The Redmi 12 5G boasts a 50-megapixel main camera along with a 5,000mAh battery.
Xiaomi’s latest budget offering, the Redmi 12 5G, brings 5G connectivity to the table following the earlier launch of the 4G variant in India. The smartphone starts at a base price of Rs. 11,999 for the 4GB RAM and 128GB storage configuration. Keep in mind that this phone primarily targets budget-conscious consumers seeking 5G capabilities. For this review, I’ve been using the top-tier variant with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is priced at Rs. 15,499. Let’s examine whether Xiaomi manages to deliver the promised experience in this review.
Redmi 12 5G: Price in Nigeria
The Redmi 12 5G is available in two additional configurations: 4GB of RAM with 128GB of storage at Rs. 11,999, and 6GB of RAM with 128GB of storage priced at Rs. 13,499. It comes in three attractive color options: Moonstone Silver, Jade Black, and Pastel Blue. Notably, the inclusion of a 256GB storage option is a welcome addition to a budget smartphone. However, it does bring it into close competition with the Redmi Note 12 5G, which offers a Super AMOLED display, a 120Hz refresh rate, and faster charging capabilities.
Redmi 12 5G: Design
The Redmi 12 5G boasts a polycarbonate chassis with a glass back panel, a notable feature in its price range. The chrome accents around the camera lenses add a touch of elegance. It includes a USB Type-C port for charging and retains the 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone offers a hybrid slot, allowing for dual-5G nano SIM cards or a single SIM card and a microSD card.
While the matte-finished side rails resist fingerprints, the back panel is prone to smudging and fingerprint marks, particularly when used without a protective case. Despite its sizable display, the Redmi 12 5G feels well-balanced in the hand. It weighs 199g and measures 8.17mm in thickness, which is relatively slim for a smartphone with a 5,000mAh battery. However, its flat sides can make it a bit uncomfortable to hold for extended periods.
Redmi 12 5G: Display
The Redmi 12 5G features a generous 6.79-inch Full-HD+ LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. It provides a smooth experience for basic tasks like social media scrolling and navigating the user interface. Still, when it comes to content consumption, an AMOLED screen would be preferable. The display is adequately bright for indoor use, boasting a peak brightness of up to 550 nits. However, outdoor legibility is somewhat compromised.
Redmi 12 5G: Cameras
The phone is equipped with a dual-rear camera setup headlined by a 50-megapixel primary camera. This camera performs well in good lighting conditions but struggles in low-light situations. Surprisingly, it doesn’t excessively sharpen images.
In addition to the primary camera, there is a 2-megapixel depth sensor, but the absence of an ultra-wide camera is disappointing. For selfies, the smartphone features an 8-megapixel front camera, which captures detailed images in daylight.
The Redmi 12 5G can record videos at up to 1080p 30fps, delivering good detail. The front camera can also record videos at up to 1080p 30fps, but the resulting videos are slightly softer.
Redmi 12 5G: Battery & Charging
One of the standout features of this smartphone is its 5,000mAh battery, which performs admirably for day-to-day tasks and content consumption. In our rigorous battery test, the phone demonstrated impressive endurance. If extended battery life is a top priority for you, this phone is a compelling option. However, the 18W charging speed might feel a bit slow, requiring some patience to reach a full charge. In our battery loop test, the phone managed to run for an impressive 17 hours and 49 minutes.
Redmi 12 5G: Performance
The Redmi 12 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC, which adequately handles most apps without any noticeable lag. However, when it comes to competitive gaming, it falls short of expectations. I successfully edited a 30-second 1080p video using the VN app on this smartphone, which it handled without issues. Nevertheless, gaming performance wasn’t as impressive. While games like Subway Surfers ran smoothly, more demanding titles like BGMI and Call of Duty experienced lag, leading to a less-than-optimal gaming experience.
In benchmark tests, the smartphone delivered average scores. Its 5G capabilities performed reasonably well, with high download speeds achieved using a Jio connection in Delhi. The Redmi 12 5G runs on MIUI 14, based on Android 13, and comes with a few preinstalled apps, most of which can be removed. Although this may be somewhat bothersome for some users, the overall user experience was surprisingly smooth.
Verdict
The Redmi 12 5G is a commendable budget offering from the brand, ticking off essential features like a large battery, 5G connectivity, a decent display, and a conventional design. Keep in mind that it starts at a price of Rs. 11,999, and it fulfills its intended purpose. If you’re in the market for an entry-level 5G smartphone, this model is a reasonable choice. However, if display and camera quality are of paramount importance to you, spending a bit more for the Redmi Note 12 5G would make more sense.