realme has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the mid-range segment. Their latest offering, the realme 12 4G, continues this tradition with a blend of impressive features and a dash of premium flair. But does it hit the mark in a highly competitive market? Let’s dive in and find out.
realme has always strived to be at the forefront of innovation. Just recently, they announced their latest charging technology, which will likely debut in their upcoming high-midrange to flagship smartphones. This week, realme launched the realme 12 4G, a midrange smartphone majorly positioned for students and young professionals. While it packs necessary features, it falls short on some aspects that somewhat questions the price they ask for.
Here’s our full review of the realme 12 4G.
realme 12 4G review
realme has built a reputation for packing high-end features into affordable packages, and the realme 12 4G is no exception. With a price tag of P13,999 in the Philippines, it’s positioned as a mid-range contender that promises a premium experience without breaking the bank. However, in a market where 5G is becoming the norm, does a 4G device at this price point still make sense? Let’s break it down.
Display
One area where the realme 12 4G truly shines is its display. The 6.67-inch AMOLED panel is a feast for the eyes, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks that make content pop. With a 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling and animations are buttery smooth, providing a premium feel to everyday interactions.
What’s particularly impressive is the peak brightness of 2000 nits. This is an exceptional feature for a device in this price range, ensuring excellent visibility even under harsh sunlight. Whether you’re checking messages on a sunny day or binge-watching your favorite series, the realme 12 4G’s display has got you covered. It’s a standout feature that punches well above its weight class.
One of the reasons that this matters is how it behaves under direct sunlight. Having this much brightness on a smartphone matters, and this is the reason why most brands start to embrace this feature – even on low to midrange smartphones.
Hardware
The realme 12 4G’s design is where it really flexes its muscles. The device sports an amazing squarish build quality with curved corners, giving it a modern and sophisticated look. It’s a refreshing departure from the rounded designs we’ve become accustomed to, and it helps the Realme 12 4G stand out in a crowded market.
The circular camera design on the back adds a premium touch, reminiscent of high-end devices and their very own realme 12 line-up. It’s these little details that elevate the Realme 12 4G from just another mid-range phone to something that feels more luxurious. The attention to design is commendable and shows that realme is serious about offering a premium experience at a mid-range price point.
With dimensions of 163 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm and weighing 187g, the phone strikes a good balance between screen size and pocketability. The IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance is a welcome addition, providing some peace of mind for everyday use.
Performance
At the heart of the realme 12 4G is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 chipset. This octa-core processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM, provides solid performance for everyday tasks. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and the overall experience is responsive.
However, it’s worth noting that the Snapdragon 685 is a 4G chipset that’s about a year old. While it’s capable, it might not offer the same level of future-proofing as some of its 5G counterparts. For a device priced at P13,999, some users might expect more cutting-edge hardware.
The 5000 mAh battery is a strong point, offering excellent endurance for heavy users. Coupled with the 67W fast charging capability, which can juice up the battery to 50% in just 19 minutes, power management becomes less of a concern in day-to-day use.
Gaming performance on the realme 12 4G is good, handling most titles with ease. However, when compared to other similarly-priced devices in the market, it may not offer a significant performance uptick that some power users might be looking for. It’s competent, but not class-leading in this department.
Benchmark
To get a clearer picture of the realme 12 4G’s performance, let’s look at some benchmark results. In the AnTuTu 3D benchmark, the Snapdragon 685 in the realme 12 4G outperforms the Helio G85 found in Device A by a significant margin. This translates to better 3D performance and smoother gaming experiences. However, the latest phone by realme fails to overtake the performance of the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 on the Tecno Camon 30 5G, which is almost similarly priced.
The Dimensity 7020, being a 5G-capable chip, generally outperforms the Snapdragon 685 in most benchmarks. It’s worth noting that the Tecno Camon 30 5G offers numerous better specs than the Realme 12 4G at the same price point, including 5G connectivity, which could be a significant factor for many users looking for future-proofing.
While these benchmarks paint a positive picture for the realme 12 4G compared to some older chipsets, it’s important to remember that real-world performance can vary. The device holds its own in everyday tasks and moderate gaming, but power users and those looking for cutting-edge performance might find it lacking compared to some competitors in the same price range.
