Redmi Note 12 Review: You Should Skip This One!
Xiaomi has been a prominent player in the smartphone market, known for its budget-friendly offerings. Amongst its lineup, the Redmi series has controlled the attention of budget-conscious users and eager gamers. The Redmi Note 12 5G was released back in 2022’s October, along with a 4G variant.
However, the latest version bears the 5G tag, raising questions about Xiaomi’s motives. Is it a mere attempt to attract attention or does it bring substantial improvements beyond 5G connectivity?
Except for just the 5G naming and enhanced connectivity, the Redmi Note 12 also comes with an AMOLED display, offering vivid and immersive visuals. The device is equipped with the latest Snapdragon mid-range chipset.
Moreover, Xiaomi has gone the extra mile by incorporating a competitive battery, ensuring long-lasting usage.
In this article about the Redmi note 12 review, we will dive into the intricate details of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G. Discover the phone’s exceptional features, camera capabilities, software enhancements, and overall user experience.
Table of Contents:
- Key Features
- Pros & Cons
- Design & Build
- Display
- Camera
- Performance
- Software & UI
- Battery Life
- Against the Competition
- Specs
1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: Key Features
While before diving into the detailed Redmi note 12 review. Here are the short key features of the device:
- Sleek and lightweight design
- 6.67” 120Hz AMOLED Display
- 48MP Triple Camera Setup
- 6nm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1
- LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 ROM
- 5000mAh high-capacity battery with 33W Fast Charging
- MIUI 13 is based on the Android 12 operating system.
2. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: Pros & Cons
Before jumping into the overall Redmi note 12 review, here’s a quick heads up about the Redmi note 12’s good and bad sites:
| Pros: | Cons: |
| 👍 Good 48MP camera;
👍 Impressive AMOLED display; 👍 33W fast charging with a 5000mAh battery 👍 IP53 rating ensures dust & splash resistant. |
👎 Poor low-light camera;
👎 All plastic Build. |
3. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: Design & Build
- Gorilla Glass 3
- IP53 dust & Splash
- Plastic Framing
Design
The Redmi Note 12 impresses with its trendy and eye-catching design. The back of the phone showcases a unique shiny circle camera layout, adding a touch of modernity to its appearance. The matte finishes further enhance its appeal, providing a premium feel while reducing the visibility of smudges and fingerprints commonly found on glossy back designs.
The device features a curved back design, which contributes to a comfortable grip and ease of holding. Unlike a rectangular design, the curved edges make it more ergonomic and user-friendly. The inclusion of a fingerprint scanner within the power button on the right side adds a convenient and secure unlocking method.
The device weighs 188g and has a height of 165.9mm, which means holding it for an extended period of time requires minimal effort. However, if you prefer a shorter device, this one may not be suitable for you.
Build
While the Redmi Note 12 has decent a plastic build, which is expected at its budget-friendly price point, it doesn’t compromise on durability. Plastic materials are less prone to damage compared to glass, making the phone a reliable choice for everyday use.
In terms of buttons and ports, the Redmi Note 12 offers a volume rocker on the right side, accompanied by a power button that integrates the fingerprint scanner. The left side houses the SIM tray, while the bottom features a single speaker, a microphone, and a Type-C port for charging and data transfer.
A noteworthy feature that sets the Redmi Note 12 apart from its competitors is its IP53 dust and splash resistance. This level of protection against dust and splashes is rarely found in smartphones within this price range, making it a valuable addition for users seeking added durability and peace of mind.
4. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: Display
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- Gorilla Glass 3 Protection
Let’s dive into the most crucial aspect of the Redmi Note 12: its display. The device features a spacious 6.67-inch screen with a resolution of 1080 by 2400 pixels, providing a crisp and immersive viewing experience.
One notable highlight is the AMOLED panel, which enhances the visual quality of the content displayed on the screen. With a pixel density of 395, the display ensures sharpness and clarity from every angle. Additionally, the inclusion of a 120Hz refresh rate contributes to a smooth and fluid user experience, particularly while scrolling through apps or browsing web pages.
When it comes to watching high-quality content, such as Netflix movies, the Redmi Note 12’s display truly shines. It delivers bright and decent visuals, enhancing the overall viewing experience. However, it’s worth mentioning that the device lacks HDR10 support, which may be a drawback for those seeking a more dynamic range of colors and contrast.
