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Realme 12 Pro+ review – Periscope zoom camera on a mid-range phone

Extraordinary, beautiful camera specialist.

It’s not everyday that you see such a phone: the realme 12 Pro+ is clad in synthetic leather and features a camera module that borrows from the design of luxury watches. It is also rather unusual to find a periscope camera on a €500 phone. In this review, we’ll delve into how the Realme phone performs in everyday use.
Realme 12 Pro+ (12 Series)
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 8 x 2 - 2.4 GHz, Cortex-A78 / A55
Graphics adapter
Memory
8 GB 
Display
6.70 inch 20:9, 2412 x 1080 pixel 394 PPI, capacitive touchscreen, AMOLED, Gorilla Glass 5, glossy: yes, 120 Hz
Storage
256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash, 256 GB 
, 200 GB free
Connections
1 USB 2.0, USB-C Power Delivery (PD), Audio Connections: audio via USB-C, 1 Fingerprint Reader, NFC, Brightness Sensor, Sensors: accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Networking
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/ax = Wi-Fi 6/), Bluetooth 5.2, 2G (850/​900/​1800/​1900), 3G (B1/​B2/​B4/​B5/​B6/​B8/​B19), 4G (B1/​B2/​B3/​B4/​B5/​B7/​B8/​B12/​B13/​B17/​B18/​B19/​B20/​B26/​B28/​B32/​B38/​B40/​B41/​B66), 5G (n1/​n3/​n5/​n7/​n8/​n20/​n28/​n38/​n40/​n41/​n66/​n77/​n78), Dual SIM, LTE, 5G, GPS
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 8.8 x 161.5 x 74 ( = 0.35 x 6.36 x 2.91 in)
Battery
5000 mAh Lithium-Ion, 67 Watt charging
Charging
fast charging / Quickcharge
Operating System
Android 14
Camera
Primary Camera: 50 MPix f/​1.8, phase comparison AF, OIS, dual LED flash, Videos @2160p/​30fps (camera 1); 64.0MP, f/​2.6, phase comparison AF, OIS, periscope telephoto lens (camera 2); 8.0MP, f/​2.2, wide-angle lens (camera 3)
Secondary Camera: 32 MPix f/​2.4, Videos @1080p/​30fps
Additional features
Speakers: stereo speakers (hybrid) , charger, USB cable, silicone bumper, SIM tool, 24 Months Warranty, IP65-certified, SAR: 0.987W/​kg Head, 1.275W/​kg Body, fanless
Weight
196 g ( = 6.91 oz / 0.43 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
500 Euro
Amazon
Note: The manufacturer may use components from different suppliers including display panels, drives or memory sticks with similar specifications.

 

Comparison with possible competitors

Rating
Version
Date
Model
Weight
Drive
Size
Resolution
Price
77.1 %v8
07 / 2024
Realme 12 Pro+
SD 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710
196 g256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash6.70"2412x1080
84.3 %
v7 (old)
v7 (old)
09 / 2023
Realme 11 Pro+
Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4
189 g512 GB UFS 3.1 Flash6.70"2412x1080
85.9 %
v7 (old)
v7 (old)
05 / 2024
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5
209 g128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash6.60"2340x1080
85.8 %
v7 (old)
v7 (old)
01 / 2024
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
SD 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710
187 g256 GB UFS 2.2 Flash6.67"2712x1220
83.9 %
v7 (old)
v7 (old)
02 / 2024
Honor Magic6 Lite
SD 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710
185 g256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash6.78"2652x1200

Note: We have recently updated our rating system and the results of version 8 are not comparable with the results of version 7. More information is available here .

Case and specifications – Slim and premium

The realme 12 Pro+ boasts a display with a protective glass that curves around the sides. There is only a thin bezel around the screen. Since the back panel also features curved edges, the phone ends up having a very slim profile and fits very comfortably in the hand.

The back is covered in artificial leather and features a decorative stripe down the middle, reminiscent of the design on the realme 11 Pro+, though the line has a metallic sheen this time. In Europe, the realme 12 Pro+ comes in two colourways: Submarine Blue (deep blue with gold accents) and Navigator Beige. Additionally, there is an Explorer Red colour scheme for the international market. The circular camera module matches the phone's colours and reflects light beautifully with a concentric pattern. The design was created in collaboration with luxury watch designer Ollivier Savéo. However, one drawback is that the camera protrudes a lot from the body. 

