Redmi Note 12 Review and Comparison

The Redmi Note 12 is a great budget phone that offers impressive specs at an affordable price. It's powered by a large 5000mAh battery.

The phone features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a high refresh rate of 120Hz, making it perfect for gaming and watching videos. This display is a significant upgrade over its predecessor.

One of the standout features of the Redmi Note 12 is its quad-camera setup, which includes a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and two 2MP sensors for depth and macro shots. This camera setup is capable of capturing high-quality photos in various lighting conditions.

The phone is available in three different storage options: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, all of which have 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM respectively. This makes it easy to choose a configuration that suits your needs.

Some users have had a fantastic experience with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12, considering it's a second-hand phone they've purchased.

It's worth noting that some users have experienced issues with the phone's performance, particularly when the temperature is high.

Users have also reported that the phone can be quite laggy, which might be a drawback for some.

If you're considering buying a Redmi Note 12, it's worth reading the user opinions to get a better understanding of the phone's performance.

Here are some user opinions on the phone's performance:

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G is a significant alteration to the 4G version of the most affordable Redmi Note 12 this year.

The 5G alteration is now out of the way, allowing us to take a closer look at its features.

The Redmi Note 12 5G is a notable upgrade from its 4G counterpart.

It's worth noting that the 5G version is now available for review.

The Redmi Note 12 5G is a notable upgrade, and it's time to take a closer look at its specs and features.

The 5G version of the Redmi Note 12 is a significant upgrade from its 4G counterpart, and it's now available for review.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G is a phone that's been released in various versions for different markets.

Xiaomi released four versions of the Redmi Note 12 4G this year.

For a phone that costed less than $200, it's a great value.

Some users are unhappy with the phone's performance, calling it "laggy".

The phone was released in April 2023.

Here are some user opinions about the phone:

The Redmi Note 12's design is a mixed bag. The phone has a front made of Gorilla Glass 3, while the back is made of polycarbonate, and the frame is made of polycarbonate as well.

The back of the phone is flat, which is a common trait among most Redmi Note 12 series models. However, the Redmi Note 12 Pro, Note 12 Pro 5G, Note 12 Pro+, and Note 12 Discovery have glass backs.

The Redmi Note 12 5G and Poco X5 Pro have a camera island design similar to the Redmi Note 11T Pro, while the Redmi Note 12 has a design more similar to the Motorola Edge 40 Pro.

Here's a comparison of the dimensions of the different models:

The Redmi Note 12 5G has a plastic back, which is a downgrade from the glass back of the more expensive Redmi Note 12 phones. However, this plastic back makes the device more durable and less prone to shattering. The device also has an IP53 rating, which means it can repel dust and splashes of water, but not submersion for any length of time.

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The Redmi Note 12's display is a significant upgrade from its predecessors. It features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels.

This display is a big deal because it offers a much more immersive viewing experience. The AMOLED technology provides true blacks and vibrant colors, making it perfect for watching movies or playing games.

The Redmi Note 12's display also supports a 120Hz refresh rate. This means that the screen can refresh 120 times per second, resulting in a smoother and more responsive experience.

With a 120Hz refresh rate, you can enjoy seamless scrolling, faster gaming, and a more responsive overall experience.

The Redmi Note 12's hardware and performance are decent, but not flawless. It's powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, a 2022 chipset designed for mid-range handsets.

The phone has 4GB of RAM, which is fine for everyday situations, but can't handle demanding apps. I used the Note 12 as my main phone for a couple of weeks, and the experience was... fine.

You'll have no issues with web browsing, messaging apps, YouTube videos, and taking photos. However, there's often hesitation and stuttering when moving between apps.

The phone's performance is right in line with what you'd expect from a phone at this price. It's not terrible, but it can't compete with the best mid-range phones out there.

The Note 12 has 128GB of internal storage, but it's expandable up to 1TB via microSD card. This is a plus, as you can add more storage without breaking the bank.

Here's a summary of the phone's key specs:

The Redmi Note 12 has a 5000mAh battery, which is quite standard these days, but it still manages to last above average.

The battery life is impressive, and you can confidently use this phone all day without worrying about finding a power outlet.

Even with the display set to 120Hz, brightness high, and location on, I was consistently ending the day with charge to spare.

You can stretch to more than 48 hours between charges on lighter days at home, which is truly impressive.

The PCMark battery test recorded a time of 10 hours and 25 minutes, which is decent, but actual screen on time is around half of that.

