Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S review: specs, battery & used prices

Summary

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a 2023 midrange refresh of the Note line, running the MediaTek Helio G96 in a 6.43-inch 90 Hz OLED rated at 1000 nits, with a 5000 mAh battery, 33 W charging, and a 176-gram shell. Our catalog scores it 32 on everyday use, 30 on camera and 94 on compactness. A 108-megapixel main camera leads the rear array, and the 6/64 GB trim is tracked at about $289 new. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 covers the cheaper mainstream tier, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 4G is its newer successor.

Display and design

The 6.43-inch OLED refreshes at 90 Hz with a 1000-nit peak, scoring 53 on our screen axis: AMOLED contrast at a price class that usually ships LCD, one of the stronger display arguments of the 2023 Note family. At 176 grams the body is among the lightest of its Note generation, feeding the compactness score of 94. No ingress rating is documented for this model.

Performance

The Helio G96 posts an everyday axis of 32 and a gaming axis of 4: enough for messaging, browsing and video streams, with heavy 3D titles beyond its reach. Tracked trims carry 6 to 8 GB of RAM across 64 to 256 GB of storage, and the two-year software window has already closed, so long-term updates are not part of the offer.

Camera

The camera axis of 30 rests on a 108-megapixel main sensor flanked by an 8-megapixel ultrawide and a 2-megapixel auxiliary lens. Detail in daylight is the strong suit of the high-resolution main, and there is no stabilization or documented video specification, so low-light shots need a steady hand.

Battery and charging

The 5000 mAh battery scores 40 on our battery axis, a dependable full day of moderate use, and 33 W charging scores 15, refilling the cell at a predictable rather than fast rate. In a 176-gram body this endurance keeps the Note 12S practical as an all-day companion.

Verdict

At about $289 new for 6/64 GB, the Redmi Note 12S answers a simple question: an AMOLED Note experience on a lean budget. The 108-megapixel camera and 1000-nit screen carry the pitch; buyers wanting more pace should step to the Note 13 generation, while the standard Note 12 remains the cheaper fallback.