realme is introducing a new model into its number series with the realme 12+, a new mid-range phone sporting a flat display, Sony camera lenses, and nifty features that make people swoon. We got our hands on the device for the first time as it is set to launch in the Philippines this March.
realme 12+ specs Philippines:
- 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED Display
- 120Hz refresh rate
- MediaTek Dimensity 7050 5G
- 8GB or 12GB RAM
- 256GB internal storage, with option for microSD up to 1TB (uses SIM2 slot)
- Triple rear cameras:
- 50MP SONY LYT-600, 1/1.95″, f/1.88, OIS
- 2MP macro 1/5″, 22mm Focal Length, f/2.40
- 8MP Ultrawide f/2.2 aperture 36mm Focal Length, f/2.20 Aperture, FOV 112°
- 16MP Selfie Camera
- 5G, Dual SIM (nano, hybrid)
- IP54 Dust and Water Resistance
- WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC
- In-display Fingerprint Scanner
- Dual Stereo Speakers
- 3D VC Cooling System
- realme UI 5 (Android 14)
- 5,000mAh Battery, 67W SUPERVOOC Charge
- Colors: Pioneer Green, Navigator Beige
We received a unit from realme Philippines a few weeks before it goes official in the local market this March. Inside the box are the usual contents we get from a realme box – the phone itself, a USB-C data and charging cable, the 67-watt SUPERVOOC charging adapter, a TPU case that snugs into the phone tightly, several booklets for manual and warranty, and a SIM tray ejector tool.
One word to describe this: Stunning. That is it. Continuing the design ethos of last year’s realme 11 series, the realme 12+ features a similar huge protruding circular area for the camera module, and a zipper-like accent in the middle that complements the Pioneer Green colorway that our unit has.
The surface of the back is still the same vegan leather featured on the realme 11 series, and it doesn’t feel cheap. The surface is great to the touch and adds more premiumness to the device.
Even the protruding circular area has a new look. There’s a grove encircling the camera modules akin to timeless watch designs. Of the four, three are cameras and the last is an LED Flash module.
Here’s what makes the realme 12+ different in the series is that the edges are flat, compared to the curved ones we saw on the realme 11 Pro and Pro+ last year. The flat surfaces and rounded corners will delight those who want to have a better grip.
On the right side are the power/lock button and the volume key protruding from the chromatic flat edge.
At the bottom are the Dual nano SIM card slot, the microphone, the USB-C port, and the bottom-firing loudspeaker. Also worth noting is that the SIM tray is a hybrid one – you’d have to choose between extra connectivity or bigger storage for the second slot.
The front has a 120Hz AMOLED display which offers very smooth and fluid motions in videos and navigation. There’s that 16MP selfie camera cut-out at the screen’s upper middle part, and the bezels are thin enough for use in any orientation. The call speaker, doubling as the other half of the phone’s stereo loudspeaker system, is at the edge.
The star of the device is its triple rear camera setup with a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 module with OIS and an f/1.88 aperture, along with a 2MP macro and an eight-megapixel ultrawide snapper. The said camera system is great for many conditions, including improved digital zoom, upon first use and we thought it was good enough to pass for a camera used on a more expensive device. Here are some first shots:
The realme 12+, along with the more powerful realme 12 Pro+ will make their way to the Philippines on March 7. Pre-orders for the realme 12 Series 5G will be available from March 1-7, 2024, at realme stores nationwide. Customers who pre-order the realme 12 Pro+ 5G will receive a TechLife 4.5L See-Through Air Fryer, while those who pre-order the realme 12+ 5G can choose between a TechLife High-Speed Hair Dryer or TechLife 4L Digital Rice Cooker. The first selling period will run from March 8 until March 17, with freebies available while supplies last.
Is it more than just eye candy? Stay tuned for our full review and pricing in the coming days.
