Earlier this year, Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G and I couldn’t resist getting my hands on this beauty.

So, what’s all the fuss about? Well, compared to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 and the Redmi Note 11S that were released last year, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G comes packed with some pretty impressive features. From its sleek design to its lightning-fast 5G connectivity, this phone is definitely worth talking about.

But, enough with the teasers, let’s dive right into this Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Review and see if it’s worth the upgrade.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Review

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G: What’s in the Box?

The Redmi Note 12 5G package comprises of the following items:

The Redmi Note 12 5G
A 33W power adapter
A USB Type-C cable
A clear TPU case
A SIM eject tool
A Quick Start Guide

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Design

At first glance, I couldn’t help but notice how slim it looked. At only 7.9mm, it’s definitely a sleek device. It’s also moderately heavy at 188g, which I didn’t mind since it gave me a feeling of sturdiness.

The frame and rear panel of the phone are made of polycarbonate material while the rear panel has a soft matte finish that gives it an upmarket look and feel. While that may sound good, it does attract smudges easily, which I found a little annoying. But hey, they’re easy to wipe off, so no biggie.

One thing I noticed about the design is that the sides are flat, and the frame also has a matte finish which can make holding this large phone a bit of a task as it’s quite slippery. But then again, it’s nothing a good phone case can’t fix.

The camera module’s design has changed from the Redmi Note 11, and it now looks like a block of polished glass that’s raised from the rear panel, giving it a modern appearance. I couldn’t help but admire how the camera module was seamlessly integrated into the overall design of the phone.

The display has a hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera and I found the bezels around the left, top, and right sides of the display to be quite thin. There’s also a noticeable chin at the bottom that takes away its premium appeal.

A cool feature of the phone’s design is that the fingerprint scanner is located on the side, in the power button. It’s a clever placement that adds to the phone’s overall design aesthetic.

I think the Redmi Note 12 5G has a solid design. It’s sleek, modern, and has some nifty features. Sure, it may be a little slippery and attract smudges, but those are minor details that can be overlooked. All in all, I think it’s a great phone that’s worth checking out!

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Display

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G is equipped with a 6.67-inch, full-HD+ Super AMOLED panel that is absolutely stunning. Whether you’re scrolling through social media or binge-watching your favorite shows on Netflix, the display is crystal clear and incredibly responsive. With a 120Hz refresh rate, I was blown away by how smooth and seamless everything looked, and it was a true joy to use.

Now, I know what you might be thinking: “But, isn’t a high refresh rate bad for battery life?” Well, fear not because the Redmi Note 12 5G has got you covered. Although it’s not adaptive, you can manually set the refresh rate to 60 or 120Hz, so you can strike the perfect balance between performance and battery life.

Even when I was using the phone outdoors, the screen remained visible and vibrant. And with a peak brightness of 1200 nits, I never had to worry about squinting to see what was on my screen.

When it comes to color accuracy, the Redmi Note 12 5G is top-notch. With the default color profile, the display produces vivid colors that really pop. But if you prefer a more natural look, the “Standard” setting is the way to go.

And even though there’s no HDR playback support for streaming apps, the phone is Widevine L1 certified, which means you can enjoy full-HD video playback without any issues.

Overall, I felt that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12’s display is an absolute treat for the eyes. With its vibrant colors, smooth performance, and impressive brightness, I found myself getting lost in my phone for hours on end. And with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, you can rest easy knowing that your display is tough enough to withstand everyday wear and tear.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Performance

The phone comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoC, which is paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. The phone also supports up to 1TB of expandable storage using a microSD card in the hybrid dual-SIM tray. And let’s not forget about its dual-5G standby feature that supports eleven 5G bands! That’s some serious connectivity power right there.

But what about performance, you ask? Well, let me tell you, the Redmi Note 12 5G doesn’t disappoint. In benchmarks, this phone managed to score 366861 points in AnTuTu, along with 626 and 1,696 points in Geekbench’s single and multi-core tests, respectively. These scores are pretty impressive, especially when compared to the Redmi Note 11 Pro.

In terms of performance and game play, I tested Asphalt 9 and COD: Mobile and I must say that I did face some lags especially when the games were played in high graphics quality and not the default settings. The touch sampling rate can also be a bit inadequate for FPS games and because of this I wouldn’t suggest the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G for hardcore gamers.

While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G does lag in the gaming department, it does shine while multitasking and operating other applications. It’s a device worth considering if you’re looking for a mid-range device that won’t break the bank.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Camera

The Redmi Note 12 5G boasts three rear cameras and a single 13-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies. The rear setup is pretty comprehensive with a 48MP primary lens, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro lens.

So, how does it perform in daylight conditions? Well, I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed with the image quality. The details are on the lower side, and the dynamic range suffers.

But when I switched on the AI mode, I was immediately impressed with the decent dynamic range and overall image quality compared to regular photos.

The macro camera is a bit difficult to master because of its fixed focus setup and the ultra-wide-angle camera’s performance is worse than the primary camera. The color tones and dynamic range are also way off compared to the actual scene, and the photos appear as if they have been shot using a filter.

During the day, the selfie camera took sharp and detailed images, whereas in low light, the photos appear soft and lack detail. Unfortunately, there’s no Night mode available for the ultra-wide camera that can give the photos the oompf it needs.

Video recording quality maxes out at 1080p at 30fps and it’s not as great as I’d hoped. After all though the camera is loaded with some pretty amazing lenses, the software and processing capabilities are not quite there and because of this I wouldn’t recommend buying the Redmi Note 12 5G if you’re in the market for a DSLR-worthy camera phone.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Battery

Truth be told, the Redmi Note 12 5G is a true marathon runner, delivering a day and a half of juice on a single charge even with heavy usage. I was really impressed by how long this phone kept going, even when I was using it for some serious multitasking – gaming, snapping photos, and binge-watching my favorite shows.

The phone charges up to 37 percent in just 30 minutes, which is great for those times when you need a quick top-up. And if you want to charge up the whole battery, it only takes about 1 hour and 14 minutes. It also comes with a 33W wired charger which supports fast charging.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Pros and Cons

Pros

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G boasts a beautiful and vibrant screen that offers an immersive viewing experience for everything from movies to photos.
This phone has excellent performance and battery life, allowing you to use it for extended periods without needing to charge it.
The Redmi Note 12 5G is designed with an eye-catching and sleek design that looks and feels premium. The build quality is also excellent, making it a durable option for everyday use.
The phone’s camera is capable of capturing impressive photos in daylight, with accurate colors and good detail.

Cons

One of the downsides of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G is that it comes with Android 12 out of the box, which might not be the latest version. Additionally, it may have a dated security patch that could potentially leave the phone vulnerable to security risks.
The phone comes with pre-installed apps that you may not necessarily use or need, which can take up valuable storage space.
While the camera does well in daylight, it may struggle in low light situations, with images appearing grainy or noisy.

Is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G worth the upgrade?

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G may be a decent choice if you’re solely after long-lasting battery life. However, the phone falls short in other areas, particularly in camera performance. It does have a good build, great display and a wonderful processor, but though it comes loaded with good hardware, the software running it is not great and because of this I’d recommend looking at alternate options like the Redmi Note 11 Pro or the Redmi Note 12 Pro that’s yet to release for a wholesome experience.

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Review | Is the Redmi Note 12 Worth the Upgrade?