Xiaomi Redmi 12 review
The Xiaomi Redmi 12 is an entry-level phone that offers a larger display and revamped design compared to its predecessor, the Redmi 10. The device boasts a 6.79-inch LCD display with 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth swiping and scrolling experience. However, it lacks a light sensor, leading to unreliable auto brightness. The phone's camera setup is similar to the Redmi 10, featuring a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro camera. While the camera processing has improved, resulting in decently sharp photos with good contrast and punchy colors in well-lit conditions, low-light performance is subpar. The Redmi 12 runs on MIUI 14 based on Android 13 and supports two years of OS updates and four years of security patches. It also features a Mediatek Helio G88 chipset, which is not impressive compared to competitors at the same price point. Battery life is good, with an overall endurance rating of 117 hours, but charging times are mediocre, taking around half an hour to reach 29%. The phone's build quality feels solid, with a glass back and flat design. While the Redmi 12 offers some improvements over its predecessor, it's not a significant upgrade. Its lackluster performance, subpar low-light camera capabilities, and outdated chipset make it less appealing compared to other entry-level options in the market. However, if you're on a tight budget and want a larger screen with updated software and design, the Redmi 12 might be worth considering.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Redmi 12 boasts a sleek design that's both fresh and elegant. The phone's glass back provides a premium feel, while the flat and sturdy plastic frame adds to its solid build quality. Weighing slightly more than its predecessor, the Redmi 10, this iteration feels substantial in hand. One of the most notable upgrades is the IP53 ingress protection rating, which offers some degree of water and dust resistance. The phone's overall design looks modern and refined, with clean lines and minimal clutter. The camera module, although not significantly revised, has been reworked to be less obtrusive. The display itself measures 6.79 inches, a noticeable increase from the Redmi 10's screen size. With a 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, it offers decent sharpness and contrast for an LCD panel. The phone's brightness maxes out at around 540 nits, which is acceptable for its price range. The display's glass back is flat and doesn't seem to harbor fingerprints or smudges, giving the phone a clean look. While we wouldn't say it's particularly durable, the Redmi 12 feels solid in hand, with no creaking or flex when subjected to moderate pressure. On the whole, the Xiaomi Redmi 12's build quality and design are considerable improvements over its predecessor. The glass back, reworked camera module, and sturdy frame give this phone a fresh and modern look that justifies its entry-level price tag.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is decent but not outstanding. With a 5,000mAh capacity, it's certainly sufficient for everyday use. However, in our testing, we found that the phone's overall endurance rating was 117 hours, which is somewhat average. While the phone does support 18W charging, it doesn't come with a charger in the box, so you'll need to provide your own. In our charging tests, we were able to get from 0-100% in just under an hour, which is respectable but not impressive. One thing that's worth noting is that the Redmi 12's battery life may vary depending on how you use it. If you're someone who uses their phone extensively for gaming or video streaming, you might find that the battery drains faster than expected. On the other hand, if you use your phone primarily for calls, texts, and social media, you'll likely get a full day's worth of usage from a single charge. Overall, while the Redmi 12's battery life is not its strongest feature, it should still be sufficient for most users. Just don't expect it to last an entire weekend with heavy use!
Display
The display on the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is a notable upgrade over its predecessor, the Redmi 10. The phone boasts a larger 6.79-inch LCD screen with a 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. While it may not match the quality of OLED displays, the LCD on the Redmi 12 still offers decent sharpness, plenty of contrast, and relatively good color accuracy. The display's brightness is adequate for its price range, maxing out at around 540 nits. However, there's no boost in auto mode, and the auto brightness feature can be unreliable due to the lack of a light sensor. Additionally, you'll notice that this phone lacks a hardware proximity sensor, which can lead to issues with accidental touches during voice calls. One redeeming quality of the display is its 90Hz refresh rate, which helps smooth out swiping and scrolling experiences. The adaptive feature adjusts the refresh rate when you stop interacting with the screen, saving energy in the process. Unfortunately, the Redmi 12's display isn't without its drawbacks. In comparison to the previous model, this phone has only a single speaker instead of stereo speakers, which results in average loudness and unremarkable sound quality.
