The REDMI Note 12 is a budget 4G phone that Xiaomi announced for global markets on March 23, 2023. It is the 4G version of the series, and a separate REDMI Note 12 5G was launched alongside it. In Germany, it started at €229.90 for the 4 GB + 64 GB model. The phone is now discontinued. Xiaomi’s European stores no longer sell it, and the REDMI Note 13 followed it.
Design and display
The Note 12 has a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen with a 2400 x 1080 resolution. It refreshes at up to 120 Hz and reaches 1,200 nits at peak. Typical brightness is 450 nits, and high brightness mode reaches 700 nits. The refresh rate is not adaptive like on LTPO panels.
The frame and back are plastic with a matte finish. The phone measures 165.66 x 75.96 x 7.85 mm and weighs 183.5 g. It carries an IP53 rating, so it handles splashes but not submersion. Colors include Onyx Gray, Mint Green, Ice Blue and Sunrise Gold, depending on the market.
Performance
Inside is the Snapdragon 685, a 6 nm chip with eight cores. Four cores run at up to 2.8 GHz. Graphics come from the Adreno 610 GPU. Memory options range from 4 GB to 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM with UFS 2.2 storage. A microSD slot adds up to 1 TB without taking a SIM slot.
The Note 12 5G uses the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 instead and supports 5G networks. This 4G model sticks to LTE. It also has a 50 MP main camera, while the 5G model uses a 48 MP sensor.
Cameras
The rear has three cameras. The main one is a 50 MP sensor with an f/1.8 lens and a 1/2.76-inch size. It sits next to an 8 MP ultrawide with a 120-degree view and a 2 MP macro camera. The front camera has 13 MP. Both rear and front cameras record video at up to 1080p at 30 fps.
Battery and charging
A 5,000 mAh battery powers the phone. It supports 33 W wired charging, and the 33 W charger comes in the box. There is no wireless charging. Charging and data run through a USB-C port.
Software and updates
The Note 12 launched with MIUI 14 based on Android 13. Xiaomi lists March 23, 2027 as the end of its security updates. That equals four years from launch. Other features include an IR blaster and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. NFC is available in some markets, and the fingerprint sensor sits on the side.
Should you buy the REDMI Note 12?
The Note 12 suits buyers who want a bright 120 Hz AMOLED screen on a tight budget. The headphone jack, microSD slot and charger in the box add value. However, it lacks 5G, and video tops out at 1080p. The phone is no longer produced. Buyers who want a newer model can look at its successor, the REDMI Note 13.
