Xiaomi has recently launched the new Redmi 12C, the company’s latest all-around entry-level smartphone with impressive performance, increased storage, and a larger screen.
We were fortunate enough to get our hands on an early unit of the Redmi 12C in Ocean Blue with 4GB RAM/128GB ROM variant, which features a textured diagonal stripe pattern on the rear panel for a better grip. This is our in-depth review of Xiaomi’s newest budget-friendly smartphone.
Table of Contents
Unboxing/Accessories
Xiaomi Redmi 12C arrived in a familiar white Xiaomi packaging with the smartphone model on the lower portion of the box. Inside the box, you will find the Redmi 12C handset, 10-watt charger, USB Type-A to MicroUSB data/charging cable, paper documentation, and the SIM ejector tool. Unfortunately, the Redmi 12C doesn’t have a protective case or earphones in the box, you have to buy it separately.
Build Quality/Design
The stylish and distinctive textured design of the Xiaomi Redmi 12C provides a more slip-resistant grip, and the unibody enclosure with a curved back makes it more comfortable to hold. It also features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor that was carefully developed to be concealed within the camera island, and unlocks the handset in seconds.
The volume and power buttons are located on the right side of the device. The SIM tray, which holds two Nano SIM cards and a memory card slot for up to 1TB storage expansion, is positioned on the left side. The primary microphone, speaker grill, and micro-USB connector are located at the bottom, while the 3.5mm audio jack is located at the top.
The microUSB charging port surprises me, considering that the majority of smartphones available in the market today, including those in the more affordable price range, are already using USB-C.
Display
With its large 6.71-inch HD+ display and sleek 20.6:9 aspect ratio, the Redmi 12C provides a better and more immersive experience for reading, watching videos, and gaming.
We checked its Widevine security level, and it has an L3 security level, which is the most basic certification supported. This means that if you have a Widevine L3 device, the content will often play only at 480p. In any case, the screen is adequate for its intended use, which is content consumption, and you can still access HDR material.
The Redmi 12C also has a reading mode feature that protects your eyes and is very useful while binge-watching your favorite video content.
Camera
With its 50MP primary camera, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C takes decent images with acceptable clarity, sharpness, and detail. Unfortunately, we found that occasionally, some images might appear flat and lacking in color accuracy. We also noticed that images taken in poor lighting conditions have a lot of noise and lack clarity. Fortunately, it has a night mode that helps to improve image quality.
The Redmi 12C sports the dated water drop notch up front, which conceals the 5-megapixel front camera. Those who enjoy shooting selfies will appreciate the Xiaomi Redmi 12C, which produces pleasant selfies with exceptional clarity and crisp details in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Overall, the Redmi 12C’s camera performance is average considering its low price tag. Here are some sample photos using the Redmi 12C:
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C, powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 octa-core processor provides best-in-class performance and a smooth experience in gaming and everyday use. Equipped with up to 6+5GB extended RAM and 1TB expandable storage, the Redmi 12C provides a fast and responsive input when opening applications while also accommodating your desire for more storage space for your photographs, videos, music, and games.
Unlocking your phone is quick, safe, and straightforward thanks to its rear fingerprint sensor that merges beautifully into its minimalist design.
Xiaomi’s MIUI 13, on top of Android 12, also has a nice look and feel to it. The Redmi 12C also comes with several bloatware out of the box, however, you can always uninstall these programs if you don’t need them.
According to our benchmark test results, the phone received 212306 points on the AnTuTu benchmark, really good for a budget smartphone.
When it comes to mobile games, the new Redmi 12C was designed to be a device for mobile gaming enthusiasts on a budget. Under the hood is the MediaTek Helio G85, which is strong enough to handle multitasking as well as some gaming. In fact, I’ve been playing Call of Duty on this phone for a week, and I’m pretty impressed with how well it performs. I even won a couple of games while testing the device.
Battery
The Redmi 12C is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that can comfortably last a full day with moderate to heavy usage. It also draws power from a 10W charger that is capable of refueling the battery from 0% to 100% in about 2 hours.
Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a decent choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly device to replace your current daily driver. This smartphone outperforms its pricing point thanks to its 6.71-inch HD+ LCD display and is powered by a MediaTek Helio G85, 5000 mAh battery, expandable storage, and bigger storage of up to 6GB of RAM with up to 128GB of storage.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C Specs
Display: 6.71-inch LCD (IPS) screen w/ HD+ 1650 x 720 resolution at 268 ppi
CPU: 2.0GHz 12nm MediaTek Helio G85 octa-core processor
GPU: Mali-G52 2EEMC2 (1,000MHz)
RAM: 3GB/4GB/6GB LPDDR4X
ROM: 32GB/64GB/128GB eMMC 5.1 expandable storage via microSD card up to 1TB
Back Camera: 50MP f/1.8 main camera + QVGA Auxilliary lens + LED flash
Selfie Camera: 5MP f/2.2
Battery: 5,000mAh w/ 10W charging
OS: Android 12 w/ MIUI 13
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.1, OTG, FM Radio, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, dual SIM
Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity
Others: Fingerprint sensor
Colors: Graphite Grey, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, and Lavender Purple.
Dimensions: 168.76 x 76.41 x 8.77 mm
Weight: 192 g
Price: PHP 5,499 (3GB/32GB), PHP 6,499 (4GB/64GB), PHP 7,499 (4GB/128GB), PHP 8,999 (6GB/128GB)
Price and availability
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C comes in four variants, each offering varying storage and memory capacities. Starting at PHP 5,499 for the 3GB/32GB variant, PHP 6499 for the 4GB/ 64GB variant, PHP 7499 for the 4GB/128GB variant, and PHP 8,999 for the 6GB/128GB variant, which is an online exclusive. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is available in Xiaomi-authorized retail locations as well as online through their official Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
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