Xiaomi Redmi 12 review

Competition

Overall, the Redmi 12 feels like a re-release of the Redmi 10 from 2021 and in theory the lowered price might have made it work. But while the handset was somewhat competitive two years ago, the market hasn't been sitting idly. Sure, if you are looking for a basic smartphone mostly for communication, the Redmi 12 is one nice and affordable solution that would get the job done.

Still, when it comes to buying a phone, everyone is looking for the best value per dollar. That's why we think the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is a wonderful alternative at about the same price point in the mid-€100s. Compared to the Redmi, the Galaxy A14 5G has a better Dimensity 700 SoC with 5G support, better overall camera performance, louder speaker and longer battery life. Those are solid reasons to opt for Samsung's contender.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G • Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G • Realme C55

The recently released Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G comes as homegrown competition and carries a similar price tag. However, the Redmi Note 12, by definition, is a higher-tier smartphone and it shows. It has a more capable, albeit again limited to 4G, chipset - Snapdragon 685, comparable battery life, faster charging and, of course, a bright 120Hz OLED screen. This phone, at around €150, is a far better deal than the plain 12.

Realme also has an ultra-budget solution of its own, which is so very similar to the Redmi 12 in terms of hardware. The faster 33W charging is the only thing that makes it stand out, but the user experience isn't much different. The Realme C55 has a comparable camera quality, battery life, display and is asking a little under €200 or about INR 11,000 in India where it is known under the Narzo N55 name.

Verdict

Although the Redmi 12 has most of the basics covered, it's a bit of a hard sell in 2023 with its outdated Helio G88 chipset. The device also skips the stereo loudspeakers that the Redmi 10 originally had and with that its only unique feature in the segment.

On a more positive note, the Redmi 12 offers a great glass design, solid battery life and dependable daytime camera performance, but more is needed to make you think twice before going for the similarly-priced competition with more current chipset.

Pros

• Good build quality and clean design, IP53-rated.
• One of the biggest displays in this price segment.
• Dependable main and ultrawide cameras during the day.
• Solid battery life.
• Feautre-rich MIUI 14.
• 128GB base storage.

Cons

• Disappointing low-light camera performance
• No stereo speakers (the Redmi 10 had those).
• Phones with better chipsets for the same price are available.
• No ambient light sensor and no hardware proximity sensor.