The Redmi Note 12 5G: A Worthy Successor or a Pricey Upgrade?
The Redmi Note 12 5G has officially launched in India, bringing 5G connectivity to the popular budget series for the first time. However, the excitement surrounding this new model is tempered by the "5G tax", resulting in a higher price than its predecessor, the Redmi Note 11. While Xiaomi boasts of uncompromised specifications, is the Redmi Note 12 5G actually a worthy upgrade for its price? Let’s delve into its features and see what it offers.
Design and Display: A Refined Look and a Refreshing Screen
The Redmi Note 12 5G comes in a sleek Frosted Green color, with a frosted finish that gives it a premium glass-like sheen. It also comes in Mystique Blue and the classic Matte Black. The curved back panel seamlessly blends into the flat plastic frame, providing a comfortable grip. Weighing in at 188g and measuring 7.98mm thick, this phone feels balanced in hand. The phone boasts an IP53 rating, offering basic protection against water splashes and dust.
The 6.67-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display takes center stage, featuring a 120Hz refresh rate that promises a smooth and responsive user experience. This is a significant upgrade from the Redmi Note 11’s 90Hz AMOLED panel. The display dynamically switches between 60Hz and 120Hz based on the on-screen content, ensuring optimal battery life. The thin bezels surrounding the flat screen enhance the viewing experience, while a tiny hole at the top houses the 13-megapixel front camera. With up to 1200 nits of peak brightness, the screen is easily visible even under direct sunlight.
While the high-quality display is impressive, the lack of stereo speakers is a noticeable downgrade from the Redmi Note 11, potentially diminishing its multimedia potential.
Camera: Capturing Moments with a Triple Lens System
On the back, the Redmi Note 12 5G features a triple-camera system, including a 48-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. Initial impressions suggest that the main camera performs adequately for its price, delivering accurate colors though with a slightly off dynamic range. A comprehensive review will delve deeper into the camera performance of all the sensors.
Performance and Software: A Familiar Processor and MIUI 13
The Redmi Note 12 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoC, a familiar chip previously seen in the iQoo Z6 Lite 5G. While the Z6 Lite 5G showed impressive performance, it remains to be seen how well the Redmi Note 12 5G is optimized. Its performance will be scrutinized in a thorough review.
Unfortunately, the phone runs MIUI 13 based on Android 12, which is a disappointment considering newer Android versions are available. Despite this, Xiaomi promises two major Android updates (Android 13 and Android 14) and four years of security updates. While some bloatware is present on MIUI 13, it can be uninstalled.
Battery and Charging: Keeping You Powered Up
The Redmi Note 12 5G packs a 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging support. Thankfully, the phone includes a charger in the box.
Pricing and Availability: A Pricey Entry Point
The Redmi Note 12 5G starts at Rs. 17,999, offering 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The variant with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, the one we tested, costs Rs. 19,999. This new entry-level Redmi Note model is priced higher than many fans of the series might have anticipated.
Verdict: A Promising Start, but Needs a Closer Look
The Redmi Note 12 5G presents a mixed bag. The refined design, impressive display, and 5G connectivity are compelling features. However, the lack of stereo speakers, the price hike, and the older software version raise concerns. Whether it justifies its price tag remains to be seen. A comprehensive review will explore its performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience in detail, providing a clearer picture of whether it’s a worthy successor to the Redmi Note 11 or a costly upgrade.
