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Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus Review

Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus Review
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05 January 2023
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    Hello friends! We hurry to you with an interesting review. Today's hero – this is the new Redmi Note 12 Pro+. As you know, affordable smartphones come out in the Redmi Note line, whose cost does not exceed $300, but in terms of characteristics, these are real junior flagships with innovative technologies. The king of the twelfth series is the Redmi Note 12 Pro+. We drove to get acquainted with him.

    Specifications

    • Screen size: 6.67″
    • Matrix: OLED
    • Display resolution: 1080×2400 pixels
    • Additional display options: Refresh rate – 120 Hz, support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ modes, a billion color recognition, standard brightness – 500 nits peak – 900 nits
    • Dimensions: 162.9 × 76 × 9 mm, weight 208.4 g
    • Protection: iP53 (light splash)
    • Casing colors: Black (black), Blue (blue), White (white)
    • Materials: Glass back, aluminum edges
    • Processor: 6 nm MediaTek Dimensity 1080
    • GPU: Mali-G68 MC4
    • Cores: Two Cortex A78 cores @ 2.6 GHz max + 6 Cortex-A55 cores @ 2.0 GHz
    • Memory: 8/256 GB, 12/256 GB
    • OS: Android 12 operating system with proprietary firmware MIUI 13
    • Main camera: Main module: 200MP resolution, f/1.7 aperture, 1/1.4” sensor size, 0.56 µm pixel size, PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus), OIS (Optical Image Stabilization)
    • Ultra-wide lens: 8 MP resolution, f/1.9 aperture, 119˚ field of view, 1/4” sensor size, 1.12 µm pixel size
    • Macro lens: 2 MP, f/2.4 aperture
    • Optional: Dual LED Dual Color Flash, HDR Support, Panorama
    • Record video: at maximum quality 4K@30fps
    • Front camera: 16 MP resolution, 1/3.06” matrix, 1.0 µm pixel size, HDR support. 1080p video recording at 30 and 60fps
    • Communications: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS and BDS navigation services
    • Connectivity: 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G + LTE
    • Sound: Stereo
    • Battery: 5000 mAh
    • Fast charging: Wired 120W (up to 100% in 19 minutes)
    • Price: From $310 (China Version)

    Redmi Note 12 Pro PlusYou're impressed, aren't you? For just $300, the manufacturer offers an OLED screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a fast processor, a lot of memory even in the basic version, a 200 MP camera and 120-watt charging. It is already clear that Redmi Note 12 Pro+ – this is an incredibly cool device, which makes getting to know him even more interesting. Let's move on to a detailed overview of each parameter.

    Components

    The first thing we always start – contents of delivery. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ comes in a white, minimalist box that is devoid of any images. The single element – this is a large golden inscription Note 12 and two smaller inscriptions in different corners – Redmi and Pro+. What the box from Redmi Note 12 Pro looks like + We immediately note the absence of plastic. All elements inside the box are made of paper. This is cool for two reasons: the first and most obvious – concern for the environment, and the second – no unpleasant odor. Yes, yes, finally, you cannot pinch your nose when unpacking a Chinese device. Inside the package, we are greeted by a pencil case (of course, paper), in which you can find a clip to remove the SIM tray, documentation, and a case. Below the pencil case is a huge power supply and a USB cable. Protective film on Redmi Note 12 Pro+ A few words about the case: it is plastic, with maximum protection for all elements of the smartphone case. Even the USB port is protected, so you have to open the cover every time you charge your mobile device. If you dislike this option, you will have to additionally purchase a standard case with no plug. And one last bonus: a protective film is already pasted on the screen of Redmi Note 12 Pro +.

    Design, body materials and colors

    The appearance of Redmi Note 12 Pro + is standard, like all Chinese junior flagships. Perhaps this smartphone reminds you of some model? Yes, you read that right, Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus – an absolutely exact copy of the Poco X4 GT, except for the body materials. Poco had a plastic back cover, while Redmi – glass. The side faces are made of aluminum. The case is matte, hardly collects fingerprints.

    Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Design

    You can choose from blue, white, and black. These are basic colors that will suit any user. All colors are matte.

    Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus

    Redmi Note 12 Pro+ case colors

    The thickness of the phone immediately catches your eye. The device is really bulky: dimensions are 162.9 × 76 × 9 mm and weighs 208.4 g.

    Redmi Note 12 Pro+ case thickness

    This thickness can be forgiven as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery and 120-watt charging.

    How thick is the case in Redmi Note 12 Pro+

    The main camera block is made quite neatly and practically does not stick out, despite the 200-megapixel module.

    What does the main camera block look like in Redmi Note 12 Pro+

    Bezels are thin, with a tiny cutout for the front camera placed in the center. There is a USB Type-C 2.0 port, an infrared port for remote control of equipment and even an audio jack, the presence of which is now a rarity.

