The itel S25 Ultra and Realme 12 Pro+ represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The itel focuses on affordability, while the Realme 12 Pro+ aims for a more premium experience with faster charging and a more capable chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 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 significantly outperform the itel S25 Ultra’s Unisoc T620 and 18W charging, justifying the price difference for those who demand more from their smartphone.
| 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 | LTE | 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, November 09 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November | Available. Released 2024, January 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 6.9 mm thickness | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 163 g (5.75 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.9 cm2 | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6xX.X GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T620 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, itel OS 14.5 | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), AF
XX MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, bypass charging | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Bromo Black, Meteor Titanium, Komodo Ocean | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red |
| Models | S686LN | RMX3840, RMX3841 |
| Price | $ 195.00 | $ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400 |
itel S25 Ultra
- Highly affordable price point
- Bypass charging allows use while charging
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower processor
- Slow 18W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
Realme 12 Pro+
- Powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
- Ultra-fast 67W charging
- Bright and likely high-quality display
- Higher price compared to itel S25 Ultra
- May be overkill for basic users
- No specified battery capacity
Display Comparison
The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 802 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the itel S25 Ultra. While the itel’s display specifications are missing, the Realme’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The Realme 12 Pro+ likely utilizes a higher-quality panel, offering superior color accuracy and viewing angles, though this requires further testing. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rates for optimal power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the itel S25 Ultra, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Realme 12 Pro+ is expected to offer a more sophisticated camera system, likely featuring a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Realme’s focus on camera features, as seen in previous models, suggests a greater emphasis on image quality and versatility. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Realme 12 Pro+ would further enhance low-light performance and video stabilization, features likely absent on the itel.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 12 Pro+’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the itel S25 Ultra’s Unisoc T620 (12nm). The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, meaning less throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s CPU configuration – 4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 – is architecturally more advanced than the itel’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6xX.X GHz Cortex-A55, resulting in faster application loading and smoother multitasking. Gamers will find the Adreno GPU in the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 far more capable than the GPU integrated with the Unisoc T620.
Battery Life
The Realme 12 Pro+ excels in charging speed with its 67W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 19 minutes. The itel S25 Ultra’s 18W charging is considerably slower. While the Realme 12 Pro+’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its active use score of 13:24h demonstrates excellent battery life. The faster charging speed of the Realme mitigates any potential concerns about battery capacity, offering a more convenient user experience. The itel’s bypass charging feature is a useful addition, allowing for charging while the phone is in use, but it doesn’t compensate for the slower overall charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel S25 Ultra if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You'll appreciate its affordability and bypass charging. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster charging, and better performance for gaming and multitasking, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more refined experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T620 in the itel S25 Ultra struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc T620 is a budget-oriented chipset and will likely struggle to deliver a smooth gaming experience in graphically intensive titles like PUBG Mobile, even at lower settings. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential lag. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Realme 12 Pro+ is far better suited for gaming.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ compared to the 18W charging on the itel S25 Ultra in real-world use?
The 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ is dramatically faster. It can reach 50% charge in 19 minutes, while the itel S25 Ultra’s 18W charging will take considerably longer – likely over an hour to reach the same level. This difference is significant for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Realme 12 Pro+ support 5G connectivity?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset typically includes 5G modem capabilities. It's highly probable that the Realme 12 Pro+ supports 5G, offering faster data speeds where available. The itel S25 Ultra likely supports only 4G.
