I recently had the opportunity to try out the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G and as someone who values affordability and functionality when choosing a smartphone, I have to say I'm impressed. With the launch of its latest Redmi Note 12 series, Xiaomi has continued the trend of making affordable 5G phones for consumers.
The Chinese and Indian versions of the Note 12 5G are identical in terms of specifications, but the Indian model boasts of an additional camera on the back. I have used the device for almost 10 days so far and am excited to share my opinion on this new addition to the Redmi Note lineup.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) Specifications
- Release date: 2022, October 27
- Colors: Black, White, Blue
- Dimensions: 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm.
- Weight: 188 g.
- Screen: 6.67" in, 1080 x 2400, AMOLED
- Camera : Dual, 48MP
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
- Memory: 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
- Battery: 5000, Li-Polymer, non-removable
- Network: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
- Operating system: Android 12, MIUI 13
- Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
If you are curious to find out all the details before reading the full review, visit the page for Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) Specs, where you will find even the smallest detail about the phone.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) Design
When I received my Frosted Green variant of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G, I was impressed by its polycarbonate back with a matte finish. However, I was worried about the possibility of scratches appearing on it over time. The plastic frame also featured the same green colour, which I found refreshing.
The camera island had a glossy finish that attracted fingerprint marks, but overall the design wasn't bad.
Although I liked the overall design, I couldn't help but feel that the Redmi Note 12 resembled the Realme phones. As someone who appreciates unique designs, I hope Xiaomi will offer something different in the next generation of its Redmi Note 13 series.
However, the Redmi Note 12 5G is durable, with an IP53 rating for dust and water resistance and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The top edge of the phone is equipped with a microphone, infrared blaster and 3.5mm audio jack, while the opposite side has another microphone, USB-C port and speaker grill.
The SIM card slot is located on the left side, while the power key, which also serves as a fingerprint sensor, and the volume rocker are located on the right side. Considering its specs, I found the Redmi Note 12 5G to be relatively light as it weighs just 188 grams and is 8 mm thick.
Despite the use of plastic material, the Redmi Note 12 does not feel substandard. Additionally, the phone is IP53 rated for dust and water resistance, and a transparent silicone case is included to provide an extra layer of protection.
Overall, the Redmi Note 12 5G is a solid smartphone with a sleek design and features that satisfies the needs of most users.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) Camera
As for the camera, I found that the Redmi Note 12 5G delivers good photo quality with natural daylight colors thanks to its primary and ultra-wide camera.
The camera interface provides various shooting modes such as Photo, Portrait, Night and More, including useful options such as 48MP mode, Panorama, Slow Motion, Time Lapse and AI Watermark. However, it took me a while to find the macro mode, which isn't available in the Pro or More tabs, but is accessible via an icon in Photo mode.
However, even in sufficient light, the macros can only be described as transient at best.
Portrait mode features a decent amount of background blur and works well with both the rear and front cameras. The front camera additionally provides beauty, filters and HDR modes, although overall low-light and indoor performance is unsatisfactory, with results only adequate in appropriate lighting.
Video recording is supported at 30fps in Full HD, and slow-motion videos are available in HD quality at 120fps. Overall, the Redmi Note 12 5G's camera capabilities are perfectly suited for social media content on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.
However, I and many other customers may find that the camera and watch app icons are too similar, leading to apps opening unintentionally in some cases.
In summary, although the camera has its flaws, it performs well enough under certain conditions, making the Redmi Note 12 5G a reliable smartphone for photography enthusiasts.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) Display
While using the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12, I was immediately impressed by the gorgeous display. The 6.67-inch AMOLED screen boasts a chin-type camera and thin bezels on all three sides, which really adds to the elegant look of the device. Although the bottom bezel is a bit thicker, it's barely noticeable when I'm using the phone.
One of the things I like about the display is the amount of customization options available. With the ability to switch between 60Hz and 120Hz refresh rates, as well as "Reading Mode", "Sunlight Mode" and "Always On Display", I can really customize the display to my liking. And when it comes to the color scheme, I have three options to choose from: Vivid, Saturated and Standard. Each of these options even has color temperature options like Default, Warm, Cool, and Custom.
The display reproduces incredibly accurate colors, making for a truly immersive viewing experience. And even when outdoors in bright sunlight, the screen remains easy to see and pleasant to use. Most of the apps also run in 120 Hz mode, which really adds to the smoothness of the device.