Camera
The camera setup on the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is an area where significant improvements have been made over its predecessor, the Redmi 10. While the camera hardware remains largely unchanged, with a 50-megapixel main cam, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel macro cam, the processing behind the scenes has been upgraded. In good lighting conditions, the 12.5-megapixel photos from the main cam exhibit plenty of detail and are decently sharp with good contrast and punchy colors. Portraits taken with the Redmi 12 show decent subject separation, but the subjects appear slightly softer than in regular photos. However, when it comes to low-light photography, the Redmi 12 falls short. The default camera mode produces photos lacking fine detail, with limited dynamic range and clipped highlights. Activating night mode on the Redmi 12 takes some time, and even then, the results are disappointing. Photos show increased noise, smeared details, and a reduced dynamic range. Video capture from the main cam is equally unimpressive, with footage being a bit soft and overexposed, resulting in clipped highlights. The ultra-wide-angle camera performs admirably during the day, producing photos with good contrast and colors. However, low-light conditions prove challenging for this lens, and there's no night mode available to aid it. Videos captured from the ultra-wide-angle cam are surprisingly good for a budget option, showcasing lovely colors. Unfortunately, the macro camera remains underwhelming, with two-megapixel photos lacking detail and poor contrast and color accuracy. Selfies taken with the 8-megapixel front-facing camera are decent for the price range but not particularly impressive. While the Xiaomi Redmi 12's camera capabilities have improved over its predecessor, they still trail behind more expensive options in terms of image quality. However, considering the phone's affordable price point, it's a reasonable compromise. For those on a tight budget, the Redmi 12 offers an acceptable camera experience that won't break the bank.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Redmi 12 is touted as the most affordable Redmi phone of the year, but does it live up to its price tag? At first glance, it's hard to get excited about an entry-level phone that doesn't bring significant improvements over its predecessor. However, after digging deeper, I found a few redeeming qualities. Priced at a competitive level, the Redmi 12 offers a larger display, revamped design, and updated software compared to the two-year-old Redmi 10. The camera setup has been improved, with a more elegant look and decent image quality in good lighting conditions. The phone also comes with a glass back, which adds a touch of premium feel. However, it's essential to consider the Redmi 12's hardware. It uses an outdated Mediatek Helio G88 chipset, which pales in comparison to its competitors. This results in subpar performance and battery life, although the latter is still decent with a 5,000mAh battery. In terms of value, the Redmi 12 does have some merits. For its price, it offers more base storage than the Redmi 10 did two years ago. The updated software and camera processing are also welcome additions. If you're in the market for an affordable phone with a large screen and decent cameras, the Redmi 12 might be worth considering. Ultimately, the Redmi 12's value proposition depends on your priorities. If you want a phone that can keep up with more demanding tasks or offers 5G connectivity, there are better options available at similar price points. However, if you're looking for a budget-friendly phone that gets the basics right, the Redmi 12 is a decent choice.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi 12's performance is a mixed bag. The phone runs on the same Mediatek Helio G88 chipset as its predecessor, the Redmi 10. While this was an impressive processor back in 2021, it has since fallen behind competitors that offer more powerful and power-efficient hardware for similar prices. In our testing, we found the Redmi 12 to be capable of handling everyday tasks with ease, but it struggled with more demanding applications and multitasking. The phone's performance is also limited by its lack of support for 5G connectivity, which may be a drawback for users who rely on high-speed data connections. One area where the Redmi 12 shines is in its battery life. The phone's 5000mAh battery provides an overall endurance rating of 117 hours, making it suitable for users with moderate usage patterns. However, charging times are not particularly impressive, taking around half an hour to reach 29% from a dead state. The camera processing on the Redmi 12 is also worth mentioning, as Xiaomi has made significant improvements in this area compared to the Redmi 10. In good lighting conditions, photos taken with the main camera exhibit plenty of detail and are decently sharp, with good contrast and punchy colors. However, low-light performance is a different story, with limited dynamic range and clipped highlights. Overall, while the Redmi 12's performance is not particularly impressive, it still offers a capable and reliable experience for users who prioritize affordability over raw power. However, for those seeking more powerful hardware at similar price points, there are better options available.
Pros
1. Larger display
2. Fresh design
3. Good battery life
4. Improved camera processing
5. Expandable storage
6. Reliable fingerprint reader
7. Competitive pricing
Cons
1. Lackluster performance
2. Single speaker
3. No light sensor or hardware proximity sensor
4. Limited low-light camera performance
5. 1080P video capture