Many exclusive features from the mid-range phones have started trickling down to the budget segment. An attractive design, high refresh rates, good on-paper specs, and more are part of the bundle in smartphones priced under Rs 25,000. A prime example of this is the recently launched Realme 12+. It aims to bring the essence of the more expensive Realme 12 Pro+ but at a starting price of Rs 20,999.
Realme 12+ 5G
Rs 20,999What Is Good?
- Good-looking phone
- Vibrant and colourful display
- Impressive charging speeds
- Reliable cameras
- Good battery life
- Decent performance
What Is Bad?
- Prone to scratches
- Bloatware apps
- Realme 12 Pro and Realme 12+ price difference isn't a lot
It faces serious competition from the Nothing Phone (2a) and the iQOO Z9. So, how well does it fare against these options and even its elder sibling, the 12 Pro, which is a few grands expensive? Let’s find out in my review of the Realme 12+.
Realme 12+ 5G: Pricing and Availability in India
The Realme 12+ is available in two storage variants in India. You can get the phone via Flipkart or the company’s website.
| Variants | Pricing |
| 8GB+128GB | Rs 20,999 (current discount: Rs 18,999) |
| 8GB+256GB | Rs 21,999 |
Realme 12+ Review: Design and Build Quality
The Realme 12+ left a good first impression on me and it still manages to keep up with it. While it’s not a completely revamped design, it’s nice to see Realme keeping things fresh and experimental with new colours. This helps it stand out from the crowd. It features a vegan leather finish at the back like its Pro siblings. The gold strip running from the middle is also present here. The cherry on the top is how lightweight the phone is.
The frame is glossy and while this adds a little contrast to the leathery vibe, it is quite a fingerprint magnet and the constant cleaning can become an annoyance. I often threw the phone in my bag with other things and while nothing major happened, there were scratches on the edges and the display. So, it’s advised to use a case and a screen protector.
The circular camera module at the back does not protrude much, so holding the device for longer periods when gaming is not an issue. It’s also IP54-rated, so, you can stay protected from dust and water splashes.
Realme 12+ Review: Display and Audio
The Realme 12+ opts for a flat display, instead of a curved one. It still packs features like fast refresh rate, high peak brightness and more. The display quality is quite good, whether you are just scrolling through the images you just clicked or binge-watching a TV show on Netflix. The colour reproduction is vivid and bright.
| Display | Specifications |
| Size | 6.76-inch |
| Type | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1080×2400 pixels |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2000 nits |
| Minimum brightness | 2 nits |
While the 120Hz refresh rate works as intended most of the time, we noticed a couple of instances where the UI stuttered. Content legibility outdoors is quite good, however it can be slightly improved under direct sunlight. The in-display fingerprint scanner is placed well and works flawlessly.
As for the audio, there are dual stereo speakers with Hi-Res Audio certification. This is said to provide HD sound quality and more often than not, you will get a loud and clear audio output while watching videos or playing music in general.
Realme 12+ Review: Cameras
Photos captured using the Realme 12+ are social-media ready. The images have good detail and vibrant colours. It also managed to keep skin tones in check when clicking photos of human subjects. Portrait mode also works well, by creating a good bokeh effect.
| Cameras | Specifications |
| Primary camera | 50-megapixel, f/1.88, Sony IMX LYT 600 with OIS |
| Secondary camera | 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, f/2.2, Sony IMX816 sensor |
| Tertiary camera | 2-megapixel macro camera, f/2.4 |
| Selfie camera | 16-megapixel, f/2.45 |
| Video recording capabilities | Up to 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps |
| Other features | Night mode, in-sensor 2x zoom, portrait mode |
The ultra-wide angle camera gives you a wider perspective of the land with its 112-degree field of view. There’s distortion at the edges but nothing too major. The colours are punchy here as well, so there’s some consistency. As for close-up shots, the 2x in-sensor zoom does a good job of capturing a distant subject without hampering the details.
The ultra-wide angle camera gives you a wider perspective of the land with its 112-degree field of view. The colours are punchy here as well, so there’s some consistency. As for close-up shots, the 2x in-sensor zoom does a good job of capturing a distant subject without hampering the details.
In low light, the Realme 12+ captures fairly decent shots. The images have a good amount of detail, provided there’s an ample amount of light. In dimly lit conditions, the photos tend to have noise around the edges.
Selfies, in most lighting conditions, will be a little filtered and while I believe in embracing the flaws, it does work for people who don’t want the skin blemishes to show. The selfies come out fine and are most true to your skin tone. The phone also has features like Eraser, AI Palette, and more. However, the eraser feature won’t work as seamlessly as Google’s Magic Eraser or Samsung’s Object Eraser and tends to blur out the object you want to erase.
While the Realme 12+ cameras aren’t a complete package, they shine in most areas and can help you keep up with your social media game!
Realme 12+ Review: Performance and Software
My daily usage consisted of scrolling through social media apps, watching a bunch of YouTube videos, and well, of course, a bit of window shopping — and all of these were easily handled by the Realme 12+.
| Hardware | Specifications |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC |
| RAM | Up to 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | Up to 256GB |
| AnTuTu | 595408 |
| Geekbench | Single-core: 961, multi-core: 2,384 |
| Software version | Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14 |
| Connectivity details | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 |
The Realme 12+ was able to handle games such as Call of Duty: Mobile for about 50 minutes without any major issues. There were instances of jitters throughout the game, but nothing that hindered my overall experience. The phone did not heat up during this session, which is good.
The Realme 12+ runs Realme UI 5.0 based on Android 14 and while you get the latest Android version, there’s one problem — bloatware. While these can be removed during the setup process, this remains an added step. The “Hot apps and Hot games” folders can also be removed from Realme’s App Market store. Speaking of which, the app store tends to send a lot of notifications that can be annoying. Besides these flaws, the overall usage was good.
Realme 12+ Review: Battery and Charging
The 5,000mAh battery inside the Realme 12+ can easily last you an entire day on moderate usage, and sometimes even a bit more with an average screen time of 1.5 hours. And in case your usage goes a little on the heavier side, you won’t have to worry about charging the phone.
The 67W charger can juice up the Realme 12+ to full capacity in just 45 minutes, which is impressive. This shows that you don’t necessarily need the highest of the numbers to conveniently charge your phone!
Verdict
The Realme 12+ has entered into a highly competitive segment. But it is still able to dig a path for itself with a striking design, good display quality, and decent cameras. Furthermore, the reliable battery and fast charging combo make it an even better option for people looking for a phone that can last them an entire day.
As for alternatives, if good looks and a bloatware-free experience are your priorities, the Nothing Phone (2a) could be a better choice for you. If gaming is on your checklist, the iQOO Z9 might be able to serve you better. And, if you have a few more bucks to spare, the Realme 12 Pro can also be a good choice with a curved panel and a better camera output.
Regardless, at its selling price, the Realme 12+ is a great choice for people who are looking for a good mid-range smartphone.
