Realme 12x 5G review
This phone suits buyers who prioritize battery endurance and 5G access over screen clarity or gaming power, especially in regions where ultrabudget competition is fierce. Anyone who spends time reading on-screen, plays demanding games, or swims with their phone should look elsewhere.
This review is based on Realme’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Realme 12x 5G, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Realme 12x 5G is a straightforward budget phone built for light daily use, with a massive battery and 5G connectivity at a rock-bottom price. The low-resolution display and modest chipset mean you are trading sharpness and gaming power for endurance and affordability, a fair deal for the money if you rarely demand more.
Design & build
At 190g and 7.9mm thick, the 12x is slim and light, though unremarkable in hand. The IP54 rating handles dust and splashes but will fail if fully submerged or caught in heavy rain; treat it as splash-resistant, not waterproof. Dual SIM and a dedicated microSD slot mean you can expand storage without sacrificing a second number, a practical touch rarely seen now. The overall construction feels functional rather than polished, which is honest for the price.
Display
The 6.67-inch LCD is bright—625 nits in high brightness mode makes it readable outdoors—and the 120Hz refresh smooths scrolling and swiping. But 720p at 264ppi is the real limitation; text and icons have a soft edge that becomes obvious when reading long messages or browsing the web. This is not a phone for anyone who spends hours reading or photo-editing. For casual social media and videos, it works fine; just do not expect sharpness.
Performance
The Dimensity 6100+ is a last-year midrange chip, solid for everyday tasks—messaging, calls, light multitasking, and casual games like Candy Crush or Among Us. Demanding titles such as PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact will need reduced graphics or frame drops to stay smooth. For 90% of users who browse, video-call, and run apps normally, it handles everything without hiccups. But if you play on your phone regularly, this is not the choice.
Software
Android 14 with Realme UI 5.0 ships clean and responsive. Realme has improved bloat over the years; you get a handful of pre-installed apps but nothing that bogs the system down. Updates and security patches are expected to arrive for at least two years, which is reasonable for the price. No surprises here—it simply works.
Camera
The 50MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and PDAF captures detail-rich photos in good light and handles low-light reasonably with its wide aperture. However, you only get a main camera—no ultrawide, no telephoto, no macro lens. That limits versatility; you cannot shoot wide landscapes or close-up detail. The 8MP selfie camera is functional for video calls and casual selfies but unremarkable. Video maxes out at 1080p/30fps, fine for clips but not impressive by 2024 standards.
Battery & charging
The 5000mAh battery is the standout. Expect about six to seven hours of active use on mixed tasks, stretching to a full day of light use and over 1.5 days if you mostly text and browse. 45W SuperVOOC charging gets you to 50–60% in roughly 30 minutes, so a quick top-up before leaving home is practical if you drain it heavily. A full charge takes about an hour, which is fine but not lightning-fast compared to rivals pushing 100W+ now.
Value & verdict
At roughly £109, the Realme 12x 5G is aggressively cheap for 5G connectivity and battery endurance. If you live in a 5G market and value a phone that lasts two days over a cutting-edge display or gaming grunt, this makes genuine sense. You are buying longevity and network support, not performance or visual polish. Against rivals at this price, the battery alone is a meaningful edge; most competitors at £100 struggle past a day.
Verdict
This phone suits buyers who prioritize battery endurance and 5G access over screen clarity or gaming power, especially in regions where ultrabudget competition is fierce. Anyone who spends time reading on-screen, plays demanding games, or swims with their phone should look elsewhere.
- 5000mAh battery delivers 1.5 days on mixed use, well above the budget norm
- 45W SuperVOOC charging reaches 50-60% in 30 minutes, practical for top-ups
- 5G connectivity across most regional bands despite the budget price
- Large 6.67-inch display at 85% screen-to-body ratio makes the frame feel modern
- 720p display at 264ppi looks noticeably fuzzy for reading text or viewing photos on a 6.67-inch screen
- Dimensity 6100+ is last-generation midrange; demanding games need settings cuts or accept frame drops
- IPX4 rating offers splash resistance only, not submersion protection—risky around water
Realme 12x 5G Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, March 21 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 120Hz, 500 (typ), 625 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 8 MP, f2.0, (wide) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | SuperVOOC up to 45 W |
| Software | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.1 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Durability | IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Realme 12x 5G FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the 12x 5G support 5G?
Yes. The 12x 5G supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the 12x 5G use?
The 12x 5G runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm).
What display does the 12x 5G have?
A 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 120Hz, 500 (typ), 625 nits (HBM), 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density).
How big is the 12x 5G battery?
The 12x 5G has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at SuperVOOC up to 45 W.
Does the 12x 5G have NFC?
Yes, the 12x 5G has NFC.
Is the 12x 5G water resistant?
The 12x 5G carries a IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) rating.
Does the 12x 5G support a microSD card?
Yes, the 12x 5G supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Alternatives to consider
If the 12x 5G isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
14x 5G
Narzo 90x 5G
15x 5G
Narzo 70x
Galaxy M16 5G
