Xiaomi launches the Redmi Note 12 series in Romania. Top model has 200 megapixel camera

Xiaomi has officially launched the mid-range Redmi Note 12 smartphone series in Romania. It consists of five models, with prices ranging from 1,000 to 2,400 lei, with increasingly higher specifications. The top model in the series, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, is the first mid-range phone equipped with a 200-megapixel camera, something impressive considering that the first high-end models with such a camera were launched only last autumn, at significantly higher prices.

Redmi Note 12 Pro and Pro+ bring flagship camera capabilities to mid-range models

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro and Pro+ models are quite similar to each other, being based on pretty much the same hardware platform with only minor differences between them. Both use a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset, with large 6.67″ Flow AMOLED screens with Full HD resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, even compatible with HDR standards like Dolby Vision or HDR10+. The Pro model comes in configurations with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage or 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, while the Pro+ only comes in one variant, 8+256GB.

Even more interestingly, both use 5,000 mAh batteries with fast charging. The Pro model charges at 67W, while the Pro+ comes charging at 120W, something even the brand’s flagship Xiaomi 13 Pro offers. So whether you choose a mid-range model, or a top model, charging is still done in under 20 minutes from 0 to 100%. This is made possible thanks to a proprietary Xiaomi Surge P1 chip, which controls the charging power.

Where do the biggest differences between the two phones occur? In the camera department. The Redmi Note 12 Pro is equipped with a Sony IMX766 sensor, the same one we’ve seen in previous years on flagship models like the OnePlus 10 Pro. It’s optically stabilized and promises “flagship” shooting capabilities both day and night. What’s more, Xiaomi also talks about some filters that simulate film photography, but most users probably won’t use these special capabilities. There’s also an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera and a macro.

The Pro+ model, however, has a camera comparable to what we saw last year on the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, with 200 megapixel resolution and optical stabilization on a 1/1.4″ sensor. The other cameras are the same instead. The advantage of the Pro+ would be that you can crop parts of a 200 megapixel image to do a sort of “zoom” after you take the shot.

These models start at 1,799 lei for the Redmi Note 12 Pro 6+128 GB, 1,999 lei for the Redmi Note 12 Pro 8+256 GB and 2,299 lei for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+. From March 23 to April 2, those who order these phones will also receive gift vouchers of 200 lei for the Pro model and 300 lei for the Pro+, a very attractive offer for those who buy a pair of headphones or some accessories on the side anyway.

Note 12 models with and without 5G are basic models with decent equipment

The Redmi Note 12 series will also have two base models, one with 4G and one with 5G. These too use Full HD+ AMOLED screens at 120Hz with a 6.67″ diagonal, but without HDR. These models also offer microSD card slots and 3.5mm headphone jacks. The 5,000 mAh battery charges at 33W, and their processors are Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 for the 5G variant and Snapdragon 685 for the 4G one.

The Redmi Note 12 with 4G in the base 4+64 GB variant starts at 999 lei, and the 4+128 GB one starts at 1,099 lei. This model also gets a 100 lei voucher. The Redmi Note 12 5G, however, costs 1,3099 lei and is only available in the 4+128GB variant. The voucher for this variant is 150 lei.

There will also be a Redmi Note 12S, which launches later. It will use a 6.43″ AMOLED screen at 90 Hz, 5,000 mAh battery and 33W charging. However, this model will use a MediaTek Helio G96 chipset and will launch later in Romania. The price will be 1,199 lei.

Other accessories presented by Xiaomi for launch in Romania were the Redmi Watch 3, at 499 lei, with 12-day battery life, 5ATM water resistance and 1.75″ AMOLED screen, along with a pair of true wireless headphones, Redmi Buds 4 Lite, at 149 lei.