Xiaomi Redmi 12 Pro: official release date, full specs and what has changed compared to Redmi 11 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi 12 Pro is one of the most anticipated smartphones of 2026 in the budget segment, which attracted the attention of users with promises of top features at an affordable price. But when exactly this gadget came out? If you are looking for an exact release date, official specs or want to compare the model with its predecessors, this article will help you to understand all the nuances.

The Redmi 12 Pro debuted on August 15, 2023, on the global market, but official sales in Russia and some CIS countries started later - from September 1, 2023. This is important to consider if you are planning to buy with a firmware or looking for current prices.

The official release date of Xiaomi Redmi 12 Pro: the chronology of events

The Redmi 12 Pro's history began well before August 2023, with the first leaks coming back in May, when renders and previews leaked, but the official announcement didn't take place until 3 months later:

• 📅 15 August 2023 – global presentation of the Redmi 12 series (including Redmi 12 models) 4G, Redmi 12 5G The event was broadcast on Xiaomi's YouTube channel and Redmi 12 Pro.
• 🛒 August 22, 2023: Pre-orders start in China and India, where the smartphone is on sale a week earlier than in Europe.
• 🇷🇺 September 1, 2023 - official release in Russia and CIS countries. It was from this date that the model became available in Xiaomi brand stores and partners (Svyaznoy, M. Video, Citilink).
• 📦 10 September 2023 – start of deliveries to Europe (Germany, France, Spain) with localized firmware.

Interestingly, the Redmi 12 Pro was the first smartphone in the Redmi lineup to receive IP53 certification (dust and splash protection) right out of the box, an option previously only available in the flagship Xiaomi 13 or POCO F5 series.

Technical specifications of Redmi 12 Pro: what is under the hood?

Unlike the base version of the Redmi 12 4G, the Pro has received significant upgrades, the main difference being the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) processor, which is 30% more powerful than the Helio G88 in the standard version.

Special attention deserves the display: Redmi 12 Pro received AMOLED-matrix with support for HDR10+ and refresh rate of 120 Hz. For comparison, in Redmi 11 Pro stood Super AMOLED with 90 Hz. Also in the new model appeared Dolby Vision, which was previously available only in the flagships Xiaomi 13.

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If you’re choosing between the Redmi 12 Pro and the POCO X5 Pro, note: they have the same processor (Snapdragon 695), but POCO has a better cooling system and 120W charging support.

Redmi 12 Pro from Redmi 11 Pro: Should I Upgrade?

Many people are asking themselves, how much better is the Redmi 12 Pro than its predecessor? In short, there is a difference, but it is not revolutionary.

• 🔥 Processor: Snapdragon 695 vs Snapdragon 695 (yes, same chip, but in Redmi 12 Pro it is overclocked to 2.2 GHz vs. 2.0 GHz in 11th model).
• 📸 Camera: Sony's main sensor IMX766 (50 MP instead of Samsung JN1. This means better detail in low light conditions.
• ⚡ Charging: 67W against 67W (It hasn’t changed, but now there’s a cable. USB-C → USB-C (previously USB-A).
• 🔋 Battery: Capacity remained the same (5,000 mAh), but the full charge time was reduced from 42 to 38 minutes.

But there are drawbacks, too: For example, Redmi 12 Pro removed the 3.5mm headphone jack that was in the Redmi 11 Pro. The microSD card slot with 256GB of ROM also disappeared (it remained in 128GB).

Xiaomi Redmi 12 Pro Prices in 2026: Where is the Best Price to Buy?

At the time of release (September) 2023) Redmi starting price 12 Pro in Russia was made up 24 990 roubles 6/128 GB, but through 2 month's worth fell by 15–20% Due to the competition with Realme 10 Pro+ Samsung Galaxy A34. Current prices for the middle 2026 year-end:

Should you overpay for 8/256GB? If you're actively shooting 4K video or installing a lot of games, yes. Otherwise, 6/128GB is enough, especially since it still has a microSD slot.

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The best price is usually on Wildberries or Ozon, but there is a high probability of running into "gray" imports without Russian firmware.

Redmi 12 Pro bugs: What do you know?

Despite its impressive performance, the Redmi 12 Pro is not without childhood diseases, and users say the most common problems are:

• 🔄 Overheating during charging: when using the original RAM (67W) the temperature of the body can reach 45°C. Solution – Charge your smartphone in 50% power mode (setting in Settings) → Battery).
• 📶 Bad reception. 5G: In some regions (for example, Moscow, St. Petersburg) Internet speed at frequency n78 lower than competitors.The problem is with the firmware and needs to be fixed in the update MIUI 14.0.5.
• 🎥 Artifacts of video when shooting in 4K: In the first batches, there was a "soap" when recording video in resolution. 3840×2160. Corrected in patch from December 2023.

⚠️ Warning: If you buy a Redmi 12 Pro in 2026, be sure to check the firmware version.Smartphones released before November 2023 may have outdated buggy software.Update to MIUI 14.0.6 or later via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Another nuance is the camera, despite the Sony sensor. IMX766, Automatically, the images are often overlit. We recommend using manual settings or installing GCam (mode). BSG_8.1 stable).

Redmi 12 Pro alternatives in 2026: Comparison with competitors

If you are in doubt about the choice, compare the Redmi 12 Pro with the main competitors in the price range of 18-25 thousand rubles:

If gaming performance is critical, the Redmi 12 Pro or POCO X5 Pro is the best choice. If long-term softsapport is important, look for the Galaxy A34 (updates to 2027).

IMEI in the Xiaomi database (imei.xiaomi.com)|The firmware version (must be no lower than) MIUI 14.0.3)|Complementation (availability) 67W RAM and cable USB-C)|Warranty card with the stamp of the official dealer-->

FAQ: answers to popular questions about Xiaomi Redmi 12 Pro