The smartphone market is segmented, and these two devices exemplify that. The HMD Pulse aims for the ultra-budget conscious, while the Realme 12 Pro+ attempts to deliver a near-flagship experience without the flagship price tag. This comparison dissects the core differences between the Unisoc T606-powered HMD Pulse and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2-equipped Realme 12 Pro+, focusing on where each phone excels and who will benefit most.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and convenience, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and 67W charging drastically outperform the HMD Pulse’s Unisoc T606 and 10W charging. However, the HMD Pulse remains a viable option for those on an extremely tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 24 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 24 | Available. Released 2024, January 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 75 x 8.5 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.33 in) | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.65 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/2.8, 71mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh, user replaceable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Meteor Black, Dreamy Pink, Atmos Blue | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red |
| Models | - | RMX3840, RMX3841 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | $ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400 |
HMD Pulse
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially longer standby time due to less powerful processor
- Slow charging speed (10W)
- Underpowered processor for demanding apps
- Likely lower quality display
Realme 12 Pro+
- Fast 67W charging
- Powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor
- Bright and vibrant display (802 nits)
- Long battery life (13:24h active use)
- Higher price than HMD Pulse
- May not be ideal for users who only need basic functionality
- Potentially larger and heavier than the HMD Pulse
Display Comparison
The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 802 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the HMD Pulse, which lacks published brightness data and likely offers a considerably dimmer experience. While both likely utilize LCD panels given their price points, the Realme’s higher brightness and potentially better color calibration will result in a more vibrant and enjoyable viewing experience. The absence of high refresh rate information for both devices suggests a standard 60Hz panel, limiting smoothness in scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the HMD Pulse, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Realme 12 Pro+ likely features a more sophisticated camera system, benefiting from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. While the Realme 12 Pro+’s camera specs are not provided, it's reasonable to assume it includes features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and a larger main sensor, resulting in better low-light performance and sharper images. The HMD Pulse will likely offer a basic camera experience suitable for casual snapshots, but will struggle in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 12 Pro+’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the HMD Pulse’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The Snapdragon utilizes newer Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.40 GHz, compared to the T606’s Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz. This translates to a noticeable performance boost in demanding applications and multitasking. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon also provides superior power efficiency, leading to better battery life and reduced thermal throttling. The HMD Pulse will handle basic tasks, but the Realme 12 Pro+ is better equipped for gaming and resource-intensive apps.
Battery Life
The Realme 12 Pro+ shines in the battery and charging department. Its 67W wired charging can replenish 50% of the battery in just 19 minutes, a massive advantage over the HMD Pulse’s slow 10W charging. While the Realme 12 Pro+’s active use battery score of 13:24h is impressive, the HMD Pulse’s battery capacity and endurance are unknown. The faster charging speed of the Realme 12 Pro+ significantly reduces downtime and provides greater convenience for users who are constantly on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the HMD Pulse if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and your budget is under $150. You’re willing to accept slower performance and limited charging speed. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, significantly quicker charging, and a brighter display, and are willing to spend around $250-$300.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Realme 12 Pro+ capable of handling demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is a capable mid-range processor that can handle Genshin Impact, though you may need to adjust graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The 4nm process also helps mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience than the HMD Pulse’s Unisoc T606.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the HMD Pulse from 0% to 100%?
With its 10W charging, the HMD Pulse will take a considerable amount of time to fully charge – likely exceeding 3 hours. This is a significant drawback compared to the Realme 12 Pro+'s 67W charging, which can reach 50% in just 19 minutes.
❓ Does the Realme 12 Pro+ support 5G connectivity?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 includes an integrated 5G modem, allowing the Realme 12 Pro+ to connect to 5G networks. The HMD Pulse's connectivity capabilities are not specified, but it is likely limited to 4G given its budget positioning.
❓ What type of storage does the Realme 12 Pro+ use, and is it expandable?
While specific storage details aren't provided, the Realme 12 Pro+ likely utilizes UFS 2.2 or UFS 3.1 storage for faster read/write speeds. Expandability via microSD card is common in this price range, but confirmation is needed.
