Okay, let’s be real. When you hear “flagship camera,” you instantly think Samsung Galaxy S25 or iPhone 16 Pro, right? Their prices make your wallet weep. But what if I told you there’s a phone costing way less that’s snapping photos that’ll genuinely make you do a double-take? Enter the Realme 12 Pro. I spent a week putting its cameras through absolute hell – sunshine, shadows, shaky hands, you name it. Can it really compete? Buckle up.
First Impressions: Looks Can Be Deceiving (In a Good Way!)
Picking up the Realme 12 Pro, you feel the premium vibe – that textured back panel is gorgeous. But the real magic hides behind that circular camera bump. Realme isn’t just throwing numbers around; they’ve packed some serious, thoughtful hardware:
-
The Big Sensor: The main 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor is a star player usually found in much pricier phones last year. Bigger sensor = more light captured = better photos, especially when the sun dips.
-
The Periscope Zoom:Â This is the headline act! A genuine 3x optical periscope zoom lens. On a phone this affordable? Unheard of just a couple of years back. No more fuzzy digital nonsense for distant subjects.
-
Portrait Power:Â That dedicated portrait sensor isn’t just for show. It helps with depth mapping for those creamy, blurred-background shots.
Real-World Shootout: Samsung & iPhone, Meet Your Budget Challenger
Enough specs, let’s talk real photos you’d actually take:
-
Daylight King? (H2)
In bright sunshine, the Realme 12 Pro is shockingly close. Colors are vibrant but natural (less oversaturated than some Samsungs, less cool than some iPhones). Detail is excellent on the main sensor. The periscope zoom? Game-changer. Getting crisp shots of that cool building detail or your kid scoring a goal from the stands is effortless. Verdict: Nails it. Seriously impressive. -
Low Light & Night Mode (H2)
This is where flagships usually flex. The Realme holds its own surprisingly well. The main sensor sucks in light decently. Night Mode takes a few seconds longer than an iPhone 16 Pro, but the results? Clean, with good color retention and manageable noise. Don’t expect magic in pitch black, but for city lights, dim restaurants, or a backyard BBQ? More than usable. Verdict: Good, not quite great, but way beyond its price point. -
Portrait Mode: Blur Wars (H2)
This is a Realme strength. Edge detection on people is remarkably accurate – hair, glasses, tricky bits handled well. The background blur (bokeh) looks natural, not fake. The dedicated lens makes a difference. Compared to base model Samsungs/iPhones? It often looks better. Verdict: Exceptional value here. Real winner. -
Video: The Catch? (H2)
Here’s the gap. While 4K video is decent in good light, stabilization isn’t as rock-solid as the ultra-premiums, especially when walking. Low-light video gets grainier faster. Audio is just okay. Verdict: Good for casual clips, vlogs in daylight. Not for serious filmmakers.
The Realme 12 Pro Camera Highlights:
-
Main Star:Â 50MP Sony IMX890 (Excellent daylight, good low-light)
-
Zoom Hero:Â 3x Optical Periscope Zoom (Massive value add)
-
Portrait Pro:Â Dedicated sensor for superb bokeh & edge detection
-
Software Smarts:Â Improved processing, decent Night Mode
-
Price/Performance:Â Unbeatable for camera hardware at this cost
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It for the Camera?
Absolutely, if…
-
Your budget is firmly in the mid-range ($400-$500ish).
-
You prioritize still photography (especially portraits and zoom) over videography.
-
You want flagship-like features (periscope zoom!) without the flagship price tag.
Maybe not, if…
-
You demand the absolute best low-light performance or silky-smooth, stabilized 4K/8K video.
-
You need the ecosystem or long-term software support of Apple/Samsung (though Realme is improving!).
The Takeaway
Realme has pulled off something special. The 12 Pro’s camera isn’t just “good for the price.” It genuinely competes with base models from Samsung and Apple in key areas like daylight shots, portraits, and especially optical zoom. It forces you to ask: “Do I really need to spend twice as much?” For most everyday photographers, the answer might just be no. If cameras are your top priority but your budget isn’t limitless, the Realme 12 Pro is the most compelling argument against overspending I’ve seen in a long time. Go check out sample photos online – your eyes won’t believe the price tag.
Also Read:Â Motorola G45 5G the Best Budget 5G Phone of 2025
Hi, I’m Ricky, the founder of OKSociety.in. I’m a tech enthusiast with a deep passion for smartphones, mobile technology, and everything that makes our digital lives smarter. I started OKSociety to share honest reviews, the latest phone updates, and practical buying guides to help people make better choices in this fast-paced tech world.