Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus, Redmi Note 12 series launch highlights: The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is seen in this photo. (Image credit: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express) Xiaomi India has launched its Redmi Note 12 series launch in Delhi. The Redmi Note 12 starts at Rs 17,999 for the base 4GB RAM version, while the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ starts at Rs 29,999 for the base 8GB RAM option. The Redmi Note 12 Pro starts at Rs 26,999. The pricing makes this the most expensive Redmi Note series ever launched in India. Redmi is offering bank discounts and exchange offers and bonuses to bring down the price for those buying these phones. All three phones will be 5G-ready, which is a first for the Redmi Note series. There will be no Redmi S or Redmi T variants this time.
In a surprise move, Manu Kumar Jain, the former Xiaomi India Managing Director, opened the launch event. Jain has moved on to a global role since 2020, though his move also came at a time when Xiaomi faces challenges and scrutiny from the Indian government. The company has launched three Redmi Note phones today and all are 5G-ready.
Considering the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus as your next phone? Read our review first
Xiaomi India president Muralikrishnan B said the increasing supply chain pressures, inflation, and other macro factors were also a factor in their new pricing for the Redmi Note 12 series. The full prices are as follows:
Redmi Note 12 5G will be available for Rs 17,999 for 4GB+128 GB and Rs 19,999 for 6GB+128GB across Mi.com, Amazon.in, Vijay Sales. Mi Home and Mi Studio, and authorised retail partners. Users can either avail exchange offers or use their ICICI credit card to get an additional Rs 1500 discount and purchase this device at Rs 16,499, and Rs 18,499, respectively.
Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G will be available for Rs 24,999 for 6GB+128GB, Rs 26,999 for 8GB+128GB, and Rs 27,999 for 8GB+256GB. Users can either avail exchange offers or use their ICICI credit card to get an additional Rs 3000 discount. The Pro version is being sold on Flipkart.com, Mi Home and Mi Studio, and authorized retail partners. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G will be available for Rs 29,999 for 8GB+256GB and Rs 32,999 for 12GB+256GB. Users can either avail exchange offers or use their ICICI credit card to get an additional Rs 3000 discount.
The Redmi Note 12, which is the base variant, is getting a triple camera in India, which is not part of the global variant. Xiaomi has also upgraded the front camera on this to 13MP, instead of 8MP seen on the global versions. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ will come with a 200MP camera, 120Hz display and 120W fast charging. Follow our live blog for updates.
Price of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+: Rs 29,999 for the base 8GB RAM option and Rs 32,999 for the 12GB RAM option. With bank offers and all the price goes down to Rs 25,999 and Rs 28,999. First sale is Jan 11.
Price of Redmi Note 12 Pro is Rs 24,999 for the base variant (6GB RAM and 128GB); 8GB RAM 128GB at Rs 26,999 and Rs 27,999 for 8GB RAM 256GB version. With bank offers and exchange bonuses, the price goes down to Rs 20,999. Sale on Flipkart, Mi.com and Mi Home on Jan 11.
Ok. So the prices are official. And that was a long and rather loud keynote launch. The prices are Redmi Note 12 at Rs 15,499 for the base 4GB 128GB; this is a special fan price. The 4GB RAM 128GB costs Rs 17,999 and the 6GB RAM 128GB costs Rs 19,999. Effective price with cashback (instant) is Rs 16,499 and Rs 18,499. There is an additional Rs 1000 off for those exchanging an existing Xiaomi/Mi or Redmi smartphone. Sale from 11 Jan, 12 noon; Amazon, Mi.com and Mi Home and Mi retail partners.
Redmi Note 12 gets a 5000 mAh battery and 33W fast charging. The charger remains in the box. Like the other phones in the series, it has a 3.5mm headphone jack as well. Xiaomi has also brought IP53 rating to all three phones as well for dust and water resistance.
Redmi Note 12 comes with Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. It gets a 48MP camera at the back.
The Redmi Note 12 Pro is also a slightly slimmer device at 7.9mm thickness. It comes with a 50MP main camera, it has the Sony IMX766 sensor for the main sensor.
The Redmi Note 12 Pro has most of the same specifications. But it does not get the 200MP camera; instead it gets a 50MP main camera. The Redmi Note 12 Pro is also 5G ready and comes with 67W charging instead.
The Redmi Note 12 Pro is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 1080 processor and 12GB of RAM. The phone also has its own Imagiq ISP that supports the 200 MP camera.
Redmi Note 12 Pro+ also gets 120W fast charging which will charge the device in just 19 minutes, according to the brand. The phone has a 4980 mAh battery. Xiaomi says this kind of fast charging is totally safe and won't heat up the device. The charger is in the box, which is always good to hear. Previously, we've seen Xiaomi bring 120W fast charging to its Xiaomi phones such as Xiaomi 11i Hypercharger, Xiaomi 12 Pro.
With the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, the brand is focusing on the low-light performance. And showcasing these samples at the launch event as well. The Redmi Note 12 Pro gets a 50MP main camera in comparison to the Pro+.
The phone gets a 200MP camera, which was already known given this has launched in China. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ comes with the HPX sensor Samsung. Redmi's claim is that this will improve the image quality drastically on this phone thanks to the bigger sensor. How it actually fares in real-life usage is something we will discuss in detail in our review. It should be noted that the phone also comes with OIS, which is not typically offered on the budget Redmi series.
Manu Kumar Jain on stage talking about the last three years for Xiaomi. He was previously head of Xiaomi India, but is now handling international operations. But clearly, Jain is still involved in India in some way given he’s at the first launch of the company for 2023.
Jain talks about his status at the company. “In 2020, our global board suggested that I take up larger responsibilities for our markets. But covid also happened at the same time. In 2021, I moved abroad with a different role.”
The Redmi lineup, which once cemented Xiaomi's position in the Indian smartphone market, looks a lot cluttered now. There are too many phones in the Redmi series at different price points. And certainly, that has made consumers a bit more confused about choosing the right Redmi phone. At the same time, the competition in the mid-segment is at an all-time high. The question is, what will Xiaomi do to fix its mobile phone strategy which is all over the place?
As always the Redmi Note Pro+ is the variant with the top-end specifications in the entire Note lineup. And this year too, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ continues the trend. Compared to last year's Redmi Note 11 Pro+, the company has bumped up the camera to 200MP, included a 120W fast charger in the box and given this phone a 120Hz refresh rate display. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ had a 108MP camera, 67W charger, and a 120Hz display as well. So the biggest changes this time are around processor, fast charging and the main rear camera.
This is definitely a critical launch for Xiaomi and Redmi. It comes at a time when the brand faces tough times and scrutiny in India. The India smartphone market has declined if one goes by several reports, there's been a decline in shipments and Xiaomi was one of the worst hit. But typically, Redmi Note 12 is what drives the brand's sales and volumes and Xiaomi will be hoping that this new series will help give them a boost and proves to be a hit to start off 2023. But will the good old formula of top-specifications at mid-budget pricing work? We will have to wait and see.
The Redmi Note lineup in China consists of the following specifications. The base Redmi Note 12 has a 48MP triple camera and has a 120Hz display along with 33W fast charging. The Redmi Note 12 Pro series is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 1080 processor, but the difference is that the Pro+ gets the 200MP camera and 120W fast charging. The Redmi Note 12 Pro gets a 50MP main camera and a 67W fast charger.
The Redmi Note 12 series livestream starts at 12 noon today. The event is being streamed on the company's YouTube channel as well as other social media channels. Three phones are expected at the event today.