| 6.7-inch AMOLED | 120Hz | HDR10+ | 800 nits |
| Slim bezels | Realme UI 5.0, Android 14 | 5,000mAh Battery | 67W Charging |
Realme's fresh off the press with two newcomers, the Realme 12 Pro and the Realme 12 Pro+. At first glance, you might think they're basically the same phone. And you wouldn't be totally wrong – they share a bunch of features, from their screens to their batteries and charging capabilities.
But, dig a little deeper and you'll spot some key differences, especially when it comes to the price tag.
The regular Realme 12 Pro kicks off at 25,999 Rupees, whereas the Realme 12 Pro+ begins at a slightly higher point of 29,999 Rupees. This sets them apart by a 4,000 Rupees difference.
So, if are wondering which one deserves your hard-earned cash then keep watching this video. I'll guide you through the details and help make that decision a little easier.
Both the Realme 12 Pro and Realme 12 Pro+ boast 10-bit 6.7-inch curved AMOLED displays, complete with a silky 120Hz refresh rate that makes everything from scrolling through social media to gaming feel exceptionally smooth. These screens don't just look good; they're technically proficient too, supporting HDR10+ and fully covering the DCI-P3 color gamut to bring out vivid and punchy colors.
While they offer decent peak brightness levels—up to 800 nits normally and 950 nits when viewing HDR content—the outdoor visibility could be better for both devices. Additionally, the panels come equipped with a 240Hz touch sampling rate, ensuring fast and accurate responses to your taps and gestures. The slim bezels around the display also contribute to an impressive screen-to-body ratio, making for an immersive viewing experience.
The design of both phones is strikingly similar, and they're far from what you'd typically expect in the mid-range smartphone market. These models feature a ‘Luxury Watch Design’ crafted in collaboration with renowned International Luxury Watch Designer Ollivier Savéo. The Realme 12 Pro+, in its Submarine Blue variant that we got our hands on, looks stunning from every angle.
It's got this golden fluted bezel around the camera that really pops, giving it a very premium touch. There's also a striking gold strip running from the top down to the bottom, adding a unique twist to its overall look.
The Realme 12 Pro shares this design language, although the unit we received is in Navigator Beige. To be honest, if it weren't for the different colour options and the specific zoom branding— telling these two apart would be a challenge. They both exude an aura of luxury and precision that's typically reserved for high-end devices, making them a standout choice for anyone looking to make a statement with their phone.
The Realme 12 Pro+ is a tad bit heavier than the 12 Pro, but both feel equally feel comfortable in the hand. Also, both devices have finally scored an IP rating, a first for the series. They’ve both earned an IP65 rating, making them resistant to dust and splashes, though they're not meant for deep dives. On top of that, they come equipped with stereo speakers and IR blasters.
The camera setups are where the Realme 12 Pro and 12 Pro+ really start to show their differences.
The Realme 12 Pro features a versatile triple camera array on the back, which includes a 50MP IMX882 primary sensor, a 32MP telephoto lens offering 2x optical zoom, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor for those expansive shots. For selfies, there's a 16MP front camera ready to snap your best angles.
On the other hand, the Realme 12 Pro+ takes it a notch higher with its camera prowess, boasting a 50MP IMX890 primary sensor with OIS, a top-of-the-line 64MP OmniVision OV64B telephoto lens with 3x optical and 120X and OIS — yep, the same one found in the OnePlus Open and the OnePlus 12. So, this phone isn't messing around, offering up to 120X digital zoom. It's all rounded off with an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a sharper 32MP front camera for those selfie moments.
Both phones deliver commendable camera performance for their price brackets, making them solid choices for photography enthusiasts on a budget. However, for those who are more serious about their photography, the Realme 12 Pro+ offers superior zoom capabilities, making it the more appealing option.
Performance is yet another area where the Realme 12 Pro and 12 Pro+ part ways.
The Realme 12 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, while its sibling, the 12 Pro+, gets a boost with the more advanced Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset. The difference in processing power means that the 12 Pro+ handles tasks like browsing, texting, gaming, and multitasking with a bit more pep under the hood.
That said, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the 12 Pro is no slouch—it's perfectly capable for everyday activities like surfing the web and checking out social media. While it might not be the top pick for heavy gaming, since it tends to get warmer than the 12 Pro+, it still holds its own.
When it comes to memory and storage, the Realme 12 Pro offers up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage, providing ample space and speed for most users. On the other hand, the 12 Pro+ steps it up with up to 12GB of RAM, matching the 256GB storage capacity.
As for software, both phones run on Realme UI 5.0, based on Android 14. It's pretty smooth to use, but yeah, it still comes with some bloatware. It's not as much as before, but you'll still find the usual suspects like Hot Apps and Hot Games folders, Glance lock screen, and a bunch of pre-installed apps you might not want. Some of this stuff you can disable, but you can't completely ditch it.
On the upside, Realme UI 5.0 brings some neat tricks like File Dock for easy drag-and-drop file sharing, Smart image matting to cut subjects out of photos easily, and Phonelink to sync up with your Windows PC for sharing files, messages, notifications, and even handling phone calls.
Realme is also promising 2 years of software updates and 3 years of security patches, which is standard for this segment.
Both the Realme 12 Pro and 12 Pro+ pack a 5,000mAh battery alongside 67W SUPERVOOC charging, a combination that's as practical as it is powerful. In my testing, I was able to juice up both devices from empty to full in just under 45 minutes. This quick turnaround is incredibly convenient, allowing for a quick charge while you're getting ready in the morning, ensuring the phone is fully powered by the time you're ready to head out.
Both phones easily lasted through a day of normal use. On the Realme 12 Pro, I got about 6 hours of screen-on time, while the 12 Pro+ pushed that to around 7 hours, thanks to its more efficient processor.
But, if you're into gaming or tend to use your phone heavily, you might find yourself needing a quick boost before the day's out.
Deciding between the Realme 12 Pro and the Realme 12 Pro+ boils down to your specific needs and budget constraints.
If you're looking for a cost-effective solution for day-to-day usage, and light gaming, the Realme 12 Pro is a fantastic choice.
It delivers a great display, long battery life, and a solid camera setup without breaking the bank.
For those who demand more from their device, whether it's for higher performance in gaming, multitasking, or needing that extra edge in camera quality, especially with a better telephoto lens, the Realme 12 Pro+ justifies its slightly higher price tag.
The additional 4,000 to 5,000 Rupees gets you a faster chipset, an upgraded camera system, and overall smoother performance.
Ultimately, the choice is yours, depending on what matters most to you in a smartphone.
You might also want to check out the Poco X6 series, which includes the Poco X6 and Poco X6 Pro. These models also offer competitive specifications at wallet-friendly price points.