Realme launched the 12 Pro in India in January 2024 at Rs 25,999 for 8 GB and 128 GB. Its design took cues from luxury watches, with a vegan leather back and a large circular camera ring with a sunburst-style finish. The bigger story was the camera: a dedicated 2x telephoto lens, rare at this price.
The 6.7-inch curved AMOLED at 120 Hz is bright and smooth. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is the weakest part of the package, adequate for everyday tasks and casual gaming but slower than many rivals. The 50 MP Sony IMX882 main camera with OIS performs well, and the 32 MP 2x telephoto produces good portraits; the 8 MP ultrawide is average. The 5,000 mAh battery charges at 67 W.
Rivals included the Redmi Note 13 Pro, the Poco X6 Pro, the OnePlus Nord CE3 and the Samsung Galaxy A25. The Poco X6 Pro was significantly faster, and the Redmi had a sharper screen. The Realme 12 Pro stood out for portrait photography and design. Its weaker chip is the main compromise.
Key specifications
| Launch price (India) | Rs 25,999 (base variant) |
|---|---|
| India launch | January 2024 |
| Segment | Mid-range |
| Display | 6.7-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2412 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 |
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | No |
| Rear cameras | 50 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide + 32 MP 2x telephoto |
| Front camera | 16 MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 67W wired |
| Software at launch | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| 5G | Yes |
| Water/dust rating | IP65 |
| Headphone jack | No |
| Colours | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige |
What we like
- Dedicated 2x telephoto camera
- Premium watch-inspired design
- Curved 120 Hz AMOLED
- IP65 protection
What could be better
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is slower than rivals
- Average ultrawide
- Preinstalled apps in Realme UI
Who should buy it
Buyers who want good portrait photography and a stylish design without paying for a flagship.
Specifications and price are as at the India launch (January 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.