Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G review – powerhouse on a budget

If there’s one thing we’re not short of, it’s smartphones. Now, I know that the chances are your mind immediately wanders to Samsung and Apple, the two behemoths behind the Galaxy and iPhone series of devices, respectively. However, phones from these companies put a real dent in your bank account, as they can reach prices of up to $1,200 and beyond. Sometimes, even with a contract, this just isn’t a viable option.

Enter Xiaomi with its line of Redmi phones. Luckily for me, I’ve managed to get my hands on a Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G, and after my time with the Poco X5 5G and Poco X5 5G Pro (Poco is a subsidiary of Xiaomi), I can’t wait to share with you just how great this device is, especially when compared to more expensive gaming phones.

Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G design

Let’s start with how it feels to hold. Despite the fact that it’s a slightly bigger device, as notes tend to be, it still fits comfortably in my hand, and the phone’s light weight helps to ensure that you don’t feel fatigued in your hand should you dive into a long gaming session. The model I tested has a sleek black finish, which makes the device look aesthetically pleasing as well as comfortable. It also comes in white and blue color schemes, just in case you want a phone that’s more vibrant.

Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G features

Of course, it’s what’s on the inside that truly counts when it comes to a smartphone, so let’s take a look at the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5 G’s features. Well, Redmi clearly wants its customers to have a premium experience on a budget, as this device puts an emphasis on its camera, battery, and display, all of which come together to make this the ideal device for those that want to capture images or play some games.

Speaking of which, the 6.67″ 120Hz AMOLED display offers crisp visuals that make playing games on this device a delight. Naturally, I put the phone through its paces with various titles. Some are mobile, while others are part of Xbox Game Pass. I can confirm that they all ran perfectly and looked fantastic. This is truly a screen that has gamers in mind. If you’re curious as to what titles I like to play on this phone, I currently enjoy Marvel Snap, Marvel Contest of Champions, and MLB The Show 23, the latter of which is through cloud gaming.

Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G battery

However, should you be after some long gaming sessions, you might want to have your charger at the ready. While the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G does possess a decent 5000mAh battery with 67W turbocharging, it peaks at four hours of gameplay. So, should you already be at half battery, you only have two hours of gaming time. Mind you, the charge rate of the device does ensure that you’re ready to go in around 15 minutes, so it’s not exactly a deal breaker.

Furthermore, should you attach the charger to lengthen your game time, you can count on the 12-layer graphite sheets cooling system to prevent your device from overheating. Unfortunately, overheating is a prominent problem for mobile gamers, but the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G features a sufficient system to ensure your games don’t crash due to the technological equivalent of heat exhaustion.

Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G camera

Okay, so you know that it has a gorgeous screen, a decent battery, and feels good to hold, but what about the camera? How do those of you that appreciate photography fair when it comes to the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G? Well, I have to say that for the price range, this phone features a fantastic camera system. With a range of features on offer, you can easily capture top-notch pictures to look back on next year through your Facebook memories. You also have 256GB of memory to use in this phone, so there’s no need to worry about running out of space.

The phone features three distinct cameras, the main of which is a 50MP camera, with an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP micro camera rounding off the trio. The combination of these three features allows you to catch high-quality photos akin to what you might experience from a phone that costs twice as much. To top it off, the phone offers a light sensitivity feature that ensures your snaps at night look pristine, alongside many different filters, though that’s commonplace in mobile phones these days.

Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G price

At a low price of £339 ($426.68), the Redmi Note Pro 12 5G offers a premium experience on a budget, catering to those who want a bit of game time with the ability to take some fantastic photos. While it can’t match up to the performance or premium build of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, it has a lot to offer for practically a quarter of the price. Just keep your charger on standby for any long gaming sessions you intend to do.

Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G competitors

To see what other phones are worth your money, check out our Poco X5 5G review, Poco F4 GT review, and Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate review articles. If you’re after a phone that can handle a few drops and spills, we’ve got an expert guide to the best rugged smartphones.

Want to know more about how we tested the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G, and phones like it? Find out how we test hardware at Pocket Tactics.