realme 12 5G Full Review
realme has just launched the much-awaited realme 12 5G through an online livestream on its Facebook and YouTube page. This smartphone is the third release in the latest realme 12 Series 5G.
The realme 12 5G boasts impressive features including a 108MP main camera, a 6.72-inch FHD+ display, and 8GB RAM with realme's Dynamic RAM Expansion technology. Additionally, it comes with IP54 dust and water resistance. It is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor and a 5,000mAh battery with 45W SUPERVOOC charging.
In this review, I will explore the capabilities of this smartphone to help you decide if it's the right one for you. Let's start by discussing the unboxing process, shall we?
Design and Walk Around
The realme 12 5G features design elements that were introduced in earlier models of the realme 12 Series 5G, incorporating hints of luxury watch design.
The device's design comprises of three main elements: the Polished Sunburst Dial—which provides a classic sunburst effect and acts as the bed for the camera module; the Polished PVD Edges—which frame the device's slim and sleek body; and the diamond-patterned 3D Jubilee Bracelet—which subtly ties the whole look together.
The realme 12 5G smartphone is offered in two colors - Twilight Purple and Woodland Green. Mine comes in Woodland Green variant which has a deeper shade of green, reminiscent of nature and lush forests. The back of the phone has a glossy finish that appears to change when viewed from different angles, without being prone to fingerprint smudges.
In addition to its design, the device is also thin at 7.69mm and weighs only 188 grams despite a 5,000mAh battery capacity.
The realme 12 5G features a 6.72-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080) LTPS LCD display with a centered hole-punch 8MP camera on top and a discreetly etched earpiece above it.
On the back, there's a large protruding camera module that houses the dual-camera setup along with a single LED flash. The two cameras are the 108MP main + 2MP black & white.
The right side features the standard volume rocker and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that is embedded in the power button, while the top has the secondary noise-canceling microphone, a speaker grille, and a hybrid SIM tray which allows the option of using either 2 SIM cards or 1 SIM card + 1 microSD card.
At the bottom, you'll find the USB Type-C charging port, downward-firing speaker, primary microphone, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Display and Multimedia
The realme 12 5G comes with a large 6.72-inch LTPS LCD display that offers FHD+ (1080 x 2400) resolution. The screen-to-body ratio is 91.4%, and it has a refresh rate of 120Hz with a touch response rate of 240Hz.
The LTPS screen produces vibrant colors and has decent viewing angles. The screen can get bright at 800 nits and can go up to 950 nits when Sunlight Mode is activated, but it could benefit from a little more brightness for comfortable outdoor use.
The stereo speakers on the realme 12 5G are decent and can produce loud sounds. However, to get better-quality audio, it is advised to use headphones or a Bluetooth-enabled external speaker.
Camera
Rear Cameras
The highlight of the realme 12 5G is its camera system. It has a dual-camera system that includes a 108MP F1.8 primary camera with a Samsung HM6 sensor. Additionally, the primary camera is paired with a 2MP F.2.4 lens that functions as a black & white sensor to enhance portrait shots.
The standard photo mode of the camera can capture 12MP shots and supports 3x In-Sensor Zoom, which is similar to the realme C67 and realme 12 Pro+ 5G. This feature enables it to take clear photos both in the default Photo Mode and Portrait Mode. The camera also has exclusive features, such as the Cinematic Bokeh Algorithm, which intelligently adjusts blur and lighting, and the built-in Master Portrait Filters.
The rear camera captures vibrant and accurate colors with crisp and sharp details under bright lighting conditions. However, the dynamic range needs improvement in some scenarios.
For indoor and low-light situations, the camera performs well with Night Mode enabled, producing good low-light photos.
Front Selfie Camera
The realme 12 5G has an 8MP front camera with an F2.0 aperture, and it comes with realme's usual camera user interface features for taking selfies. The front camera produces decent quality photos, particularly in well-lit conditions. However, the background blurring for portrait selfies is not perfect, but it still manages to do a good job.
Video
For video recording, the realme 12 5G can capture videos up to 1080p@30fps with its main and front-facing cameras. The camera does not support 4K mode or 60fps shooting, but it has always-on electronic image stabilization (EIS) called Ultra Steady. The recorded video from the main camera produces good colors, contrast, and dynamic range.
realme UI, Apps, and Security
The realme 12 5G smartphone utilizes a new and improved version of realme UI based on Android 14. The UI is clean, easy to navigate, and pre-installed with Google's standard app suite and some unnecessary apps.
The realme 12 5G now features the latest Mini Capsule 2.0 with enhanced functions, including Event Reminders, Weather Notifications, and Music Playback Control with sound wave animation and swipe controls.
For security, the realme 12 5G comes equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button, as well as a facial recognition feature for device unlocking. The fingerprint sensor works quickly and accurately, but the face unlock feature may slow down in low-light situations.
