Redmi Note12 Review: Good Phone on a Budget

Xiaomi recently launched the Redmi Note 12 Series in Kenya pushing forward the legacy of Redmi Note series with four all-new devices: Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G, Redmi Note 12 Pro, Redmi Note 12S, and Redmi Note 12.

The Redmi Note 12 Series delivers remarkable enhancements to the features that matter most to customers. These upgrades include the camera system, battery life, charging speed and user-friendly design, all offered at an exceptional value.

In this article, we are going to do a review of the Redmi Note 12 device which has been creating a buzz in the market with its trendy and price friendly design for the entry level market. The phone which comes in three variants that are priced at Ksh21,999 for the 4G + 128GB unit, Ksh24,4999 for the 6GB+128GB unit and Ksh26,999 for the 8GB+128GB .

Redmi Note 12 Features

Design and Build

It sports an impressive 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED DotDisplay with a resolution of 1080×2400 (FHD+) and a 120Hzrefresh rate. The display also sports HDR for a better visual experience. The phone aims to stand out in the middle range market level with a 120Hz AMOLED dsiplay. You can get the device either in Ice Blue, Mint Green or Onyx Grey variants. The 6.67” display gives good views even when holding the phone in angles.

The phone features a corning Gorilla Glass on the front and a polycarbonate panel on the rear back with a matte-metallic finish. It also sports a chamfered plastic frame and rounded corners for a smooth hand grip. It does pick fingerprints and you can notice some smudges when you hold it but its a relatively good pick at the price range.

The device has a side mounted Fingerprint scanner just above the power button on the right and volume rack on the left. For speakers, it comes with a single speaker at the bottom side of the phone next to the charging port.

Camera

The device is equipped with a 50MP AI Triple Camera main camera, 8MP wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro lens. It is also equipped with a 13MP front camera. The camera takes quality photos under well lit conditions. It promises steady and stunning nigh mode shoots with the help of enabled fun features and filters. It’s basically an average camera package and the photos cannot be compared to the premium versions.

Battery and Software

The Redmi Note 12S has a powerful 5000mAh battery non-removable battery that allows for extended battery life. It supports a super-fast charging with a 33W fast charging capability to let you go about your day without any battery issues.

For the software, the Note 12 runs on Android 13 with an MIUI Global version 14.0.6. It comes with several built in applications . It relies on the Qualcomm snapdragon 685 processor which provides a seamless and efficient multitasking experience in photography, gaming, audio and streaming for users. Available in 4GB, 6GB with 3GB extendable RAM and either 64 or 128GB of internal storage. It also comes with a dedicated microSD slot. The MIUI comes with a distinct look and feel.

The big downside here is 5G capabilities but its not such a big deal given 5G is not widely available.

Redmi Note 12 specifications

Price and Availability

The Redmi Note 12 series are available countrywide across all Xiaomi outlets and retail stores. The phone are priced at Ksh21,999 for the 4G + 128GB unit, Ksh24,4999 for the 6GB+128GB unit and finally Ksh26,999 for the 8GB+128GB

Overall, the series promises superior specs in the realms of camera, display and charging efficiency on a budget.