The chassis is very sturdy and doesn’t flex even when a huge amount of force is applied. It also produces minimal creaking noises. Despite not feeling overly heavy in the hand, the realme 12 Pro+ still weighs a few grams more than its competitors in the same price bracket. The device has an IP65 rating, meaning it isn’t protected from immersion in water and you probably shouldn't go swimming with it.

The phone is available in two configurations: €499 (US$535) will get you 256 GB of storage and 8 GB of RAM, whilst the version with 512 GB of storage and 12 GB of RAM will set you back €549 (US$589). That said, prices have already fallen significantly, and it's now available for considerably less than €400 (US$430).

Unfortunately, the realme 12 Pro+ lacks a microSD slot. But it includes an NFC reader that allows you to use things like contactless payment services.

Size comparison

163.6 mm / 6.44 in 75.5 mm / 2.97 in 7.98 mm / 0.3142 in 185 g0.4079 lbs161.5 mm / 6.36 in 74 mm / 2.91 in 8.8 mm / 0.3465 in 196 g0.4321 lbs161.6 mm / 6.36 in 73.9 mm / 2.91 in 8.7 mm / 0.3425 in 189 g0.4167 lbs161.7 mm / 6.37 in 78 mm / 3.07 in 8.2 mm / 0.3228 in 209 g0.4608 lbs161.2 mm / 6.35 in 74.3 mm / 2.93 in 8 mm / 0.315 in 187 g0.4123 lbs148 mm / 5.83 in 105 mm / 4.13 in 1 mm / 0.03937 in 1.5 g0.00331 lbs

Connectivity, software and operation – Speedy Wi-Fi

The device is equipped with WiFi 6 and delivered impressive speeds in our Wi-Fi tests performed with our Asus ROG Rapture AXE11000 reference router, achieving receive rates of up to 1,600 Mbits/s. Though its transmit rates were only around half as high. Overall, the realme 12 Pro+ offers extremely fast Internet connectivity and can make good use of a Gigabit connection.

Furthermore, the phone supports a wide range of 5G and 4G frequencies for mobile Internet access, allowing you to use the phone in most countries when you are travelling. During our review, we tested the phone’s reception and signal quality numerous times at random on the German Vodafone network and found that the realme 12 Pro+ didn't quite match high-end phones in terms of signal strength. Nevertheless, the device delivered a stable signal in most situations.

The operating system is based on Android 14 and has a layer of realme UI 5.0 on top. At the time of this review, the security patches were dated 5 April 2024 and thus already three months old. Security updates are actually supposed to be rolled out every two months for a minimum of three years. Realme also typically offers two new Android versions by default, but it seem like the company doesn't want to fully committed to this.

The 120Hz screen is highly reliable and remains sensitive to inputs at the edges. The system responds rapidly to inputs with hardly any noticeable delays. The phone is also able to quite consistently detect accidental touches on the sides of the curved display and ignore them accordingly.

The fingerprint sensor is hidden underneath the display glass. Its placement is actually slightly too low for our taste, but whilst adding a fingerprint, we were able to train the sensor to recognise our finger even when it is placed a little higher up. This means people with various hand sizes should be able to use the fingerprint sensor.

Networking
Realme 12 Pro+
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
iperf3 transmit AXE11000
815 (min: 609) MBit/s ∼98%
iperf3 receive AXE11000
1530 (min: 1086) MBit/s ∼100%
Realme 11 Pro+
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
iperf3 transmit AXE11000
782 (min: 627) MBit/s ∼94%
iperf3 receive AXE11000
721 (min: 635) MBit/s ∼47%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
iperf3 transmit AXE11000
834 (min: 780) MBit/s ∼100%
iperf3 receive AXE11000
830 (min: 758) MBit/s ∼54%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
iperf3 transmit AXE11000
678 (min: 544) MBit/s ∼81%
iperf3 receive AXE11000
581 (min: 491) MBit/s ∼38%
Honor Magic6 Lite
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
iperf3 transmit AXE11000
316 (min: 278) MBit/s ∼38%
iperf3 receive AXE11000
340 (min: 173) MBit/s ∼22%
0851702553404255105956807658509351020110511901275136014451530Tooltip
Realme 12 Pro+; iperf3 receive AXE11000; iperf 3.1.3: Ø1530 (1086-1603)
Realme 12 Pro+; iperf3 transmit AXE11000; iperf 3.1.3: Ø815 (609-972)

Cameras – Persicope zoom camera on board

Shot with the front camera
Shot with the front camera

Realme has a special treat in store when it comes to the cameras: this €500 smartphone is fitted with a 64MP periscope camera capable of up to 6x optical zoom. The phone even has a maximum range of 120x, making it potentially very useful as makeshift binoculars, though the image quality naturally won't be very impressive at that zoom level.