Hardware and Performance
The realme 12 5G is powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ processor that is manufactured using a 6nm process. It consists of two Cortex-A76 cores that can clock up to 2.2GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores that can clock up to 2.0GHz. It also features a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU.
In terms of performance, the phone performs exceptionally well and runs resource-intensive applications smoothly. It also provides a seamless gaming experience and supports a wide range of games, including popular ones such as Asphalt 9: Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and many others.
Moreover, the realme 12 5G supports Dynamic RAM Expansion technology which allows you to expand your phone's RAM virtually by using the phone's internal storage. You can select and use up to either 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of your storage to act as RAM.
The realme 12 5G is available in the Philippines with 256GB of storage. My unit with 256GB of storage used 19.8GB out of the box. If you need more storage, you can expand it up to 2TB via its hybrid SIM tray.
Additionally, the phone has an IP54 Dust & Water Resistance rating, which ensures its safety against accidental splashes and other incidents.
Below are the benchmark scores from this device:
- AnTuTu v10.2.4 – 422,052
- AnTuTu Storage Test v10.2.4 – 40,135 (494.3 MB/s Seq. Read, 504.3 MB/s Seq. Write)
- Geekbench 6.2.2 – 734 (Single-core), 1,927 (Multi-core)
- PCMark – 9,979 (Work 3.0)
- 3DMark – 2,527 (SSE – OpenGL ES 3.1) 2,288 (SSE – Vulkan)
Battery and Connectivity
The realme 12 5G comes equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that can last a whole day of moderate usage without requiring an additional charge. In the PCMark Work 3.0 Battery Life Test, the device scored around 15 hours and 18 minutes.
Furthermore, the realme 12 5G is bundled with a 45W SUPERVOOC charger that can charge the 5,000mAh battery from 0% to 50% in just 31 minutes, and from 0% to 100% in 1 hour and 23 minutes.
In addition to the battery and charger, the realme 12 5G offers standard connectivity features such as dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), 5G Connectivity, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, a 3.5mm audio jack, and USB Type-C.
realme 12 5G Specifications
6.72-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080) LTPS LCD display, 391ppi
120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate
MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor (6nm)
Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
8GB RAM with Dynamic RAM Expansion
256GB of internal storage
Up to 2TB Expandability via microSD Card
Dual-rear cameras (108MP F1.8 main + 2MP F2.4 B&W camera)
8MP F2.4 front camera
Dual-SIM / 5G
WiFi 5 / Bluetooth 5.2
GPS, A-GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS
USB Type-C / Dual stereo speakers / 3.5mm audio jack
Fingerprint scanner (under display)
IP54 Dust & Water Resistance
realme UI 5.0 (Android 14)
5,000mAh Battery with 45W SUPERVOOC Charge
Dimensions: 165.7 x 76.1 x 7.69mm
Weight: 188g
Colors: Woodland Green and Twilight Purple
What’s inside the box
If you didn't get a chance to see the unboxing of the realme 12 5G, let me fill you in. The signature yellow-colored box comes with the phone itself, a USB Type-C to USB-A charging cable, a 45W SUPERVOOC Charger, a SIM card ejector tool, a protective silicone case, a quick start guide, and essential product information, including the warranty card.
Price and Availability
The realme 12 5G is now available in a single variant of 8GB+256GB, and it is priced at Php14,999. Please find below the details of the online and offline offers available for this smartphone.
Online Offers
Great news for online shoppers! The realme 12 5G is launching first online on TikTok Shop, and you can get a special discounted price along with exclusive TechLife and realme freebie sets. Moreover, you can avail of additional discounts and freebies once the realme 12 5G arrives on Shopee and Lazada between May 5 and May 10.
Offline Offers
Take advantage of the exciting offline offers when you purchase the realme 12 5G at any realme Official Store across the country during the first selling period from April 26 to May 5.
If you buy during this period, you will be eligible for a Mystery Gift Box containing freebies worth up to Php24,999. Some of the items you could receive include a realme Pad LTE (4GB+64GB variant), TechLife Notebook, TechLife Multi-Capsule Coffee Maker, TechLife Wireless Headphones, TechLife Desk Lamp, and TechLife Portable Steam Iron.
Additionally, you can participate in the Lucky 12 challenge at select realme concept and kiosk stores during the Lucky Hour time slots of 11am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm on April 26-28 and May 3-5. There are over Php600,000 worth of prizes up for grabs, including TechLife 4L Digital Rice Cooker, TechLife Wireless Mouse, TechLife Desk Lamp, or TechLife Multi-Sleeve Laptop Bag.
These first-selling promos are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to get your hands on exclusive items along with the realme 12 5G.
Verdict
Looking for a midrange smartphone that is both affordable and high-performing? the realme 12 5G is definitely worth considering. This smartphone offers a competitive camera, sleek design, and a range of quality-of-life features that enhance user experience, putting it on par with more expensive competitors. When compared to other mid-range smartphones, the realme 12 5G stands out as an excellent option.
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