    Which connectors does Redmi Note 12 Pro+ have

    On the other hand, the SIM tray was cut down: you can put only two SIM cards, a memory card is not supported. The fingerprint scanner is embedded in the power button located on the right side. The fingerprint sensor works smartly, there are no complaints about it. Small results: the design of the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus is ordinary, in the style of past Redmi. Don't expect anything special. It's just a solid junior flagship. Separately, it is worth liking the company for the glass back panel, which you will not find in all available smartphones.

    Display quality

    Next in line – this is a display. If you look at the parameters, then it is simply gorgeous. In reality, things are just as good. The OLED-matrix produces a bright and juicy picture, and a refresh rate of 120 Hz ensures smooth scrolling of the image. Redmi Note 12 Pro plus display

    Redmi Note 12 Pro+ display quality

    Resolution is 1080 by 2400 dots. Yes, it's not 2.5K, like in Xiaomi 12T, but it's also good – no graininess, picture clarity at a height. A peak brightness of 900 nits is enough even in sunny weather.

    What is the PWM level in Redmi Note 12 Pro+

    Another feature of Xiaomi Note 12 Pro Plus – almost complete absence of PWM. We took measurements and here are the results. On the right is the percentage of brightness, on the left – PWM: 100%—18%; 75%—18%; 50%—18%; 35%—18%; 25%—19% 15%—5%; 0%—19%. The PWM level does not exceed 20%. This means that even at the minimum brightness in complete darkness, your eyes will not get tired and hurt.

    How Always on Display works in Redmi Note 12 Pro+

    But not without a fly in the ointment in a barrel of honey. As always, Xiaomi has stinted on the Always-on Display feature. It is, that is, but it only works for 10 seconds. Is there any use for such a stripped-down – no? The reasons for the company are clear, they would rather not create internal competition. That's just users from this is not easier. In all other respects, the display of Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus – just sweetie.

    CPU, gaming performance, and memory

    Moving towards the “stuffing” Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus. The smartphone is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor, made using a 6-nanometer process technology. The chip is new and it promises great performance. Dimensity 1080 can be attributed to the sub-flagship level. What hardware is installed in Redmi Note 12 Pro + In games, Redmi Note 12 Pro + behaves perfectly? For the test, we took a very demanding Genshin Impact toy, and the frame rate per second is approximately 40–42 FPS with periodic draw-downs up to 36–38 frames. MediaTek 1080 How Redmi Note 12 Pro+ behaves in demanding games, 50 fps. Yes, smartphones like the Poco X4 GT or the Xiaomi 12T perform better, but in some other respects they are worse. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ performance compared to the competition. Problems such as throttling and overheating also did not affect the Redmi Note 12 Pro +. After half an hour of playing demanding toys, the body reached 40-45 °C. This is the beauty of mid-level processors: they do not heat up like stoves and do not start to smolder wildly. Throttling test Redmi Note 12 Pro + in difficult conditions The basic version of the smartphone has already received 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of permanent memory. Believe me, this is quite enough for everyday use. I am glad that modifications to 6/128 GB are a thing of the past. If 8 GB of RAM is not enough for you, you can purchase a 12 GB version. Persistent storage only has 256 GB, so there's no variety here.

    MIUI 14 operating system and interface stability

    Immediately after performance, consider the operating system and stability of the mobile device. Most users believe that “stability” and “Xiaomi” — these are incompatible concepts. But we hasten to please you: recently the company has been seriously working on its software, and even at the start of sales, firmware versions come out without errors, failures, and glitches. MIUI 14 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is running MIUI 14 firmware, which is based on Android 12. Everything works smoothly, nothing freezes or flies out. Yes, there are sometimes small hangs, but you can close your eyes to this. How long will the device be supported by the manufacturer – not yet known? Most likely, we will get two years of support from Google and three years of support from Xiaomi. That is, you can count on Android 13 and 14, as well as on MIUI 14, 15 and 16.

    Rear and front camera

    Of course, one of the main features of Redmi Note 12 Pro + is the main camera, with a main 200-megapixel sensor. Yes, yes, you are not mistaken. The $300 smartphone has received a top module, which, for a second, will be installed in the future Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The price of such a Samsung will exceed 1000 bucks. But is the camera in Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus as good as the manufacturer claims? Let's figure it out. Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus Cameras

    Is Redmi Note 12 Pro+ a camera phone

    You won't be surprised if we say that we again took the OnePlus 9RT for comparison. This is a good old pre-flagship with a cool camera, and it often flashes in our reviews. Recall that in the last comparison, OnePlus 9RT won over Xiaomi 12T in terms of photos and videos. The main feature of the 200-megapixel sensor is precisely the detail. We get incredibly detailed pictures. You can see any smallest detail when you enlarge the photo. And Redmi Note 12 Pro + really produces super detailed shots. The whole point of the situation in the next – such pictures weigh a lot, the weight of one picture can reach 50 MB. If you are actively involved in photography, 256 GB of storage may not even be enough, and a memory card is not supported. Cloud storage, in principle, solve this issue, but we still wanted to warn you. Otherwise, it cannot be said that the Redmi Note 12 Pro + smashes the OnePlus 9RT into pieces. In good light conditions, they photograph almost the same. The pictures are high quality, detailed, bright, with a good viewing angle. What else do you need for everyday use?