The main camera boasts a 50MP Sony sensor, but it typically captures photos at 12.5MP due to pixel binning. Image quality is exceptional in both object and landscape photography, delivering photos with good sharpness and a great deal of detail. In low-light conditions, the resulting image is evenly brightened overall and has excellent sharpness.

The realme 12 Pro+ supports video recording at up to 4K and 30 fps. Auto exposure and autofocus react promptly to changes in a scene, and video quality is good overall.

Additionally, there is a wide-angle camera that can shoot 8MP photos with good image quality. However, fine details may not be distinguishable in photos taken with this lens.

On the front is a 32MP selfie camera. Similar to the main shooter, it defaults to producing images with only 1/4 of the sensor's resolution for improved light sensitivity. The resulting selfies appear slightly grainy and only offer minimal detail in dark areas. Nonetheless, the image quality is decent as a whole. 

Image comparison

Choose a scene and navigate within the first image. One click changes the position on touchscreens. One click on the zoomed-in image opens the original in a new window. The first image shows the scaled photograph of the test device.

Main camera: plantMain camera: surroundingsMain camera: low lightUltrawide camera
0.6x zoom (wide angle)
0.6x zoom (wide angle)
1x zoom (main camera)
1x zoom (main camera)
2x zoom
2x zoom
3x zoom
3x zoom
6x zoom
6x zoom
15x zoom
15x zoom
50x zoom
50x zoom
120x zoom
120x zoom
ColorChecker
12.6 ∆E
6.7 ∆E
13 ∆E
13 ∆E
11.6 ∆E
4 ∆E
5 ∆E
14.4 ∆E
7.2 ∆E
6.7 ∆E
5 ∆E
4.9 ∆E
10.1 ∆E
9 ∆E
5.6 ∆E
3.6 ∆E
7.7 ∆E
9.4 ∆E
8.5 ∆E
5.3 ∆E
8.1 ∆E
11.7 ∆E
5.8 ∆E
8 ∆E
ColorChecker Realme 12 Pro+: 8.2 ∆E min: 3.57 - max: 14.38 ∆E
ColorChecker
29.8 ∆E
54.5 ∆E
39.3 ∆E
36.1 ∆E
44.4 ∆E
62 ∆E
54.2 ∆E
34.5 ∆E
42.9 ∆E
27.7 ∆E
64.2 ∆E
64.3 ∆E
29.2 ∆E
48.8 ∆E
36.7 ∆E
75 ∆E
42.6 ∆E
42.9 ∆E
93.7 ∆E
70.6 ∆E
52 ∆E
36.5 ∆E
24 ∆E
13.6 ∆E
ColorChecker Realme 12 Pro+: 46.65 ∆E min: 13.55 - max: 93.72 ∆E

Display – Bright enough for outdoor use

Image of the subpixels
Image of the subpixels

With an extended Full HD resolution, the display on the realme 12 Pro+ is comparable to what we've seen on devices of this class, even though some competitors offer slightly higher pixel counts. That said, a higher resolution isn’t really necessary since images already look sharp on the 6.7-inch display.

Owing to its AMOLED panel, the display boasts vibrant colour reproduction and, in theory, infinitely high contrast ratio. This is because individual pixels can be completely turned off, resulting in true black.

The realme 12 Pro+ has nearly identical peak brightness to its predecessor, which suggests that realme likely uses the same panel for the two phones. Based on our measurement performed using a spectrophotometer, the display also has great colour accuracy, with colour deviations barely perceptible to the human eye.

However, we detected significant screen flicker at low brightness. Consequently, people who are sensitive to PWM flicker should try out the display first before buying the device. The amplitude (i.e. the brightness change in each oscillation) is only 40%, which could reduce the severity of these issues by making the flicker less noticeable.

