Xiaomi Redmi 12 Review
Xiaomi has been actively finding ways to bring premium features to their budget offerings. From performance to camera, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 packs the right amount of features to elevate consumer experience. This new device, which you can afford for as low as PhP7,999, isn’t perfect but it still emerges as one of the exciting products that Xiaomi launched this year.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Specs
- Dimensions: 168.60mm x 76.28mm x 8.17mm
- Weight: 198.5g
- Colors: Midnight Black, Sky Blue, Polar Silver
- Processor: MediaTek Helio G88
- RAM and Storage: 4+128/8+128/8+256GB, expandable up to 1TB
- Operating System: MIUI 14 based on Android 13
- Display: 6.79″ FHD+ DotDisplay with 90Hz AdaptiveSync
- Battery: 5,000mAh with 18W fast charging
- Camera: 50MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, 2MP macro camera, 8MP selfie camera
- Connectivity: SIM1 + Hybrid (SIM or microSD), Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi: 2.4GHz | 5GHz
- Other Features: Side fingerprint sensor, FM radio, 3.5mm headphone jack
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Design and Display
The Xiaomi Redmi 12 has this attention-grabbing look thanks to its premium glass back and a sleek, infinite camera design. This design not only looks fantastic but also enhances the phone’s grip and comfort. The device is built with durability in mind, featuring an IP53.2 rating for dust and splashing water resistance. It’s also impressively thin, measuring only 8.17mm, making it about 10% thinner than its predecessor.
However, its overall design clearly gives an iPhone-esque look, which gives an impression that Xiaomi didn’t put a lot of though into Redmi 12’s design. Obviously, this will greatly appeal those who do not have an iPhone, and will have a high chance to pull buyers to buy it. The Xiaomi Redmi 12 has three color options: Midnight Black, Sky Blue, and Polar Silver. The one I’ve got looks okay but if you want a more that looks out of the ordinary, get the Sky Blue or Polar Silver variants.
The phone also includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for convenient and secure access, an immersive loudspeaker for an enhanced audio experience, and even an IR remote control to manage your home devices. The latter is a surprising addition on budge smartphone.
One of the standout features of the Redmi 12 is its massive 6.79-inch FHD+ DotDisplay. This is the largest display in the Redmi series, and it truly provides an immersive viewing experience. With a resolution of 2460×1080 and a 90Hz AdaptiveSync refresh rate, the Redmi 12 not only delivers stunning visuals but also ensures smoother performance. It would have been better had they considered putting 120Hz on its display, but it’s understandable in the case of Redmi 12. At the end of the day, making its price reachable to a wider range of consumers is key to make this more appealing.
The Reading Mode 3.0, which adjusts colors and textures for comfortable reading and browsing, is a thoughtful addition. Moreover, it’s SGS Low Blue Light certified, prioritizing your eye health during prolonged use.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Performance
Under the hood, the Redmi 12 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G88 octa-core processor, supporting a 90Hz high refresh rate. This translates to faster app launches and smoother overall performance. The device offers ample storage options, with up to 1TB of expandable storage, ensuring you never run out of space for your pictures, songs, and videos.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Synthetic Benchmark Results
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Software
Xiaomi Redmi 14 is running on the latest version of MIUI 14, which brings a range of new features and enhancements to improve user experience. The smartphone boasts a sleek and modern design, reflecting Xiaomi’s commitment to creating visually appealing devices.
With MIUI 14, Xiaomi has made significant strides in streamlining the user interface to be more intuitive and user-friendly. They have adopted a more minimalist and flatter UI, which gives the operating system a clean and uncluttered look. The refined app drawer makes it easier to organize and access your apps, reducing the need for multiple home screens.
However, while the simplicity of the interface is admirable, I still believe that there is room for improvement. The default size and looks of icons can appear too bland and unexciting. Adding more customization options for icons and themes would allow users to personalize their device to a greater extent, catering to individual tastes and preferences.
Despite these minor aesthetic concerns, MIUI 14 shines when it comes to functionality. Xiaomi has included a treasure trove of extra features that can easily be accessed and tweaked via settings. From advanced privacy settings to system-wide dark mode, users have plenty of options to enhance their smartphone experience and tailor it to their needs.
Furthermore, MIUI 14 offers a smoother and more optimized performance, thanks to its improved resource management and optimization techniques. This ensures that the device operates efficiently and delivers a fluid user experience, even when running demanding applications or multitasking.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Camera Performance
The camera system on the Redmi 12 is where this device truly shines. It boasts a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. What’s exciting is the introduction of film camera filters, a first for the Redmi series. These filters, with pixel-level calculations and real-time previews, allow you to add a vintage touch to your photos and unleash your creativity.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Sample Camera Shots
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Sound Performance
The phone offers a ton of features that cater to the needs of smartphone users. However, one area where it falls short is its sound performance. The sound produced by the device is lackluster, with a flat and unimpressive audio quality. The speakers on the Redmi 12 do not deliver the depth and richness that I expected.
That being said, Xiaomi has made a wise decision by including a 3.5mm headphone jack on the Redmi 12. This means that users have the option to connect their favorite pair of wired headphones or earphones directly to the device, bypassing the lackluster speaker performance altogether. This can greatly enhance the overall audio experience for those who prefer a more immersive and high-quality sound.
Furthermore, if you own a pair of Bluetooth earphones, the Redmi 12 offers the convenience of wireless connectivity. By simply pairing their Bluetooth earphones with the device, users can enjoy their favorite music, podcasts, or videos without the need for any physical connections. This feature allows them to distance themselves from the disappointing sound that may emanate from the device’s speakers.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Battery and Connectivity Performance
The 5,000mAh battery in the Redmi 12 is a beast. It provides an impressive 23 days of standby time, 133 hours of music playback, 26 hours of online reading, or 16 hours of video watching. This means you can use your device all day without constantly worrying about charging. Additionally, the inclusion of an 18W Type-C fast charging port ensures that you can quickly juice up your device when needed.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Review Verdict
The Redmi 12 is an exciting new product but its marred with its ability to topple the overall performance of its predecessor. If you’re coming from Xiaomi Redmi 10, there is no clear reason why you should upgrade to this version. However, if you’re coming from lower variants, this is definitely an upgrade without feeling guilty about the price that Xiaomi asks.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
