Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G

Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G Review: A Big Phone with Big Battery on a Budget

I’ve spent the past couple of weeks putting the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G through its paces, and it’s certainly a phone that makes its presence known – both in the hand and in the wallet. At a price point that firmly plants it in the budget category, it’s aiming to offer a slice of the 5G experience without breaking the bank. My testing involved typical daily usage: browsing, social media, music streaming, a bit of light gaming, and the usual photo snapping. My initial impressions are that Xiaomi has made some sensible compromises to hit that attractive price tag, but are those compromises too significant for the average user? Let's dive in.

Market Context: Affordable 5G for the Masses

The Redmi 12 5G arrives at a time when 5G is becoming increasingly mainstream, and brands like Xiaomi are pushing to make this connectivity accessible to a wider audience. From my perspective, this phone is a clear play to capture the budget-conscious consumer who doesn't want to be left behind in the network race. Xiaomi's strategy here feels like a pragmatic one – focus on core features and reliable performance where it matters most. The price point is definitely a key factor here, and in a market saturated with increasingly expensive flagships, the Redmi 12 5G offers a compelling alternative for those who prioritize affordability.

Design & Hardware: Size Matters (and So Does the Finish)

The first thing that struck me about the Redmi 12 5G is its sheer size. At 6.79 inches, it's undeniably a large phone. For someone like me, accustomed to slightly more compact devices, it took a bit of getting used to. One-handed operation wasn't always the easiest, and I occasionally felt like I was juggling a mini-tablet. That being said, the ‘Moonstone Silver’ finish on my review unit is surprisingly eye-catching. It has this cool shimmering effect that shifts in the light, adding a touch of flair that you don’t always see in this price bracket. While the materials are what you’d expect at this level – primarily plastic – it doesn't feel cheap. In terms of durability, it seems reasonably well-built for daily use, although the lack of official waterproofing does mean you'll want to be careful around water. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor, integrated into the power button, is conveniently placed and, in my experience, was consistently fast and reliable.

Display: Functional and Mostly Fine

The display is a 6.79-inch IPS LCD panel. Let's be honest, it’s not going to blow you away with vibrant colours and inky blacks like an OLED. However, for day-to-day tasks, it’s perfectly adequate. The 90Hz refresh rate is a welcome addition at this price, making scrolling through social media and web pages feel noticeably smoother. I did find that the brightness could be a bit lacking in direct sunlight, requiring me to crank it up to maximum for comfortable viewing. For media consumption, it’s serviceable. Watching videos is enjoyable enough, although the colours aren't the most dynamic. Gaming is a similar story – it gets the job done, but it’s not the most immersive experience. For practical daily use, like reading emails and navigating apps, it presents no real issues.

Performance: A Solid Performer for Everyday Tasks

Under the hood, the Redmi 12 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2. Now, this isn't a flagship-level chip, but in my testing, it handled everyday tasks with surprising ease. Browsing the web, jumping between social media apps, and sending messages were all smooth and lag-free. I even tried some light gaming – think casual titles and less graphically demanding games – and it performed reasonably well. Pushing it with more intensive games will reveal its limitations, but for the target user, it's more than capable. Multitasking was also handled competently, although pushing too many demanding apps simultaneously might lead to some slowdown. I didn't notice any significant overheating issues during my time with the phone, even during longer gaming sessions, which is a definite plus.

Camera System: Capturing the Basics

The Redmi 12 5G features a dual-camera setup on the back, headlined by a 50MP main sensor. My experience with the camera system was, as expected at this price point, a mixed bag. In good lighting conditions, the main camera can capture some decent photos with acceptable detail and colour accuracy. I managed to get some shareable snaps of everyday moments. However, as the light drops, the image quality noticeably degrades, with increased noise and a loss of detail. Low-light photography is definitely not its strong suit. The 2MP depth sensor helps with portrait mode, producing some okay bokeh effects, but it's not always perfect. Video recording is capped at 1080p at 30fps, and the quality is decent for casual use. The 5MP front-facing camera is fine for video calls, but selfies lack detail and can appear a bit soft. Compared to other phones in this price range, the camera performance is pretty standard – it’ll get you by for basic shots, but don't expect flagship-level results.

Battery & Charging: Endurance Champion

Where the Redmi 12 5G truly shines is its battery life. The 5000mAh battery is a real workhorse. In my daily usage, which involved a fair amount of screen-on time, I consistently got through a full day with battery to spare. Even on heavier usage days, I never felt the need to reach for a charger prematurely. This impressive endurance is a major selling point for this phone. Charging, however, is a bit of a compromise. While it supports 18W fast charging, it’s not the fastest out there. It’ll get you from empty to full in a reasonable amount of time, but it's not going to offer those lightning-fast top-ups you see on more premium devices. Power management seems to be well-optimized, contributing to the excellent battery life.

Software: Familiar MIUI Experience

The Redmi 12 5G runs on Xiaomi’s MIUI, layered on top of Android 13. If you’re familiar with Xiaomi phones, you’ll find the interface instantly recognizable. It’s feature-rich, offering plenty of customization options. My daily experience was generally smooth, although there's still a bit of pre-installed bloatware that some users might find annoying. The overall usability is good, and navigating the interface is intuitive. In terms of update policy, Xiaomi generally provides a couple of major Android updates and security patches for a few years, which is pretty standard for this segment.

Value Analysis: A Lot of Phone for the Money

Analyzing the value proposition, the Redmi 12 5G offers a compelling package for its price. You're getting 5G connectivity, a large display with a smooth refresh rate, excellent battery life, and decent everyday performance. This phone is definitely aimed at users who prioritize these core features and are willing to make some compromises in areas like camera quality and display vibrancy. It's a great option for students, those on a tight budget, or anyone who needs a reliable secondary phone. However, if you're a photography enthusiast or a hardcore mobile gamer, you’ll likely want to look elsewhere. In a competitive landscape, the Redmi 12 5G holds its own as a strong contender in the affordable 5G space.

Conclusion: A Solid Budget 5G Option

Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G is a solid budget smartphone that gets the fundamentals right. While it might not be the flashiest phone on the market, it delivers where it counts for its target audience. The impressive battery life and reliable everyday performance are standout features. If you’re looking for an affordable entry into the world of 5G without sacrificing too much in terms of usability, then the Redmi 12 5G is definitely worth considering. It’s a practical and dependable device that proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a capable smartphone.