    Detailing night photos on Redmi Note 12 Pro+

    Redmi Note 12 Pro+ does a fantastic job at night too. There are no noises, no blurring or glare. In general, this model can be safely called an excellent camera phone. In its price range, this is one of the best options.

    Video to main HMX camera

    Videos on the main camera are recorded in maximum 4K quality at 30 fps. 60 frames per second at this resolution is not, and they are not needed. Videos are clear, with good detail and a wide viewing angle. Optical stabilization, a slight shaking is noticeable when walking. The sound is also good, nothing to complain about.

    Front camera

    The front camera is rather disappointing. Selfies are a little blurry, the photo capture angle is small. It’s suitable for photos on social networks, but the same OnePlus 9RT does a better job. It is possible that in new firmware versions, the front camera will be improved by software.

    Video on Redmi Note 12 Pro+ front camera

    The front camera of Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus records videos in 1080p resolution at 30 or 60 fps. Again, the video and sound quality is normal, no complaints. We figured out the cameras, drove off to discuss the remaining parameters.

    Communications and sound

    We won't dwell on such boring features as Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth. Everything is standard here. But the proximity sensor – already an interesting point. Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus received a virtual sensor instead of a physical one, and this is a significant problem. Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus The sensor may not work in some positions, especially for Viber and WhatsApp messengers. You need to firmly apply the phone to your ear in a vertical position, and otherwise you will touch all the elements on the screen with your cheek. In short, the proximity sensor remains a sore spot for Xiaomi. Some of the company's smartphones are successful in this regard, but the Redmi Note 12 Pro + is definitely not one of them. Get ready to suffer with the proximity sensor.

    Stereo speaker quality in Redmi Note 12 Pro+

    The stereo speakers are great, loud, and clear. The interlocutor is heard perfectly. The vibration motor is also excellent, much better than most of the lower flagships. Everything is clear with this, so let's move on to autonomy.

    Battery, battery life and fast charging

    In terms of autonomy, Redmi Note 12 Pro + is simply gorgeous. The battery capacity is 5000 mAh and, given the energy-efficient screen and processor, one charge is enough for two days of work. Of course, this is provided that you do not hang on your smartphone for 10 hours in a row. Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus Battery

    Redmi Note 12 Pro+ battery life

    If you plan to use the device super actively, for example, play heavy games, turn on the navigator, watch movies, then count on a day and a half of battery life. 120-watt fast charging in Redmi Note 12 Pro + Even if the phone runs out of power at the most inopportune moment, this will not be a problem. A 120 W battery will feed the battery up to 50-70% in just 10 minutes. The manufacturer claims that 19 minutes will be enough for a full charge, but this is more of a marketing ploy. In reality, it will take about 27–30 minutes to fully charge from 0 to 100%. Cool, do you agree? In terms of battery, Xiaomi is also great.

    Price and market availability

    We are certain that you really liked Redmi Note 12 Pro + and you are ready to buy it. On AliExpress, the 8/256 GB version can be purchased for about $310-330.

    Conclusions

    Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is one of the best Chinese junior flagships. Here is an excellent screen with a low PWM level, and a powerful processor, and a chic camera, and autonomy. The only snag – the price of the global version of the device. It is likely that some inadequate price tag will be put on the global one, and then it would be better to purchase some kind of smartphone from the BBK holding. The same Realme GT Neo 3 or OnePlus ACE are sold at a normal price and have no worse characteristics than the new Redmi. Redmi Note 12 Pro PlusRedmi Note 12 Pro+ price on AliExpress The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is great, but it has worthy competitors. Therefore, we advise you to first wait for the global, and after its release, decide to purchase this device.

    Pros:

    • No plastic in packaging;
    • Bright OLED screen;
    • Refresh rate 120 Hz;
    • Low PWM;
    • Body materials;
    • Little moisture protection;
    • Universal body colors;
    • 8/256 GB base;
    • Stable firmware operation;
    • Good performance in games without overheating and throttling;
    • 200MP main camera with OIS;
    • Excellent stereo sound and vibration motor;
    • 5000 mAh battery;
    • 120-watt charger

    Cons:

    • Weak front camera;
    • Incorrect operation of the proximity sensor;
    • The global version can be overpriced.
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