realme 12 5G Review, Specs, Price, Unboxing, and Sample Camera Photos

Embarking on a journey into portrait photography doesn't have to break the bank. With the all-new realme 12 5G, budget-conscious young consumers, students, and budding professionals can unleash their creativity without compromising on quality. 

Packed with powerful features and boasting an impressive 108MP portrait camera, this device is the perfect tool for capturing stunning portraits that stand out from the crowd.

Price and Availability in the Philippines

For those eager to dive into the world of portrait photography, the realme 12 5G offers an affordable entry point without sacrificing performance. Priced at PHP 14,999, this device provides exceptional value for money. 

It was officially launched in the Philippines during a livestream event on April 25, 2024, marking its arrival on the local market. realme fans who will purchase this handset within the week of its release will also get exciting freebies from the company.

Quick Unboxing and Package Contents

realme 12 5G ships in a familiar vibrant yellow box, which has become one of the brand's hallmarks, adorned with the brand name and the number "12." 

realme has fully embraced "yellow" as its corporate color and this is reflected on their products' packaging across the board. I particularly like the no nonsense design of their boxes.

realme had listed down the key features of the realme 12 5G at the bottom of the box, which conveniently gives buyers a good idea of what the handset has to offer.

Inside, you'll find everything you need to get started on your photographic journey, including the smartphone itself, a SuperVOOC Fast Charger, a USB Type-C charging cable, a quick start guide, a warranty card, and a metal pin for ejecting the SIM card tray. Additionally, realme includes a free transparent soft silicone case to protect your device from scratches and bumps.

Design

With its sleek and trendy design, the realme 12 5G is sure to appeal to fashion-forward individuals who value both style and functionality. Measuring just 7.69mm thick and weighing 188 grams, this device strikes the perfect balance between portability and usability.

This is the Woodland Green colorway and as you can see, it has a beautiful back panel with sandblasted, iridescent finish.

This is the Twilight Purple colorway.

The mid-frame features a mirror-like, metallic lining that's adds to the phone's elegance. Surprisingly, it doesn't attract fingerprint grime all that much; I don't know how realme did it but it just doesn't.

The volume rocker and the power button with an integrated Fingerprint Scanner are both located on the phone's right panel.

On the top panel, you will find one microphone pinhole, a larger hole for one of two loudspeakers, and the slot for the phone's SIM card tray.

At the rear, you'll see the 3.5mm audio jack, which has become a rare feature on today's smartphone, another microphone pinhole, the USB Type C charging port, and a row of holes for the the second loudspeaker of the handset.

Whether in Woodland Green or Twilight Purple, realme 12 5G certainly exudes elegance and sophistication, making it the perfect accessory for any aspiring photographer.

Like its more expensive siblings - realme 12 Pro+ 5G and realme 12+ 5G, realme 12 5G features a gorgeous Trendy Watch rear camera module design, which can be considered as the identifying physical feature of the realme 12 Series.

Display

The realme 12 5G features a stunning 6.72-inch IPS LCD "Sunlight" display that brings your photos to life with vibrant colors and sharp details.

With a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, every image appears crisp and smooth, allowing you to capture the subtle nuances of your subject's expression. Plus, with a peak brightness of 800 nits (typ) and 950 nits (HBM), you can confidently shoot photos outdoors without worrying about glare or reflection.

Additionally, navigating the phone's interface with touch gestures and playing graphics-intensive games feels as smooth as butter on the display with up to 120Hz refresh rate support.

Cameras

At the heart of the realme 12 5G lies its impressive camera setup, headlined by a 108 MP main camera with a wide f/1.8 aperture. Paired with a 2 MP depth sensor, this device excels in capturing portraits with stunning detail and clarity.

Whether you're shooting in natural light or low-light conditions, the realme 12 5G ensures that every portrait is a masterpiece. Plus, features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama mode allow you to unleash your creativity and capture the world from new perspectives.

Here are some sample photos and portraits that I took using the realme 12 5G in various lighting conditions. Kindly tap for larger view:

For those who love taking selfies and groufies, realme 12 5G sports an 8 MegaPixel f/2.0 front-cam, which is powered by the company's own beautification software that evens out skintone while retaining the identifying features of the user's face.

Here are a couple of sample selfies that I took using the front-facing camera of realme 12 5G. Kindly tap for larger view:

Although realme 12 5G's front cam is not as high-resolution as the selfie shooters of other handsets in the market, it is still capable of delivering good-looking self-portraits that are instantly ready for sharing on social media.

Video Recording

In addition to capturing stunning portraits, the realme 12 5G is also capable of recording high-quality videos. With support for 1080p recording at 30fps, you can document your photographic journey in lifelike detail. Whether you're creating vlogs, capturing special moments, or experimenting with different shooting techniques, this device offers the flexibility and performance you need to bring your vision to life.

Last April 23 to 24, 2024, our friends from realme Philippines took members of the media and KOLs to Zambales for an island-hopping adventure where we all experienced the amazing imaging and video recording prowess of the realme 12 5G. Here's a vlog of our 2-day #realmeRealSummer out-of-town get-away, which I recorded fully using the realme 12 5G:

As you can see on the video, you can definitely rely on the realme 12 5G for capturing moments on video or for creating content if you're a Youtuber or a TikToker. I wish, though, that it could record 4K videos, which would have been a great and useful treat.

Internal Hardware

Powered by the 6nm Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ chipset and equipped with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, the realme 12 5G offers smooth performance and ample space for storing your photos and videos.

