Launched in January 2023 as the entry point of the Note 12 family, the Redmi Note 12 5G took over from the very popular Note 11 series with one headline change: an AMOLED display at 120 Hz in a phone starting at Rs 17,999. It kept the familiar flat-sided Redmi look, a headphone jack, an IR blaster and a microSD slot, all of which still matter to many buyers in this price band.
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is a modest chip. Daily apps, social media and video run smoothly, but heavier games need reduced settings. The 48 MP main camera produces decent daylight photos, while the 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro add little. A 5,000 mAh battery easily lasts a day and a half, though 33 W charging is slow next to rivals offering 67 W.
Its competition at launch included the iQOO Z6 Lite, the Realme 10 Pro and Samsung's Galaxy M-series. The Realme 10 Pro had a faster chip on paper, and the Moto G-series offered cleaner software, but few rivals matched the Note 12's screen quality at the price. MIUI's preinstalled apps and ads remain the main irritation.
Key specifications
| Launch price (India) | Rs 17,999 (base variant) |
|---|---|
| India launch | January 2023 |
| Segment | Budget |
| Display | 6.67-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 |
| RAM | 4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | Yes |
| Rear cameras | 48 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro |
| Front camera | 13 MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired |
| 5G | Yes |
| Water/dust rating | IP53 |
| Headphone jack | Yes |
| Weight | 188 g |
| Colours | Mystique Blue, Frosted Green, Matte Black |
What we like
- 120 Hz AMOLED screen at a budget price
- Long battery life
- Headphone jack, IR blaster and microSD slot
- IP53 splash resistance
What could be better
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 struggles with demanding games
- 33 W charging is slow for the segment
- Bloatware and ads in MIUI
Who should buy it
Budget buyers who want a good AMOLED screen and dependable battery life for everyday use rather than gaming.
Specifications and price are as at the India launch (January 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.