In outdoor settings, the display remains impressive. Xiaomi claims a peak brightness of 1200 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even under bright sunlight. This feature adds to the device’s versatility and usability in various lighting conditions.
To safeguard the beauty of the display, the Redmi Note 12 comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. While it provides adequate protection against scratches, it’s important to note that it is not as robust as high-end Gorilla Glass Victus. Therefore, it’s advisable to handle the device with care to avoid any heavy damage.
5. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: Camera
- Triple Camera Layout
- Dual-Tone flash
- 1080p Recording
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a triple camera system that includes a 48MP main shooter, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens.
Starting with the 48MP main camera features an f/1.8 aperture. When shooting in daylight, the Redmi Note 12 captures photos with decent colors and good dynamic range. However, zooming in reveals some loss of detail, which can be a drawback. While outdoor shots appear natural and reasonably sharp, they may not be as competitive compared to other devices.
Moving on to the 8MP ultra-wide camera, which has an f/2.2 aperture, it provides a wider field of view, enabling you to capture expansive shots. However, colors and contrast may not be as vibrant, and the sharpness may be lacking.
The 2MP macro lens, with an f/2.4 aperture, is suitable for close-up photography. It captures good close-up shots, but the sharpness and level of detail could be improved. If you’re enthusiastic about macro photography, it still offers a decent performance.
Low-Light Photos
When it comes to low-light photography, the main shooter falls short in capturing intricate details, while the ultra-wide camera manages to provide better clarity but tends to have higher noise levels.
Front Camera
For selfie enthusiasts, the Redmi Note 12 offers a 13MP front camera with an f/2.45 aperture. It performs decently in daylight conditions but may produce slightly soft indoor photos in terms of sharpness.
When recording videos, the Redmi Note 12 supports 1080p recording at 30fps. The footage tends to lack sharpness but exhibits good color reproduction. If video recording is a priority for you, this device may not be the most suitable option.
6. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: Performance
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm)
- 8GB RAM 256GB ROM
- UFS 2.2
The Redmi Note 12 delivers a commendable performance with its latest mid-range Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset. Built on a 6-nanometer architecture, the chipset falls into the mid-performing category.
Gaming experiences, such as playing Genshin Impact and Asphalt 8, were generally decent and satisfactory thanks to the included Snapdragon 619 GPU. However, it’s important to note that compared to smartphones with more advanced specifications, the performance of the Redmi Note 12 may not be as fluid and may exhibit slightly lower frame rates.
One notable performance-enhancing feature of the Redmi Note 12 is its 120Hz high refresh rate. This higher refresh rate contributes to smoother gameplay and improved visual fluidity, making it ideal for gaming enthusiasts or those who value a seamless user experience.
The device is equipped with up to 8GB of RAM and offers up to 256GB of storage, utilizing an LPDDR4X RAM and UFS2.2 storage system. Additionally, users have the option to expand the storage capacity up to 1TB, providing ample space for those who enjoy capturing photos and videos.
7. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: Software & UI
- MIUI 13
- Android 12
The Redmi Note 12 comes with Android 12 out of the box, based on MIUI 13, although if you get the international variant you will get a MIUI 14. While the software is good, it is worth noting that some may find it disappointing to not have the latest Android 13, considering that other smartphones in the market are already adopting it.
One of the strengths of the Redmi Note 12’s software is the MIUI interface, which offers a range of personalization options and useful features. This makes the overall user experience intuitive and user-friendly.
However, one drawback worth mentioning is the presence of pre-installed bloatware apps that come with Xiaomi devices. Unfortunately, there is no permanent option to uninstall these apps, which can be frustrating for some users.
In terms of software updates, the Redmi Note 12 follows the standard Xiaomi policy. You can expect to receive 2 years of OS updates and security updates every 3 months for a total of three years.
The app icons and larger folder icons on the Redmi Note 12 contribute to improved visualization and accessibility. However, it would have been more visually appealing if there were options for custom animations or blurred effects.
8. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: Battery Life
- 5000mAh Battery
- 33W Fast-Charging
The Redmi Note 12 has big a 5000mAh battery, matching its 4G variant. While the battery life may leave some users wishing for more, the device’s improved Qualcomm chipset and 5G connectivity allow it to perform decently under heavy usage. Given its mid-range status, one might have expected a stronger battery performance.
