We have previously shared quick reviews of the Redmi Note 12 and the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus. Today, we will be providing a more in-depth review of the Redmi Note 12 Pro. This device shares many similarities with the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus, but it has a 67W fast charging solution rather than the 120W charger included in the box, and a 50MP primary camera instead of a 200MP main camera.
According to reports, the base variant of the Redmi Note 12 Pro (6/128GB) will start at INR 19,999, while the Pro Plus (8/125GB) will start at INR 24,999. For the INR 5,000 price gap, the Redmi Note 12 Pro is expected to be a great midrange killer. We believe it will be the best value for money mid-range smartphone of 2023. Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at it.
Design: The Thinnest Redmi Note 12 Pro Smartphone Yet.
The Redmi Note 12 Pro boasts a distinct design compared to the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, featuring a box design similar to the Note 11 Pro instead of a curved rear panel. The device also offers a unique purple color option that is sure to catch the eye. It has an IP53 rating for dust and splash resistance.
Despite its glass-sandwich build and plastic frames, the Redmi Note 12 Pro is quite lightweight at 187 grams and 7.9mm thickness. However, as is often the case with sleek designs, there may be some compromise in the cooling system. The Redmi Note 12 Pro is no exception in this regard.
Performance
During regular usage, the Redmi Note 12 Pro does not heat up. However, when pushing its limits with demanding workloads like gaming, it may get warm. The average FPS and overall gameplay stability with games like Apex Legends and smooth graphics with high frame rates are comparable to the Redmi Note 12+. However, the graphite-based cooling solution in the Note 12 Pro, which accommodates its slim design, is not as effective as the vapor chamber in the Note 12 Pro+.
Despite this, the device does not become uncomfortable hot even when playing resource-intensive games like Genshin Impact or Injustice 2. During testing in these cool weather conditions, thermals were better, so we can expect worse thermals during summer.
Under the hood, the Redmi Note 12 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 SoC, which is the same processor found in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+. Getting this processor on a much cheaper phone is even more impressive than it sounds.
Operating System:
We expected the Redmi Note 12 Pro to come with Android 13 based MIUI 14, but it actually comes with Android 12 based MIUI 13 which has not been upgraded to Android 13. This at least saves you from having to wait for a major Android update, as Xiaomi has not committed to how many updates this device will receive or when they will be released.
However, it is worth noting that bloatware is likely to be present on this device when it is released in India. While Xiaomi does commit to updates for their flagship devices, it would have been nice to see the Redmi Note 12 Pro ship with the latest Android operating system. Samsung currently leads the industry in terms of Android update policy, so we hope to see similar efforts from Xiaomi in the future.
Camera
The Redmi Note 12 Pro’s camera system is not to be overlooked, as it features a 50MP Sony IMX566 with OIS, which is a flagship-grade camera sensor found in devices like the OnePlus 10T, ROG Phone 6 Pro, and the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. In addition to this, Xiaomi has used the same 8MP ultra-wide angle lens and 2MP macro lens. The front camera is a 16MP selfie shooter, and both cameras produce good results with nice detail.
The SONY #IMX766 on the #SuperNote captures more light = more details, which further = better photo quality.
— Sumit Sonal (@sumitsonal) December 31, 2022
The sensor on this camera has captured a great deal of detail, including the person, the light inside the room, the shadows, and the fine details on the window. (2/3) pic.twitter.com/hMKPhoqzuw
While the ultra-wide angle sensor is average for the price, there is a bit of color shift and it doesn’t capture as much detail as the primary camera. It can take decent portrait shots, but the bokeh effect is good. Selfies are good overall, with skin tones and color optimization looking pleasing to the eye and not oversharpened.
The 50MP camera sensor also takes good nighttime images, and is able to capture good detail even without enabling the night mode on this device. When night mode is enabled, it takes even better shots and addresses issues like balancing color saturation. There isn’t much to talk about in the video department, although the device is capable of shooting 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps. However, the footage can be incredibly wobbly as the OIS does not work on videos. There is no 4K video recording option available for the front camera, and 1080p at 30fps is the only option.
Display
The Redmi Note 12 Pro boasts a stunning 6.67-inch OLED display with FHD+ HDR10+ and subtle color calibration that looks great to the eye. Of course, you can adjust the color tones to your preference in the display settings. It also supports a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, 900 nits of peak brightness, Dolby Vision HDR, and all the features you would expect from a good display. The display experience is excellent.
There are stereo speakers, which means content consumption will be amazing on this device. The haptic feedback is not as precise or strong as on competitors like the Realme 10 Pro+, but it is not annoyingly weak or buzzy either.
One thing to note about the Redmi Note 12 Pro is that Xiaomi has decreased the touch sampling rate from 360Hz on the Note 11 to 240Hz this time. While this is not a deal breaker, it is disappointing to see that a feature that was present on the previous generation was not carried over to the successor. We believe it is our responsibility to inform you of this change.
Battery
The battery life on the Redmi Note 12 Pro is equally impressive, with an expected screen-on-time of 6 to 7 hours. As mentioned earlier, the device features a 67W fast charging solution that can fully charge the device in 50 minutes.
Overall, the Redmi Note 12 Pro is a well-balanced smartphone with a wealth of features. It is worth noting that it may not be the best option for performance-centric users, who may be better served by devices like the Redmi K50i or Poco F4. However, for most buyers, the Redmi Note 12 Pro is a great choice.
