realme 12+ 5G Hands-on Review: Impressive Portrait Camera!

realme has been consistent in pushing boundaries and redefining user expectations. The realme 12+ 5G, the latest addition to the realme 12 5G series, aims to set a new standard in mobile technology.

Recently launched in the Philippines with the tagline "Be The Portrait Master," the realme 12+ 5G. With its focus on delivering exceptional camera systems, it aims to empower users to capture stunning portraits and moments with unparalleled clarity and precision.

realme 12+ 5G Specs:

Operating System: Android 14, realme UI 5.0
Display: 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, 2400 x 1080 pixel resolution, 394ppi, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR 10+ Certification, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification
Processor: 2.6GHz MediaTek Dimensity 7050 5G Chipset octa-core processor
GPU: ARM Mali-G68 MC4
RAM: 12GB LPDDR4X
Storage: 256GB internal storage, 2TB via microSD Card
Rear Cameras: 50MP Sony LYT-600, OIS + 8MP 112° Wide Angle + 2MP macro, dual-LED flash
Front Camera: 16MP
Security: In-display Fingerprint Sensor, Face unlock
Resistance: IP54 Dust & Water Resistance
Speakers: Stereo speakers
Audio: 3.5mm Headphone Jack
SIM: Dual SIM
Network: 4G LTE, 5G
Connectivity: WiFi 6, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS, NFC, USB-C
Dimensions: 162.95 x 75.45 x 7.87mm
Battery: 5,000mAh battery, 67W fast charging
Colors: Pioneer Green & Navigator Beige
Weight: 190g

Design and Build Quality
The first impression of the realme 12+ 5G is striking, the design looks similar to the realme 11 Pro Series 5G with noticeable enhancements, particularly in its camera design.

 

Drawing inspiration from Swiss watch brands, it incorporates elements, including the Polished Sunburst Dial, Golden Fluted Bezel, and 3D Jubilee Bracelet. The Premium Vegan Leather finish on the back provides a silk-like texture that feels both premium and resistant to dirt.

Despite its premium build, the device is portable. With a thickness of 7.87mm, a width of 7.4mm, and a weight of only 190 grams, the realme 12+ 5G has a comfortable and lightweight feel, making it easy to use.

The power button and volume controls are strategically positioned on the right side of the device, making them easy to reach and operate with a single hand. Going to the bottom of the device are the essential features. From the SIM slot to the microphone, USB Type-C port, and loudspeaker.

Moreover, what caught my attention was the inclusion of an additional microphone and a 3.5mm audio jack at the top of the device. This adds significant value to the realme 12+ 5G. Having an audio jack provides users with the flexibility to use their preferred wired audio solutions. It's a small but meaningful feature that enhances the overall user experience, especially for those who value the reliability and convenience of wired audio connections.

The realme 12+ 5G is rated IP54, which means its dust and water resistance provided peace of mind, allowing me to use the device confidently in various environments without worrying about damage from dust or splashes.

Overall, we love the design and build quality of the Realme 12+ 5G. The attention to detail in the design was evident in every aspect of the device. The brand has truly raised the bar with this device, delivering a combination of style, craftsmanship, and durability.

Display and Visual Experience
The realme 12+ 5G boasts a large 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED E4 display. With an impressive 120Hz refresh rate and a responsive 240Hz touch sampling rate, navigating through apps and content feels incredibly smooth and fluid. The display's narrow bezels contribute to a remarkable 92.65% screen-to-body ratio, offering an immersive viewing experience.

The screen has a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and is capable of reaching up to 2,000 nits of brightness. Whether I'm using it outdoors in broad daylight or navigating dimly lit environments, the screen seamlessly adapts with up to 4,096 brightness levels. TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification ensures that prolonged screen time is comfortable and easy on the eyes, adding to the overall enjoyment of using the device.

In my day-to-day activities, the realme 12+ 5G display performs admirably. It handles various tasks with ease, offering a visually stunning interaction. The viewing angles are fantastic, whether I'm watching videos, browsing social media, or playing games, making every task enjoyable and engaging.

The in-display fingerprint scanner has lightning-fast fingerprint recognition technology. With an impressive unlock speed of just 0.555 seconds, accessing my device has never been quicker.

Moreover, the additional function of the in-display fingerprint scanner is the Heart Rate Detection. This feature converts changes in finger blood volume into a Photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal, enabling real-time heart rate detection. As someone who values health and wellness, having the ability to monitor my heart rate with such convenience from my smartphone is a plus.

While the realme 12+ 5G boasts an impressive display with vibrant colors and high brightness levels, there are a few considerations to note. One potential drawback of the display is its susceptibility to fingerprint smudges and reflections, particularly in well-lit environments. Even with minimal glare and improved visibility, I occasionally clean the screen to maintain optimal clarity, especially during outdoor use.

Additionally, while the device offers a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and up to 4,096 levels of brightness adjustment, some users may find the color accuracy slightly exaggerated or oversaturated, particularly in certain viewing conditions. Although this enhances visual appeal for multimedia consumption, it may not always reflect true-to-life color reproduction for professional or color-critical tasks.

Performance and Multitasking
With its MediaTek Dimensity 7050 5G chipset and a whopping 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM, coupled with an additional 12GB of dynamic RAM expansion, and 256GB of storage, the realme 12+ 5G ensures smooth multitasking and effortless app switching.

During daily use, including web browsing, social media engagement, and productivity tasks, the device performs admirably, offering snappy responsiveness and minimal lag. Whether switching between multiple apps or streaming high-definition content, it handles everything with ease, making it a reliable device for day-to-day activities.

