The highly awaited Redmi Note 12 has finally touched down, promising to balance performance and style at reasonable prices. Given the tradition of the brand to create devices that are packed with value, the Redmi Note 12 is arriving into the mid-range ready to go into battle. We have tried our hands on this smartphone and give it a spin. Here goes the in-depth unboxing and hands-on review, focused on design, display, and initial performance.
Unboxing: A Minimalist Affair
Redmi keeps things straightforward yet satisfying with its packaging. The box is in white, with a glossy image of the phone on the front and key specifications printed on the back in Redmi's signature design. Inside, you'll find:
- The Redmi Note 12 handset itself, wrapped snugly in protective film.
- A 33W fast charger, a nice inclusion in an era where many brands omit chargers.
- A USB-C cable, documentation, and a transparent TPU case for extra protection.
The unboxing experience is straightforward, and everything feels well-organized, hinting at the phone's focus on practicality.
Design: Sleek and Modern
Straight out of the box, the Redmi Note 12 feels premium, defying its budget-friendly price tag. Its slim profile, measuring just 7.98mm thick, and lightweight make it comfortable to hold for long periods.
The phone has a polycarbonate back panel with a glassy finish, adding an X-factor to its style quotient without the associated fragility. Yes, the back is a fingerprint magnet, but the bundled TPU case keeps it pristine. The camera module sits in the upper-left corner, compact and flush with the rest of the body.
Colors: Redmi offers vibrant hues like Frosted Green, Matte Black, and Mystic Blue, appealing to various tastes.
Key Design Features:
- A side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button makes for quick and efficient unlocking.
- The 3.5mm headphone jack has also made a return to satiate audiophiles using wired headphones.
- IP53 certification adds dust and splash resistance, a handy bonus at this price point.
Display: Stunning Visuals on a Budget
The 6.67-inch AMOLED display is the pièce de résistance of the Redmi Note 12. Redmi throws in a Full HD+ resolution (2400x1080) and a 120Hz refresh rate, both features usually reserved for higher price brackets.
Key Highlights:
- Brightness: The screen is readable under the most intense sunlight due to its peak brightness of 1200 nits.
- Colors: The AMOLED panel presents vibrant colors and deep blacks, which are perfect for movie watching or scrolling through social media.
- Smoothness: It has a 120Hz refresh rate that will keep the scroll and transitions buttery smooth.
Watching videos on YouTube and Netflix was a treat, while gaming visuals seemed sharp and clear. The front camera's punch-hole cutout is small and inconspicuous, allowing for the most amount of screen estate possible.
Performance: A Solid Start
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 processor and up to 6GB of RAM, the Redmi Note 12 promises reliable performance for daily tasks. During initial usage, the phone handled:
- Multitasking: Easy switching between YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram. • Casual Gaming: Games like Subway Surfers and Call of Duty: Mobile ran smoothly in their default medium settings. • MIUI 14 on top of Android 13: With plenty of customization options, minimal bloatware, and a nice look by default, the MIUI is very similar to stock Android.
The phone's 5000mAh battery promised a comfortable day and a half with moderate use. 33W fast charging refuels the phone in no time, going up to 50% in less than 30 minutes during testing.
First Impressions Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 starts off brilliantly, with its premium in-hand feel, beautiful AMOLED display, and powerful performance out of the box; this could be one of the better options to consider in the mid-range segment. This being a first impression, a deeper camera test along with analysis of long-term performance wasn't possible, but that is what this device is-offering great value for money.
Watch out for a detailed review of its camera, gaming performance, and battery life in due time.
Would you upgrade to the Redmi Note 12? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
Tags: #RedmiNote12 #SmartphoneReview #FirstImpressions