We assumed a Power Delivery profile for 240W charging was something for the future when the USB-IF revealed plans to implement it. The conventional method of doing things might be something for the future, but with the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Explorer, we’re practically there already.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Explorer Battery
This phone is based on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, which also makes its debut today, but it has a 210W charging speed. The battery’s capacity decreases from 5,000mAh to 4,300mAh as a result of Xiaomi having to construct the battery to very strict specifications.
With that in mind, the Explorer charges completely from 0 to 100% in about 9 minutes. The phone reaches 66% after five minutes. In contrast, it takes the normal Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 19 minutes to charge completely (albeit it does so with a battery that is 16% bigger).
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Explorer 5G
By the way, this is not Power Delivery, but rather exclusive Xiaomi technology. The future USB-PD standard calls for 240W at 50V at 5A (plus a little safety buffer). In its place, Xiaomi maintains a low voltage of 20V, which is rather standard these days, and divides the electricity into three channels of 20V at 3.5A each (so 70W, but each channel is designed to handle up to 100W to ensure stable, safe operation).
Due to the strength of GaN technology, the charger that generates those astonishing 210W is also remarkably compact, measuring just 67.3 x 64.3 x 30mm. This super-fast charger promises to output its full 210W even in nations with 110V electrical grids, in contrast to certain other super-fast chargers. The 1m (3.3ft) cable that comes with it contains an E-mark chip to ensure that it is only used securely with approved chargers (the charger will refuse to do 210W without the E-mark). The charger’s standard 65W USB-PD output is available for use with other devices.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Explorer Price
The Redmi Note 12 Explorer’s price is all that has to be discussed now that you are aware of its incredible charger and battery (the device is otherwise identical to the 12 Pro+).
The Explorer is scheduled to go on sale on October 31 for CNY 2,400 for an 8/256GB device (pre-orders are opening today). That costs just CNY 2,200 more than a Pro+ with the same memory. We don’t know if the Explorer will be sold outside of China, but CNY 2,400 is equivalent to $330 or €330.
An overview of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+/12 Explorer specifications. In addition to a 200MP main camera (1/1.4″ ISOCELL HPX sensor, f/1.7 lens with OIS), they also have an 8MP ultra wide camera (119°), a 2MP macro camera, and an 8MP camera. The phones have 6.67″ 120Hz OLED displays and are powered by the Dimensity 1080 (a redesigned 920). (10-bit panels, Dolby Vision support).
Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and 12 Pro
The Redmi Note 12 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ models have a nearly identical specs sheet with 6.67-inch OLED panels of FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rates. Both phones are equipped with the Dimensity 1080 chipset and up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage which is not extendable.
The Pro+ has an advantage in the camera department — it’s the first Redmi phone with a 200MP camera featuring Samsung’s ISCOELL HPX sensor. This is a 1/1.4-inch sensor with 16-to-1 pixel binning and QPD autofocus. You can shoot 12.5MP resolution photos in the default setting with a 2.24μm pitch, 50MP shots with 1.12μm pixels and even full 200MP images with 0.56μm pixels. The large sensor is also capable of staggered HDR, 14-bit colour depth as well as 8K video recording at 30fps and 4K at 120 fps. Sadly, the Dimensity 1080 chipset has confined its capability to 4K video recording only.
Redmi Note 12 Pro sports a 50MP main camera with Sony IMX766 sensor and OIS. The last two sensors on both phones are an 8MP ultrawide and a 2MP depth assist. The selfie shooters upfront are of 16MP resolution.
Elsewhere, both Redmi 12 Pro and Pro+ sport 5,000 mAh batteries with the regular Pro charging at up to 67W speeds while the Pro+ is enhanced to 120W fast charging. Both phones bot MIUI 13 based on Android 12 and maintain the headphone jack.