Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus Review: Worth the Price hike??

We are all familiar with the Redmi Note series, which has been available on the market for some time. In India, Xiaomi debuted its most recent Redmi Note 12 lineup at the beginning of 2023. Three models are available in this lineup: the base Note 12 model, the Note 12 Pro, and the top-tier Note 12 Pro Plus.

We will examine the latter today. The Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus appears to be a good all-arounder and packs a lot of punch. However, given that the Note 12 series is no longer a low-cost option as it once was, it's really difficult to recommend this phone. Does it make sense to purchase the newest Note 12 Pro+? In this review of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus, let's find out.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus Price in India

The Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus price in India starts from Rs 29999 for the variant with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. There is also a variant available with 12 GB RAM.

The phone is also available in multiple colour options including Arctic White, Iceberg Blue and Obsidian Black.

Design

The Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus features the typical design one would anticipate from a mid-range smartphone. It's a large, clumsy phone with a typical, seemingly very straightforward design. Even though it doesn't have anything unique or intriguing, it still looks good. It feels substantial in your hands, and the flat edges provide a secure grip. However, it is heavier than average, weighing around 208 grams.

You'll see the large camera island with the three camera lenses on the back. It sticks out considerably, so I advise using a case to keep it from wobbling on a flat surface. Another reason to use a phone case is that the phone is quite slippery. The phone's build quality is excellent overall, and I believe it can withstand some drops. The phone is water- and dust-resistant and has an IP53 rating.

Display

A stunning display on the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus provides an excellent viewing experience. It has an FHD+ 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution. You get a peak brightness of 900 nits at an refers rate of 120Hz.

Although it isn't the brightest display ever, it can still be used outside. Although you might find it difficult to use the phone in direct sunlight, indoor visibility is excellent.

Speaking of the display's quality, it is clear and vibrant. The deep blacks make the colours look really punchy. Additionally, the viewing angles are excellent. The bezels are extremely thin on all sides, and the top has a small punch hole that doesn't detract from watching content.

Not to mention that the extra smoothness provided by the 120Hz refresh rate enhances the viewing experience overall. Everything appeared to be seamless, whether you were scrolling through the UI or changing between apps.

Performance and Software

A MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset, along with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, power the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus. Everyday tasks on the phone go off without a hitch. When I was using the phone, there were no lags or shutters.

I had no problems juggling multiple tasks. It was easy to switch between apps. Even resource-intensive apps like Instagram and video editing programmes can be easily handled by the phone. Additionally, the 120Hz refresh rate significantly enhances the overall experience.

When it comes to gaming, it was able to run graphically intensive apps like Apex Legends Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile. It's not intended for high-end graphic gaming, though. To enjoy the demanding games, you must keep the graphic settings on low to medium.

The MIUI 13 skin, which is based on Android 12, powers the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus. I firmly believe that a phone that debuted in 2023 ought to have Android 13 pre-installed. It feels like using a new device with outdated software, despite the fact that you will soon receive an update.

Putting that aside, I adore MIUI and it's still one of the skins available if you enjoy personalising your phone. There are many customization and personalization options available with MIUI 13. There are a tonne of themes and wallpapers available.

We are aware of how slowly Xiaomi updates its products. Major software updates for two years and security updates for four years are promised by the company.

Camera

On the back of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus, there are three cameras. A 200 MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor are all included. A 16MP selfie camera is housed in the punch hole cutout on the front. Yes, we can see a 200MP camera standing next to a 2MP camera. I only have one question: Why Xiaomi?

Anyway, let's start with the 200MP main camera, which produces really impressive images in natural light. The images had a wide dynamic range and a high level of detail. The colours had strong contrast and appeared punchy. The portrait photographs were excellent and very attractive.

The images in low light were also excellent. The colour accuracy and detailing were both respectable. The OIS makes it easier to take quiet nighttime photos. A dedicated 200MP mode is also available, which takes pictures with a lot more detail but essentially the same appearance as the default mode.

In outdoor lighting, the ultra-wide camera produces respectable images. The low-resolution camera results in much less detail than the main camera. The images can be used, though. As the light fades, things get worse. The ultra-wide images taken in low light were noisy and grainy.

The main camera on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus can capture 4K videos at 30 frames per second, but the front camera can only capture 1080p videos at 60 frames per second. In terms of details and clarity, the 4K video is excellent. The OIS aids in overall video stabilisation.

Battery

The 4980 mAh battery in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus is peculiar. Why, specifically, not a 5000 mAh battery? In any case, the phone has a strong battery life. Even with heavy use, you can easily get a full day's worth of battery backup. Now you can even push the phone to the second day if you're a light user like I am.

The battery lasted for about 6-7 hours on me. Along with some Instagram scrolling, my usage included taking pictures, playing games, and watching videos on YouTube. After using the phone for a while, I can say that the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus has a pretty good battery life.

More so than the lengthy battery life is its support for 120W fast charging. Here, "fast" refers to extremely quick. The phone can be fully charged from zero to one hundred percent using the 120W charger in just over 25 minutes.

The battery can be juiced up to about 60% in just 10 minutes, which is insanely quick. What I appreciate more about Xiaomi is that it thoughtfully includes the charger in the package.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus Verdict

I loved using the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus for obvious reasons. It contains everything a mid-range phone should have, and I don't believe Xiaomi made any significant concessions this time.

The high refresh rate AMOLED display provides an excellent viewing experience, and the 200MP camera produces excellent photos as it should. In normal use, the phone does not lag or shutter, and the performance was excellent. Not to mention, the phone charges the phone quickly thanks to the 120W fast charging support.