The Lenovo K12 Pro and Realme 7 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The K12 Pro focuses on offering a functional package with a newer, albeit less powerful, chipset, while the Realme 7 Pro prioritizes faster charging and a more capable processor from the previous generation. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing speed and convenience, the Realme 7 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset offers a noticeable performance boost over the K12 Pro’s Snapdragon 662, and the 65W charging is a game-changer, fully charging the device in just 34 minutes. While the K12 Pro offers reverse wired charging, it doesn't compensate for the performance gap.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 09. Released 2020, December 12 | 2020, September 03. Released 2020, September 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 172.1 x 76.8 x 9.7 mm (6.78 x 3.02 x 0.38 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.1% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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 | 20W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 65W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 34 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Electric Violet, Metallic Sage | Mirror Blue, Mirror Silver |
| Models | XT2091-8, XT2091-7 | RMX2170 |
| Price | About 130 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) |
Lenovo K12 Pro
- Offers reverse wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional and reliable for basic tasks
- Significantly slower processor
- Slower charging speed
- Limited display specifications
Realme 7 Pro
- Faster Snapdragon 720G processor
- Ultra-fast 65W charging
- Brighter display
- No reverse wireless charging
- Potentially higher price
- May not be significantly better in all camera scenarios
Display Comparison
The Realme 7 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 585 nits, compared to the Lenovo K12 Pro’s unspecified brightness. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (a marketing term), the higher peak brightness of the Realme 7 Pro translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The lack of detailed display specifications for the K12 Pro, such as refresh rate or panel type, suggests a more basic display experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or image processing. However, the Realme 7 Pro’s chipset includes a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) which will likely result in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Without further specifications, it’s difficult to definitively compare camera performance, but the Realme 7 Pro’s superior processing power gives it an edge. The absence of details on the K12 Pro’s camera suggests a more basic imaging experience.
Performance
The Realme 7 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm) significantly outperforms the Lenovo K12 Pro’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The 720G utilizes Kryo 465 cores clocked up to 2.3 GHz, while the 662 tops out at 2.0 GHz. The 8nm process node of the 720G is also more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. This difference is particularly noticeable in gaming and demanding applications. The K12 Pro’s chipset is adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with more intensive workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones have an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life. However, the Realme 7 Pro’s 65W charging is a massive advantage, achieving a 50% charge in just 12 minutes and a full charge in 34 minutes. The Lenovo K12 Pro’s 20W charging is considerably slower. While the K12 Pro offers 2.5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to charge other devices, this feature doesn’t offset the significant charging speed disparity. The Realme 7 Pro’s fast charging is a crucial benefit for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K12 Pro if you need a reliable, functional smartphone for basic tasks and prioritize reverse wired charging for accessories. It’s a good choice for users who don’t heavily game or require demanding app performance. Buy the Realme 7 Pro if you prefer a smoother, faster experience, especially for gaming and multitasking, and value incredibly fast charging. This phone is ideal for users who are always on the go and need to quickly top up their battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 662 in the Lenovo K12 Pro struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 662 is a budget-oriented chipset. While it can run PUBG, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. More demanding games like Call of Duty may experience significant lag or stuttering. The Realme 7 Pro’s Snapdragon 720G offers a much more comfortable gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the Realme 7 Pro compared to the 20W charging on the Lenovo K12 Pro in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Realme 7 Pro can go from 0% to 50% in just 12 minutes and fully charge in 34 minutes. The Lenovo K12 Pro will take significantly longer – likely over 90 minutes for a full charge. This makes the Realme 7 Pro ideal for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the Lenovo K12 Pro useful for charging accessories like earbuds or a smartwatch?
Yes, the 2.5W reverse wired charging can be convenient for charging small accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch. However, it's a slow charging method and won't be suitable for larger devices like tablets or other smartphones. It's a niche feature, but can be helpful in a pinch.
