The Realme 12 Pro+ 5G has been creating quite a buzz in the Indian market, promising a flagship-level camera experience at a mid-range price. After using it as my primary phone for over a week, I'm here to give you the lowdown on whether it lives up to the hype. This isn't just a spec sheet rundown; it's a real-world review from an Indian perspective.

Design and Build Quality

Realme has really upped their design game. The Realme 12 Pro+ 5G boasts a vegan leather back with a polished golden vertical stripe designed in collaboration with luxury watch designer Ollivier Saveo. It definitely stands out from the crowd. The phone feels premium in hand, although the large camera module does make it a bit top-heavy. I appreciate the curved display, which makes the phone comfortable to hold and swipe on. Durability seems decent so far; I haven't babied it, and there are no scratches yet. The phone feels solid and well-built.

Display: Immersive and Vibrant

The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is fantastic. Colours are vibrant, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel buttery smooth. Viewing content outdoors, even under the harsh Delhi sun, was no problem thanks to the ample brightness. It is a crisp and clear display. I watched a couple of movies on it, and the viewing experience was quite enjoyable. The narrow bezels further enhance the immersive experience.

Performance: Smooth for Daily Use

Powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, the Realme 12 Pro+ 5G handles daily tasks with ease. I didn't experience any lag or stuttering while browsing, using social media, or playing casual games. Heavier games like BGMI ran smoothly on medium settings. Benchmark scores were decent, with an AnTuTu score of around 620,000. While it's not a flagship-level performer, it's more than capable for most users. For the price point, the performance is acceptable reportersays.

Camera: The Star of the Show?

The camera is undoubtedly the highlight of the Realme 12 Pro+ 5G. The 64MP periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom is a game-changer in this price segment. Images taken with the telephoto lens are sharp and detailed, even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. The primary 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor also captures excellent photos with good dynamic range and accurate colours. The ultrawide lens is decent, but not as impressive as the other two. The selfie camera is good for social media and video calls. Overall, the camera performance is excellent for the price. I found the zoom capabilities particularly useful when taking photos at a recent family wedding.

Battery Life: All-Day Endurance

The 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day with moderate usage. Even with heavy gaming and video streaming, I was able to get through the day with about 20% battery remaining. The 67W SuperVOOC charging is incredibly fast; it charges the phone from 0% to 100% in just about 45 minutes. Battery life is definitely a strong point of this phone. Speaking to News Reporter Live, a Realme spokesperson said, "We focused on optimizing battery performance to meet the demands of Indian users."

Pros:

• Excellent camera with impressive zoom capabilities
• Stylish design
• Vibrant display
• Fast charging
• Good battery life

Cons:

• Top-heavy design
• Ultrawide camera could be better

Realme 12 Pro+ 5G vs. The Competition

In the under ₹35,000 segment, the Realme 12 Pro+ 5G competes with the likes of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and the OnePlus Nord CE 3. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ offers a higher resolution main camera and a more premium feel, but its zoom capabilities aren't as impressive. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers a cleaner software experience, but its camera and design aren't as eye-catching. Each has its strengths, but the Realme 12 Pro+ 5G's camera is what sets it apart.

Verdict

The Realme 12 Pro+ 5G is a well-rounded smartphone with a standout camera system. If you're looking for a phone that can take great photos, especially zoomed-in shots, without breaking the bank, this is an excellent option. It's a strong contender in the mid-range segment and offers excellent value for money. As of today, March 24, 2026, I can confidently recommend it.