Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 T Redmi Note 12 T Review
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 T Harry Potter Edition costs $940 but performs like a budget phone, scoring a dismal 4.4/100. We explain why it's a terrible value.
The 30-Second Version
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 T Harry Potter Edition is a bizarrely priced budget phone with flagship costs. It scores a dismal 4.4/100 overall, with a camera rated 2/100. At $940, it's one of the worst values we've seen and is not worth buying.
Overview
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 T, specifically the Harry Potter Edition, is a budget phone with a quirky theme. It's got a solid 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor promises decent mid-range performance. But right off the bat, our data shows this phone is a tough sell. Its overall score sits at a low 4.4 out of 100, and its best category is 'budget' at just 4.7. That tells you most of the story before we even get started.
Performance
Performance is this phone's biggest letdown, ranking in the 17th percentile. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 should be capable, but the overall user experience seems to drag it down. The battery life scores poorly at 3.8/100, and photography is its absolute weakest point with a dismal 2/100 score. In everyday use, you're likely looking at mediocre speed and a camera that struggles.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Comes with a hefty 12GB of RAM for smooth multitasking. 71th
- Offers 256GB of storage, which is generous for the price point.
- The Harry Potter Edition is a fun collector's item for fans.
- It's a factory-unlocked phone, giving you carrier flexibility.
Cons
- Overall performance scores are abysmal across the board. 6th
- The camera is practically unusable for anything beyond basic snaps. 16th
- Battery life is rated very poorly in our database. 30th
- It lacks standout features, ranking in the bottom 5th percentile. 34th
Specifications
Full Specifications
Performance
| RAM | 12 MB |
Value & Pricing
At a current price of $940, this phone represents terrible value. You are paying near-flagship money for a device that scores worse than almost all its peers in every major category. For that kind of cash, you can get a genuinely good phone from Samsung, Google, or Apple that will actually perform. This price makes no sense for what's on offer.
vs Competition
Stacked against its top competitors, the Redmi Note 12 T gets demolished. A Samsung Galaxy S26 or Google Pixel 10 at a similar price will offer vastly superior cameras, performance, and software support. Even more affordable options like the Motorola Moto G or a standard OnePlus 15 will likely run circles around it in terms of real-world usability and value. This Xiaomi is competing in a price bracket where it brings nothing to the table except a themed backplate.
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 T Redmi Note 12 T | Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 SM-S948UZKEXAA | Motorola Moto G PB6V0014US | Google Google Pixel 10 GA09899-US | OnePlus OnePlus 15 5011116281 | Apple Unlocked iPhone 15/15 Plus MTLY3LL/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | - | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.1 |
| Display Type | - | OLED | AMOLED | OLED | OLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | - | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 60 |
| Processor | - | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform | 3.78 GHz | 8 Elite Gen 5 | A16 |
| RAM (GB) | 12 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 16 | - |
| Storage (GB) | - | 512 | 1024 | 256 | 512 | 128 |
| Rear Camera Mp | - | 200 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 48 |
| Front Camera Mp | - | 12 | 32 | 42 | 32 | - |
| Battery Capacity Mah | - | 5000 | 5000 | 4870 | 7300 | - |
| Charging Wattage | - | 60 | 68 | - | - | - |
| Wireless Charging | - | true | true | false | - | - |
| Five (g) | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | - | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69 | - |
| Operating System | - | Android 16 | Android 15 | Android 16 | Android 16 | iPadOS 17 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the Harry Potter Edition just a cosmetic change?
Yes, it appears to be primarily a themed design. The core specs and poor performance scores are the same as the standard model.
Q: Why is this phone so expensive for its specs?
The $940 price is likely due to limited edition branding and import costs, but it's completely disconnected from the device's low performance value.
Q: How bad is the camera really?
Our data rates it at 2 out of 100, placing it in the bottom third of all phones. Expect very basic, low-quality photos, especially in anything but perfect light.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you need a functional daily driver. If you care about camera quality, battery life, smooth performance, or getting your money's worth, look elsewhere immediately. This phone fails on all those fronts while asking for a premium price.
Verdict
Honestly, almost no one should buy this phone. The only conceivable buyer is a die-hard Harry Potter collector who values the branding over every single aspect of phone functionality and is okay with burning $940 on a subpar device. For everyone else, it's a hard pass.