Redmi 12 Review: An Affordable Entry-Level Phone with Some Compromises

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The Redmi 12, the latest addition to Xiaomi’s budget-friendly lineup, is touted as the most affordable Redmi phone of the year. As an entry-level device, it may not deliver groundbreaking features, but does it offer enough value for its price? In this review, we’ll explore the design, display, performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience of the Redmi 12.

Design and Build:

With the Redmi 12, Xiaomi brings a successor to last year’s Redmi 10. Despite the year-long gap, not much has changed in terms of design. The notable updates include a larger display and a revamped camera setup, which appears more elegant and less cluttered.

The switch from a plastic back to a glass one gives the device a more premium feel. The flat back and plastic frame contribute to its solid build quality. Additionally, the Redmi 12 is rated at IP53 for ingress protection, adding a layer of durability.

Screen Specs and Features:

The Redmi 12 features a 6.79-inch LCD display, noticeably larger than its predecessor. It boasts a 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, which helps in providing smoother swiping and scrolling. While the display’s brightness is satisfactory for its price range, maxing out at around 540 nits, the auto brightness feature lacks reliability.

The absence of a light sensor results in the device relying on the selfie camera for managing brightness. Furthermore, the lack of a hardware proximity sensor may cause accidental touches during voice calls. Nevertheless, the LCD display offers good sharpness, decent colors, and ample contrast, considering the absence of OLED technology.

Audio and Fingerprint Scanner:

In terms of audio, the Redmi 12 disappoints with a single bottom-firing speaker. The sound quality is average at best, lacking the depth and richness found in devices with stereo speakers.

However, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack provides an alternative for those who prefer wired audio. The device also incorporates a side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button. This reliable biometric feature allows for convenient unlocking and wakes up the device seamlessly.

Storage Options and Software Experience:

The Redmi 12 offers two storage variants: 128GB and 256GB, both expandable via a microSD card. Running on Xiaomi’s MIUI 14, based on Android 13, the device provides a familiar user interface.

Xiaomi promises two years of OS updates and four years of security patches, which is commendable for an entry-level device. While MIUI 14 offers a feature-rich experience, those seeking a stock Android experience might find it overwhelming. Further details about the software experience can be found in our dedicated video on MIUI 14.

Performance:

Unfortunately, the Redmi 12 disappoints in terms of performance. Equipped with the MediaTek Helio G88 chipset, it offers lackluster performance compared to its competitors in the same price range.

The chipset, even when it was new, failed to impress, and its limitations become more apparent over time. The absence of 5G connectivity support further puts the device at a disadvantage. Users looking for a more powerful and efficient device might find better options elsewhere.

Battery Endurance and Charging:

The Redmi 12 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, providing decent battery life. However, it falls short of some competing devices in the same price segment. With an overall endurance rating of 117 hours, the device delivers satisfactory performance.

It supports 18W charging but disappointingly does not include a charger in the box. In our testing, it took half an hour to reach 29% charge, which is not particularly fast but aligns with other entry-level smartphones.

Camera Capabilities:

The Redmi 12 features a 50-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. While the camera setup is similar to its predecessor, Xiaomi has improved the camera processing for better results.

In good lighting conditions, the 12.5-megapixel photos captured by the main camera offer sufficient detail, sharpness, and contrast. The color accuracy is decent, and the dynamic range is commendable. However, portrait shots lack the same level of sharpness and detail. In low-light situations, the Redmi 12’s default camera mode falls short, producing photos with limited detail and dynamic range.

The introduction of night mode helps alleviate some of these limitations, but noise becomes more prominent, and the smearing of details is noticeable. The device supports video recording at 1080p resolution, and the main camera’s footage is average in quality, exhibiting softness and overexposure.

The ultra-wide camera captures photos with good contrast and punchy colors during daylight conditions. However, it lacks detail and struggles in low-light scenarios without the support of a dedicated night mode. On the positive side, video capture from the ultra-wide lens is commendable in its class, offering pleasing colors.

The 2-megapixel macro camera, while providing an option for close-up shots, lacks detail and satisfactory contrast and color reproduction.

Selfies taken with the 8-megapixel front-facing camera turn out sharp enough and are acceptable within this price range.

Conclusion:

The Redmi 12 shares many similarities with its two-year-old predecessor, the Redmi 10, with the exclusion of stereo speakers. However, the device does offer a larger screen, a refreshed design, updated software, and improved camera processing.

Furthermore, the Redmi 12 launches with more base storage at a lower price compared to the Redmi 10 at its time of release. While there are competitors in the market that offer more powerful hardware, the Redmi 12 presents a viable option for budget-conscious consumers.

If cost savings are a priority, it is worth considering. Alternatives to the Redmi 12 include the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G and the Realme C55.

In conclusion, the Redmi 12 may not be a groundbreaking device, but it offers a respectable set of features within its price range, making it a suitable choice for users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone.

Daven Klarsen
Daven Klarsen is a technology writer and researcher. He's also an avid sports fan, especially when it comes to the LAL. When not working, you can usually find him tweaking his Android devices or watching soccer news.

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