Realme, the sister brand of Oppo and OnePlus, marked its inaugural appearance at CES in Las Vegas by introducing a new mid-range phone, the Realme 12 Pro+. Set to launch later this month, the device distinguishes itself by incorporating a 3x periscope telephoto lens with optical stabilization, a feature not commonly found in its price segment. Designed by Swiss luxury watch designer Ollivier Savéo, the Realme 12 Pro+ showcases a luxurious aesthetic, featuring a golden fluted bezel, polished sunburst dial, and a 3D jubilee bracelet over vegan leather in blue or white.
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At the core of this phone is the 64-megapixel OmniVision OV64B-powered periscope zoom camera. With a sensor size half an inch large, Realme claims that it surpasses its counterparts on mainstream flagship phones like the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in terms of size, capturing over 1.8 times more light. This larger sensor enhances the phone’s low-light performance, allowing it to maintain the use of its periscope camera even in darker environments, unlike phones with smaller sensors that would switch to the main camera and rely on digital zoom. The Realme 12 Pro+ achieves impressive detail preservation even at full crop, as observed during the launch event.
The device also boasts a 50-megapixel main camera with a 1/1.56-inch Sony IMX890 sensor, f/1.8 aperture, and optical stabilization. Additionally, it features a 0.6x ultra-wide camera, though specific details were not disclosed. Realme hasn’t revealed the Qualcomm mid-range processor powering the device, emphasizing that it is custom-made to support Realme’s “MasterShot Algorithm” for computational photography. This algorithm introduces RAW processing, a feature typically exclusive to flagship smartphones, expanding editing options for mid-range devices.
While details regarding the remaining specifications and pricing are still undisclosed, Realme’s entry into the mid-range segment with the 12 Pro+ is expected to set a benchmark for 2024. Despite its limited presence in certain regions, the brand’s aggressive growth in recent years may influence other manufacturers, prompting them to enhance essential features on their flagship devices in response to market demands.
