If you’re hunting for a cheap smartphone that still looks stylish, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is probably already on your radar. It comes with a shiny glass back, a big 90Hz display, solid battery life, and surprisingly large storage for the price.
But here’s the big question:
Is the Redmi 12 still worth buying, or is it just another budget phone pretending to be great?
Let’s dive in.
💵 Price & Variants (USD)
Depending on your region, the Redmi 12 usually sits around this price range:
$129 – 8GB RAM / 128GB storage
$149 – 8GB RAM / 256GB storage
For under $150, getting 8GB RAM and up to 256GB storage is honestly crazy good. A lot of competitors still give 4GB or 6GB at this price.
So yeah, Xiaomi is still fighting hard in the budget war.
✨ Premium Glass Design – Yes, It Looks Expensive
Most cheap phones scream “cheap.”
This one doesn’t.
The Redmi 12 comes with:
- Premium glass back
- Flat frame
- Side fingerprint scanner
- Stylish color options
It genuinely looks like a mid-range phone, not a budget device. That shiny reflection on the back makes it feel way more luxurious than the price suggests.
But, of course… it’s not all perfect:
- Still plastic frame
- Only mono speaker
- Hybrid SIM slot (either dual SIM or SIM + MicroSD)
So yeah, pretty – but you can still feel some budget cuts behind the scenes.
📺 Display – Big, Smooth, and Actually Nice to Look At
This part is honestly impressive.
- 6.79-inch Full HD+
- 90Hz refresh rate
- Pretty bright (around 550 nits)
- Colors are decent
- Comes with screen protector pre-installed
For scrolling, gaming, and watching content, it feels smooth and enjoyable. Not flagship-level of course, but definitely one of the better displays in the budget class.
🔥 Software – Thankfully Up to Date
Out of the box, Redmi 12 runs:
- MIUI 14
- Based on Android 13
This matters because a lot of cheap phones still ship with older Android versions. So thumbs up here.
⚙️ Performance – Good Enough, But Not “Wow”
Here’s where things get interesting.
Inside, Xiaomi is still using:
- MediaTek Helio G88
- eMMC 5.1 storage
Translation in internet language:
- Yes, it works fine.
- No, it’s not blazing fast.
Yes, sometimes loading can feel slower than newer competitors.
Everyday Use?
Smooth enough.
Gaming?
Mobile Legends → playable
Genshin Impact → runs, but lowest settings + noticeable loading time
So if you just scroll social media, chat, watch YouTube, and play light games, you’re fine.
If you’re a hardcore gamer… look elsewhere.
📷 Camera – Surprisingly Good (But Sometimes Weird)
You get:
- 50MP main camera
- 8MP ultrawide
- Depth sensor
And honestly?
- Daylight shots = sharp and detailed
- Ultrawide = nice bonus, many budget phones removed it
- Colors sometimes shift a bit yellowish
- Rare random glitch photos happened during testing
But overall?
For a $130-ish phone → camera performance is GOOD.
🔋 Battery & Charging
- 5,000mAh battery
- Supports 18W charging
- Charger included in box (rare in 2026 world)
- Easily lasts a full day, sometimes even more depending on usage.
🎧 Speaker & Extras
- Mono speaker only
- 3.5mm headphone jack (thank you Xiaomi)
- IR blaster
- Hybrid SIM slot
✅ Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Redmi 12?
The Redmi 12 is a very “balanced” budget phone.
What’s awesome
✔ Premium glass design
✔ Big 90Hz display
✔ Huge storage options
✔ Good battery
✔ Decent cameras
What’s not so awesome
✘ Old chipset
✘ Slower storage
✘ Mono speaker
✘ Not the best for gaming
So, who should buy it?
Buy the Redmi 12 if you want:
- A stylish cheap phone
- Big storage
- Good everyday performance
- Nice display
Skip it if you want:
- Maximum performance
- Faster gaming
- Best speed in this price range
⭐ Final Score
7.5 / 10 – Good budget phone, but the competition is tough.
🔎 FAQ – To Help You Decide Faster
Is Redmi 12 good for gaming?
Casual gaming yes, heavy gaming no.
Is Redmi 12 camera good?
Surprisingly good for the price, especially the main 50MP lens.
Is Redmi 12 worth buying in 2026?
Yes if you want value + design. If performance is a priority, consider spending a bit more.