768
cd/m²
778
cd/m²
798
cd/m²
766
cd/m²
778
cd/m²
793
cd/m²
772
cd/m²
784
cd/m²
808
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 808 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 782.8 cd/m² Minimum: 1.97 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 95 %
Center on Battery: 778 cd/m²
Contrast: ∞:1 (Black: 0 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 1.63 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.83
ΔE Greyscale 1.7 | 0.09-98 Ø5.1
98.8% sRGB (Calman 2D)
Gamma: 2.221
Realme 12 Pro+
AMOLED, 2412x1080, 6.7"
Realme 11 Pro+
AMOLED, 2412x1080, 6.7"
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Super AMOLED, 2340x1080, 6.6"
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
AMOLED, 2712x1220, 6.7"
Honor Magic6 Lite
AMOLED, 2652x1200, 6.8"
Response Times
1%
-42%
14%
-2%
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% *
2.1 ?(1.2, 0.9)
1.6 ?(0.8, 0.8)
24%
3 ?(1.298, 1.7)
-43%
1.49 ?(0.78, 0.71)
29%
1.89 ?(0.9635, 0.9255)
10%
Response Time Black / White *
1.3 ?(0.6, 0.7)
1.6 ?(0.8, 0.8)
-23%
1.831 ?(0.902, 0.929)
-41%
1.33 ?(0.65, 0.68)
-2%
1.48 ?(0.773, 0.7035)
-14%
PWM Frequency
233.2
439
240
713.5
528
PWM Amplitude *
40
Screen
-23%
-0%
8%
32%
Brightness middle
778
779
0%
904
16%
1205
55%
1003
29%
Brightness
783
756
-3%
912
16%
1177
50%
1007
29%
Brightness Distribution
95
94
-1%
97
2%
90
-5%
96
1%
Black Level *
Colorchecker dE 2000 *
1.63
1.9
-17%
2.1
-29%
1.51
7%
0.8
51%
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. *
3.57
4.38
-23%
2.8
22%
4.07
-14%
2.4
33%
Greyscale dE 2000 *
1.7
3.3
-94%
2.2
-29%
2.5
-47%
0.9
47%
Gamma
2.221 99%
2.269 97%
2.1 105%
2.175 101%
2.18 101%
CCT
6576 99%
6558 99%
6478 100%
6407 101%
6406 101%
Total Average (Program / Settings)
-11% / -17%
-21% / -11%
11% / 9%
15% / 23%

* ... smaller is better

Display Response Times

Display response times show how fast the screen is able to change from one color to the next. Slow response times can lead to afterimages and can cause moving objects to appear blurry (ghosting). Gamers of fast-paced 3D titles should pay special attention to fast response times.
       Response Time Black to White
1.3 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 0.6 ms rise
↘ 0.7 ms fall
The screen shows very fast response rates in our tests and should be very well suited for fast-paced gaming.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 5 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (20.5 ms).
       Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey
2.1 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined↗ 1.2 ms rise
↘ 0.9 ms fall
The screen shows very fast response rates in our tests and should be very well suited for fast-paced gaming.
In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.165 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 9 % of all devices are better.
This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (32.1 ms).

Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)

To dim the screen, some notebooks will simply cycle the backlight on and off in rapid succession - a method called Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) . This cycling frequency should ideally be undetectable to the human eye. If said frequency is too low, users with sensitive eyes may experience strain or headaches or even notice the flickering altogether.
Screen flickering / PWM detected 233.2 Hz
Amplitude: 40 %

The display backlight flickers at 233.2 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) .

The frequency of 233.2 Hz is relatively low, so sensitive users will likely notice flickering and experience eyestrain at the stated brightness setting and below.

In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 8350 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 343500) Hz was measured.

minimale Helligkeit
minimale Helligkeit
25% Helligkeit
25% Helligkeit
50% Helligkeit
50% Helligkeit
75% Helligkeit
75% Helligkeit
100% Helligkeit
100% Helligkeit
CalMAN greyscale
CalMAN greyscale
CalMAN colour accuracy
CalMAN colour accuracy
CalMAN colour space sRGB
CalMAN colour space sRGB
CalMAN saturation
CalMAN saturation

Performance, emissions and battery life – Mid-range power with fast storage

The realme 12 Pro+ features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. We have already taken a look at this SoC in our Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G review. The processor offers a level of performance typical for its class and is overall powerful enough to provide a smooth experience in most situations. However, we do need to report some occasional stutters, for example when launching the camera software.

