- Mikhail Ow
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G Could Possibly Be Your Next Phone
Updated: Dec 18, 2023
Xiaomi has released quite a number of new and interesting phones throughout this year and after having the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G for awhile now, we do feel it is a pretty sturdy phone. Not to mention that it comes with a case as well. Personally as an avid Apple user, I always feel a certain way when I see phones come with cases.
Design
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G has a clean white backing that feels really sturdy and comfortable thanks to the use of curved glass, which is unlike the flat back panel of the Note 12 Pro. Compared to the Note 12 Pro, it features a matte finish instead of glossy, which we actually prefer as glossy surfaces tend to be much more slippery. The only downside is that it does not support a MicroSD card for expanded storage.
The phone features a thin bezel and a small round cutout centred at the top of the screen, which is where the 16MP selfie camera resides. The Note 12 Pro+ 5G is also IP53-rated for dust and light splash resistance. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G measures 162.9 x 76 x 8.9 mm and weighs 208 grams. This means it is slightly shorter but thicker compared to the Redmi 11 Pro+.
Display & Audio
The phone boasts a vibrant 6.67-inch OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, offering an immersive experience enhanced by Dolby Vision. Completing the audio-visual package, there is also a pair of Dolby Atmos speakers which does sound surprisingly punching for movies and the likes.
In the Settings menu, users have the option to choose between two display modes. The Custom mode allows them to manually select either the high refresh rate of 120Hz or the standard 60Hz. On the other hand, the Default mode enables automatic switching. In this mode, the system utilises the 120Hz refresh rate for the phone’s user interface and most applications, especially for games but perhaps more particularly when there is user interaction or motion happening on the screen. However, the moment a static picture is displayed for a few seconds, the system conserves power by reducing the refresh rate to 60Hz. Notably, the camera app as well as video playback and streaming always utilise the 60Hz refresh rate for the most part.
Performance
The Dimensity 1080 platform in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G is an upgrade from the Dimensity 920 in the 11 Pro+. The mobile gaming experience is mostly seamless with almost lag-free performance except with small lag spikes here and there. Though honestly, that might just be our ISP. The phone also boasts 8GB RAM which we would consider more than enough for most resource-intensive applications.
Geekbench Single | Geekbench Multi |
954 | 2375 |
WildLife | WildLife Extreme |
2270 | 632 |
One specific function in the phone which we used thoroughly is Game Turbo. As its name suggests, it enhances gaming performance by optimising system resources and allocating more power to the SoC. Just like many others, the Game Turbo mode includes a dedicated interface which allows users to customise settings such as the screen refresh rate, processor speed and network prioritisation for a much more personalised and immersive experience. Should you be gaming for sessions longer than 30 minutes at a time, we would highly suggest using Game Turbo.
Camera
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G incorporates a triple camera setup which uses a 200MP Samsung sensor for the main camera. This is quite the substantial upgrade when compared to the standard Note 12 Pro.
All three cameras are housed within a metal plate that separates them from the rest of the glass body, which should help with rigidity and robustness in the unlikely of events.
Above are some shots taken, one with the wide-angle and the rest normally. We tried taking some photos in portrait as well. Thanks to the staggering high megapixel count, photos have incredible detail and clarity and in our opinion, it competes with the photos taken from flagship phones. The main camera is certainly the best performer here by far but if you would like to achieve different angles and styles, the 8MP ultra-wide lens is still worthy. Posting on social media platforms such as Instagram and the likes is of no issues.
For those of you who want to be yet even more creative, the 2MP macro camera will serve you well to get some intricate shots. Just don't go complaining that the resolution is too low.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G has an impressive 5,000mAh battery, which is an upgrade from its predecessor’s 4,500mAh capacity. This phone introduces one of their most advanced charging technologies available, with its 120W HyperCharge feature providing an extremely fast charging speed.
After putting the phone through a 10-hour battery test (50% brightness & volume, WiFi on, Bluetooth off), the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G proved its endurance by lasting through the entire 10 hours video and still had 46% left in the tank.
This is one phone that's definitely capable of lasting throughout an entire day without charging and you'll be worry-free.
Pricing & Availability
The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G retails at S$569 and is available online on various e-commerce platforms or at any Xiaomi retail store. For the asking sticker price, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G is honestly pretty affordable.
While it may not match flagship devices in terms of raw performance and premium features, the Note 12 Pro+ 5G still delivers the essentials and strikes a nice balance between affordability and functionality. This is one smartphone that will be able to provide great performance for a day-to-day tasks and still have a visually pleasing display that will certainly be great for movies and the such.
Best of all, it still has a capable camera system with a 200MP main camera that performs well in most scenarios. Should anyone be looking to get a budget phone to live in their pockets, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G is certainly one phone to seriously consider.