Camera
The camera system on the realme 12 4G is where things get interesting. The dual-camera setup might seem modest on paper, but it packs a punch. The main 50MP wide-angle camera with an f/1.9 aperture is the star of the show. What sets it apart is the inclusion of optical image stabilization (OIS), a feature often reserved for more expensive devices.
OIS is a game-changer for smartphone photography. It helps reduce blur from hand shake, resulting in sharper images, especially in low-light conditions. For a device in this price range, having OIS is a significant advantage and shows realme’s commitment to improving camera performance.
In practice, the camera performance is impressive. Daytime shots are crisp and detailed, with good color reproduction. The OIS really shines in low-light situations, allowing for longer exposure times without introducing blur. This results in brighter, clearer night shots than you might expect from a mid-range device.
The 2MP depth sensor aids in creating more natural-looking portrait shots, with good subject separation and pleasing background blur. While it’s not as versatile as having an ultra-wide or telephoto lens, it does its job well.
On the front, the 16MP selfie camera delivers good results for social media enthusiasts. It captures skin tones accurately and offers a range of beautification options for those who prefer a more polished look.
Overall, the camera performance is a highlight of the realme 12 4G. It may not match flagship devices, but it punches well above its weight class, especially considering the price point. The inclusion of OIS at this price range is a standout feature that sets it apart from many competitors.
Sound
Audio performance on smartphones often takes a backseat, but the realme 12 4G doesn’t disappoint here. The inclusion of stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack are welcome features, providing a more immersive experience when watching videos or playing games.
The speakers deliver clear audio with decent volume levels. While they may not rival dedicated external speakers, they’re more than adequate for casual listening and video calls.
For those who prefer wired audio, the 3.5mm headphone jack is a thoughtful inclusion. In an era where many manufacturers are ditching the headphone jack, it’s refreshing to see realme catering to users who still prefer wired headphones or have legacy audio equipment.
The 24-bit/192kHz audio support is another premium touch, offering high-resolution audio playback for audiophiles. While the difference may not be noticeable to everyone, it’s a nice feature to have for those who appreciate high-quality audio. I am still currently confirming with realme if the version of Snapdragon 685 on the realme 12 has the Qualcomm WCD9385 DAC. If it does, it further solidifies our inclination to recommend as a phone that can let you enjoy your hi-res audio collection or lossless audio streaming via Apple Music despite its “age”.
Price and Availability
The realme 12 4G is priced at P13,999 in the Philippines, positioning it in the lower mid-range segment. While this price point offers good value considering the overall package, it’s worth noting that it’s on the pricier side for a 4G smartphone with a year-old chipset.
In a market where 5G devices are becoming increasingly common, even in the mid-range segment, the lack of 5G support might be a sticking point for some users looking for future-proofing. Competitors like the Tecno Camon 30 5G offer 5G connectivity and some better specs at a similar price point, which makes the realme 12 4G’s value proposition a bit less clear-cut.
Availability should be widespread through realme’s usual retail channels and online platforms. As always, it’s worth keeping an eye out for promotions or bundle deals that could add extra value to the purchase.
Our Verdict
The realme 12 4G is a curious mix of premium features and mid-range compromises. Its standout display, impressive camera system with OIS, and stylish design make it feel like a more expensive device. The solid performance, while not class-leading, is more than adequate for most users.
However, the lack of 5G and the use of a year-old chipset at this price point might give some potential buyers pause. It’s a device that prioritizes user experience and design over raw specs and future-proofing, which may or may not align with your priorities.
If you’re in the market for a mid-range device that looks and feels premium, offers a great camera experience, and provides solid all-around performance, the realme 12 4G is worth considering. Just be sure to weigh the lack of 5G against your future needs and compare it with other options in the same price range before making the leap.
In the end, the realme 12 4G is a testament to how far mid-range smartphones have come. It offers a taste of premium features at a more accessible price point, making it an intriguing option in a crowded market. While it may not be the perfect choice for everyone, it certainly makes a strong case for itself with its blend of style, camera prowess, and overall user experience.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
