The choice of smartphone often comes down to the question of the available space for installing applications and storing photos. Xiaomi Redmi 12 has become one of the most popular budget devices, but potential buyers are often confused in the modifications. How many gigabytes you will get out of the box and whether you can count on expansion, we will analyze right now.
It's important to understand that the characteristics that the manufacturer claims are often different from the actual performance when turned on: System files take up part of the built-in storage, and RAM is redistributed for the needs of the GPU. This is normal practice for all modern gadgets, but it is necessary for every user to know the real numbers before buying.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all Redmi 12 configurations, explain the difference between drive types, and give practical tips for vacating space, and see if you have enough of the basic version or should overpay for the maximum volume.
Overview of available memory configurations
The manufacturer offers several trim options to cover different price segments of the market. The global version of the smartphone is usually available in three main bundles of RAM and built-in storage. The base model is equipped with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM, which is the standard for the budget class.
The mid-range version, which is often found in official retail, offers 8GB of RAM and the same 128GB of permanent storage. This is already a more comfortable option for multitasking. The top version gets 8GB of RAM and doubled the amount of internal memory — 256GB, which allows you to store huge archives of data.
It’s worth noting that some regions may have specific versions, such as those with NFC support or exclusive colors, but their hardware stuffing in terms of memory, as a rule, corresponds to one of the schemes described above.
⚠️ Note: Buying a device in the Chinese market (CN Version, you may encounter other combinations, such as, 6/128 GB 8/512 GBs that are not certified for global use with all frequencies LTE.
Technical features of UFS and RAM drives
Not only the volume, but also the type of memory affects the speed of the Xiaomi Redmi 12.This device uses the LPDDR4X standard for RAM. It is an energy-efficient type that provides sufficient speed for everyday tasks, but inferior to the flagship LPDDR5.
UFS 2.2 is an important parameter for permanent storage, as the older eMMC standard, which can be found in very cheap smartphones, works much slower. UFS 2.2 provides fast recording of large files and fast installation of heavy games.
What is UFS 2.2?
But remember that there's a physical limitation to the write speed when you fill the drive, and when the storage space runs out, it becomes harder for the memory controller to distribute the data, and the speed can drop, so it's a good idea not to fill the storage up.
Real free space after activation
Many users are surprised to find that the 128 GB is only available about 105-110 GB: Where did the rest go? The thing is, manufacturers use decimals (1 GB = 1 000 000 000 byte), and the Android operating system and shell MIUI (or HyperOS) using binary (1 GB = 1 073 741 824 byte).
Aside from the mathematical difference, a significant portion is made up of system partitions, including the operating system itself, Google preinstalled services, drivers, and the recovery partition, and the 256GB version typically provides around 230-235GB of user access, which is a very expected result.
| Claimed amount | Available to the user (approximately) | Occupied with the system |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | ~108 GB | ~20 GB |
| 256GB | ~235 GB | ~21 GB |
The amount of space occupied can vary slightly depending on the firmware version and region. After the first inclusion and update of all applications, the occupied space can increase by a few more gigabytes.
Expanding Physical Memory Through MicroSD
Fortunately, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 has retained a memory card slot, which has become rare in today’s smartphone world.You can install a microSD card up to 1TB. It’s a great solution for storing photos, videos and music, but there are nuances.
The slot in Redmi 12 is a hybrid slot, which means you can use either two. SIM-card SIM-You can't set up two SIMs and a flash drive at the same time, you'll have to prioritize.
☑️ Choosing a memory card for Redmi 12
When installing a card, the system will offer two use cases: as a portable storage device or as part of internal memory, the former being preferred because it makes it easy to transfer files to a computer without losing data and does not slow down the system if the card is slow.
⚠️ Note: It is not recommended to install modern heavy applications on a memory card, since the read speed of the MicroSD is much lower than the speed of the built-in drive. UFS, lead to lags.
Virtual expansion of RAM memory
The MIUI shell features Memory Extension technology, which allows you to use part of the internal memory as an additional RAM, and you can select the addition of 2, 4 or even 6 GB of virtual RAM in the settings, a feature that can be useful when resources are scarce.
But it's important to understand the way it works: it creates a paging file on a fast disk, and when physical RAM is filled, inactive processes are reset into that file, which helps keep more applications open in the background, but doesn't increase overall performance in games.
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If you have a version with 8GB of physical RAM, it is better to disable the virtual extension.This will reduce the wear and tear of the built-in drive and may even speed up the system a little, since there will be no overhead for managing the paging file.
For the base version with 4GB of RAM, enabling this feature can be a lifeline for active multitasking, but if you notice that the smartphone is starting to run slower or reboot more often, try turning off the extension in the settings.
Optimization and cleaning of storage
Sooner or later, the place ends up even on large-volume maps. The Xiaomi Redmi 12 has a built-in Security app that contains the Cleanup tool, which finds temporary files, app cache and duplicate photos, prompting them to be deleted.
Special attention should be paid to messengers like Telegram and WhatsApp, which tend to accumulate gigabytes of useless cache of videos and pictures viewed, and it is better to clean them through the internal settings of the applications themselves, choosing the item "Use of data and storage".
Settings → Applications → All apps → WhatsApp → Memory → Clear the cacheIt's also good to check the Download folder regularly, and often download APK installation files that you don't need after you install programs, or documents you've read a long time ago, and deleting them is the quickest way to free up space.
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Regularly cleaning the messenger cache and removing the Download folder can free up to 5-10 GB of space monthly without losing important data.
Version comparison: which one to choose?
The final choice depends on the use cases: If you buy a smartphone for calling, social media and navigating an elderly person or child, a basic version with 4/128 GB will be enough, it will ensure smooth operation of the interface and will allow you to install the necessary minimum of applications.
For an active user who shoots a lot of high-resolution videos, plays games and likes to keep dozens of tabs open in the browser, it is definitely worth looking towards the 8/256 GB version.
The 8/128GB version is the middle ground, with RAM for most tasks and built-in memory for moderate use, and if you plan to use a memory card for photos and videos, then overpaying for 256GB of internal memory is pointless.