Introduction and specifications
With the 4G version of this year’s less expensive Redmi Note 12 out of the way, it’s time to get to know its 5G mod as well. The thing is, the Redmi Note 12 4G and Note 12 5G use different hardware so the user experience may differ slightly. It’s not just the 5G part.
The most noticeable difference in the chipset. The 4G has the Snapdragon 685 on board, while the 5G option has the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoC. And contrary to our expectations, the latter seems to be stronger in every aspect. And it had better be, because the original Redmi Note 12 with support for 5G networks is asking for almost 100 euros more.
A glimpse of Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 specifications:
- body: 165.9 x 76.2 x 8.0mm, 188g; Gorilla Glass 3 front and back, plastic frame; IP53, dust and splash proof.
- an offer: 6.67″ AMOLED, 120 Hz, 1200 nits (peak), 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 395 PPI.
- Slices: Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm): Octa-core (2 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6 x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55); Adreno 619.
- memory: 128 GB 4 GB RAM, 128 GB 6 GB RAM, 256 GB 8 GB RAM; UFS 2.2; microSDXC (uses a shared SIM slot).
- Operating system / software: Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India).
- back camera: wide (main): 48 MP, f/1.8, PDAF; Ultra wide angle: 8 MP, f/2.2, 120°, 1/4″, 1.12µm; precise: 2 MP, f/2.4.
- front camera: 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0″.
- Video capture: back camera: 1080p@30fps; front camera: 1080p@30fps.
- battery: 5000 mAh; 33 watts corded, 50% in 22 minutes (advertised).
- Miscellaneous: fingerprint reader (side-mounted); Infrared port 3.5 mm jack.
The 5G iteration also has a 48MP main camera instead of a 50MP one, making for 128GB of base storage. Otherwise, it shares with the 4G model the same 120Hz OLED panel, 33W fast charging, 5,000mAh battery and doesn’t skip the triple combo — FM radio, dedicated microSD card slot and 3.5mm audio jack — features that are needed in the midrange.
We go further down the rabbit hole in the following pages, so we suggest you keep reading to find out how the most efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset is supposed to fare against the performance of the Snapdragon 685 — and in terms of endurance.
Unboxing Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
The device comes in a standard retail box containing all the usual user manuals, a USB-A to USB-C cable for charging and data transfer, as well as the appropriate 33W charging brick.
There is also a bonus clear silicone case in the box to get you started.