Xiaomi 12 Series, The Xiaomi 12 series, launched in December 2021, marked a bold step for Xiaomi in the premium smartphone market. With its sleek design, cutting-edge performance, and innovative features, the series—comprising the Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12 Pro, and Xiaomi 12X—caters to tech enthusiasts craving a compact yet powerful device. In this post, we dive into the standout features and innovations that make the Xiaomi 12 series a compelling choice for those who demand excellence from their smartphones.
Sleek and Compact Design
One of the Xiaomi 12 series’ defining traits is its compact form factor, particularly for the base Xiaomi 12 and 12X, both featuring a 6.28-inch display. Unlike many modern flagships that prioritize larger screens, Xiaomi crafted a phone that’s easy to hold and use with one hand, weighing just 179 grams. The series boasts a premium build with a solid all-metal chassis and a smooth matte finish available in colors like Blue, Purple, and Gray. This finish resists smudges and scratches, ensuring the phone looks pristine over time.
The Xiaomi 12 Pro, with its slightly larger 6.73-inch display, still maintains a slim profile at 8.2mm thick. All models feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for added durability, though the lack of an official IP68 rating for dust and water resistance is a minor drawback. For tech enthusiasts, the compact design paired with premium materials makes the Xiaomi 12 series a standout in a market dominated by bulkier devices.
Stunning AMOLED Display
The Xiaomi 12 series delivers a visual feast with its AMOLED displays. The Xiaomi 12 and 12X sport a 6.28-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080) OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and 480Hz touch sampling rate, ensuring buttery-smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions. The display supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and reaches up to 1,100 nits of brightness, making it ideal for outdoor use and immersive media consumption.
The Xiaomi 12 Pro takes it up a notch with a 6.73-inch WQHD+ (3200 x 1440) AMOLED display, also with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. This panel earned a DisplayMate A+ rating for its color accuracy and clarity, appealing to enthusiasts who prioritize screen quality for gaming, streaming, or creative work. The inclusion of DC dimming and 12-bit color depth further enhances the viewing experience, reducing eye strain and delivering vibrant visuals.
Power-Packed Performance
Under the hood, the Xiaomi 12 series is a performance beast. The Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a flagship processor built on a 4nm process for exceptional speed and efficiency. Paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, these devices handle demanding tasks like gaming, multitasking, and video editing with ease.
The Xiaomi 12X, designed as a more affordable option, features the Snapdragon 870 5G chipset. While slightly less powerful, it still delivers flagship-grade performance and boasts impressive battery efficiency, scoring a 105-hour endurance rating in tests. This makes the 12X a great choice for enthusiasts seeking value without compromising speed.
However, some users have noted that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can run warm during intensive tasks, a common issue with early 4nm chips. Xiaomi mitigates this with advanced cooling technology, ensuring stable performance during prolonged use.
Camera Excellence with Leica Influence
The Xiaomi 12 series shines in photography, with the main 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor leading the charge across all models. This sensor, paired with an f/1.88 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS), captures stunning photos with excellent detail and dynamic range, even in low light. The 13MP ultrawide and 5MP telemacro lenses round out the triple-camera setup, offering versatility for landscapes and close-up shots.
While the Xiaomi 12 and 12X lack a periscope zoom lens, the main camera’s quality compensates, delivering DSLR-level snaps. The series introduces Leica-branded camera modes (seen in later Xiaomi models but hinted at in early 12 series leaks), offering Authentic and Vibrant shooting styles for creative flexibility. Features like Sky Editing, Vlog mode, and Movie Effects add fun and professional touches to photo and video editing, appealing to content creators.
The Xiaomi 12 Pro steps up with a 50MP triple-camera array, including a telephoto lens for improved zoom capabilities. Its 8K video recording and 4K HDR10+ support make it a favorite for videographers. However, some reviews suggest the camera software could be more consistent, an area Xiaomi has improved in later updates.
Battery and Charging Innovations
Battery life is a strong suit for the Xiaomi 12 series. All models feature a 4,500mAh battery, with the 12X excelling in efficiency due to its Snapdragon 870 chipset. The Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro support 67W wired fast charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging, allowing a full charge in under 40 minutes. The 12 Pro pushes further with 120W wired charging, a game-changer for users needing quick top-ups.
Tech enthusiasts will appreciate the charging versatility, though the absence of a charger in some regions (following industry trends) may require purchasing one separately. The battery endurance, combined with fast charging, ensures the Xiaomi 12 series keeps up with demanding lifestyles.
HyperOS and Unique Features
The Xiaomi 12 series runs on MIUI 13 (based on Android 12), with some models now upgradable to HyperOS, Xiaomi’s revamped operating system. HyperOS offers a smoother, more customizable experience, though some bloatware remains a minor annoyance. Features like the IR blaster—a rare find in modern flagships—allow users to control TVs and air conditioners, adding practical utility.
Stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon deliver cinematic audio with Dolby Atmos support, enhancing gaming and media experiences. The in-display fingerprint scanner and NFC for contactless payments further round out the feature set, making the series a well-equipped daily driver.
Why Tech Enthusiasts Should Care
The Xiaomi 12 series stands out for its balance of compact design, flagship performance, and innovative features. Its AMOLED displays, powerful chipsets, and versatile cameras cater to enthusiasts who want a premium experience without the bulk. While it lacks an IP68 rating and can run warm under heavy loads, the series’ strengths—fast charging, premium build, and Leica-influenced photography—make it a strong contender against rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S22 or iPhone 13.
Priced starting at $749/£749 for the base model, the Xiaomi 12 series offers flagship value, especially for those prioritizing portability and performance. With Xiaomi’s growing global presence and software support until at least 2026, it’s a worthy investment for tech-savvy users.
FAQs
The Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, while the 12X uses the Snapdragon 870 for better battery efficiency. The 12 Pro has a larger 6.73-inch WQHD+ display and 120W charging, compared to the 6.28-inch FHD+ display and 67W charging on the 12 and 12X. The 12 Pro also has a more advanced camera setup with a telephoto lens.
2. Does the Xiaomi 12 series support 5G?
Yes, all models support 5G connectivity with dual-SIM standby, ensuring fast internet speeds where 5G networks are available.
3. Is the Xiaomi 12 series water-resistant?
The series lacks an official IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, so caution is advised around water. A protective case is recommended.
4. Can the Xiaomi 12 series run demanding games?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (12 and 12 Pro) and Snapdragon 870 (12X) handle high-end games like Genshin Impact smoothly, though the 12 and 12 Pro may warm up during extended sessions.
5. How long will the Xiaomi 12 series receive software updates?
Xiaomi typically provides 3-4 years of Android updates and 4-5 years of security patches. The series, launched in 2021, should receive updates until at least 2025-2026.
6. Is the camera quality suitable for professional photography?
The 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor and Leica-branded modes deliver excellent photos, but the lack of a periscope zoom lens limits long-range shots. The 12 Pro is better suited for professional use due to its telephoto lens and 8K video capabilities.