Xiaomi 12 Series: A Comprehensive Review of Features

Xiaomi 12 Series

Definition

The Xiaomi 12 Series is a lineup of premium flagship smartphones developed and marketed by Xiaomi Corporation, unveiled on December 28, 2021, in Beijing, China, with a global launch in February 2022. Positioned as Xiaomi’s flagship offering for 2022, the series targets power users, photography enthusiasts, and multimedia consumers, competing directly with Samsung’s Galaxy S22 series and Apple’s iPhone 13 series. The lineup consists of three core models: Xiaomi 12 (compact flagship), Xiaomi 12 Pro (premium large-screen flagship), and Xiaomi 12X (mid-flagship with balanced performance and price). A fourth model, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, was later added in July 2022 as an upgraded “S” variant, featuring a Leica-tuned camera system and a more powerful chipset. All models run on MIUI 13 (based on Android 12) at launch, with a focus on performance, camera quality, and display technology.

Core Model Differentiation Overview

Feature	Xiaomi 12 (2201122C)	Xiaomi 12 Pro (2201122G)	Xiaomi 12X (2201122C)	Xiaomi 12S Ultra (2203121C)
Target Audience	Compact flagship lovers; one-handed users	Premium multimedia & photography enthusiasts	Budget flagship seekers	High-end camera and performance fanatics
Key Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	Qualcomm Snapdragon 870	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
Display Size	6.28-inch	6.73-inch	6.28-inch	6.73-inch
Main Camera	50 MP (Sony IMX766)	50 MP triple camera (Sony IMX707 ×3)	50 MP (Sony IMX766)	50 MP (Sony IMX989, 1-inch sensor) + 48 MP ultra-wide + 48 MP telephoto
Battery Capacity	4500 mAh	4600 mAh	4500 mAh	4860 mAh
Launch Price (China)	¥3,699 (8+128 GB)	¥4,699 (8+128 GB)	¥3,199 (8+128 GB)	¥5,999 (8+256 GB)

Detailed Hardware Specifications (Global/China Variants)

1. Display

Model	Display Type & Resolution	Refresh Rate & Brightness	Key Features
Xiaomi 12	6.28-inch AMOLED; 2400×1080 FHD+ (419 ppi)	120 Hz adaptive refresh rate (1–120 Hz); 1100 nits peak brightness	Dolby Vision; HDR10+; Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Xiaomi 12 Pro	6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED; 3200×1440 QHD+ (522 ppi)	120 Hz adaptive refresh rate (1–120 Hz); 1500 nits peak brightness	Dolby Vision; HDR10+; Corning Gorilla Glass Victus; 10-bit color depth
Xiaomi 12X	6.28-inch AMOLED; 2400×1080 FHD+ (419 ppi)	120 Hz adaptive refresh rate (1–120 Hz); 1100 nits peak brightness	Same as Xiaomi 12
Xiaomi 12S Ultra	6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED; 3200×1440 QHD+ (522 ppi)	120 Hz adaptive refresh rate (1–120 Hz); 1500 nits peak brightness	Same as Xiaomi 12 Pro; Leica color calibration

2. Processor & Memory

Model	Chipset	CPU Architecture	RAM & Storage
Xiaomi 12	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)	1×3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 + 3×2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 + 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510	8/12 GB LPDDR5 RAM; 128/256/512 GB UFS 3.1 storage; no microSD expansion
Xiaomi 12 Pro	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)	Same as Xiaomi 12	8/12 GB LPDDR5 RAM; 128/256/512 GB UFS 3.1 storage; no microSD expansion
Xiaomi 12X	Snapdragon 870 (7 nm)	1×3.2 GHz Cortex-A77 + 3×2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 + 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55	8/12 GB LPDDR5 RAM; 128/256 GB UFS 3.1 storage; no microSD expansion
Xiaomi 12S Ultra	Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)	1×3.2 GHz Cortex-X2 + 3×2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 + 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A510	8/12 GB LPDDR5 RAM; 256/512 GB/1 TB UFS 3.1 storage; no microSD expansion

3. Camera System

Model	Rear Camera Configuration	Front Camera	Video Capabilities
Xiaomi 12	50 MP wide (Sony IMX766, f/1.88, OIS) + 13 MP ultra-wide (f/2.4, 123° FOV) + 5 MP telemacro (f/2.0)	32 MP (f/2.0)	4K@60 fps; 1080p@120/240 fps slow-mo
Xiaomi 12 Pro	50 MP wide (Sony IMX707, f/1.9, OIS) + 50 MP ultra-wide (Sony IMX707, f/2.2, 122° FOV) + 50 MP telephoto (Sony IMX707, f/2.4, 2× optical zoom, OIS)	32 MP (f/2.0)	8K@24 fps; 4K@60 fps; 1080p@120/240 fps slow-mo
Xiaomi 12X	50 MP wide (Sony IMX766, f/1.88, OIS) + 13 MP ultra-wide (f/2.4, 123° FOV) + 5 MP telemacro (f/2.0)	32 MP (f/2.0)	Same as Xiaomi 12
Xiaomi 12S Ultra	50 MP wide (Sony IMX989, 1-inch sensor, f/1.9, OIS) + 48 MP ultra-wide (Sony IMX586, f/2.2, 128° FOV) + 48 MP telephoto (Sony IMX586, f/4.1, 5× optical zoom, OIS)	32 MP (f/2.0)	8K@24 fps; 4K@60 fps; Leica Portrait Mode; 8K Leica Video

