While there are 5G smartphones that can be bought unlocked, there are a few standouts that are unfortunately only available through a carrier, particularly the Realme X50 Pro 5G that launched a couple of weeks ago. The company has remained quiet about the suggested retail price of its flagship phone in 2020, making the device exclusively available via SMART. With that in mind, why not try to compare the postpaid plan of the X50 Pro 5G with the likes of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, both also available through SMART Plans.
Fortunately, Realme Philippines was generous enough to show a postpaid plan breakdown between the three devices. But first, let’s lay down the SRPs of the iPhone 12 Series.
| Realme X50 Pro 5G | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro |
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Both the iPhone 12s are available through SMART Plan 2299 which’s locked for 24 months. For the 64GB iPhone 12, it has the smallest one-time cashout fee of Php5,820. Under Plan 2299, you’re required to pay Php500 on top of the plan fee for a total of Php 2799 monthly bill. If we’re to compute that for 24 months, that’s a total cost of ownership of Php72,996.
With the iPhone 12 Pro, it has the largest one-time cashout fee of Php10,100. Although you’re getting the 128GB, your monthly billing cycle requires you to pay the Plan 2299 plus Php800 every month for a total of Php3099. In 24 months, that’s about Php84,476 total cost of ownership.
As for the Realme X50 Pro 5G, it’s available through Plan 1499. It has a one-time cashout of Php6,900 with Php400 monthly fee for a total of Php1899 a month. Much like the iPhone 12s, the X50 Pro is locked for 24 months. Taking that into consideration, you’re looking at Php52,749 total cost of ownership.
Compared to the iPhone 12, you’re saving as much as Php20,520. But it’s a bigger saving if you compare that number to the iPhone 12 Pro — we’re looking at a Php32,000 overhead.
For that overhead, you can improve your user experience by expanding the capability of the X50 Pro 5G through the use of affordable AIoT products. Some notable ones are the Realme Watch S for Php4,990, Buds Air Pro for Php4,990, and Smart Camera 360 for Php2,790. If you’re feeling it, you can also purchase the Smart Scale and M1 Sonic Electric Toothbrush for Php1,590 and Php1,990, respectively.
When it comes to features, there are things that the X50 Pro can do that the iPhone 12 can’t and vice versa. It’s just a matter of preference per user. However, if you want a flagship device that’ll save you money, it’s obvious that the X50 Pro is the way to go in this comparison.
READ:
| Specs | iPhone 12 | Realme X50 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro |
| Display | 6.1″ Super Retina XRD OLED HDR10 1200nits peak, Scratch-resistant ceramic glass, oleophobic coating, Dolby Vision, Wide color gamut | 6.44″ FHD+ AMOLED, 90Hz HDR10+ | 6.1″ Super Retina XRD OLED HDR10 1200nits peak, Scratch-resistant ceramic glass, oleophobic coating, Dolby Vision, Wide color gamut |
| Design | aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass front and back, IP68 | plastic and glass, Gorilla Glass 5 front and back | stainless steel frame, Gorilla Glass front and back, IP68 |
| Dimensions and Weight | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm, 164g | 159 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm, 205g | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm, 189g |
| CPU/Chipset | Hexa-core (2×3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4×1.8 GHz Icestorm) / Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) |
Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 585 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 585) / Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 (7 nm+) |
Hexa-core (2×3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4×1.8 GHz Icestorm) / Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 620 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB/12GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB NVMe non-expandable | 128GB/256GBGB UFS 3.0 non-expandable | 128GB/256GB/512GB NVMe non-expandable storage |
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| Connectivity & Ports | 5G, LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 6, GPS, Lightning Port, NFC | 5G, 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, USB-C, NFC | 5G, LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi 6, GPS, Lightning Port, NFC |
| Security | Face ID | face unlock, in-display scanner | Face ID |
| Battery | 2815mAh(20W – 50% in 30mins, 15W Wireless) | 4200mAh(65W – up to 100% in 35 minutes) | 2815mAh(20W – 50% in 30mins, 15W Wireless) |
| Audio | stereo speakers | dual-speaker, aptX HD, Hi-res | stereo speakers |
| OS | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 14.2 | Android 11; Realme UI 2.0 | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 14.2 |
| Colors | Black, White, Red, Green, Blue | Moss Green, Rust Red | Silver, Graphite, Gold, Pacific Blue |
| Price | Php49,990 to Php58,990 | TBD | Php62,990 to Php80,990 |
| Release Date | December 2020 (Philippines) | December 2020 (Philippines) | December 2020 (Philippines) |
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