A 33W adapter is included in the box, which is slower than the Note 12 Pro's 67W and 12 Pro+'s 120W, but still not bad at all.

From dead, the battery can be charged to 30% in 15 minutes and 54% after half an hour, taking around 70 minutes to fully charge.

Here are the charging speeds for different Redmi Note 12 models:

The Redmi Note 12 has a triple rear camera setup, but the 48Mp, f/1.8 main lens is the clear winner, producing high-quality photos most of the time.

The main lens excels in capturing architecture and moody shots on cloudy days, but tends to overexpose the background and add artificial contrast when the sun is out.

The 8Mp ultrawide lens offers a 118-degree field of view, but comes with a significant drop-off in quality, making it less desirable for everyday use.

The 2Mp macro lens, on the other hand, delivers impressive close-up shots with a nice background blur, making it perfect for capturing flowers and plants.

Portrait mode is a bit of a mixed bag, requiring patience and trial-and-error to get a good result due to edge detection issues.

The 13Mp front-facing camera is surprisingly excellent, producing vibrant and detailed selfies with a portrait mode that arguably does a better job than the main rear lens.

Here are some key camera specs to keep in mind:

The Redmi Note 12's software experience is a mixed bag. It runs on MIUI 14, which is based on Android 12, but that's already two years out of date.

MIUI has a very different look and feel to the stock version of Android, and it's certainly an acquired taste. I've seen some people love it, but others find it overwhelming.

Xiaomi commits to three years of Android version updates and four years of security updates on most phones. That means the Redmi Note 12 will get updates until at least Android 15.

The software experience is cluttered with lots of Xiaomi's own apps, some of which can't be uninstalled. You'll find a 'More apps' folder with a seemingly random selection of apps that Xiaomi thinks you might want to use.

Here are the software and update details at a glance:

It's possible to streamline the experience by removing unwanted apps, but some design elements can't be changed. The Settings app has been redesigned, and the bright app icons and widgets take some getting used to.

For more insights, see: Notes App Ipad

The Redmi Note 12 has its share of advantages and disadvantages. One of the significant pros is its long-lasting battery life, which can easily last a day and a half with moderate use.

The phone's battery capacity is 5000mAh, making it a great option for those who need a device that can keep up with their active lifestyle.

Another advantage is the phone's fast charging capabilities, which can charge the battery up to 50% in just 30 minutes. This is a game-changer for those who are always on the go and need to top up their battery in a hurry.

The device has a great 120Hz OLED display, which means it's perfect for gaming and watching videos. This display type offers a smooth and crisp visual experience.

The battery life is impressive, allowing you to use the device for an extended period without needing to recharge. I've personally seen it last for a full day with moderate use.

Decent performance is another advantage of this device. It's capable of handling everyday tasks and some demanding ones, but it's not the most powerful option out there.

A good selfie camera is also a plus, taking clear and detailed photos with good lighting.

This budget device has some notable drawbacks.

One of the main cons is its unintuitive software. This can make it difficult to navigate and use the device effectively.

The rear cameras are mediocre at best, which may be a disappointment for those who value good photography.

A cheap build is also a concern, giving the impression that the device may not be as durable as others on the market.

This is evident as soon as you pick it up, and it's clear that it's a budget device.

A case can also affect the fingerprint sensor, which is built into the power button.

The Redmi Note 12 5G is a great choice if you have a strict £300/€300 budget for a phone. It's the second most affordable option in the Redmi Note 12 line, but it's more expensive than your average budget phone.

The phone has 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and costs £279/€299 directly from Xiaomi. You can also combine it with a great SIM-only deal, which is a good option if you're already signed up with a network.

If you're looking for alternatives, the Redmi Note 12 Pro is a good option to consider, but it's £60/€100 more expensive. However, the Note 12 5G still represents good value for money, especially considering its price.

If you're on a tight budget, the Note 12 5G is a great choice with a price tag of £300/€300.

You can get significant hardware and software upgrades if you're willing to spend a bit more.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G is the second most affordable model in the Redmi Note 12 line, with a price tag of £279/€299.

It's more expensive than your average budget phone, but that's still a great deal considering its features.

The Note 12 5G is a compromise compared to the pricier Note 12 Pro and Pro+, with performance, cameras, and charging taking the biggest hit.

If budget is a concern, the Note 12 5G is definitely worth considering, but you'll need to be flexible about its shortcomings.