Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi 12 and the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. These two phones, while both aiming for the premium segment, take vastly different approaches to design and functionality. I'll break down their specifications, focusing on what matters most to you, the end user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.2 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | The ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly larger and bulkier, less convenient for one-handed use, but offers a larger screen. The Xiaomi 12 is much more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 179g | 225g | The Xiaomi 12 is notably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. The ROG Phone 8 Pro's weight might lead to fatigue over long periods. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Front | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 Front | Both offer excellent screen protection, although the ROG Phone 8 Pro has slightly newer glass, potentially more resistant to scratches and impacts. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.78" | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's larger screen is better for gaming and media consumption, whereas the Xiaomi 12's smaller screen is more compact for daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a sharp and detailed visual experience, suitable for high-quality content. |
| PPI | 419 | 388 | The Xiaomi 12 has a slightly sharper display, but the difference is minor and likely not noticeable in daily use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both deliver vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a significantly smoother visual experience, particularly noticeable during fast-paced gaming and scrolling, whereas Xiaomi is still quite smooth. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | The ROG Phone 8 Pro is much brighter, providing superior visibility in direct sunlight and other very bright conditions. Xiaomi 12 will struggle a bit more. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a much newer and more powerful chipset, offering significantly better performance in games, multitasking, and overall responsiveness. Xiaomi 12 is a good performer, but older. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,150,831 | 2,020,000 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's AnTuTu score is significantly higher, indicating vastly superior performance for demanding tasks, whereas the Xiaomi 12 is still very capable but in a lower tier. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 750 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, delivering much better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5500mAh | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's larger battery provides much better potential for extended use, likely offering a full day of heavy usage. Xiaomi 12 is adequate but you'll likely need to charge it more frequently. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Both phones offer fast charging, but the Xiaomi 12 charges just slightly faster. However, this difference is minimal. |
| Charging Features | 50W Wireless charging, 10W Reverse Charging | No Wireless or reverse charging. | The Xiaomi 12 provides the convenience of wireless and reverse charging, a notable advantage in terms of versatility. The ROG doesn't have wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.0µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890, 1.0µm | Both have capable 50MP sensors. The Xiaomi 12 has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.88) than the ROG Phone 8 Pro (f/1.9), and utilizes a slightly older sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, 1/3.14", Samsung JD1, 0.70µm | 32MP, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C, 0.70µm | Both offer 32MP selfies, although the Xiaomi 12 features slightly bigger sensor, providing potentially better low-light results. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C, 0.70µm | The ROG Phone 8 Pro includes a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling better optical zoom. The Xiaomi 12 relies on digital zoom only. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.4 | None | The Xiaomi 12 includes a dedicated wide-angle lens, better for landscape and group photos. The ROG phone replaces this with a combined wide angle macro. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | The Xiaomi 12 includes a dedicated Macro Lens for close up photography. |
| Wide + Macro Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3", Omnivision OV31B, 1.12µm | The ROG Phone 8 Pro includes a combined wide-angle and macro lens with a higher pixel size compared to the Xiaomi macro camera. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps, various HDR & EIS modes | Up to 8K@24fps, various HDR & EIS modes | Both offer excellent video recording features. The ROG Phone 8 Pro records 480 fps in slow-motion vs 1920 fps in the Xiaomi. |
| DXOMark Camera Scores | 113 (Overall), 118 (Photo), 121 (Video) | Not Available | The Xiaomi 12 has been tested, showing a good performing camera while the ROG Phone 8 Pro has no testing data. |
| Camera Features | OIS, EIS, PDAF, RAW, Ultra Stable Video | OIS, EIS, Gimbal, Laser AF | The Xiaomi 12 provides more software features, where as the ROG Phone 8 Pro features Laser AF and Gimbal stabilization for steadier shots. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro ships with a newer version of Android, and is expected to have better software support and more frequent updates. Xiaomi 12 is older and will likely be outdated sooner. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a newer Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a newer Bluetooth standard with more advanced codecs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 512/1024GB | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly more storage space, catering to users with extensive media libraries. The Xiaomi is more limited in options. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 16/24GB | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers much more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and handling of demanding applications. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | DTS / DTS X | The Xiaomi 12 offers richer and more customizable audio features for a more immersive experience. |
| Microphones | 2 microphones | 3 microphones | The ROG Phone 8 Pro may offer better noise cancellation during calls and recordings, as well as more robust voice pickup in noisy environments. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both provide standard biometric security with an under-display fingerprint scanner. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity, Gravity | The Xiaomi has a virtual sensor as it's a bit more compact and the ROG Phone 8 pro has a traditional proximity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12:
- Strengths: Compact design, lightweight, Wireless charging, slightly faster wired charging, good cameras (especially main and selfie), and very capable for the majority of tasks.
- Competitive Advantages: A much more pocketable phone, more versatile with wireless charging, and good audio experience with Dolby Atmos support.
- Trade-offs: Older processor, slightly lower battery capacity, much less storage options, and an older operating system.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Strengths: Superior performance, significantly better display with 165Hz refresh rate and very bright, larger battery, and much more RAM and storage. Excellent audio with DTS / DTS X, and also offers a telephoto lens for enhanced photography.
- Competitive Advantages: Unrivaled gaming performance, high-end multimedia consumption, better overall longevity with hardware and software.
- Trade-offs: Bulky and heavy design, no wireless charging, and a higher price point.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12:
- Ideal For: Everyday users who prioritize portability, design, and good camera experience. Users who value wireless charging and don't require top-tier gaming performance.
- Use Cases: General daily tasks, social media browsing, photography, video recording, and some gaming at a good level.
- Price-to-Value: A good value proposition for a premium phone, especially if you don't need cutting-edge gaming capabilities.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Ideal For: Gamers, power users, and multimedia enthusiasts who demand the highest possible performance and longest battery life.
- Use Cases: High-end gaming, video editing, multitasking, extensive media consumption, and using it as a mobile workstation.
- Price-to-Value: High price point, but justifiable for the performance it delivers.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming/media or general use/portability)
- Do you prioritize performance and display quality or overall usability and portability?
- Is wireless charging important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User
- Recommendation: Xiaomi 12. Its portability, good camera and battery life, and user-friendly software make it a great all-around phone.
- Scenario 2: Gaming Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. It delivers unmatched gaming performance with its top-tier chipset, high refresh rate, and large RAM.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia Power User
- Recommendation: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. The higher screen brightness, larger storage, and excellent sound make it ideal for watching movies and listening to music.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. While the Xiaomi 12 is a very capable phone, the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s sheer performance advantage and significantly better display are too compelling for my needs. As someone who frequently uses my phone for both high-end gaming and content creation, I prioritize raw power and a smooth visual experience above all else. The added benefit of much larger storage and newer software also ensures that the device will remain relevant for years to come. The trade-off in portability is a fair one for me.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities. The Xiaomi 12 is a great phone for the average user. However, if you need a phone without compromises, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear winner.