When it comes to gaming, with a powerful chipset and ample RAM, the device delivers an immersive gaming experience that exceeds expectations. We tested several demanding games, including PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact, and the realme 12+ 5G effortlessly handled each title with smooth frame rates and stunning graphics. The 120Hz refresh rate of the display further enhances the gaming experience, ensuring smooth transitions and responsive touch controls.

Thanks to its 4357mm Vapor Chamber Cooling System, it can maintain optimal performance levels during extended gaming sessions. By efficiently dissipating heat, the system prevents thermal throttling and ensures consistent performance. It's remarkable how the device maintains a comfortable warmth even after extensive gaming sessions.

While the hardware is certainly capable, some users may prefer additional gaming-centric enhancements, such as customizable performance modes or advanced gaming tools, to further enhance their gaming experience.

Overall, the realme 12+ 5G delivers exceptional performance across the board, offering a seamless user experience for daily use and gaming performance. While there may be room for improvement in gaming-specific features, the overall performance is impressive, making it a good option for users looking for a capable and versatile smartphone for both work and play.

Portrait Camera
The camera system of the realme 12+ 5G offers versatile features and capabilities that cater to photography enthusiasts and casual users alike. It features the Realme MasterShot Algorithm. With the SonyLYT 600 sensor and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), the camera delivers impressive image stabilization, ensuring sharp and steady shots even in challenging conditions.

realme 12+ 5G camera setup:

50-megapixel SonyLYT 600 OIS Portrait Camera:
8-megapixel 112° Wide Angle Camera
2-megapixel f/2.4 Macro Camea
16-megapixel Selfie Camera

Our experiences with the camera were nothing short of impressive. The Super OIS feature proved invaluable, allowing me to capture action shots and record steady videos with clarity and stability. Whether capturing fast-paced moments or not, the camera system delivered great results.

Portrait Mode is a personal favorite, leveraging the power of 2X in-sensor zoom to produce almost lossless photo quality. The enhancements in portrait bokeh and the intelligent beauty algorithm added a nice dimension to the portraits, capturing textures with more detail.

In low-light conditions, thanks to its enhanced night scene algorithm and optimized portrait bokeh, the Night Mode features a 14% improvement in night scene reproduction, bringing out finer details and enhancing the overall visual experience. From captivating night portraits to cityscapes, the camera system delivered impressive results.

While the 112° wide-angle camera and 4cm macro camera allow me to capture landscapes and macro subjects with ease, they also provide versatility and flexibility.

The 16-megapixel selfie camera can capture crisp and vibrant self-portraits with clarity and details. With advanced features such as intelligent beauty algorithms, the selfie camera elevates the selfie game, ensuring every shot is Instagram-worthy.

realme teamed up with Claudio Miranda to introduce three new camera filters inspired by famous movies: Journey, Memory, and Maverick. These filters enhance tone, style, and color in photos, giving them a cinematic touch. Each filter comes with its own distinct color grading and lets you adjust the bokeh effect to create movie-like visuals.

Sample Camera shots can be found on our Facebook Page: Adobotech

While the realme 12+ 5G's camera system boasts impressive features, there are notable limitations to consider. Even though it got better at taking pictures in the dark and added a Night mode, it doesn't do well in really dark places, making the pictures look grainy. Additionally, Portrait Mode, occasionally struggles to accurately detect and blur the background, resulting in subpar portrait shots. Furthermore, the macro photography capabilities are limited, although the 4cm macro camera allows for close-up shots, the overall quality and sharpness are lacking, with noticeable distortion and loss of detail when capturing subjects at close range.

Overall, the camera system of the realme 12+ 5G offers versatility and performance. From the SonyLYT 600 sensor to the flagship-level software, it exceeds our expectations. With features like Super OIS for steady shots, Portrait Mode for stunning depth, and Night Mode's enhanced low-light capabilities, it caters to both mobile photography enthusiasts and casual users.

Battery and Charging

The realme 12+ 5G packs a 5000mAh battery capacity and comes with a 67W SUPERVOOC charger, so users can expect both fast charging times and extended usage on a single charge.

During my testing, from 10% to 55%, the battery charged in just 23 minutes, showcasing the speed of the SUPERVOOC Charge technology. Moreover, a full charge took approximately 1 hour or so, which ensures minimal downtime. 

The combination of a sizable battery capacity and fast charging capabilities ensures that the realme 12+ 5G can effortlessly keep up with the demands of modern-day usage.

Pros:

Impressive Camera System

Premium Luxury Design

Vibrant Display

Smooth Performance

Vapor Chamber Cooling

Fast Charging Technology

Cons:

No Wireless Charging

Design May Be Prone to Scratches

Midrange Price Point

Verdict

The realme 12+ 5G is a good choice in the mid-range smartphone segment, boasting impressive camera capabilities, fast charging technology, and smooth performance. It offers a blend of premium design, powerful performance, and impressive camera capabilities. With its advanced camera system, fast charging technology, and sleek aesthetics, it caters to users looking for a reliable and stylish device for daily use. While it may lack certain features, such as wireless charging and an official IP rating, the overall package offered by the realme 12+ 5G makes it a top choice in the midrange segment.

The realme 12+ 5G offers consumers a choice between two stunning colors: Pioneer Green and Navigator Beige. It's available in two storage variants: the 12GB+256GB is priced at ₱19,999, while the 8GB+256GB variant comes in at ₱17,999. 

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