Depending on the usage scenario, our benchmarks suggest that the review unit may even be slightly slower than its predecessor, the realme 11 Pro+, which features a MediaTek SoC. On the other hand, the realme 12 Pro+ showcased its superiority in the graphics benchmarks, achieving many top rankings in our comparison.

Web browsing is fairly fast on the phone, but you may sometimes have to wait a few seconds for contents to load. The realme phone offers speedy UFS 3.1 storage and outclasses the competition in terms of load times and data transfer speeds.

The phone can definitely get toasty under prolonged load. We measured a maximum temperature 46.7°C (116.1°F), indicating the phone heated up noticeably. This is noteworthy especially since our measurements were done at room temperature; peak temperature could be even higher in warmer conditions. However, the SoC didn’t reduce its performance even under prolonged load.

The ear speaker is used, along with the speaker on the lower edge, for audio playback, enabling the phone to provide a subtle stereo effect. Although the two speakers aren't exceptionally loud, they offer great lower mids and thus produce a fairly warm sound profile.

Those who prefer to use headphones or external speakers can connect their audio devices via the USB-C port or Bluetooth. The phone supports a decent selection of Bluetooth codecs: apart from the two specialised codecs aptX Adaptive and aptX TWS+, you'll find high-res options such as aptX HD and LDAC.

The battery has a capacity of 5,000 mAh. Realme seems to have done a pretty good job optimising the software, considering our review unit demonstrated significantly longer battery life than its predecessor. For instance, it lasted an impressive 15h 19min in our Wi-Fi test. The included fast charger is capable of charging the phone at up to 67 watts, leading to very short charge times of no more than roughly one hour.

