The Gionee S12 and Realme 7 Pro represent different approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Gionee S12 aims for affordability, while the Realme 7 Pro, though older, offers a more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 7 Pro is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset provides significantly better performance than the Gionee S12’s MediaTek Helio A25, and its 65W fast charging is a game-changer. While the Gionee S12 may be cheaper, the Realme 7 Pro’s advantages justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July. Released 2020, July 15 | 2020, September 03. Released 2020, September 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 160.9 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, (wide), AF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 65W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 34 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Mirror Blue, Mirror Silver |
| Models | - | RMX2170 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.73 W/kg (head) 0.52 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | Rp 3,498,000 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 278414(v8)
GeekBench: 1811 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Gionee S12
- Lower price point
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Functional for basic tasks
- Weak processor performance
- Slow charging (assumed)
- Likely limited camera capabilities
Realme 7 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset
- 65W SuperDart charging
- Brighter display
- Higher price
- Older model (may have limited software updates)
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
The Realme 7 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 585 nits, compared to the Gionee S12’s unspecified brightness. This difference is noticeable in outdoor visibility. While both displays have an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the Realme 7 Pro’s superior brightness makes it the clear winner for users who frequently consume content outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The panel technology is not specified for the Gionee S12, suggesting a standard LCD, while the Realme 7 Pro likely utilizes an IPS LCD, offering wider viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the Realme 7 Pro likely has a more sophisticated camera system due to its higher-end chipset and image signal processor. While specific sensor details are missing for both, the Snapdragon 720G’s ISP enables features like better dynamic range and noise reduction. The Gionee S12’s Helio A25 chipset will limit its camera’s processing capabilities. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Realme 7 Pro’s processing power gives it a significant advantage.
Performance
The Realme 7 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Gionee S12’s MediaTek Helio A25 (12nm). The Snapdragon 720G features a more modern CPU architecture – 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver – compared to the Gionee’s Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 720G also contributes to better power efficiency and thermal management, resulting in sustained performance during demanding tasks. The Gionee S12 will struggle with multitasking and graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the Gionee S12’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the Realme 7 Pro’s 65W wired charging is a massive advantage. It can charge from 0% to 50% in just 12 minutes and reach 100% in 34 minutes. The Gionee S12’s charging speed is not specified, but it’s almost certainly significantly slower, making the Realme 7 Pro far more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Gionee S12 if you prioritize absolute affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use. You’ll be making significant compromises in performance. Buy the Realme 7 Pro if you value a smoother user experience, better gaming capabilities, and significantly faster charging – even if it means spending a bit more. It’s the better all-rounder for most users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme 7 Pro still a good buy in [current year], considering it's an older model?
Yes, the Realme 7 Pro remains a compelling option, especially at its current price point. While newer phones exist, the Snapdragon 720G still offers excellent performance for everyday tasks and gaming, and the 65W charging is still incredibly fast. However, consider potential software update limitations compared to newer devices.
❓ Will the Gionee S12 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Chrome?
The Gionee S12’s MediaTek Helio A25 is a low-end chipset. While it can run these apps, you may experience noticeable lag and slowdowns, especially when multitasking or using demanding features within those apps. It’s best suited for light usage.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 7 Pro handle gaming?
The Snapdragon 720G is capable of handling many popular mobile games at medium to high settings. While it won’t deliver the same performance as flagship chipsets, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Asphalt 9. Expect some frame drops in very demanding games at maximum settings.
