Redmi 12

Xiaomi's Redmi 12 5G stands as the latest addition to the Redmi series, offering an enticing blend of affordability and features. It's important to distinguish it from the standard Redmi 12, which, despite its name, carries some differences. Both variants share key attributes: a roomy 6.79-inch 90Hz display, a refreshed glass back design, a capacious 5000mAh battery, and a 50MP primary camera.

The primary divergence lies in the chipset: the Redmi 12 5G boasts a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chip, enabling 5G connectivity and justifying its name, while the Redmi 12 4G opts for a MediaTek Helio G88. Interestingly, the standard Redmi 12 adds an ultrawide camera, a feature missing in the pricier Redmi 12 5G.

With starting prices of PKR 42,600 for the Redmi 12 and PKR 62,600 for the Redmi 12 5G, Xiaomi maintains its tradition of budget-friendly offerings. In this review, we delve into the higher-end Redmi 12 5G to gauge its performance and value.

Software

The Redmi 12 5G runs MIUI 14 based on Android 13, albeit with some regional variations. The Indian version of MIUI, found on our review unit, lacks certain features compared to its Chinese counterpart and incorporates tweaks aimed at enhancing performance, like disabling transparency effects.

Regrettably, the software experience leaves much to be desired. MIUI's design, inspired by iOS, feels dated and often clashes with native Android elements. The device comes pre-loaded with bloatware, though some can be removed. Xiaomi's insistence on duplicating core apps alongside Google's versions creates unnecessary redundancy, from dialers to file managers.

The presence of ads and promoted content remains a prominent drawback, although many can be disabled. Xiaomi's pre-installed apps bombard users with notifications, demanding swift action.

Overall, the UI requires a substantial overhaul to match the competition's user-friendliness, polish, and adherence to Android's principles, while respecting users' time and patience.

Performance

Under the hood, the Redmi 12 5G packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (SM4450), equipped with 2x 2.2GHz Cortex-A78-derived Kryo Gold cores and 6x 2.0GHz Cortex-A55-derived Kryo Silver cores. It pairs with the Adreno 613 GPU clocked at 955MHz.

The device offers memory options of 4GB, 6GB, and 8GB, with expandability up to 8GB through memory extension (located on storage, not reaching the LPDDR4X memory's full speed). Storage options include 128GB and 256GB in UFS 2.2 format, expandable via microSD cards but at the cost of the second SIM slot.

Unsurprisingly, the Redmi 12 5G isn't a powerhouse. Everyday tasks like calls, messaging, web browsing, and multimedia consumption pose no issues. However, multitasking or demanding 3D gaming can lead to slowdowns and reduced frame rates.

While the 4GB and 6GB variants may suffice for undemanding users, the 8GB variant is the preferable choice, ensuring smoother operation over time amid increasing OS and app sizes.

Camera

The Redmi 12 5G sports a dual rear camera setup comprising a 50MP f1.8 primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor, with an 8MP f2.0 front camera.

The camera app is straightforward, with modes arranged at the bottom and easily accessible options via a swipe down gesture. Notably, HDR is inexplicably disabled by default, even in HDR Auto mode, potentially denying users the benefits of HDR.

Shutter delay is a concern, particularly for fast shooters, as the phone lacks a burst capture mode.

The camera delivers decent image quality, offering pleasing colors, good white balance, and satisfactory detail. However, dynamic range is sometimes limited, leading to blown-out highlights and shadow noise. The absence of a telephoto lens hampers zoom capabilities, though results up to 2x are acceptable. The 50MP mode essentially upscales 12MP images, offering limited additional detail.

Video recording disappoints, lacking stabilization even at 1080p 30fps, rendering moving footage often unusable without external stabilization.

Verdict

The Redmi 12 5G impresses with its combination of premium design, expansive display, decent performance, and ample battery life, all at an affordable price point. While its camera performance remains acceptable for the cost, the software experience leaves much to be desired. In summary, the Redmi 12 5G is a viable choice for budget-conscious, undemanding users.