Thankfully, the Redmi Note 12 5G compensates with its 33W fast charging capability. This feature ensures that you can obtain a 50% charge within just 30 to 40 minutes, making it ideal for those rushed moments. However, if you need a complete charge from 0% to 100%, you will require slightly over an hour.
And if you possess a wireless charger, you won’t be able to utilize this feature with this particular device, as the Redmi Note 12 5G lacks wireless charging. Nonetheless, the fast charging option helps make up for the absence of wireless charging, providing a convenient solution for powering up on the go.
9. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: Against the Competition
While the Redmi Note 12 offers competitive specifications for a budget device, it falls short in certain aspects when compared to its rivals. Two notable competitors in the same price range are the Realme 10 Pro 5G and the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, both offering similar features and pricing. The Realme 10 Pro 5G comes with a basic LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 680 nits of peak brightness.
However, the Redmi Note 12 takes the lead with its AMOLED panel and a higher peak brightness of 1200 nits. In terms of chipset, the Realme 10 Pro 5G outperforms the Redmi Note 12 with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695, while the Redmi Note 12 features the latest Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 but lags behind in performance tests.
In the camera department, the Realme 10 Pro 5G offers a 108MP sensor compared to the Redmi Note 12’s 48MP. Both devices share the same battery capacity of 5000mAh and 33W fast charging capabilities.
Moving on to the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, it shares the same chipset and LCD panel display as the Realme 10 Pro 5G. The camera setup includes a 64MP main shooter, slightly surpassing the Redmi Note 12’s 48MP. However, the battery capacity and fast charging capabilities remain the same across all three devices.
It is worth mentioning though, you do get something in the Redmi Note 12 that Realme 10 Pro 5G or Nord CE 2 Lite 5G doesn’t include, which is the IP53 dust and splash resistance However, the inferior chipset performance may be a dealbreaker for some, making the Realme 10 Pro 5G and Nord CE 2 Lite more appealing options.
It’s important to remember that the Realme and OnePlus devices do not come with an AMOLED display or IP rating, nor do they offer greater peak brightness for better outdoor usage.
10. Overall Specs
While still understanding all the major details inside the Xiaomi note 12 review, here are the more technical specifications of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12: down below:
| Specs | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 |
| Display | AMOLED, 6.67‑inch display, 1080×2400 resolution (395 ppi), 120Hz, 1200 peak |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Plastic Framing, IP53(Dust & Splash Resistant) |
| Camera | Main: 48MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF
8MP, f/2.2, 118°(ultrawide), 2MP, f/2.4 (Macro) Video: 1080p@30fps Video: 1080p, @30fps |
| Platform | OS: MIUI 13 based on Android 12
CPU: Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm) GPU: Adreno 619 |
| RAM & ROM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
UFS 2.2 |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 33W Wired, USB-C |
| Security | Side fingerprint sensor, AI Face Unlock |
| Audio | Dual speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res |
| Sensor | Proximity sensor | Ambient light sensor | Accelerometer | Electronic compass | IR blaster ｜Gyroscope |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11, 5G, LTE, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Colors | Onyx Gray, Forest Green, Ice Blue |
Verdict
In short, the Redmi Note 12 presents itself as a budget smartphone with average specifications that won’t leave you disappointed. Equipped with the new Snapdragon 4 gen 1 chipset, it offers decent gaming performance and a satisfactory camera.
However, it falls short in certain aspects compared to its predecessor, the Redmi Note 11, lacking features such as stereo speakers and a lower pixel density.
Unfortunately, the Redmi Note 12’s overall performance fails to match up to its competition making it a tough sell. There are better alternatives available in the market that offer superior features and performance, such as Realme 10 5G or even OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite.
However, if you’re willing to wait for a price drop on the Redmi Note 12 5G, it could become a more compelling option. Based on all aspects of the Redmi note 12 review, you might be wondering if it’s the right choice or not, well here are short key points for making a wiser decision:
Get the Xiaomi Note 12, if
- You want a 120Hz display in a budget device;
- You require an AMOLED panel in a smartphone;
- You need a fast-charging device with decent battery life.
Mohammad Shariful Islam is the CEO and MD of Apple Gadgets, a leading e-commerce and retail chain for gadgets in Bangladesh. He has a passion for technology, entrepreneurship, and holds a decade of experience in gadget E-Commerce. He’s committed to providing the best possible shopping experience for customers by delivering the latest and trendy gadgets.
