a mid-range price point. Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of this phone and discover why it could be a force to be reckoned with in the competitive smartphone market.

A Premium Design with a Touch of Elegance

The Realme 12 Pro+ carries on the legacy of its predecessor, the Realme 11 Pro+, sporting a sophisticated faux leather design. Available in Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, and an India-exclusive Explorer Red, this phone exudes an air of elegance. While the design may appear similar to its predecessor, it maintains its freshness and premium feel. But the Realme 12 Pro+ goes a step further, incorporating an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, a first for a number series phone from Realme. This adds a layer of protection against splashes, enhancing its durability and making it a more reliable everyday companion.

A Breathtaking Display for Immersive Viewing

The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a spacious 6.7-inch curved edge OLED display with a Full-HD+ resolution. It also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate, making for an incredibly smooth and responsive user experience, especially for gamers who demand quick response times and fluid animations. This display is further enhanced by the Pro-XDR panel, capable of displaying images in their full dynamic range. This results in a more impactful viewing experience, showcasing vivid colors and breathtaking detail. The vibrant display is complemented by curved edges on the left and right sides, adding to the premium aesthetics and providing a comfortable grip.

A Powerful Processor for Seamless Performance

Realme has moved away from the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC used in its predecessor and equipped the 12 Pro+ with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC. This new chipset enhances the phone’s overall performance, providing a significant boost for users demanding a smooth and efficient experience. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is manufactured with a superior 4nm fabrication process, significantly improving energy efficiency and leading to better battery life. The processor, coupled with ample RAM and storage options, ensures effortless multitasking, faster app launches, and a seamless gaming experience even during demanding tasks.

Camera Prowess Redefined: A Focus on Telephoto Excellence

The Realme 12 Pro+ takes a different approach to camera capabilities compared to its predecessor, which boasted a impressive 200-megapixel main sensor. This time, Realme has opted for a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS, a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto camera also featuring OIS, and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera. This strategic shift in camera technology emphasizes the importance of high-quality telephoto capabilities, a feature that is often neglected in this price segment. The 64-megapixel periscope telephoto camera, remarkably the same sensor found in the OnePlus Open and the OnePlus 12, holds immense potential, allowing for 3x optical zoom and a claimed capability for up to 120x digital zoom. This focus on telephoto capabilities allows the Realme 12 Pro+ to stand out in a crowded market, offering a level of versatility that can be appealing to photography enthusiasts.

Enduring Power and Fast Charging

The Realme 12 Pro+ maintains a 5,000mAh battery, similar to the Realme 11 Pro+. However, the wired charging speed has been reduced to 67W from the previously implemented 100W. While this might seem like a step back, Realme claims that a full charge can still be achieved in just 48 minutes thanks to the efficiency of the battery and the charging technology.

Software Refinements: Realme UI 5.0 with a Touch of Innovation

The Realme 12 Pro+ is powered by Realme UI 5.0, a user interface based on Android 14. This version incorporates the familiar ColorOS 14 features, such as File Dock, but introduces new and exciting additions, including Flash Capsule, a feature that deserves a closer look.

A Promising Mid-Range Contender: The Realme 12 Pro+

The Realme 12 Pro+ makes a compelling case for itself in the mid-range smartphone market, offering a compelling blend of premium design, powerful hardware, and innovative features. It stands out from the competition with its IP65 rating, its high-quality telephoto lens, and its focus on user experience, all at a competitive price point. This phone has the potential to be a strong contender in the market and a worthy rival to Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 13 series, which lacks a dedicated telephoto camera. However, it’s important to remember that this is just a first look at the Realme 12 Pro+ and a full review is necessary to determine its overall performance and value.

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Brian Adams
Brian Adams
Brian Adams is a technology writer with a passion for exploring new innovations and trends. His articles cover a wide range of tech topics, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience. Brian's engaging writing style and thorough research make his pieces a must-read for tech enthusiasts.