Realme 12 Pro+ 5G Review: Mid-Range Power With Periscope Camera

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Choosing a mid-range phone with flagship features is challenging. After testing the Realme 12 Pro+ 5G, I confirm its periscope camera and premium build disrupt this segment. Priced at 1899 SAR, it offers specifications typically found in costlier devices. My analysis combines video testing data with industry context to help you decide.

Design and Display Excellence

The leather-textured back and gold aluminum frame create a luxury feel uncommon at this price. At under 200g, the curved 6.7" FHD+ OLED display (2412x1080) impresses with 950-nit brightness—crucial for Saudi Arabian sunlight. Gamers benefit from the 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling, while content creators appreciate 100% DCI-P3 color coverage.

Camera Innovation Analysis

Periscope Telephoto Breakthrough

Realme's 64MP telephoto lens enables 6x optical zoom and 120x digital zoom—a segment first. Optical zoom maintains excellent quality, though digital zoom degrades progressively. The 50MP Sony IMX890 main sensor with OIS captures saturated, high-resolution images, while the 8MP ultra-wide completes the versatile trio.

Video and Front Camera Notes

The 32MP front camera records FHD@30fps with slight lag—likely fixable via update. Rear 4K@30fps shows minor stabilization issues. However, overall photography outperforms competitors like the Xiaomi 13T.

Performance and Battery Insights

Flagship-Level Efficiency

Qualcomm's 4nm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 and Adreno 710 GPU deliver Geekbench 6 scores of 955 (single-core)/2893 (multi-core). PUBG sustains 60fps smoothly. The 5000mAh battery supports 67W SuperVOOC charging—achieving 0-100% in 49 minutes.

Memory and Connectivity

12GB RAM (expandable to 24GB via storage allocation) and 512GB storage handle multitasking smoothly. Connectivity includes 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC payments. Note: Wi-Fi 6 requires compatible routers.

Competitive Advantages

Unmatched Value Propositions

1. Industry-first periscope lens in mid-range devices
2. Premium materials (leather back, metal frame) at 1899 SAR
3. Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio for immersive sound
4. Android 14 with Realme UI 5.0 optimizations

Limitations to Consider

• No SD card expansion
• Fingerprint sensor placement too low
• Digital zoom quality decreases beyond 30x

Verdict and Alternatives

The Realme 12 Pro+ 5G leads its category with camera innovation and design. Its 1899 SAR price undercuts rivals offering similar specs. For those needing SD cards, consider the 1599 SAR Realme 12 Pro (minus periscope and some specs). Both come in Navigator Beige or Submarine Blue with a 67W charger in-box.

Final Thought: This device excels for photography enthusiasts and gamers seeking premium features without flagship costs. Its periscope camera alone justifies consideration against pricier alternatives like Samsung's A-series.

Which feature matters most to you—optical zoom capabilities or gaming performance? Share your priority below!