On top of these, with support for up to 8GB of RAM expansion via a hybrid microSDXC card slot, you can further enhance your multitasking capabilities and storage flexibility, allowing you to focus on honing your craft without worrying about storage limitations.

realme 12 5G got a score of 424,156 when I ran AnTutu Benchmark on the device. I have to say I'm quite impressed with performance of the Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ processor as reflected by the high mark.

Software

Running on Android 14 with realme UI 5.0 interface, the realme 12 5G provides a seamless and intuitive user experience. From customizable themes and gestures to advanced camera features and editing tools, realme UI 5.0 offers a range of options to enhance your photography experience. 

realme's proprietary Camera App also enables stellar Portrait Photography. Whether you're adjusting exposure, applying filters, or experimenting with different shooting modes, this device puts the power of creativity in your hands.

Gaming Performance

While portrait photography may be its target market's primary focus, the realme 12 5G also delivers impressive gaming performance, thanks to its Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. 

 Whether you're diving into intense multiplayer battles or exploring vast virtual worlds, you can expect smooth frame rates and immersive visuals. Special mention goes to its lag-free performance in popular titles like Mobile Legends Bang Bang, where responsiveness and fluidity are crucial for competitive gameplay.

Privacy and Security Features

Protecting your personal information is paramount, which is why the realme 12 5G comes equipped with advanced privacy and security features. 

From the fingerprint scanner and facial recognition to pattern and passcode unlock options, you can choose the method that best suits your preferences.

The side placement of the fingerprint scanner should delight many consumers as this allows for easy and convenient unlocking of the device, even when you're holding it in just one hand.

Battery and Charging Speed

With a large 5000 mAh battery, the realme 12 5G ensures long-lasting performance that keeps pace with your busy lifestyle. Whether you're out exploring new locations or spending hours perfecting your craft, you can rely on this device to provide all-day power without needing frequent recharges.

When it's time to top up, the 45W wired charging capability using the provided SuperVOOC travel charger ensures that you can quickly juice up your device, allowing you to get back to capturing stunning portraits or enjoying content on social media in no time.

Verdict with Pros and Cons

In conclusion, the realme 12 5G emerges as the ultimate companion for budget-conscious young consumers, students, and aspiring portrait photographers. With its impressive camera capabilities, sleek design, and affordable price tag, this device offers unbeatable value for money. However, its lack 4K video recording option and ultra-wide camera may be drawbacks for some users.

Pros:

Impressive 108 MP portrait camera for stunning portraits

Sleek and trendy design that appeals to fashion-conscious individuals

Vibrant display with high refresh rate for an immersive viewing experience

Smooth performance and ample storage for multitasking and content creation

Long-lasting battery life with fast charging support

Cons:

No 4K video recording option

No ultra-wide angle camera

Recommendation

If you're a budget-conscious young consumer, student, or aspiring portrait photographer looking for a smartphone that delivers exceptional camera performance without breaking the bank, the realme 12 5G is an excellent choice. 

With its impressive features, powerful performance in its price category, stylish design, and affordable price tag, this smartphone is the perfect companion for capturing stunning portraits and exploring your creative potential. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your photography to the next level, the realme 12 5G offers remarkable mobile photography capabilities that can help you succeed.

realme 12 5G Specs

BODY

Dimensions: 165.6 x 76.1 x 7.69 mm

Weight: 188 grams

Colorways: Twilight Purple, Woodland Green

IP54 Dust and Splash Resistant

DISPLAY

Size: 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)

Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)

Type: IPS LCD, 120Hz Refresh Rate, 800 nits (typ), 950 nits (HBM)

PLATFORM

OS: Android 14, Realme UI 5.0

Chipset: 6nm Mediatek Dimensity 6100+

CPU: Octa-core (2 x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A76, 6 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)

GPU: Mali-G57 MC2

MEMORY

RAM: 8GB + 8GB RAM Expansion

Internal: 256GB

Card slot: Hybrid microSDXC

MAIN CAMERA

Dual:

- 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm, Main, Wide, 1/1.67", PDAF

- 2 MP, f/2.4, Depth Sensor

Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama

Video: 1080p 30fps

SELFIE CAMERA

Single:

- 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm, Wide

Video: 1080p 30fps

SOUND

Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers

3.5mm jack: Yes

24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res audio

COMMUNICATIONS

5G: Yes

4G LTE-A: Yes

SIM: Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, Dual Standby)

WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band

Bluetooth: 5.2, A2DP, LE

Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS

NFC: No

Radio: No

USB: USB Type-C 2.0

SECURITY: 

Fingerprint Scanner: Yes, Side-Mounted

Facial Recognition: Yes 

Pattern and Passcode Unlock: Yes 

SENSORS: 

Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Digital Compass

BATTERY

Type: 5000 mAh, Non-Removable

Charging: 45W Wired, 1-50% in 30 Minutes

realme 12 5G Box Details

Box Design: Yellow realme Box with Brand Name and the number "12" printed on the cover

Box Contents: realme 12 5G unit itself, SuperVOOC Fast Charger, USB Type C Charging Cable, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card, Metal Pin for Ejecting SIM Card Tray, Free Transparent Soft Silicone Case

realme 12 5G Key Features

108MP 3X Zoom Portrait Camera

7.69mm Trendy Watch Design

6.7" 120Hz Sunlight Display

realme 12 5G Price in the Philippines

Official SRP - PHP 14,999

Livestream Launch Date - April 25, 2024