Pexar VivKeep Pro 12.5 review: delivers style and substance in abundance

Lexar Pexar is no stranger to producing the best digital photo frames. In fact, at the time of writing, the Lexar Pexar 11-inch model took pride of place as the winner in the best high-resolution photo frame category. We called it a "beautiful hi-res screen, and 100% sRGB color gamut should do even the finest of fine art photos justice."

Following in the same vein, Pexar has now released the VivKeep Pro 12.5 model, which offers not only a larger image size but also a higher resolution. Almost all other specs are the same, so the only reason to opt for the 12.5-inch model is if 11 inches doesn't quite cut it for the photos that you have in mind.

The VivKeep Pro 12.5 offers a sharp resolution, true color, and anti-glare glass that aims to keep photos looking the way they were taken. The display also comprises etched anti-glare glass that is fully laminated and boasts touchscreen functionality. It's a premium frame, but does the performance match the specs?

Pexar VivKeep Pro 12.5: Specifications

Pexar VivKeep Pro 12.5: Price

The VivKeep Pro 12.5 launched in September 2026 and retails for $249.99 / £229.99. At this price, the frame sits at the more expensive end of the market, although that's to be expected given the quality of the unit and the resolution of the display.

One of the very best alternatives around this size is the Aura Aspen, which scored an impressive five stars in our testing. Or, if you'd like something completely different, then you could opt for the Homture Magic Frame, which converts still images into short videos courtesy of AI technology.

This specific model is not available in Australia at the time of writing, although the slightly smaller VivKeep Pro 11-inch is available to Australian customers and is very similar in terms of specs.

Pexar VivKeep Pro 12.5: Design & Handling

The VivKeep Pro 12.5 is one of the most premium-looking digital photo frames on the market. The frame comprises four individual parts, each of which is beautifully designed and expertly engineered. Pexar has clearly given a lot of time to thinking through what customers want and how the design affects the viewer's enjoyment.

At the heart of the frame is a large 12.5-inch touch display that is fully laminated and etched with anti-glare technology. It features a 2120 x 1590 resolution, 100% sRGB color gamut, 1600:1 contrast, and a 170-degree IPS viewing angle. We'll cover the quality of the output in the performance section below.

The display is surrounded by a thick white plastic mount with a gorgeous textured finish that looks similar to an art canvas. The result is that it provides a warm, rooted feeling and perfectly frames any photo on the display. The mount also features a bevel in each corner to accommodate the recessed screen.

The mount is then surrounded by a refined and elegant soft gold metallic-like finish, which delivers a refined and elegant look. The material offers a soft reflection, which helps it blend effortlessly into any space. Recessed into the top of this frame is the power button.

You might have expected Pexar to have stopped there with the design details, but they've actually given as much thought to the back as they have the front. The unibody plastic panel contains an innovative cross-shaped recess that holds the upright bracket. It's easy to switch between portrait and landscape orientations, and the absence of any movable parts means the stand isn't going to fail after a little while.

The panel contains four ports: power, USB-A, USB-C, and SD card. This offers a solid selection of means by which users can display their digital photos. That is, of course, if you'd prefer not to use the app. There's also a small speaker, which offers rudimentary sound quality for videos.

Pexar VivKeep Pro 12.5: Performance

Moving onto what most people care about when they're considering a digital photo frame, the quality of the displayed images. Where it matters most, the VivKeep Pro 12.5 excels in abundance. Photos are delivered in beautiful clarity thanks to the 212 PPI capabilities, and no matter the angle you're viewing them at, they remain as vibrant as if they were being viewed straight on.

Colors are replicated with expert accuracy courtesy of the 100% sRGB color and 1600:1 contrast specs. This is ideal for people who care deeply about the color representation of their photos and those who want synergy between how their photos look on their phone as well as their photo frame.

The image quality benefits from the use of an etched anti-glare glass, which means photos stay legible even under direct light. It's amazing to see how well the images maintain their strong contrast even when exposed to bright light sources. In addition to this, a built-in light sensor auto-adjusts brightness to match the room, with the display able to push out up to an impressive 400 nits of brightness.

The frame is incredibly easy to set up, taking just a matter of minutes to plug in the device, download the app, create an account, and send some photos to the frame. Even the least tech-savvy of users will have little problem setting the device up.

The ease of use continues with the general operation of the frame. Menus and settings are easy to access and navigate, and the screen is responsive to the touch. Photos are auto-rotated at the exact moment that you change the orientation of the frame itself.

The app allows users to invite friends and family to upload photos to the frame. All you have to do is share the frame code with your loved one, who then has to enter it into their own version of the Frameo app. This is perfect for grandparents who might like to share photos with their grandchildren.

The only downside to the whole experience is that some features are restricted to paid subscription plans. If you'd like to manage frame photos remotely, access a cloud backup, send 100 photos at once, or send two-minute videos to the frame, then you'll require a Frameo+ subscription. This costs $7.99 / £7.99 per year, which isn't a significant amount, but when I've paid $249.99 / £229.99 for the device, I expect those features to be included as standard.

Pexar VivKeep Pro 12.5: Verdict

Digital photo frames don't get much better than the Pexar VivKeep Pro 12.5. My only gripes are that it's very expensive for a photo frame, it requires mains power, and a subscription is required for some of the features, which I believe should be included as standard. These are small quibbles that are quickly forgotten after just a few days of use of the frame.

The device is beautifully designed with Pexar utilizing a set of high-quality materials that are paired together to deliver a pleasing and elegant finish. Every part is masterfully engineered with a generous set of ports for maximum connectivity. As for image quality, the VivKeep Pro 12.5 serves up bright, vibrant, true color photos that look fantastic thanks to the high density PPI and etched anti-glare glass. If you can afford it, the frame is guaranteed to impress.

Alternatives

A slightly smaller frame offering an almost identical resolution and set of features, the Lexar Pexar 11in photo frame offers a 100% Adobe sRGB color gamut, SD card compatibility, built-in storage, USB and wireless connectivity, and multiple-user support.

The Aura Aspen has a similar screen size, though the 1600 x 1200 pixel display works out at a slightly lower-res 170ppi. It forgoes touchscreen functionality in favor of clever 'swipe bars' on the frame edges, offers unlimited (and free) cloud-based storage, and is controlled by the superb Aura app.