Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G review
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G is a budget-friendly mid-ranger that offers a good package deal. The phone provides 5G connectivity and has a similar design to its 4G counterpart, with a curved back panel made of plastic and a frosted finish to prevent smudges. The display is the same as the 4G model, featuring a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The screen looks good, with sharp images, decent brightness, and smooth scrolling. The phone has a headphone jack and single speaker, which is a step back from the stereo speakers found on previous Redmi Note models. The camera setup includes a 48MP main cam, 8MP ultra-wide lens, and 2MP macro cam, producing decent photos in good lighting conditions. However, the phone's performance is not outstanding, with benchmarks showing it to be comparable but not exceptional. Battery life also falls short of expectations, lasting around 101 hours according to our endurance test. The camera struggles in low-light situations, with soft and lacking detail on both the main cam and ultra-wide lens. Selfies are inconsistent, with good sharpness and detail sometimes, but often blurry or soft. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G is a solid mid-range device with some notable drawbacks. While it offers a nice OLED screen, up-to-date 5G chipset, and decent charging speed, it lacks stereo speakers and has below-average battery life. If you're looking for alternatives, consider the Samsung Galaxy A33 or Moto G82.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G boasts an impressive build quality and design that justifies its mid-range price tag. The device's back panel is made of plastic with a frosted finish, which not only looks sleek but also helps prevent smudges. The curved shape of the phone provides a comfortable fit in hand, making it easy to hold and use for extended periods. One notable difference between this model and its 4G counterpart is the design. While both share similar specs, the 5G variant has a curved back panel as opposed to the flat one found on the 4G model. The lightweight construction of the phone makes it feel premium, and the inclusion of an IP53 rating for water and dust resistance adds a touch of durability. The display is another highlight of this device, featuring a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The screen itself looks great, offering sharp visuals and good color accuracy. However, it's worth noting that there's no HDR support. In terms of design aesthetics, the Redmi Note 12 5G has a premium feel to it, with a smooth plastic back panel that showcases the device's slender profile. While some users might find the overall design uninspired, the phone's build quality and attention to detail elevate its mid-range credentials. The MIUI interface on this device is also worth mentioning, as it provides a seamless user experience that's typical of Xiaomi smartphones. However, our focus here remains on the phone's build quality and design, which we've found to be solid if not spectacular. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G impresses with its understated yet effective design, making it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable mid-range smartphone.
Battery Life
Battery Life: A Mixed Bag for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G One of the most significant aspects to consider when evaluating any smartphone is its battery life. Unfortunately, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G falls short in this regard. Despite its large 5000mAh battery, the phone's endurance rating is a disappointing 101 hours. This is particularly disheartening considering the Redmi Note 12 4G model, which has the same-sized battery, scored an impressive 125 hours of battery life. The difference can be attributed to the different chipset used in the 5G variant, which seems to be less efficient than its 4G counterpart. In practice, this means that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G will not last as long as its users would like. A full day's use is still possible, but you may find yourself needing to top up your phone more frequently than you'd like. The 33W fast charging system does help to quickly replenish the battery when it's running low, so at least that's a redeeming feature. However, it's hard not to feel that a better battery life was within Xiaomi's grasp with this device. Ultimately, while the Redmi Note 12 5G has its strengths, its subpar battery life is a significant drawback for those who value all-day usage from their phone.
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G boasts an impressive 6.67-inch AMOLED display, which is also found in its 4G counterpart. The screen's resolution is a respectable 1080p, and it features a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and swiping feel silky-smooth. The display's brightness is decent, with a maximum of 450 nits measured under manual slider testing. However, when using the auto mode in bright sunlight, the screen can boost up to an impressive 700 nits. The AMOLED panel provides good color accuracy, but unfortunately, it lacks HDR support. One notable aspect of the display is its frosted finish on the back panel, which helps prevent smudges and gives the phone a premium feel. However, this does not extend to the Gorilla Glass 3 protection, which is the same as found in some older Xiaomi devices. While the Redmi Note 12 5G's display is certainly good for its price range, it may not be the most impressive feature of the phone. The lack of HDR support and decent brightness in very bright environments are drawbacks that might affect your overall viewing experience. Nevertheless, the screen remains one of the highlights of this mid-range device. In terms of performance, the 120Hz refresh rate makes navigation and everyday use a pleasure. However, it's worth noting that the refresh rate does not dial down to save energy while idling, which may impact battery life. Overall, the display is a solid feature in an otherwise decent package from Xiaomi.