Geekbench 6.4
Single-Core
Average of class Smartphone
  (196 - 3479, n=204, last 2 years)
1608 Points +74%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
1029 Points +12%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
1017 Points +10%
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (922 - 1029, n=5)
983 Points +7%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
957 Points +4%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
940 Points +2%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
922 Points
Multi-Core
Average of class Smartphone
  (830 - 10401, n=204, last 2 years)
4635 Points +66%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
2955 Points +6%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
2906 Points +4%
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (2616 - 2955, n=5)
2800 Points 0%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
2793 Points
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
2776 Points -1%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
2397 Points -14%
Geekbench 5.5
Single-Core
Average of class Smartphone
  (145 - 2437, n=151, last 2 years)
1139 Points +45%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
833 Points +6%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
788 Points
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (774 - 800, n=5)
787 Points 0%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
783 Points -1%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
783 Points -1%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
735 Points -7%
Multi-Core
Average of class Smartphone
  (550 - 8816, n=151, last 2 years)
3864 Points +36%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
2851 Points
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (2678 - 2888, n=5)
2794 Points -2%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
2778 Points -3%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
2736 Points -4%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
2678 Points -6%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
2318 Points -19%
PCMark for Android - Work 3.0
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
14561 Points +13%
Average of class Smartphone
  (4507 - 27169, n=192, last 2 years)
14308 Points +11%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
13430 Points +4%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
12967 Points +1%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
12895 Points
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (9593 - 15308, n=5)
12713 Points -1%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
12573 Points -2%
3DMark
2560x1440 Sling Shot Extreme (ES 3.1) Unlimited
Average of class Smartphone
  (508 - 23762, n=141, last 2 years)
8872 Points +71%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
5187 Points
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (4894 - 5318, n=5)
5126 Points -1%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
4993 Points -4%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
4936 Points -5%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
4356 Points -16%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
4316 Points -17%
2560x1440 Sling Shot Extreme (ES 3.1) Unlimited Graphics
Average of class Smartphone
  (453 - 40163, n=141, last 2 years)
13583 Points +142%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
5618 Points
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (5420 - 5990, n=5)
5602 Points 0%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
5455 Points -3%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
5118 Points -9%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
4401 Points -22%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
4323 Points -23%
2560x1440 Sling Shot Extreme (ES 3.1) Unlimited Physics
Average of class Smartphone
  (877 - 10632, n=141, last 2 years)
5007 Points +22%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
4391 Points +7%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
4375 Points +7%
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (3652 - 4545, n=5)
4113 Points +1%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
4090 Points
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
4044 Points -1%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
3852 Points -6%
Wild Life Score
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
3088 Points
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (2954 - 3088, n=5)
3042 Points -1%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
3039 Points -2%
Average of class Smartphone
  (270 - 13896, n=101, last 2 years)
2967 Points -4%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
2820 Points -9%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
2367 Points -23%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
2291 Points -26%
Wild Life Unlimited Score
Average of class Smartphone
  (271 - 27493, n=187, last 2 years)
9665 Points +211%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
3111 Points
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (2998 - 3111, n=5)
3064 Points -2%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
3046 Points -2%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
2796 Points -10%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
2311 Points -26%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
2268 Points -27%
Wild Life Extreme
Average of class Smartphone
  (61 - 7094, n=192, last 2 years)
2609 Points +222%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
810 Points
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
809 Points 0%
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (789 - 810, n=5)
801 Points -1%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
800 Points -1%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
634 Points -22%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
615 Points -24%
Wild Life Extreme Unlimited
Average of class Smartphone
  (62 - 7212, n=191, last 2 years)
2598 Points +224%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
803 Points
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
796 Points -1%
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (779 - 803, n=5)
793 Points -1%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
788 Points -2%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
623 Points -22%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
615 Points -23%
GFXBench
on screen Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Onscreen
Average of class Smartphone
  (5.5 - 166, n=202, last 2 years)
56.1 fps +81%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
31 fps
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
30 fps -3%
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (18 - 31, n=5)
26.8 fps -14%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
26 fps -16%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
23 fps -26%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
10 fps -68%
1920x1080 Aztec Ruins Normal Tier Offscreen
Average of class Smartphone
  (3.4 - 332, n=202, last 2 years)
104.4 fps +198%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
35 fps 0%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
35 fps
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (34 - 35, n=5)
34.8 fps -1%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
34 fps -3%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
30 fps -14%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
20 fps -43%
on screen Aztec Ruins High Tier Onscreen
Average of class Smartphone
  (0.85 - 144, n=203, last 2 years)
44.3 fps +133%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
20 fps +5%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
19 fps
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
17 fps -11%
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (11 - 19, n=5)
16.4 fps -14%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
15 fps -21%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
12 fps -37%
2560x1440 Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen
Average of class Smartphone
  (1.2 - 129, n=202, last 2 years)
41 fps +215%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
13 fps 0%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
13 fps 0%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
13 fps
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (13 - 13, n=5)
13 fps 0%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
11 fps -15%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
11 fps -15%
3840x2160 4K Aztec Ruins High Tier Offscreen
Average of class Smartphone
  (0.54 - 53, n=203, last 2 years)
19.2 fps +231%
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (5.8 - 5.9, n=5)
5.84 fps +1%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
5.8 fps 0%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
5.8 fps 0%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
5.8 fps
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
4.8 fps -17%
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
4.7 fps -19%
Octane V2 - Total Score
Average of class Smartphone
  (2228 - 100368, n=204, last 2 years)
44500 Points +42%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380, Mali-G68 MP5, 6144
36010 Points +15%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
35379 Points +13%
Average Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
  (31340 - 36202, n=5)
34792 Points +11%
Realme 11 Pro+
MediaTek Dimensity 7050, Mali-G68 MP4, 12288
31801 Points +1%
Realme 12 Pro+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, Adreno 710, 8192
31340 Points
Honor Magic6 Lite
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710, 8192
24583 Points -22%
Realme 12 Pro+Realme 11 Pro+Samsung Galaxy A35 5GXiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5GHonor Magic6 LiteAverage 256 GB UFS 3.1 FlashAverage of class Smartphone
AndroBench 3-5
-17%
-68%
-46%
-31%
-21%
-6%
Sequential Read 256KB
1926.1
1891.9
-2%
529.32
-73%
946.8
-51%
1827.3
-5%
1728 ?(950 - 2037, n=106)
-10%
Sequential Write 256KB
1756.1
1786.4
2%
270
-85%
808.2
-54%
843.34
-52%
Random Read 4KB
335.2
249.4
-26%
244.24
-27%
239.2
-29%
223.75
-33%
Random Write 4KB
420.2
253.9
-40%
62.59
-85%
220.5
-48%
271.22
-35%
Max. Load
 44.9 °C
113 F
45 °C
113 F
39.4 °C
103 F
 
