Redmi 12 Review – Affordable Smartphone with Glass Crystal Back, HelioG88 Chip and a huge 6.79” DotDisplay

HomeReviewsRedmi 12 Review - Affordable Smartphone with Glass Crystal Back, HelioG88 Chip and a huge 6.79” DotDisplay

Highlight

  • Redmi 12 was launched in India last month at the starting price of Rs 9999.
  • The smartphone is available in two memory variants – 4GB/6GB RAM and 128GB/256GB Internal storage.
  • Powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio G88 processor, the phone comes with a 90 Hz refresh rate 6.79-inch touchscreen display, a triple rear camera setup, Android 13 and a 5000mAh battery.

Join us as we delve into the question of whether the Redmi 12 is a game-changer device for its class or not.

Here’s the hands-on Redmi 12 review.

Redmi 12 – Key Features

Redmi 12 - Key Features
Redmi 12 – Key Features
  • 79-inch FHD+ 90Hz DotDisplay
  • MediaTek Helio G88 Processor
  • Android 13
  • 4GB/ 8GB RAM
  • 128GB/ 256GB Storage
  • 50MP+8MP+2MP triple rear camera
  • 8MP camera front camera
  • 5000mAh Battery with 18W fast charging
  • IP53 Dust and Splash Resistant
  • Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor
  • AI Face Lock

Redmi 12 – Pros & Cons

Redmi 12 - Pros & Cons
Redmi 12 – Pros & Cons
Pros Cons
●     Sleek Phone with Premium Glass Back Design

●     Good battery support

●     Good 50MP AI Camera

●     IP53 Dust and Splash Resistant

●     SGS Low Blue Light Certification and Reading Mode 3.0

●     AI Face Lock and Side Fingerprint sensor

●     NFC support

●     Affordable

●     Outdated chipset

●     Single Speaker

●     Frequent touch lags

●     Bloatware

Redmi 12 – Design and Build Quality

Redmi 12 - Design and Build Quality
Redmi 12 – Design and Build Quality

The Redmi 12 follows an extremely clean design philosophy.
The industrial design has no unique features and is something you have probably seen many times before. While to many users it may look very similar to Tecno Spark 10 Pro or Infinix Hot 30, we were particularly reminded of Redmi Note 12 Turbo.

The boxy body with a flat frame design is very old school. However, the crystal glass back definitely adds a touch of style.
We had the Pastel Blue colour variant for this review and it instantly feels premium for the segment.

Redmi 12 feels comfortable in hand and has an ergonomic grip.

The build quality is decent. Apart from Corning Gorilla Glass protection, it also comes with IP53-rated splash and dust resistance.

On the right side of Redmi 12, we have the power button and the volume rockers.
The power button also serves as a fingerprint scanner and it works efficiently.

At the bottom of the device, we have a USB TYPE-C charging port, a microphone and a speaker grill.
You are also getting an IR blaster and audio jack on the top of the phone frame.

Redmi 12 – Display and Multimedia Experience

Redmi 12 - Display
Redmi 12 – Display

The Redmi 12 boasts an impressive display, a fact evident from the first time the screen turns on.
With its expansive 6.79″ FHD+ screen, you’ll enjoy sharp and vibrant visuals that bring your content to life.

The 90Hz refresh rate ensures smooth and fluid transitions.
You can expect scrolling through apps and websites to be a breeze.

For those who demand precision, the Redmi 12’s touch sampling rate of 240Hz ensures ultra-responsive touch input, perfect for quick and accurate interactions with your device.
Whether you’re typing, swiping, or gaming, you can count on a seamless and lag-free experience.

Even in bright outdoor environments, the Redmi 12 shines with a peak brightness of 550nits.

You can comfortably use your phone under direct sunlight.
Its brightness is definitely better than a lot of phones in this segment.

Redmi 12 – Hardware and Performance

Redmi 12 - Hardware and Performance
Redmi 12 – Hardware and Performance

The MediaTek Helio G88 processor in the Redmi 12 is a capable mid-range chipset. However, it is also one of the outed ones.

Tasks like app launching, web browsing, and casual gaming are handled smoothly without noticeable lag or stutter.

Users have the choice between 4GB and 6GB of RAM. This flexibility allows you to pick the configuration that suits your multitasking needs.
We received the 6GB variant for this review.
If you are someone who frequently switches between multiple apps or runs resource-intensive applications, we suggest you get the 6GB variant.

The inclusion of virtual RAM, either 4GB + 4GB or 6GB + 6GB, is a clever feature.
It helps improve multitasking capabilities and app load times by utilizing storage space as additional RAM.

The AnTuTu v10 score of 274,581 indicates that the Redmi 12 offers respectable performance for its class.
Below are some of the other benchmark test results for reference.