Camera
The camera department of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G is an interesting aspect to explore. This device boasts a 48-megapixel main camera, which is a significant upgrade from its predecessor's 50-megapixel sensor. However, despite this change, the overall camera performance remains relatively similar. In good lighting conditions, the Redmi Note 12 5G takes decent photos with sufficient detail and sharpness. The colors are natural-looking, and the dynamic range is acceptable when compared to other mid-range smartphones. The Edge detection in portraits is also commendable, producing solid results as long as there's ample light. The ultra-wide-angle camera on this device is a different story altogether. The 8-megapixel sensor produces photos with boosted colors and contrast, but they lack detail and sharpness. There's an abundance of noise, which can be quite disappointing for a mid-range smartphone in today's market. Low-light performance is another area where the Redmi Note 12 5G struggles. Without the dedicated night mode, the main camera struggles to deliver good quality photos, often resulting in soft and lacking fine detail. The dynamic range isn't great either, with dark shadows and noise all around. When using the night mode, the result is a mixed bag – it clears out some noise but smears over the detail, leaving the sky looking grainy. Macro photography on this device is also underwhelming, with the 2-megapixel sensor failing to deliver much detail or contrast. The colors are dull and lacking in vibrancy. In low light, the main camera's performance is comparable to that of its 4G counterpart, although there's a slight difference in color accuracy. Selfies taken with the 13-megapixel front-facing camera can be hit-or-miss. On good lighting days, you'll get decent results with sharpness and detail, but quite often they're soft or blurry. The colors are also somewhat bleak overall. Recording video on this device is possible up to 1080p at 30fps, but the quality leaves much to be desired. Footage from the main camera looks a bit soft, although the colors and contrast look nice. The ultra-wide-angle camera's videos, however, are quite noisy and lack detail. Overall, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G's camera department has some strengths, such as decent Edge detection in portraits, it falls short in low-light conditions, macro photography, and selfie quality. For those looking for a smartphone with exceptional camera capabilities, there may be better options available.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G is another budget-friendly mid-ranger from Xiaomi that offers a good deal, especially considering its price tag. While it may not be the most powerful device in its class, it packs a punch with its 5G connectivity, decent performance, and impressive display. The Redmi Note 12 5G is priced around [$x], which makes it an attractive option for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone. In comparison to other mid-range devices, the Redmi Note 12 5G offers a great balance of features and price. Despite its affordable price, the Redmi Note 12 5G does not compromise on features. It comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, which is one of the best in its class. The phone also has a decent 5000mAh battery, 33W fast charging, and 48MP primary camera. While it may not be the most powerful device, the Redmi Note 12 5G's performance is smooth enough for daily tasks and some casual gaming. Considering its price and features, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G offers excellent value for money. It's a great option for those who want a budget-friendly smartphone with a good display, decent battery life, and 5G connectivity. While it may not be perfect, the Redmi Note 12 5G is definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a new mid-range device. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G is a solid choice for those who want a budget-friendly smartphone with good features and performance. Its price tag makes it an attractive option, and its value proposition is hard to beat. If you're looking for a reliable mid-ranger that won't break the bank, the Redmi Note 12 5G is definitely worth considering.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G's performance is a mixed bag. While it packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset, which brings a bit more power compared to the 4G model, it doesn't quite live up to expectations. In benchmarks, the phone does a decent job, but nothing that would blow you away. There are plenty of competitors that outperform it, and despite its lower model number, this chipset is still built on a six-nanometer process. The result is sufficient power for a solid day-to-day experience and some casual gaming. However, battery life isn't quite as good as expected, even though the phone comes with a 5,000 milliampere hour battery, just like the 4G model. The endurance rating of 101 hours is unimpressive for a mid-ranger with such a large battery. This is presumably due to the different chipset, despite testing both phones on the same LTE network. 33-watt charging is available, and we were able to charge the phone from 0 to 56 percent in half an hour. While this is a decent feature, it's not enough to make up for the underwhelming battery life. In terms of performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G doesn't stand out from its competitors. It's not bad by any means, but there are other options available that offer better performance and value. The phone's interface is also business as usual, with Android 12 and MIUI 14 providing a smooth experience. Overall, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G has some good qualities, its performance falls short of expectations. If you're looking for a mid-range phone that delivers on performance, there are other options available that might be worth considering.
Pros
1. Budget-friendly
2. Good screen quality
3. Decent performance
4. Long-lasting battery
5. Fast charging
6. Good camera performance
7. 5G connectivity
8. IP53 certification
Cons
1. Underwhelming battery life
2. Missing stereo speakers
3. Limited camera capabilities
4. No HDR support
5. MIUI interface can be cluttered