 45.8 °C
114 F
45.4 °C
114 F
39.1 °C
102 F
 
 46.7 °C
116 F
45.1 °C
113 F
39.4 °C
103 F
 
Maximum: 46.7 °C = 116 F
Average: 43.4 °C = 110 F
36.5 °C
98 F
39.8 °C
104 F
42 °C
108 F
37.1 °C
99 F
39.4 °C
103 F
41.6 °C
107 F
36.9 °C
98 F
39.8 °C
104 F
41.2 °C
106 F
Maximum: 42 °C = 108 F
Average: 39.4 °C = 103 F
Power Supply (max.)  40.3 °C = 105 F | Room Temperature 19 °C = 66 F | Fluke t3000FC (calibrated), Voltcraft IR-260
(-) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 43.4 °C / 110 F, compared to the average of 32.8 °C / 91 F for the devices in the class Smartphone.
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 46.7 °C / 116 F, compared to the average of 35.1 °C / 95 F, ranging from 21.9 to 63.7 °C for the class Smartphone.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 42 °C / 108 F, compared to the average of 34.1 °C / 93 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 22.9 °C / 73 F, compared to the device average of 32.8 °C / 91 F.


Heatmap front
Heatmap front
Heatmap back
Heatmap back

3DMark Wild Life Stress Test

0123456789101112131415161718Tooltip
Realme 12 Pro+ Adreno 710, SD 7s Gen 2, 256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash; Wild Life Extreme Stress Test; 1.1.4.1: Ø4.74 (4.54-4.81)
Realme 11 Pro+ Mali-G68 MP4, Dimensity 7050, 512 GB UFS 3.1 Flash; Wild Life Extreme Stress Test; 1.1.4.1: Ø3.81 (3.79-3.82)
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Mali-G68 MP5, Exynos 1380, 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash; Wild Life Extreme Stress Test; 1.1.4.1: Ø4.83 (4.82-4.84)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G Adreno 710, SD 7s Gen 2, 256 GB UFS 2.2 Flash; Wild Life Extreme Stress Test; 1.1.4.1: Ø4.75 (4.74-4.76)
Honor Magic6 Lite Adreno 710, SD 6 Gen 1, 256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash; Wild Life Extreme Stress Test; 1.1.4.1: Ø3.68 (3.67-3.69)
Realme 12 Pro+ Adreno 710, SD 7s Gen 2, 256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash; Wild Life Stress Test Stability; 0.0.0.0: Ø18.5 (18.3-18.5)
Realme 11 Pro+ Mali-G68 MP4, Dimensity 7050, 512 GB UFS 3.1 Flash; Wild Life Stress Test Stability; 0.0.0.0: Ø13.7 (13.7-13.8)
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Mali-G68 MP5, Exynos 1380, 128 GB UFS 2.2 Flash; Wild Life Stress Test Stability; 0.0.0.0: Ø16.7 (16.6-17)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G Adreno 710, SD 7s Gen 2, 256 GB UFS 2.2 Flash; Wild Life Stress Test Stability; 0.0.0.0: Ø18.1 (18.1-18.2)
Honor Magic6 Lite Adreno 710, SD 6 Gen 1, 256 GB UFS 3.1 Flash; Wild Life Stress Test Stability; 0.0.0.0: Ø14.3 (14.3-14.3)
dB(A) 0102030405060708090Deep BassMiddle BassHigh BassLower RangeMidsHigher MidsLower HighsMid HighsUpper HighsSuper Highs2038.131.22528.728.43123.122.84026.524.55037.635.56319.618.98016.718.310024.222.812520.429.816020.538.820011.646.925010.751.731510.352.94007.848.65008.151.76309.257.28009.560.110009.665.612508.170.216009.367.720009.769.6250010.268.6315010.962400011.462.5500012.365.7630012.867.8800013.968.51000014.664.11250015.460.91600016.248.9SPL23.678.5N0.540.7median 10.9median 60.9Delta2.68.728.635.725.93123.429.827.332.536.238.425.432.416.633.816.934.314.735.613.136.815.139.114.344.711.650.710579.164.611.166.99.173.311.878.2157711.377.41276.212.380.512.783.212.678.613.179.713.47613.575.413.575.213.672.313.658.724.790.20.678.5median 13.1median 75.21.312.2hearing rangehide median Pink NoiseRealme 12 Pro+Honor Magic6 Lite
Frequency diagram (checkboxes can be checked and unchecked to compare devices)
Realme 12 Pro+ audio analysis

(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (78.5 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 20.4% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (11.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | higher mids - on average 6.9% higher than median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (7.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 4.7% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (5.3% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (20.9% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 36% of all tested devices in this class were better, 8% similar, 55% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 36%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 55% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 37% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%

