Xiaomi has broken new ground with the Redmi Note 12 series. Not only is this the first mid-range series to feature a 200MP camera, this series is also home to the first phone to break the 200 Watt charging barrier.
Note that the four models are only available in China for now, but are expected to launch to an international audience soon enough. When they do (and assuming there aren’t any changes that break the deal), would you buy one?
We will start with Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro as it is the centerpiece of the series. It features a 6.67 “120Hz OLED display (10-bit panel, Dolby Vision) and is powered by Dimensity 1080 (an upgraded 920, the reason will be clear soon). A 5,000mAh battery is also on board with 67W fast charging support
This model has a decent camera package with a 50MP primary module (IMX766, 1 / 1.56 “, 1.0µm) with OIS, flanked by an 8MP (119 °) ultra wide-angle camera and a 2MP macro cam, plus to a 16MP selfie camera.
The Redmi Note 12 Pro launched in China at CNY 1,700 ($ 235 / € 235 / ₹ 19,300) for the 6/128 GB base model. An 8/256 GB unit costs CNY 2,000 (for comparison with phones below). Are interested? Vote below or on this page.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro + improves two things over the normal Pro. First, the camera switches to the ISOCELL HPX, a 200 MP 1/4 ”sensor (0.56 µm pixel), again with OIS. The remaining cameras are the same (i.e. 8MP ultra wide, 2MP macro and 16MP selfie).
The second update is for the 5,000mAh battery which now supports 120W fast charging. This means that a 0-100% full charge can take place in just 19 minutes, compared to the regular Pro’s 46 minutes.
The Redmi Note 12 Pro + starts at CNY 2,200 ($ 305 / € 305 / ₹ 25,000) for an 8 / 256GB unit. Do I want one? Vote below or on this page.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Explorer is like a Pro ++. It retains the 200MP main camera but further upgrades the charging technology – this is the world’s first phone that can support 210W. Note that the battery is smaller at 4,300mAh. On the plus side, 5 minutes of charging brings it to 66%, another 4 minutes brings it to 100%. It’s pretty impressive, although unless you love cutting edge technology, you should probably stick with the Pro +.
If you want the fastest charging phone in the world, the Redmi Note 12 Explorer is available in China for CNY 2,400 ($ 330 / € 330 / ₹ 27,300) for an 8 / 256GB memory configuration unit. Yes or no? Vote below or on this page.
This leaves only the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 vanilla. This is the only one in the series not equipped with a Dimensity 1080, instead it uses the new Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset. Additionally, the camera department has been downgraded to a single 48MP camera on the back, a 2MP depth sensor and an 8 MP selfie cam (no ultra wide, no OIS on the main module).
The 6.67-inch 120Hz OLED display is the same size and resolution as the displays of the other three, although it’s not a 10-bit panel and doesn’t have Dolby Vision. Likewise, the 5,000mAh battery drops to 33W of charging (still fast enough, just ask Apple, Samsung and Google).
Unsurprisingly, the Redmi Note 12 is the cheapest of the bunch at 1,200 CNY ($ 165 / € 165 / ₹ 13,500), even if that’s only for a 4/128 GB model. The 8/256 GB option is CNY 1,700. Raise of hands: who wants one? Vote below or on this page.
PS. The Redmi Note 12 series has already started well, Xiaomi has sold 350,000 units in the first flash sale.
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