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realme 12 5G Review – Unparalleled Mid-Range Phone

realme 12 5G Cover

Buying a new phone is a hard task and a decision best done with thorough research. Nowadays, you get a lot of options and choices. Just browse your favorite online mall and you’ll be swamped by the number of choices. In the mid and low-range market, the options are almost endless. But what actually makes a phone stand out? Is it the price? Is it the looks or appearance? Or is it the camera? What if there’s a phone that has all three? Enter the realme 12 5G. A recently released smartphone, the realme 12 5G has made waves and has finally graced our review table. But is it good though? Let’s find out in this review!

realme 12 5G Review – Specifications

Processor MediaTek Dimensity 6100+
CPU: 6nm Process, Octa-Core; Up to 2.2GHz
GPU: ARM-Cortex G57 MC2
Display 6.7” 120Hz Sunlight Display
Display Size: 6.72
Brightness: 800 Nits (typ)/ 950nit (HBM; Extra Brightness Turned On)
Refresh Rate: Up to 120Hz (With 6-Level Dynamic Refresh Rate)
6-Level Dynamic Refresh Rate: 45Hz, 48Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz
Touch Sampling Rate: Up to 240Hz
Resolution: FHD+ (1080*2400)
Screen-to-Body Ratio: 91.4%
Display Colors: 16.7M
Cameras 108MP 3x Zoom Portrait Camera
Rear Camera
Primary Camera
Pixels: 108MP
Lens: 6P
FOV: 84°
Sensor Size: 1/1.67”
Aperture: f/1.75
Focal Length: 24mmB&W Camera
Pixels: 2MP
Lens: 3P
FOV: 89°
Aperture: f/2.4
Focal Length: 22mmPhotography Functions:
Photo, Video, Night, Street, Pro, Pano, Portrait, Time-Lapse, Slow-Motion, Text Scanner, Hi-Res, Tilt-Shift, Movie, Dual-View Video, Group Portrait

Video Recording:
Supports 1080 @30fps Video Recording
Supports 720P @30fps Video Recording

8MP AI Selfie Camera
Front Camera
Pixels: 8MP
Lens: 4P
FOV: 80°
Aperture: f/2.0

Photography Functions:
Night Mode, Video, Photo Mode, Portrait Mode, Panoramic View, Time-Lapse, Dual-View video

Video Recording:
Supports 1080 @30fps Video Recording
Supports 720P @30fps Video Recording

RAM / Storage 8GB+256GB
RAM: 8GB (LPDDR4X)
ROM: 256GB
Up to 16GB Total RAM with up to 8GB Dynamic RAM Expansion
Expandable Storage up to 2TB
Charging & Battery 45W SUPERVOOC Charge
5000mAh (typ) Massive Battery
4880mAh(min) Battery Capacity
Includes a 45W Charging Adapter with cable in the box
USB Type-C Port
Cellular & Wireless 5G + 5G Dual Mode
SA/NSA Supported
Frequency Bands:
GSM: 850/900/1800MHz
WCDMA: Bands 1/5/8
LTE FDD: Bands 1/3/5/8/28B
LTE TDD:Bands 40/41
5G NR: n1/n3/n5/n8/n28B/n40/n41(2535-2655MHz)/n77/n78
*Actual network and band usage is dependent on local operator deployment.Wireless:
2.4/5GHz Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 4 / Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 5.2
Size & Weight Length: 165.6mm
Width:76.1mm
Depth ≈ 7.69mm
Weight ≈188g
Sensors Magnetic Induction Sensor
Light Sensor
Proximity Sensor
Gyrometer
Acceleration Sensor
Side Fingerprint Sensor
Navigation GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS
Buttons & Ports Type-C Port
Power Button
Volume Buttons
3.5mm Headphone Jack
Operating System realme UI 5.0
Based on Android 14
Packing List realme 12 5G
USB Type-A toType-C Charging Cable
45W SUPERVOOC Charging Adapter
Protect Case
Screen Protect Film
SIM Ejector PIN
Quick Guide
Important Info Booklet with Warranty Card (Safety Guide)

realme 12 5G Review – At A Glance

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realme 12 5G Review – Benchmarks

To test the new hardware of the realme 12 5G, we used four benchmarking tools to see how it measures with other phones. A number is given at the end of each benchmark and using that number, you can compare the performance of the realme 12 5G with other phones.