Honor Magic6 Lite audio analysis

(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (90.2 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 34.9% lower than median
(+) | bass is linear (4.5% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | reduced mids - on average 5.9% lower than median
(+) | mids are linear (6.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.2% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (3.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (20.4% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 32% of all tested devices in this class were better, 10% similar, 59% worse
» The best had a delta of 12%, average was 36%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 51% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 40% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%

Battery Runtime - WiFi Websurfing
Average of class Smartphone
  (575 - 3244, n=202, last 2 years)
1072 min +17%
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
5100 mAh
1002 min +9%
Realme 12 Pro+
5000 mAh
919 min
Honor Magic6 Lite
5300 mAh
906 min -1%
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
5000 mAh
902 min -2%
Realme 11 Pro+
5000 mAh
829 min -10%
Battery Runtime
WiFi Websurfing
15h 19min

Pros

+ versatile camera system thanks to periscope zoom
+ very stylish and sturdy chassis
+ high-quality, bright AMOLED display
+ speedy Wi-Fi
+ supports heaps of cellular frequencies
+ long battery life
+ quick-charge technology

Cons

- PWM on the display
- uncertain update situation
- camera module protrudes far from the chassis
- gets very warm under load

Verdict – Extraordinarily stylish mid-range phone

Realme 12 Pro+ review
Realme 12 Pro+ review

The realme 12 Pro+ attempts to appeal to fans of beautiful smartphones whilst managing to include a few technical goodies. The periscope camera affords users much greater flexibility in their photo composition. The very fast storage allows data to be transferred quickly. And the phone can charge at up to 67 watts, providing many hours of use with just a few minutes of charging.

The chassis boasts a clean fit and finish and is an absolute head-turner. The phone has great-sounding speakers and packs enough power to run smoothly most of the time. If needed, the display can get bright enough for outdoor use. Fast Wi-Fi connectivity and comprehensive cellular frequency coverage ensure reliable Internet access, a critical feature for any smartphone.

One downside of the phone is the unclear software update roadmap. Additionally, the security patches on our review unit were already outdated at the time of writing. Some users may not like the fact that the camera module protrudes very far from the phone’s body. And the display’s PWM may become an issue for individuals sensitive to flicker.  

Realme has released a highly stylish and technically intriguing mid-range phone with the 12 Pro+.

If you prefer displays with curved edges and are looking for an unconventional phone, the Honor Magic6 Lite might be an interesting alternative to the realme 12 Pro+. You can check out the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G for a slightly less adventurous yet more affordable option.

Price and availability

In Germany, the 256 GB variant is currently available from Amazon for around €380, whilst the 512 GB model will set you back roughly €450.

Readers in the US can order the international version with 512 GB of storage for US$500.

Note: We have recently updated our rating system and the results of version 8 are not comparable with the results of version 7. More information is available here .

Realme 12 Pro+ - 07/02/2024 v8
Florian Schmitt

Chassis
87%
Keyboard
65 / 75 → 87%
Pointing Device
93%
Connectivity
44 / 69 → 64%
Weight
89%
Battery
90%
Display
89%
Games Performance
12 / 55 → 22%
Application Performance
61 / 85 → 71%
AI Performance
35%
Temperature
86%
Noise
100%
Audio
69 / 90 → 76%
Camera
76%
Average
52%
77%
Smartphone - Weighted Average
CO2 Emissions
No Data
Materials
0%
Packaging
0%
Power Use
50%
Repairability
0%
Software Updates
31.7%
Recycle Logo Total Sustainability Score: 13.6%

Transparency

The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was provided to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or retailer for the purpose of this review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. We never accept compensation or payment in return for our reviews. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.

This is how Notebookcheck is testing

Every year, Notebookcheck independently reviews hundreds of laptops and smartphones using standardized procedures to ensure that all results are comparable. We have continuously developed our test methods for around 20 years and set industry standards in the process. In our test labs, high-quality measuring equipment is utilized by experienced technicians and editors. These tests involve a multi-stage validation process. Our complex rating system is based on hundreds of well-founded measurements and benchmarks, which maintains objectivity. Further information on our test methods can be found here.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Realme 12 Pro+ review – Periscope zoom camera on a mid-range phone
Florian Schmitt, 2024-07- 3 (Update: 2024-07- 4)