Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G review

Design and ergonomics

The Redmi Note 12's design is slightly different than the 4G option, and it's more in line with the other Redmi Note 12 members in the family. In fact, it's pretty much identical to the Pros - same curvatures, looks and camera island. The camera bump doesn't protrude as much, and the individual camera rings stick out just a little.

The back is covered in frosted plastic, imitating glass. We have the Frosted Green color, but there's also the Matte Black and Mystique Blue. Fingerprints and smudges can be seen at a certain angle but are far from prominent. They are quick to clean off, too.

The curves to the sides provide a nice and comfortable grip without forming any unwanted ridges with the side frame. Still, the Redmi Note 12 is slippery in nature due to the frosted finish.

The side frame is also made of plastic with a matte finish. The right side holds the volume rocker along with the power button that doubles as a fingerprint reader as well.

The power button is right within the thumb's reach, but the volume button requires some stretching. We didn't like that it's hard to distinguish the two buttons, though. They are almost identical to the touch, and you can sometimes hit the wrong one.

The left side houses only the SIM card/microSD card tray, and on the bottom, we see the USB-C connector and the loudspeaker grille. The 3.5mm audio jack is placed on the top side of the frame, keeping company to the IR blast.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12

The front is absolutely identical to the 4G version, which isn't a surprise given that the two devices share the same panel. The top and side bezels are relatively thin, but the bottom chin is pretty thick. That's usually the case with budget handsets. At least the cutout for the selfie camera is pretty small and unobtrusive.

And even though the front panel is completely flat, the sides aren't sharp, and it doesn't form an unpleasant gap or ridge where it meets the side frame.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12

Overall, design-wise, the Redmi Note 12 is decent. It's quite lightweight, tipping the scale at 188 grams, which isn't too shabby for a 6.67-inch smartphone. Maybe a bit top-heavy, giving the impression of a heftier handset. The IP53 certification against dust and splashes is also a nice bonus to have in the sub-€300 price segment.