realme continues to expand its lineup with the introduction of the realme 12 5G, the affordable variant of the realme 12 series. While its higher-end counterparts, the realme 12+ and realme 12 Pro+, boast a premium vegan leather back design, the realme 12 5G opts for a gradient finish that exudes elegance without sacrificing durability.
In this review, we take a look into the design, display, camera performance, hardware, battery life, and overall value of the realme 12 5G.
Table of Contents
Design and Build
The realme 12 5G features a sleek design with a gradient finish that feels soft to the touch and is resistant to fingerprint smudges. Despite lacking the vegan leather of its siblings, it maintains a premium look and feel.
The device is IP54 rated for dust and splash resistance, making it suitable for daily usage. The metal frame surrounding the device adds to its durability, although it does attract fingerprints.
Display
On the front, the realme 12 5G boasts a 6.72-inch FHD+ IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 950 nits.
While it may not offer the deep blacks of an AMOLED panel, the display provides decent picture quality, making it suitable for both productivity and entertainment. The inclusion of an extra brightness mode enhances visibility, particularly in bright environments.
Camera
Equipped with a dual-camera setup featuring a 108MP main camera, the realme 12 5G delivers impressive results with vibrant colors, sharp details, and wide dynamic range.
The portrait mode offers decent subject-to-background separation, although some shots may exhibit soft edges.
The 8MP selfie shooter captures decent images, albeit with occasional overexposure in brightly lit environments. Video recording capabilities max out at 1080p @30fps, lacking stabilization features.
Performance
Under the hood, the realme 12 5G is powered by a 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It handles gaming and day-to-day tasks smoothly without overheating or lagging.
Running on Android 14 with realme UI 5.0, the device offers a seamless user experience with the option to uninstall pre-installed applications.
Here are the Benchmark Results
Battery
With a 5000mAh battery and 45W fast charging support, the realme 12 5G delivers decent battery performance.
It provides around 7 hours of casual use and 4 hours of gaming, while fast charging takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to fully juice up the device.
Price
Priced at PHP14,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage configuration, the realme 12 5G offers a compelling blend of style, performance, and affordability.
While it may lack some features found in its higher-end counterparts, it presents a viable option for those seeking a budget-friendly smartphone upgrade.
Despite foregoing the vegan leather design, the realme 12 5G maintains a premium look and feel, making it a worthy addition to the realme 12 series lineup.
In conclusion, the realme 12 5G impresses with its stylish design, capable cameras, smooth performance, and long-lasting battery life, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Whether you’re upgrading from the realme 11 series or simply looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank, the realme 12 5G proves to be a worthy contender in its price segment.
Share your thoughts on the realme 12 5G in the comments below and don’t forget to check out our fun video review of the realme 12 5G below!
