Xiaomi Redmi 12 First Impression: A promising design, but what about camera and performance?

Xiaomi's Redmi 12, the newest addition to their affordable line-up this year, prompts a question - is it a truly innovative device or merely an upgrade of the Redmi 10 from 2021?

The following quick review and first impressions offer insights into the Redmi 12 features and specifications, noting similarities and distinct changes when compared to the Redmi 10.

Xiaomi Redmi 12 Specifications and Features:

Body: Glass front and back, plastic frame

IP53 certification for dust and splash protection

Dimensions: 168.6x76.28x8.17mm

Weight: 198.5g

Display: 6.79" FHD+, 90Hz refresh rate, peak brightness of 450 nits

Chipset: Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm)

Internal Memory: 128GB Storage, with microSD card support of up to 1TB

RAM options: 4GB / 6GB

Operating System: Android 13, with MIUI 14.2

Rear camera setup: Wide (main) 50 MP, Ultra wide angle 8 MP, Macro 2 MP

Front camera: 8 MP

Battery: 5000mAh capacity with 18W wired charging support

Connectivity: Hybrid Dual SIM, Wi-Fi 2.4g and 5.0G, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Infrared port, 3.5mm jack

Other features: Side-mounted Fingerprint reader

Xiaomi Redmi 12 Price in India

The pricing details for the Redmi 12 in India have yet to be officially announced. With the phone's launch scheduled for August 1, it is anticipated that it could be offered for less than Rs. 12,000.

Also Read: Realme Pad 2 India launch date announced: Know expected specifications and more

Redmi 12 Design and Usability

Breaking away from the Redmi 10, the Redmi 12 offers a modern, sleek design, accentuated by a glass back panel. Despite a slightly larger screen, it ensures comfortable handling. The phone also features Gorilla Glass protection and an IP53 rating, adding to its durability.

Redmi 12 Display

The Redmi 12 features a 6.79-inch FHD+ display with a 90Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing a good display quality for its price. Outdoor visibility is also decent with a maximum brightness of 450 nits.

Redmi 12 Processor

The Redmi 12 houses the 12nm Helio G88 processor. Although it might feel a bit outdated in 2023, the base storage of 128GB, expandable to 1TB, along with up to 6GB of RAM, offers substantial memory capacity.

Redmi 12 Camera

The Redmi 12 camera set-up isn't drastically different from the Redmi 10, boasting a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 2MP macro lens. Notably, the 2MP depth sensor present in the Redmi 10 has been dropped. The front camera features an 8MP sensor.

Redmi 12 Battery

The Redmi 12's 5000mAh battery ensures durability. However, despite coming with a 22.5 W charger, it only supports 18W charging.

Redmi 12 Software

Running on MIUI 14.2 based on Android 13, Xiaomi promises two years of security updates for the Redmi 12.

Redmi 12 First Impression

The Redmi 12, with its attractive design, considerable battery, and commendable screen offers a lot of value in the competitive budget segment. However, it remains to be seen how it stands up against similarly priced rivals with more recent chipsets. Stay tuned for our full Xiaomi Redmi 12 review.

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