Antutu Benchmark

Antutu Benchmark

PCMark Work 3.0

PCMark 3.0 Benchmark

Geekbench 6

3DMark

3DMark Wild Life

realme 12 5G Review – User Experience

Take A Shot

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A feature that the realme 12 5G touts is its 108MP camera. Not only does it produce vibrant and clear images during daytime but it also is as effective for night shots. For testing, you can see that I took a couple of pictures of my cat in the dark and a miniature for close-up shots. Often times, at this price point, phones can be a bit wonkier and features like these are usually left in the back burner as phones concentrate more on powerful hardware. Not the realme 12 5G.

1x Shot

3x Shot

Solid Premium Design

One look at the realme 12 5G and you’ll notice that it’s a bit chunkier and bulkier than most of its contemporaries. This however is not a disadvantage but a great deal given that it adds a certain premium feel to an otherwise “unassuming” mid-range phone. realme have stated that the design is inspired by quality watches and they really did a solid here. The phone looks and feels like one that is above its price point. Not only that but they did not compromise on the build quality. The realme 12 5G feels solid and there’s weight to the phone. Even if you try (I did) to bend it, the phone wouldn’t bend unless you deliberately exert a tremendous amount of effort.

Great For Gaming

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Since we’re talking about hardware, how does the realme 12 5G play when it comes to mobile games? To test this, I played a huge deal of Mobile Legends on it. The experience has been crisp and I have yet to encounter a hiccup or any hardware issue while playing this popular MOBA title. However, it does feel a bit sluggish with games likes Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus as there are times when the transition between menus and screens do feel a bit sluggish. Nevertheless, gaming experience with this one is more or less okay. But since we’re talking about the screen…

Buttery Smooth 120Hz Display

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A feature previously found only in premium phones, the realme 12 5G is equipped with a 6.72-inch screen with a 2400×1080 resolution. Not only that but the screen has a 120Hz refresh rate, making navigation and gaming a buttery smooth experience. My only problem with this one is that the screen automatically adjusts to your lighting. Not that it’s bad but the adjustments are not on par with the brightness of your surroundings. There were times in which the screen just went darker, necessitating a manual override in the brightness settings just for me to see what’s happening on screen.

realme 12 5G Review – Conclusion & Verdict

Incredible & Awesome

Thumbs up

With all things said and done, the realme 12 5G is undoubtedly an awesome phone. It’s incredibly well-made and exudes a certain elegance in its build design. It may be a bit thicker than most phones but it is a consequence of what it stores inside. It’s rigid and feels solid when held. It did not compromise and it shows.

Another thing worth noting is the camera. There’s really nothing to complain about the camera of the realme 12 5G. It’s above par with what you can expect at its price point and you’ll definitely get some good shots with this one.

Last is the price. While not that affordable, you do get a lot of value with what you pay for in the realme 12 5G. Although it has more expensive siblings, you definitely cannot go wrong with buying this one as a new phone or as a gift to a loved one.

You Can’t Go Wrong With The realme 12 5G

Realme 12 5G Award

As mentioned above, there’s nothing left but praises for the realme 12 5G. Although there are some minor hiccups here and there, the phone really stands out above the rest in terms of its build, camera, and its price point. If you’re out there shopping for a phone to replace your aging one without having to break the bank, this is a very good option to consider.

Pricing & Availability

The realme 12 5G  is available in the Philippines. You can grab it at physical stores near you or order it online. As of the writing of this review, the realme 12 5G is priced at PhP 14,999. You may get it for cheaper if you watch out for this deals in online stores.

On the other hand, you may fancy the realme 12 5G’s more powerful sibling. You can read more about it in our realme 12 Pro+ 5G review.

For more information about the realme 12 5G, check out the official product page.

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