Samsung Galaxy M56 vs Realme 12 Pro+: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Samsung Galaxy M56 and Realme 12 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The M56 leverages Samsung’s in-house Exynos 1480 chipset, while the 12 Pro+ opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device delivers the best overall experience for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and faster charging, the Realme 12 Pro+ emerges as the winner. Its 13:24h active use score and 67W charging significantly outperform the M56, despite the Samsung offering a slightly newer chipset architecture.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M56 Realme 12 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, April 172024, January 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, April 17Available. Released 2024, January 29
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+)-
Dimensions162 x 77.3 x 7.2 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.28 in)161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)196 g (6.91 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+-
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~382 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.74 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED+, 120HzAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetExynos 1480 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUXclipse 530Adreno 710
OSAndroid 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7Android 14, Realme UI 5.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single12 MP, f/2.2, (wide)32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide)
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging45W wired67W wired, 50% in 19 min
Type5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Light GreenSubmarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red
ModelsSM-M566B, SM-M566B/DSRMX3840, RMX3841
PriceAbout 260 EUR$ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400
SAR0.71 W/kg (head)-

Samsung Galaxy M56

  • Potentially smoother software experience with Samsung's One UI.
  • Newer Cortex-A78 CPU core revision for slight performance edge.
  • Samsung ecosystem integration.

  • Slower 45W charging.
  • Likely lower peak display brightness.
  • Unknown battery capacity and active use score.

Realme 12 Pro+

  • Exceptional 13:24h battery life in active use.
  • Significantly faster 67W charging (50% in 19 min).
  • Brighter 802 nit display.

  • Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is a generation older than the Exynos 1480's CPU architecture.
  • Realme UI may not appeal to all users.
  • Potential for more bloatware.

Display Comparison

The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a measured peak brightness of 802 nits, a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the M56, making it more usable in direct sunlight. While the M56’s panel technology isn’t specified, the 12 Pro+'s brightness suggests a higher-quality panel. Both devices likely utilize AMOLED technology given their market segment, but the Realme’s brightness is a clear differentiator. Bezels are expected to be similar, but the Realme’s superior brightness will be more noticeable in everyday use.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme 12 Pro+ is known for its 50MP main sensor with OIS, suggesting a focus on image stabilization and low-light performance. The M56’s camera setup is currently unknown, but it’s likely to feature a similar megapixel count. The image processing style will be a key differentiator – Samsung typically favors vibrant, saturated colors, while Realme often aims for a more natural look. We can expect both phones to include ultra-wide and macro lenses, but the quality of these secondary sensors is often limited.

Performance

Both the Samsung Galaxy M56 (Exynos 1480) and Realme 12 Pro+ (Snapdragon 7s Gen 2) utilize a 4nm process, indicating similar efficiency. However, the Exynos 1480 features slightly higher clocked Cortex-A78 cores (2.75 GHz vs 2.40 GHz), potentially offering a marginal CPU performance boost in single-threaded tasks. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, however, benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized ISP and potentially better sustained performance due to superior thermal management. The M56’s CPU architecture is a generation newer, but the real-world impact will depend on software optimization. Both devices likely pair their chipsets with 8GB of RAM, but LPDDR5x speeds could vary, impacting overall system responsiveness.

Battery Life

The Realme 12 Pro+ shines in battery performance, achieving an impressive 13:24h of active use. While the M56’s battery capacity is unknown, the 12 Pro+'s endurance is a significant advantage. Furthermore, the 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ allows for a 50% charge in just 19 minutes, a substantial improvement over the M56’s 45W charging. This faster charging is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy M56 if you prioritize a potentially smoother software experience within the Samsung ecosystem and value the latest Cortex-A78 CPU core revision. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you need exceptional battery endurance, significantly faster charging speeds, and a brighter display for outdoor visibility. The 12 Pro+ is the better choice for power users and those frequently on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy M56 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the 4nm process helps with efficiency, the Exynos 1480 has been known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load. The Realme 12 Pro+'s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, with Qualcomm’s thermal management expertise, is likely to maintain more consistent performance during extended gaming.
❓ Is the 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
The Realme 12 Pro+ utilizes SuperVOOC charging, which is not fully compatible with standard Power Delivery (PD) chargers. While it may charge with a PD charger, it will do so at a significantly slower rate. It's best to use the included charger for optimal charging speeds.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the Samsung Galaxy M56 and the Realme 12 Pro+?
Samsung typically employs a more vibrant and saturated image processing style, often boosting colors for a visually appealing look. Realme generally aims for a more natural and realistic color profile. This difference will be noticeable when comparing photos taken with both devices.
❓ What type of storage does the Realme 12 Pro+ use, and is it expandable?
The Realme 12 Pro+ utilizes UFS 2.2 storage, which offers good read/write speeds for everyday tasks. Storage expansion via microSD card is supported, allowing you to increase the device's capacity.