Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S, launched on April 26, 2023, is a mid-range smartphone offering a blend of features at a competitive price point. It measures 159.9 mm in height, 73.9 mm in width, and 8.1 mm in depth, weighing 176 grams.

Build Quality

The device incorporates a plastic frame and back panel, contributing to its light weight. The construction feels solid, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is seamlessly integrated into the power button. The phone is available in three colors: Ice Blue, Onyx Black, and Pearl Green. While lacking a premium feel like metal or glass, the build is practical and durable for everyday use. The inclusion of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides basic scratch protection for the screen.

Screen Quality

The Redmi Note 12S features a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 409 ppi. The screen boasts a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1000 nits, with 700 nits achievable in High Brightness Mode (HBM). This AMOLED panel delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. The 20:9 aspect ratio offers a modern viewing experience, and the 180 Hz touch sampling rate makes the screen responsive. The display is also TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort certified. While it supports HDR, it does not support HDR10, HDR10+, or Dolby Vision.

Camera Performance

The phone boasts a triple-camera setup on the rear. The primary camera is a 108MP Samsung S5KHM2 ISOCELL sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, 0.70µm pixels, and 1-9 (3x3) pixel binning, coupled with a 1/1.52” sensor size. This is accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide lens (f/2.2) and a 2MP macro lens (f/2.4). The main camera excels in good lighting conditions, capturing detailed and sharp images. The ultrawide lens offers a broader field of view, while the macro lens is suitable for close-up shots, albeit with limited detail. The 16MP front-facing camera (f/2.4) is adequate for selfies and video calls. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps. Key camera features include digital zoom, digital image stabilization, autofocus, touch focus, geotagging, HDR, face detection, and various shooting modes like Night Mode. Optical image stabilization is absent.

Software Experience

The Redmi Note 12S ships with Android 13. The experience will be further defined by the specific Xiaomi user interface variant present. The phone includes typical Android features and pre-installed applications. The phone is equipped with several sensors, including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.

Battery Performance

The device packs a 5000 mAh Li-Polymer battery, providing ample power for a full day of moderate use. 33W fast charging allows for reasonably quick replenishment. The phone also offers reverse charging and has a non-removable battery.

Value for Money

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is positioned in the medium price range. It offers configurations such as 6GB RAM with either 64GB or 128GB of storage, and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage. Prices vary depending on the configuration and retailer. The phone supports 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. Notably, it lacks a microSD card slot for storage expansion. It features stereo speakers, Hi-Res Audio, and a cooling system. The inclusion of a USB Type-C 2.0 port with USB OTG adds to its versatility. Considering its features, display, and battery life, the Redmi Note 12S offers a good value proposition within its price segment.