Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 12 is a mid-range smartphone that offers excellent value for its price point of approximately USD 200 (~INR 15,000) for the 6GB + 128GB variant. The device boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED 120Hz display with Full HD+ resolution, a Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor, a 48MP camera sensor, and a 5,000mAh battery. These features make the Redmi Note 12 an appealing choice for consumers looking for an affordable yet feature-rich smartphone.
In this article, we have compiled all the information that we were able to gather from the internet about the Redmi Note 12, as we do not have the device itself. This includes both the reasons to consider purchasing the Redmi Note 12 and any potential drawbacks. The Redmi Note series has a history of offering excellent value, and the Redmi Note 12 is no exception. Therefore, we will be sharing some of the key points to consider when deciding whether or not to purchase this smartphone. Without further ado, let’s begin.
Box Content
The box contents for the Redmi Note 12 include the phone itself, a silicone transparent case, a set of manuals, a 33W fast charging solution, and a Type-C to Type-A cable.
Design
The design of the Redmi Note 12 is minimal and clean, with a silver frame that is visually appealing. The rear panel has a matte finish that helps to reduce fingerprints and smudges. At first glance, the Redmi Note 12 and the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ may appear similar, but the Redmi Note 12 is a budget phone that uses plastic on the rear panel instead of glass.
This may not be a deal breaker for some users, and it actually works in the device’s favor as it is lightweight at only 188 grams and measures 8mm in thickness. The Redmi Note 12 also has an official IP53 dust and water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand water splashes. Additionally, the device includes the IR Blaster and a 3.5mm audio jack, features that are appreciated by many users.
Display
The Redmi Note 12 boasts an AMOLED display produced by Samsung, which offers pitch black contrast and good color saturation for an enhanced viewing experience. The display does not tend to boost colors by default, which is a good practice for color calibration, though users can adjust the colors to their preference through the Color Scheme in the settings.
In comparison to the 90Hz display on the Redmi Note 11 from last year, the Redmi Note 12 features a higher refresh rate of 120Hz, resulting in an extra smoothness when scrolling through apps, the UI, and the UX on the device. Xiaomi has also included a peak brightness of 1200 nits, ensuring that the device can be used easily under direct sunlight without any problems reading messages or watching movies outdoors.
One downside of the device is that it currently does not have Widevine L1 certification, though this may be updated through future OTA updates. Some reviewers have also noted that the audio quality may not be as good as expected due to the single loudspeaker rather than a stereo speaker setup.
Performance
One notable upgrade of the Redmi Note 12 is its performance, as it is powered by the Qualcomm 4 Gen 1 5G Soc, which significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 680 Soc. This is evident in the benchmark scores and results in a smooth and fluid user experience. Apps are said to open quickly, and there are no issues with memory management.
The improved performance of the GPU also means that the Note 12 is capable of handling light to medium games fairly well. For example, Apex Legends can run smoothly on normal graphics and very high frame rate settings, while PUBG Mobile can run with smooth graphics and high frame rate settings without any issues. The thermal performance of the device is also commendable.
Camera
The Redmi Note 12 has a decent camera performance, with a 48MP primary camera and a 2MP depth lens. In ample lighting conditions, the main camera produces good photos, likely due to the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 ISP 2. However, it can sometimes struggle with dynamic range. The details and sharpness are generally good, and nighttime images also appear acceptable without the night mode turned on.
The Redmi Note 12 also does a decent job with portraits, avoiding the typical reddish tint that can sometimes be present on budget phones from Xiaomi. The 8MP selfie shooter, however, is subpar and produces blurry, pinkish-toned images. The device is capable of recording 1080p 30fps videos from both the front and back cameras, though the stabilization is not great. The color balance in videos is generally good.
Battery
The battery life of the Redmi Note 12 is satisfactory, even for heavy usage, with an estimated 8 hours of screen on time. It takes approximately 1 hour to fully charge the device from 0 to 100%. Overall, the Redmi Note 12 is a good budget smartphone for 2023 and has the potential to be a strong competitor to upcoming devices. While it lacks some features such as an ultra-wide sensor and stereo speakers, these omissions do not significantly impact the performance or display quality of the device. As with any budget smartphone, some compromises must be made, but the Redmi Note 12 manages to balance these well.
