Realme India posted on X that “It’s time for #Periscope” with a “200MP” crossed out. This post then links to a teaser page details some of the advantages of having an actual periscope lens rather than relying on in-sensor zoom from a 200MP module.
One of the advantages is, of course, the better image clarity at high zoom levels. The other example shows portrait photos – the one taken with a periscope camera has better separation between the subject and background.
The Realme 12 Pro appeared on TENAA with what looks to be a periscope lens. We also expect the Realme 12 Pro+ model to have a periscope. But does this mean no 200MP camera? We wouldn’t write it off just yet, at least for the Pro+ model – the Realme 11 Pro+ does have a 200MP sensor (but no optical zoom of any kind).
200MP cameras are not that uncommon these days, anyway, so they don’t necessarily make a phone a flagship. What does? “No periscope. No flagship.” says Realme.