The Xiaomi Redmi 12, released on June 15, 2023, has quickly become a popular choice for users seeking a balance between affordability and functionality. In this article, we provide a detailed picture of its specifications, design, camera capabilities, storage options, unique features, and pricing and so on. Let’s get to it!
4GB RAM + 128GB Storage: $135
8GB RAM + 256GB Storage: $145
SPECIFICATIONS
Display
Size: 6.79”
inches Resolution: Full HD+ (2460 x 1080 pixels)
Panel Technology: IPS LCD
Brightness: up to 550 nits (HBM)
Refresh Rate: 90 Hz
Touchscreen: capacitive multi-touch
Other Features: Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 protection; SGS Low Blue Light Certification
Design
Materials: glass back panel, reinforced plastic frame
Available Colours: Midnight Black, Sky Blue, and Polar Silver.
Weight: 198.5 g
Dimensions: 8.17mm thickness
Other Features: Water-repellent coating
Camera
Rear Camera System:
Main Sensor: 50MP wide-angle lens, f/1.8 aperture.
Secondary Sensor: 5 MP ultrawide lens, 115-degree field of view.
Tertiary Sensor: 2 MP depth sensor.
Front Camera: 8 MP selfie camera, f/2.1 aperture.
Processor and RAM
Processor: MediaTek Helio G88 (octa-core, 2x Cortex-A75 cores @ 2.0 GHz, and 6x Cortex-A55 cores @ 1.8 GHz)
RAM Options: 4GB, 6GB, 8GB (LPDDR4X)
Storage
Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB (UFS 2.2)
MicroSD Card Support: Up to 1TB with a dedicated microSDXC slot (uses a shared SIM slot).
Battery and charging
Battery Capacity: 5000mAh
Fast Charging: 18W wired fast charging
Other Features
AI face unlock
Operating System: Android 13 with MIUI 14
Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Headphone Jack: 3.5mm headphone jack Other Features:
Dual SIM support (nano-SIM) Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, and A-GPS.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Display
The Xiaomi Redmi 12 boasts a large 6.79-inch display, perfect for enjoying multimedia content, browsing the web, and gaming. While not the sharpest on the market with a Full HD+ resolution, it delivers an ample screen suitable for everyday use. The IPS LCD technology offers wide viewing angles and good colour reproduction, making it suitable for various lighting conditions. The display’s highlight is the smooth 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring a more responsive and fluid user experience compared to traditional 60Hz displays. Additionally, the presence of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides some protection against scratches and minor drops.
Design: A blend of quality and affordable
Xiaomi Redmi 12 adopts a modern design language with a sleek glass back panel and a reinforced plastic frame. This design keeps the weight down to a comfortable 198.5 grammes, making it easy to hold for extended periods. While it might not have the premium feel and build of an aluminium-framed phone like an iPhone or a Samsung phone, the plastic construction contributes to its budget-friendly price tag. The phone comes in a variety of vibrant colour options, catering to different user preferences.
Camera: Capturing Everyday Moments
Xiaomi Redmi 12 packs a triple-camera system on the rear, offering decent photography capabilities for its price range. The main sensor is a 50MP wide-angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture, capable of capturing detailed photos in good lighting conditions. However, low-light performance might be limited. The 5MP ultrawide lens allows you to capture expansive landscapes and group shots with its 115-degree field of view. The 2 MP depth sensor plays a supporting role in portrait mode photos by blurring the background behind the subject.
On the front, the Redmi 12 features an 8MP selfie camera for capturing decent selfies and video calls. While it won’t compete with high-end phones in the camera department, it fulfils basic photography needs for everyday use.
Processor and RAM
The Redmi 12 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G88 processor, a chipset known for balancing performance and power efficiency. It’s suitable for everyday tasks like browsing the web, social media usage, and light gaming. However, users who require heavy multitasking or demanding games might find its limitations. The phone comes in three RAM configurations: 4GB, 6GB, and 8GB. RAM plays a crucial role in multitasking performance and app responsiveness. Going for a higher RAM option (especially 6GB or 8GB) is recommended if you plan on running multiple apps simultaneously or using intensive games.
Storage: sufficient storage for everyone
The Redmi 12 offers a good range of storage options, starting at 128GB and reaching up to 256GB in the highest configuration. This provides enough space for storing photos, videos, apps, and games. The phone utilises UFS 2.2 storage, which offers faster read and write speeds compared to older eMMC storage technology, leading to a smoother overall user experience. Additionally, the phone boasts support for microSD cards with capacities of up to 1TB, allowing for further storage expansion if needed.
Battery and charging: Full day usage on a single charge
The Redmi 12 is equipped with a sizable 5000mAh battery, a common feature in Xiaomi’s Redmi lineup. This battery capacity should provide a full day’s worth of usage on a single charge for moderate users. Power users might need to top up the battery during the day, but the phone’s fast charging capabilities come in handy. While the Redmi 12 doesn’t boast the fastest charging speeds in the market, it supports 18W fast charging. This allows you to recharge the battery from 0 to 100% in about 2 hours and 24 minutes.
Other Features
The Redmi 12 runs on Android 13 with MIUI 14 on top. MIUI offers a variety of customisation options and features on top of the stock Android experience, allowing you to personalise your phone according to your preferences. A convenient, side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides a secure way to unlock the phone. Unlike many flagship phones that have ditched the headphone jack, the Redmi 12 retains the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing you to use wired headphones without needing an adapter.
The phone includes additional features like dual SIM support for increased connectivity options, Wi-Fi 5 for internet connectivity, Bluetooth 5.3 for connecting to wireless devices, and various navigation systems like GPS, A-GPS, GloNASS, and BeiDou. The presence of an FM radio is a bonus feature for users who enjoy listening to radio broadcasts.
Pricing and availability
The Redmi 12’s pricing is one of its biggest strengths. The base variant with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage starts at an attractive price point, making it a compelling option for budget-conscious users. The price increases slightly with higher RAM and storage configurations. Here’s a possible breakdown of pricing based on expected trends (actual pricing might vary depending on region and retailer):
4GB RAM + 128GB Storage: $135
8GB RAM + 256GB Storage: $145
Conclusion
The Xiaomi Redmi 12 emerges as a strong contender in the budget smartphone segment. It offers a large display, decent camera capabilities, ample storage options, and a long-lasting battery, all at an attractive price point. While the processor might not be suitable for heavy multitasking or demanding games, it handles everyday tasks with ease. The presence of a headphone jack and a user-friendly MIUI interface are additional perks. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly phone that delivers good value for money, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is definitely worth considering.
