1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 11 Pro+ | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions (mm) | 161.6 x 73.9 x 8.2 | 163.2 x 75.9 x 8.1 | iQOO 12 slightly larger and heavier. Negligible difference in daily use. |
| Weight (g) | 183 | 198.5 | Realme noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size (inches) | 6.7 | 6.78 | iQOO 12 slightly larger screen, minimal difference in viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 | 1260 x 2800 | iQOO 12 sharper display (453 ppi vs 394 ppi), noticeable in text and image clarity. |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 120 | 144 | iQOO 12 smoother scrolling and animations, especially in gaming. |
| Peak Brightness (nits) | 950 | 3000 | iQOO 12 significantly brighter, crucial for outdoor visibility. |
| Panel Type | AMOLED | LTPO AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. LTPO on iQOO 12 allows for dynamic refresh rate, saving battery. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 significantly more powerful, enabling smoother multitasking, demanding gaming, and faster app loading. |
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz A78 & 6x2.0 GHz A55) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz X4 & 3x3.2 GHz A720 & 2x3.0 GHz A720 & 2x2.3 GHz A520) | iQOO 12 superior CPU architecture and clock speeds, translating to much faster processing. |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 750 | Adreno 750 vastly more powerful, delivering significantly better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| RAM (GB) | 8 | 12/16 | iQOO 12 offers more RAM, improving multitasking and preventing app closures in the background. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera (MP) | 200 | 50 | Realme boasts higher megapixel count, but sensor size and processing matter more. iQOO 12 uses a larger sensor (1/1.3" vs 1/1.4"), potentially capturing more light. |
| Telephoto | No | 64MP (3x optical zoom) | iQOO 12 offers dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, absent in Realme. |
| Ultrawide (MP) | 8 | 50 | iQOO 12 higher resolution ultrawide, likely with better detail and less distortion. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | iQOO 12 supports higher resolution video recording. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity (mAh) | 5000 | 5000 | Same battery capacity. Real-world battery life depends on optimization and usage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 11 Pro+ Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Noticeably more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods.
- Lower Price: Offers good value for its price range.
vivo iQOO 12 Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful: Superior performance in all aspects due to the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.
- Sharper and Brighter Display: Better visual experience, especially outdoors.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother and more responsive user interface and gaming experience.
- Superior Camera System: More versatile with a dedicated telephoto lens and higher quality ultrawide sensor.
- LTPO Display: More power efficient.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 11 Pro+: Suitable for budget-conscious users who prioritize a lightweight phone for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and casual photography.
vivo iQOO 12: Ideal for power users, gamers, and photography enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance, a stunning display, and a versatile camera system.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Realme is significantly more affordable.
- What are your primary use cases? Gaming, demanding apps, and photography benefit from the iQOO 12's power.
- Do you prioritize portability and comfort? The Realme is lighter and easier to handle.
My Choice: vivo iQOO 12
While the Realme 11 Pro+ offers good value, the vivo iQOO 12 is the superior phone overall. The significantly faster processor, better display, more versatile camera system, and future-proof features justify the higher price. The performance difference between the Dimensity 7050 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is substantial and would impact daily use for demanding tasks. The brighter display and improved camera system of the iQOO 12 also contribute to a significantly better user experience. Even though it is heavier, the performance and feature advantages outweigh the slight increase in size and weight for me.