Screenshot_2023-09-09-11-18-31-079_com.antutu.ABenchMark
Screenshot_2023-09-09-11-18-25-008_com.antutu.ABenchMark
Screenshot_2023-09-09-11-15-25-100_com.antutu.ABenchMark
Screenshot_2023-09-09-09-05-44-564_com.futuremark.dmandroid.application
Screenshot_2023-09-09-02-13-52-555_com.primatelabs.geekbench6
Screenshot_2023-09-09-01-59-20-735_com.primatelabs.geekbench6
Screenshot_2023-09-09-11-18-31-079_com.antutu.ABenchMark Screenshot_2023-09-09-11-18-25-008_com.antutu.ABenchMark Screenshot_2023-09-09-11-15-25-100_com.antutu.ABenchMark Screenshot_2023-09-09-09-05-44-564_com.futuremark.dmandroid.application Screenshot_2023-09-09-02-13-52-555_com.primatelabs.geekbench6 Screenshot_2023-09-09-01-59-20-735_com.primatelabs.geekbench6

While benchmarks are just one aspect of real-world performance, these above scores suggest that the device can handle everyday tasks and even some light gaming without breaking a sweat.

Redmi 12 – Camera Capability and Performance

Redmi 12 - Camera Capability
Redmi 12 – Camera Capability

With Redmi 12, you get a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture and 1.28μm pixel size (4-in-1 superpixel).
Then there is the 8MP ultrawide camera adds versatility to your photography and a 2MP macro camera designed for close-up shots.

The 50MP lens takes decent and detailed images in a well-lit environment or when you are out on a bright sunny day.
For the price segment, the camera performance has nothing to complain about.
Although there is nothing too impressive either.
You are basically getting worth of your money.

Here are some shots taken from the camera

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IMG_20230910_111426
PortraitMode_Daylight_1
IMG_20230910_111533
PhotoMode_Daylight_2
IMG_20230909_192725 IMG_20230909_193333 IMG_20230909_192747 IMG_20230909_193428 IMG_20230909_193628 IMG_20230910_111125 IMG_20230910_111225 IMG_20230910_111208 IMG_20230910_111404 IMG_20230910_111452 IMG_20230910_111426 PortraitMode_Daylight_1 IMG_20230910_111533 PhotoMode_Daylight_2

Video recording at 1080p@30fps and 720p@30fps is suitable for capturing moments of standard quality. Here are two videos taken at day and night time.

Additionally, the device offers modes like Time-lapse, Movie frame, HDR, Google Lens integration, Voice shutter, Tilt-shift, Timed burst, and Custom watermark, giving you plenty of tools to experiment with.

The 8MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture and 1.12 um pixel size is standard for the category. You can expect it to do its job without promising anything extraordinary.

Redmi 12 Daylight Video

Redmi 12 Night Video

 

Redmi 12 – Battery

Redmi 12 - Battery
Redmi 12 – Battery

The Redmi 12 boasts a robust 5000mAh Li-Polymer battery, ensuring extended usage without frequent recharging.

The inclusion of a 22.5W Type-C Fast Charger with 18W charging support guarantees quick refills, minimizing downtime.

This combination delivers reliable battery life and speedy top-ups for an uninterrupted mobile experience.

My Mobile Rating

Design – 3/5

Display – 3.5/5

Hardware – 3/5

Camera – 3/5

Battery – 3/5

Performance – 3/5

Verdict

Verdict
Verdict

In summary, the Redmi 12 offers a large, high-resolution panel with a fast refresh rate, exceptional touch sensitivity, and excellent brightness levels.

It’s a great choice for users who prioritize visual quality and responsiveness in their smartphones.

It also delivers a balanced hardware and performance package, catering to the needs of most users in the mid-range segment.
It offers good value for those seeking a dependable smartphone without breaking the bank.

Buy a Redmi 12 For

Buy a Redmi 12 For
Buy a Redmi 12 For
  • Crystal Glass Design
  • Big Display with FHD+
  • Decent Camera Setup
  • Large Battery Capacity
  • Affordability
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FAQs

Q1. Does Redmi 12 feature a headphone jack?

Answer. Yes, Redmi 12 comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack. It is located on the top frame of the phone.

Q2. What are the specifications of the Redmi 12’s front camera?

Answer. The Redmi 12 features an 8MP front camera with an aperture of f/2.0 and a pixel size of 1.12μm. This camera is designed for capturing high-quality selfies and video calls.

Q3. Can I expand the memory of Redmi 12?

Answer. For expandable storage, the Redmi 12 comes with a Hybrid SIM slot that can be used to expand the memory up to 1TB.

Q4. How many speakers are there in Redmi 12?

Answer. Redmi 12 has one speaker grill at the bottom.

Q5. What is the display size and key display features of the Redmi 12?

Answer. The Redmi 12 boasts a 6.79″ FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. It also reaches a peak brightness of 550nits, making it a vibrant and responsive screen for a wide range of activities.

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