Best Phone Under Rs. 30,000?
In this review, I will be talking about the Redmi Note 12 5G — the latest mid-range phone from Xiaomi in Nepal. A few months ago, Xiaomi launched the 4G version of this phone, which was a great value-for-money product. However, that phone had some shortcomings, such as an average camera and the use of the Snapdragon 685 chipset, which didn’t offer the best gaming performance. Additionally, the 4G version didn’t support 5G connectivity.
With the Note 12 5G, Xiaomi has addressed these shortcomings by providing better cameras, improved performance, and, as I mentioned earlier, 5G support. Despite these upgrades, the price of the Note 12 5G is only slightly higher.
This phone is available in two variants: the 6+128GB variant, priced at around 30,000 Nepali Rupees, and the 8+256GB variant, priced at 32,000 Nepali Rupees. In my opinion, paying an additional 2,000 Nepali Rupees for 2GB of extra RAM and double the storage is a smart decision.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G (Global) Specifications:
- Body: 165.88 x 76.21 x 7.98mm, 188gm, IP53 dust/water resistant
- Display: 6.67 AMOLED DotDisplay panel, Corning Gorilla Glass 31200 nits (peak), 120Hz refresh rate
- Resolution: FHD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels), 395 PPI
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 5G (6nm Mobile Platform)
- CPU: Octa-core (2x 2.0GHz Cortex-A78 + 6x 1.8GHz Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Adreno 619
- Memory: 4/6/8GB LPDDR4X RAM, 128GB UFS 2.2 storage (expandable up to 1TB)
- Software & UI: MIUI 14 on top of Android 13
- Rear Camera: Triple-camera;
– 48MP, f/1.8 primary lens
– 8MP, f/2.2 ultrawide lens
– 2MP, f/2.4 macro sensor
– LED flash - Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.45 lens (punch-hole)
- Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Battery: 5000mAh with 33W charging (33W charger inside the box)
- Color options: Ice Blue, Onyx Grey, Mint Green
- Price in Nepal: NPR 29,999 (6/128GB) | NPR 31,999 (8/256GB)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G (Global) Review:
Okay, let’s start the video. Inside the box of this phone, besides the phone itself, you’ll find the regular Xiaomi mid-range phone accessories, including a clear case, a SIM ejector tool, paperwork, and a 33W charger. Unlike Samsung, Xiaomi hasn’t removed the charger, so there are no additional costs.
Design and Display
- 165.88 x 76.21 x 7.98mm, 188gm
- IP53 dust/water resistant
- 6.67″ FHD AMOLED
- 120Hz refresh rate. 1200 nits peak brightness
The Note 12 5G has a slightly different design compared to the 4G model. The back of the phone is slightly curved, and the camera module stands out a bit. The curved design provides a good grip, and the matte finish on the phone doesn’t attract smudges. Overall, I don’t have any major complaints about the design; it looks good and feels comfortable to hold. Xiaomi has also retained the IR blaster and headphone jack, which I’m pretty satisfied with.
Moving on to the display, things look really good. The Note 12 5G features a Samsung-made AMOLED panel, which offers vibrant colors and excellent contrast. Xiaomi has also optimized the display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth experience while watching videos or interacting with the screen.
Performance and Software
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm)
- Up to 8GB LPDDR4x RAM, Up to 256GB UFS 2.2
- Android 12-based MIUI 13
In terms of performance, this phone delivers. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset handles regular tasks well, and it’s a good option for gaming too. Games like PUBG, COD, and Mech Arena run smoothly, even in high settings. The phone’s heat management is also impressive; even during extended gaming sessions, I didn’t notice significant heating issues. I also conducted a CPU throttling test, and as you can see, the results were great, with no significant throttling even at 95%. The phone’s sustained performance is excellent.
However, when it comes to software, Xiaomi still has some work to do. For some strange reason, the Note 12 5G still runs on Android 12, while the 4G version comes with Android 13 out of the box. Recently, the Note 12 5G received the MIUI 14 update, but there’s no news about an Android update yet. Xiaomi hasn’t provided any official information, but it’s unlikely that this phone will receive updates beyond 2 years, which means it may not receive Android 14.
Camera
- Triple rear camera
- 48MP primary + 8MP ultrawide + 2MP macro
- 8MP selfie
Now, let’s talk about the camera. The Note 12 5G comes with a triple camera setup consisting of a 48MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. In most lighting conditions, the camera of this phone captures decent photos, but it lacks the typical contrast seen in Redmi phones. Sometimes, it struggles to maintain a good dynamic range, but most of the time, it delivers satisfactory results.
Redmi Note 12 Camera Samples – Normal
In low light conditions, the camera performs well, handling exposure nicely. However, using the night mode yields better output.
Redmi Note 12 5G Camera Samples – 5G
The phone captures good skin tones in portraits, and while selfies may have a slightly pinkish tone, it’s not bad.
Redmi Note 12 5G Camera Samples – Portraits and Selfies
On the other hand, the 8MP ultra-wide camera is average, lacking in detail, and the main camera’s dynamic range and colors are not exceptional.
In terms of video, the phone can shoot up to 1080p at 30fps using both the front and back cameras. However, the stabilization is not particularly great, but it’s acceptable for casual video recording.
Rest of the features
- 5000mAh battery
- 33W fast charging
The battery life of the Redmi Note 12 5G is impressive. The 5000mAh battery easily lasts throughout the day, and the included 33W charger can fully charge the phone in about an hour. Lastly, let’s discuss the 5G capabilities of this phone. It supports a total of 12 5G bands, so if NTC/Ncell brings 5G to Nepal in the future, you’ll be able to enjoy 5G speeds on this device.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Review: Conclusion
So, overall, the Redmi Note 12 5G is a great phone for its price of around 30,000 Nepali Rupees. Redmi has managed to offer competitive pricing compared to the Indian market, and the specifications of this phone are well-balanced.
In the 30,000 Rupees price range, there aren’t many options for a 5G phone with good overall specs. For example, the Realme 9i 5G, available within the same price range, has mediocre specs, and Samsung’s Galaxy A14 5G is not as impressive. In such a scenario, the Note 12 5G stands out as a really good option.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Review: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Trendy Design
- 120Hz AMOLED panel
- Reliable chipset with 5G
- Good Battery life
Cons:
- Single Speaker
- Still on Android 12