4. Battery & Charging

Model	Battery Capacity	Wired Charging	Wireless Charging	Reverse Wireless Charging
Xiaomi 12	4500 mAh Li-Po	67W fast charging (0–100% in 39 mins)	50W wireless fast charging	10W
Xiaomi 12 Pro	4600 mAh Li-Po	120W super fast charging (0–100% in 18 mins)	50W wireless fast charging	10W
Xiaomi 12X	4500 mAh Li-Po	67W fast charging (0–100% in 39 mins)	No wireless charging	No
Xiaomi 12S Ultra	4860 mAh Li-Po	67W fast charging (0–100% in 41 mins)	50W wireless fast charging	10W

5. Build, Connectivity & Sensors

Model	Build & Durability	Key Connectivity	Biometrics & Sensors
Xiaomi 12	Glass front/back (Gorilla Glass Victus) + aluminum frame; IP68 water/dust resistance; 152.7×69.9×8.16 mm; 180 g	5G (sub-6 GHz/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.2; NFC; USB-C 2.0; IR blaster	In-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner; facial recognition; accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, compass
Xiaomi 12 Pro	Same build as Xiaomi 12; IP68 rating; 163.6×74.6×8.16 mm; 205 g	Same as Xiaomi 12	Same as Xiaomi 12
Xiaomi 12X	Same build as Xiaomi 12; IP53 dust/splash resistance; 152.7×69.9×8.16 mm; 176 g	Same as Xiaomi 12 (no mmWave in global variants)	In-display optical fingerprint scanner; facial recognition; same sensors as Xiaomi 12
Xiaomi 12S Ultra	Ceramic back + aluminum frame; IP68 rating; 163.1×74.6×9.1 mm; 225 g	Same as Xiaomi 12	Same as Xiaomi 12; additional temperature sensor

Core Features & Innovations (Series Highlights)

1. Flagship Chipset Performance

Xiaomi 12/12 Pro: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the first 4 nm flagship chip of 2022, delivering 20% faster CPU performance and 30% better GPU performance than the Snapdragon 888. However, early models faced heat dissipation issues under heavy gaming, which were later addressed via software updates.
Xiaomi 12X: Opted for the Snapdragon 870, a refined 7 nm chip with better power efficiency, targeting users who prioritize battery life over peak performance.
Xiaomi 12S Ultra: Upgraded to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a revised 4 nm chip with 10% higher CPU performance and 30% lower power consumption than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, solving heat issues for sustained gaming and photography.

2. Leica-Tuned Camera System (12S Ultra Exclusive)

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra marked Xiaomi’s first collaboration with Leica, redefining its camera capabilities:

1-inch Sony IMX989 Sensor: The largest mobile image sensor at the time, capturing 4× more light than standard sensors for exceptional low-light photography and dynamic range.
Leica Color Science: Two color modes (Leica Natural and Leica Vibrant) for professional-grade color reproduction, ideal for landscape and portrait photography.
5× Optical Zoom: The telephoto lens enabled lossless zoom for distant subjects, complementing the ultra-wide lens for versatile shooting scenarios.

3. High-Resolution LTPO Displays (12 Pro/12S Ultra)

The 12 Pro and 12S Ultra featured LTPO AMOLED displays with adaptive refresh rates:

1–120 Hz Adaptive Refresh: Automatically adjusts the refresh rate based on content (e.g., 1 Hz for static screens, 120 Hz for gaming) to save battery life.
QHD+ Resolution & 1500 Nits Brightness: Delivers sharp visuals and excellent sunlight visibility, making it ideal for outdoor use and HDR content consumption.

4. Blazing-Fast Charging

Xiaomi 12 Pro’s 120W Super Fast Charging: One of the fastest charging technologies in 2022, fully charging the 4600 mAh battery in just 18 minutes, setting a benchmark for flagship charging speeds.
50W Wireless Charging: Available on 12/12 Pro/12S Ultra, supporting cable-free charging with Xiaomi’s wireless charging pads.

Market Reception & Legacy

1. Critical Reception

The Xiaomi 12 series was praised for its compact design (Xiaomi 12), fast charging (12 Pro), and value for money (12X). Critics highlighted the 12S Ultra’s Leica-tuned camera as a game-changer for Xiaomi’s photography credentials.
Common criticisms included the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s heat issues (12/12 Pro), limited wireless charging on the 12X, and the 12S Ultra’s bulky design due to the large camera sensor.

2. Commercial Performance

The series sold over 5 million units globally within the first 6 months of launch, with the Xiaomi 12 and 12X dominating the mid-flagship segment in Asia and Europe.
The 12S Ultra became a cult favorite among photography enthusiasts, cementing Xiaomi’s position as a serious competitor in the high-end flagship market.

3. Discontinuation & Current Status (2025)

The series remains functional for daily use, but struggles with modern high-end games due to outdated chipsets.

The Xiaomi 12/12 Pro/12X were discontinued in 2023, replaced by the Xiaomi 13 series. The 12S Ultra was discontinued in late 2022 due to limited production.

Official software support ended in 2024, with the final update being MIUI 15 (Android 14). Unofficial custom ROMs are available for tech-savvy users.