realme 12 5G review
The Realme 12 5G has finally arrived in the market, a month after its more premium variants, the Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G and Realme 12 Plus 5G. This base variant boasts a gradient finish with a soft feel and metal frame, giving it a sleek appearance. While it may lack the vegan leather design of its siblings, the Realme 12 5G still looks impressive. With a 6.72-inch full HD+ display, 108MP main camera, and 5000mAh battery, this phone promises to deliver good performance at an affordable price.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme 12 5G may have been launched alongside its pricier siblings, but it's worth examining how this more affordable variant stacks up in terms of build quality and design. While the Realme 11 was praised for its vegan leather design, the base model of the Realme 12 series takes a different approach. The Realme 12 5G boasts a gradient finish on the back, giving it a soft feel that's not prone to fingerprint smudges. This subtle touch adds a level of sophistication to an otherwise understated design. The protruded camera module is still present, but the vertical line running towards the back of the device remains as sleek and minimalist as ever. One notable omission from this variant is the vegan leather design seen on the Realme 12 Plus and Pro Plus models. However, the gradient finish more than makes up for it, imbuing the phone with a premium feel that's hard to ignore. The metal frame around the device provides a sturdy foundation, ensuring the phone remains durable despite its lightweight construction (188 grams). The inclusion of an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance is also noteworthy, offering users peace of mind when using their phone in less-than-ideal conditions. While it may not have the same level of flash as its more expensive siblings, the Realme 12 5G still looks impressive in its own right – especially in the Twilight purple colorway seen on our review unit. Ultimately, the design and build quality of the Realme 12 5G are solid if unremarkable. While it may not have the same flair as its pricier counterparts, this phone still manages to deliver a premium look and feel that's sure to please budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable daily driver.
Battery Life
In our evaluation of the Realme 12 5G, we were impressed with its battery performance. Despite being powered by an IPS LCD display, which is generally less efficient than AMOLED panels, the device managed to deliver decent results. Our testing revealed that the phone's 5,000mAh battery capacity can last for around 7 hours of casual use, which is a respectable showing considering the device's feature set. When put through a more strenuous test, such as our video loop test, the Realme 12 5G lasted an impressive 9 hours and 45 minutes. Moreover, the phone's battery life held up well even when subjected to intense gaming sessions, where it managed to deliver around 4 hours of full-on gaming. This is a commendable feat considering the device's specifications. Charging the Realme 12 5G with its 45W fast charger took approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, which is a reasonable time frame for such a capacity battery. Overall, we were pleased with the Realme 12 5G's battery life performance. It may not be exceptional, but it's certainly adequate for most users' needs. If you're looking to upgrade from an older model like the Realme 11 4G, this device should provide sufficient power to keep up with your daily activities.
Display
The Realme 12 5G, launched recently in the market, boasts an impressive array of features. One aspect that deserves attention is its display. Unlike its more expensive variants, the base model sports a gradient finish instead of vegan leather design. However, this doesn't detract from its overall appearance, and it still looks sleek. The phone's 6.72-inch full HD+ display is where things get interesting. It features an IPS LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 915 nits. While not an AMOLED panel like the pricier variants, it still delivers decent picture quality suitable for both productivity and entertainment use. The display's viewing angle is also commendable, with minimal color shift when viewed from different distances. What's more, the Realme 12 5G has an extra brightness mode that allows users to extend its brightness even further – a handy feature, especially during this time of year. Quality-wise, the display is "okay," but it gets the job done. It may not be the best in its class, but it's passable for everyday use. The colors are vibrant, and the details are decent, although there might be some noticeable softness in certain situations.
Camera
The Realme 12 5G boasts a dual camera setup with a 108MP primary sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and an 8MP selfie shooter. My experience with the camera has been largely positive, delivering impressive results that rival more expensive flagships. In good lighting conditions, the main camera produces punchy and vibrant colors with decent sharpness and detail. The dynamic range is wide, but unfortunately, it doesn't quite reach deep blacks or shadows. However, this isn't a major issue for casual smartphone users who mostly shoot in well-lit environments. Portrait mode shots are particularly impressive, with great subject-to-background separation, good color distribution, and sharp details. Although there are instances where the edges can appear soft, making them look unrealistic. Selfie camera performance is also commendable, capturing decent images with good colors and sharpness. However, when taking photos in brightly lit environments, the results tend to be overexposed, which may require some adjustments to achieve optimal results. One area where the Realme 12 5G excels is its ability to handle video recording. It can shoot up to 1080p at 30 FPS without any stabilization feature. While this isn't ideal for smooth footage, it's still a capable performer in most situations. The camera on the Realme 12 5G is one of its strongest selling points, offering impressive results that will satisfy most users' needs. The main camera delivers vibrant colors and decent detail, while portrait mode shots are great for separating subjects from their backgrounds. Selfies also turn out well in good lighting conditions. While there are some minor issues with overexposure in bright environments and the lack of stabilization for video recording, these are relatively minor drawbacks that won't significantly impact your overall experience with this smartphone's camera capabilities.
Price and Value
The Realme 12 5G is the most affordable variant of the series, priced at PHP 14,999 for the base configuration of 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Considering its price tag, the phone delivers decent value for money. While it may not have the same premium features as its more expensive counterparts, such as the vegan leather design and AMOLED display, the Realme 12 5G still manages to look impressive with its gradient finish and soft feel. The phone also boasts a sturdy metal frame, which adds to its overall build quality. In terms of performance, the Realme 12 5G is powered by a 6nm Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ chip, paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. This configuration allows for smooth gaming experiences without any noticeable lags or heating issues. The phone's camera setup, featuring a 108MP main camera and an 8MP selfie shooter, delivers impressive results in various lighting conditions. However, the video recording capabilities are limited to 1080p at 30fps with no stabilization feature. One of the highlights of the Realme 12 5G is its battery life, which lasts around 7 hours of casual use and about 4 hours of full-on gaming during our testing. The phone also supports 45W fast charging, which takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to fully charge the 5000mAh battery. Considering its price point, the Realme 12 5G offers decent value for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with good looks and performance. It may not have all the bells and whistles of its more expensive variants, but it still delivers a premium feel and Luxurious Looks. If you're in the market for an upgrade from your Realme 11 4G, the Realme 12 5G is definitely worth considering.
Performance
The Realme 12 5G's performance is one of its standout features. The device runs on a 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus chip, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This configuration allows the phone to handle demanding tasks with ease, including gaming and multitasking. In terms of raw power, the Realme 12 5G performs admirably. It can handle most games without any issues or lag, and even when running multiple applications in the background, the device remained smooth and responsive. The Dimensity 6100 Plus chip also helped to keep the phone cool during intense usage. The phone's Android 14 skin with Realme UI 5.0 is also well-optimized, allowing for a seamless user experience. The pre-installed apps are minimal and can be easily uninstalled, which is a welcome touch. In benchmarking tests, the Realme 12 5G showed impressive results, with scores that rival more expensive flagships. This suggests that the phone's performance will remain robust even after extended usage. Battery life was another area where the Realme 12 5G impressed. The 5000mAh battery capacity paired with 45W fast charging allowed for a full day of use and up to 4 hours of intense gaming. During our video loop test, the phone lasted an impressive 9 hours and 45 minutes. Overall, the Realme 12 5G's performance is a testament to its value-for-money credentials. It offers a powerful and feature-rich experience that rivals more expensive flagships, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable daily driver or gaming device.