The Realme 5 Pro and vivo Y12 represent two approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Realme 5 Pro, with its Snapdragon 712 chipset, aimed for a performance-focused experience, while the vivo Y12 opted for a more conservative Mediatek Helio P22. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 5 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 712 offers significantly better performance for gaming and multitasking, and the 20W charging is a substantial advantage. While both phones boast a 100-hour endurance rating, the Realme's faster charging mitigates any battery capacity concerns.
| 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, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June 20. Released 2019, June | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 157 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.18 x 2.92 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.74 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 616 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 4035 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aqua Blue, Burgundy Red | Crystal Green, Crystal Blue, Chroma White |
| Models | 1904, 1940 | RMX1971, RMX1973 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1875:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 85dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 182765 (v7)
GeekBench: 6106 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y12
- Significantly faster processor for gaming and multitasking
- Faster 20W charging for reduced downtime
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Potentially higher price point
- May generate more heat under sustained load
Realme 5 Pro
- Potentially longer battery life due to less demanding processor
- Lower price point
- Simpler user experience
- Slow performance for demanding tasks
- Slower charging speeds
- Dimmer display
Display Comparison
Both the Realme 5 Pro and vivo Y12 feature displays with a 1875:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Realme 5 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 512 nits, a tangible advantage over the vivo Y12’s unspecified brightness. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While neither phone is likely to feature high refresh rate panels, the Realme’s brighter display provides a more pleasant viewing experience overall.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but the specifics are limited. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s chipset includes a more powerful image signal processor (ISP), enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The prevalence of 48MP or 64MP sensors in the Realme 5 Pro’s era suggests a higher resolution main camera than the Y12, which would translate to more detailed images. The inclusion of features like Night Mode and HDR are more likely to be effectively implemented on the Realme 5 Pro due to its superior processing power.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Realme 5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm) utilizes a dual-cluster architecture – 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold cores for demanding tasks and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver cores for efficiency. This contrasts sharply with the vivo Y12’s Mediatek Helio P22 (12nm) and its homogenous octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. The 10nm process node of the Snapdragon 712 is more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. The Snapdragon 712’s Kryo cores also offer a significant architectural advantage over the Cortex-A53, resulting in faster application loading and smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 100 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Realme 5 Pro’s 20W wired charging capability is a game-changer. Achieving a 50% charge in just 30 minutes significantly reduces downtime compared to the vivo Y12, which likely supports standard 10W or 15W charging. This faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential concerns about the Realme 5 Pro’s battery capacity being lower than the Y12’s (a spec not provided).
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y12 if your primary needs are basic communication, light social media use, and extended battery life with minimal performance demands. It's a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Realme 5 Pro if you prioritize smoother performance for gaming, streaming, and multitasking, and value faster charging speeds. It's ideal for users who want a more responsive and versatile smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 5 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 712 in the Realme 5 Pro is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Helio P22-powered vivo Y12, which would struggle with these titles.
❓ Is the 100-hour battery life claim realistic for either phone?
The 100-hour endurance rating is based on a specific usage model and is unlikely to be achieved in real-world scenarios with heavy usage. However, both phones should comfortably last a full day with moderate use. The Realme 5 Pro’s faster charging will be more beneficial for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Does the Realme 5 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 712 is generally well-managed in terms of thermals. While some heat generation is expected during extended gaming, the Realme 5 Pro’s thermal design should prevent significant throttling. The Helio P22 in the vivo Y12 is less prone to overheating, but also offers significantly lower performance.
