The Redmi 12, unveiled by Xiaomi in late 2023, aims to shake up the budget smartphone segment with its sleek design, capable performance, and generous battery life. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive deeper into its features and see if it’s the right choice for you.
Design & Display:
The Redmi 12 boasts a head-turning design, featuring a seamless glass back and a premium metal frame. It’s impressively slim at 8.17mm, making it comfortable to hold and use. The 6.79-inch FHD+ display offers a vibrant viewing experience, with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate for added responsiveness. While not the highest resolution, it’s sufficient for most everyday tasks and multimedia consumption.
Performance & Battery:
The MediaTek Helio G88 processor powers the Redmi 12, offering decent performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and casual gaming. Don’t expect it to handle demanding games or heavy multitasking flawlessly, but it should suffice for most users. The phone comes in configurations with 4GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage, with the option to expand storage further via microSD card.
The 5000mAh battery is a big highlight. It easily lasts a full day, even with moderate usage, and supports 18W fast charging for quick top-ups. This is a major advantage over similarly priced competitors that often skimp on battery capacity.
Camera:
The quad-camera setup on the Redmi 12 includes a 50MP main sensor, an ultrawide sensor, a macro sensor, and a depth sensor. The main sensor captures decent photos in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low-light situations. The ultrawide and macro sensors are useful for capturing wider shots and close-up details, but their quality isn’t exceptional. Overall, the camera system is serviceable for casual photography but won’t satisfy shutterbugs.
Software & Features:
The Redmi 12 runs on MIUI 14 based on Android 13, offering a customizable and feature-rich experience. However, MIUI is known for bloatware and occasional bugs, which could be a turnoff for some users. The phone also includes features like NFC for contactless payments and IP53 water resistance, adding to its value proposition.
Verdict:
The Redmi 12 is a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers seeking a stylish, well-performing smartphone with a long-lasting battery. Its design, display, and battery life are its biggest strengths, making it a good choice for everyday use and multimedia consumption. However, its camera system and software could be dealbreakers for users demanding top-notch photography and a clean UI experience.
Who should buy it?
Budget-conscious users looking for a stylish and well-rounded smartphone.
Users who prioritize long battery life and a large display.
Casual photographers who don’t demand exceptional camera quality.
Who should look elsewhere?
Users who require top-tier performance for demanding tasks or gaming.
Users who prioritize excellent camera quality for capturing stunning photos.
Users who dislike bloatware and prefer a clean software experience.
