The mid-range smartphone segment is off to a great start this year. The new models have more powerful cameras, faster processors, and a design that finally breaks away from the monotony of the past, making it possible to try something bolder. Realme, with its 12 Pro Plus, or Pro+, brings all these features together, offering the public a product that is worth well over the €499.99 asking price in its maximum configuration (€399 in the basic version).

The camera is the main reason why the new Realme stands out from the competition in the mid-range segment. It is the first ‘middle range’ smartphone with an actual telephoto lens and a periscope sensor with 3x zoom. An extremely rare combination in this price range. Running everything is a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor based on a more modern 4nm production process. No changes have been made to the display, which remains a curved Oled panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Perhaps the maximum brightness is a bit lower than competitive solutions, but it is still good enough for outdoor use.

The design

Although, when talking about smartphones, it should not be the first glance that counts, in the case of the Realme 12 Pro+, the design plays an essential role. The 2024 declination continues the trend of its predecessor, with a vegan leather rear chassis and the presentation of a body that echoes that of luxury watches. A gold-coloured beam in the model under test reaches up to the sensor rim and continues its profile. The design is so prominent that finding a case that preserves its appeal may prove difficult. Therefore, the company includes a transparent cover in the package that combines usefulness with minimalism.

The phone is light, weighing only 196 grams, which makes it comfortable for extended use. This time, Realme has prioritized practicality, making the 12 Pro+ relatively easy to clean, so much so that the manufacturer says it can withstand 30 different types of stains. Completing the construction is the usual Type-C USB port on the bottom edge and the volume rocker, with the power button on the right back.

The screen

The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a 6.7-inch curved display with a central hole, Fhd+ resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 950 nits. These are the same display specifications as its predecessor, and, except for the peak brightness, everything is on par with competitors in the segment. The panel has been optimized with Pro-Xdr technology to improve visibility and bring out the finest details in ultra-high-resolution photographs and various lighting conditions. Realme 12 Pro+ also utilizes special dimming to eliminate flicker to some extent and eliminate eye fatigue. It features dual speakers optimized by Dolby Atmos to provide an immersive listening experience.

Photographic focus

Let’s talk about the cameras, which are the main reason for looking closely at the device. The Realme 12 Pro+ features a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 50 MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor, an 8Mp ultra wide-angle sensor and a 64 MP OV64B periscope telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. Although it is advertised to provide a zoom of up to 120x, images this close tend to need more clarity in terms of both quality and detail. The 3x zoom, on the other hand, offers the best results and is equivalent to a focal length of 71 mm that captures images with an excellent dynamic range and consistent colours like the results captured by the main camera, at least in daylight conditions.

Performance

The mid-range, and here we have further confirmation, suffers when lighting conditions are not excellent. Suppose there is a differential between a EUR 500 smartphone and a model costing over EUR 1,000. In that case, it is here: the mix of hardware and software solutions that make it possible to overcome critical environmental issues when taking photos. Probably, in the future, the introduction of AI software will further smoothen the gap, but not today. For selfies and video calls, the phone relies on a 32Mp Sony sensor.

Realme 12 Pro+ runs without app crashes or freezes in everyday use. Multitasking and games often run comparably to more emblazoned counterparts. The phone is available in 8 or 12 GB RAM and 256 or 512 GB storage configurations. In all variants, RAM can be expanded virtually up to 12 GB to benefit from more power when required, e.g. in gaming. At the software level, Realme 12 Pro+ is based on Realme Ui 5.0 and Android 14, with the usual clean and easy-to-use user interface. Particularly useful is the ability to group apps on the home screen into larger-than-normal folders, also for a more personalized touch.

A balanced verdict

Neat design, a spec sheet approaching that of some top-of-the-range devices (including the 5G) and a significantly lower price are the reasons why the Realme 12 Pro+ is appealing to consumers. It lacks something compared to an iPhone or a Galaxy, such as wireless charging and IP68 certification, but these are details that can be overlooked due to the price tag. The fact remains that the 12 Pro+ marks a new direction for mid-range smartphone models, raising the bar in several respects. A combination of specifications and features creates a furrow with direct competitors that will not be so easy to bridge.