While I appreciate the size of the front panel (6.67 inches with 2400x1080 pixels) and the 120Hz refresh rate, there is one element that I find a bit lacking. The beard on the front panel is quite noticeable and looks outdated, especially compared to the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus. However, the AMOLED display is stunningly beautiful and provides an excellent viewing experience for almost every user.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) Performance
As someone who recently tried out the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12, I can confidently say that the performance is more than satisfactory. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset, combined with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, made multitasking and using apps a breeze.
I used various apps, such as Netflix, YouTube, Outlook, and Chrome, and didn't experience any sudden crashes or slowdowns. I also played popular games like Asphalt 9 and Subway Surfers, and they ran smoothly, with no noticeable stutters or overheating.
One of the highlights was the Game Turbo feature, which enhanced the gaming experience even more. The only downside I noticed was that switching the phone between apps wasn't always the smoothest, but it wasn't annoying to the point of being a problem. Additionally, the phone's refresh rate of 120 Hz made the overall experience fast and smooth.
Another aspect worth mentioning is the phone's single-speaker channel, which provided clear and loud audio output but didn't offer 360-degree listening. Xiaomi promises two years of Android OS updates, which is reassuring, especially since the Redmi Note 12 ships with MIUI 13 based on Android 12. However, the phone is burdened by a lot of bloatware apps, which makes the UI look cluttered.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) Battery
I was really impressed with the battery life of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. The phone is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery that lasts a full day on a full charge, no matter how much I used it.
I managed to run the AnTuTu, Geekbench and CPU Throttle tests without any issues, and the device remained low on battery consumption. Of course, as with any smartphone, performing more demanding tasks will drain the battery faster. However, even with maximum settings turned on, such as 120Hz refresh, screen notifications, calling, watching YouTube videos, and light gaming, the phone easily lasts all day.
When it comes to charging, Xiaomi seems to have hit the right spot. The 33W charger in the box managed to fully charge the phone in just over an hour. While this isn't the fastest charging speed on the market, it's still pretty impressive considering the price of the phone. I'm sure Xiaomi will continue to improve the charging speed in future iterations of the phone, but for now, the 33W charging option will satisfy most customers.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) Software
The device runs Android 12 operating system with MIUI 13 skin on top. While some may argue that Redmi should have offered Android 13 OS on the device, I don't mind. In fact, I appreciate the fact that the device is promised to receive two-year OS updates and four-year security updates.
One of the things that impressed me as soon as I started using the device was the number of pre-loaded apps it comes with. In addition to Google's native apps and apps, the device came with Amazon, Prime Video, Netflix, LinkedIn, Bubble Shooting Relaxing, Zili and a few more. While to some this may seem like a lot of bloatware, I was pleased to find out that all of these additional apps can be uninstalled easily.
If you're looking for a device that offers the latest software and regular updates, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is definitely worth a look.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) Price
The variant with 4 GB RAM + 128 GB storage is priced at Rs. 17,999 (~$221) and I feel that this is a fair price considering the features it offers.
However, the 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage variant costs Rs 19,999 (~$246) and for some users, it might not be worth the extra price.
What really impressed me about the Redmi Note 12 5G is the fact that it is the only phone in its price segment to offer a 120Hz AMOLED screen and 5G for Rs 17,999. This is a huge advantage for buyers who want a high-quality display and access to fast internet speeds without spending a lot of money.
Competitors
While there are a few competitors, like the POCO X4 Pro 5G, which offers similar features and costs the same, the Redmi Note 12 5G still offers a better overall package.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) Conclusion
After using the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 for a while, I must say that I am impressed with its features and overall performance. The 120Hz AMOLED display makes everything much smoother and enjoyable to look at, and the inclusion of 5G connectivity ensures that I will always have a fast and reliable connection.
To sum up, the Redmi Note 12's performance is impressive, especially considering its mid-range price. With powerful specifications and a durable battery, it easily competes with top-end smartphones. While there are some drawbacks like the cluttered UI and lack of smooth app switching, they are not significant enough to degrade the overall experience.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) video review
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on our team's personal experience with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) and third-party sources. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information, readers should keep in mind that this is a subjective assessment. The writing of this article was not paid for or sponsored by Xiaomi.
