Xiaomi 12

Build Quality

The Xiaomi 12, launched on December 31, 2021, presents a compact design with dimensions of 152.7 mm in height, 69.9 mm in width, and 8.2 mm in depth, weighing 179 grams. The device utilizes a glass front and back, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and is offered in Blue, Green, Purple, and Gray color options. The build feels premium and the phone is relatively lightweight considering its feature set.

Screen Quality

The device features a 6.28-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a pixel density of 419 ppi. The screen boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, 68 billion colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and a peak brightness of 1100 nits. Other display features include a 20:9 aspect ratio, a contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1, and a 480 Hz touch sampling rate, resulting in a smooth, vibrant, and highly responsive visual experience. The AMOLED panel uses Samsung's display technology, and includes a hole-punch notch and a dual-edge design, contributing to an immersive viewing experience. The panel is also scratch-resistant and includes a DisplayMate A+ rating.

Camera Performance

The Xiaomi 12 features a triple-camera setup on the rear and a single front-facing camera. The primary rear camera is a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor with a f/1.88 aperture, 1.00µm pixel size, and optical image stabilization (OIS). It also supports 1-4 (2x2) pixel binning. The setup also includes a 13MP wide-angle lens with a f/2.4 aperture and a 5MP macro lens with a f/2.4 aperture. The front-facing camera is a 32MP Samsung JD1 ISOCELL sensor with a 0.70µm pixel size and 1-4 (2x2) pixel binning. The camera system provides 8K video recording at 24fps with HDR and EIS, and 4K video recording up to 60fps with HDR and EIS, and a range of other modes including slow motion video. Additional features include digital zoom, autofocus, touch focus, continuous autofocus, HDR, panorama, and night mode. The phone received a 113 overall score from DXOMark, with a photo score of 118 and video score of 121.

Software Experience

The Xiaomi 12 ships with Android 12. Details on maximum software updates are not available. The device also features a wide array of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and comprehensive GPS support with features such as A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, and Galileo. It offers dual SIM functionality, supporting Nano SIMs and comprehensive 5G, 4G LTE, 3G, and 2G network bands. NFC is included.

Battery Performance

The phone is powered by a 4500mAh Li-Polymer battery, which supports 67W fast charging, 50W fast wireless charging and 10W reverse charging. The device includes a USB Type-C 2.0 port with OTG support for charging and data transfer.

Value for Money

The Xiaomi 12 is positioned as a "medium price" device, with varying configurations that influence pricing. The 8GB/256GB model has been found at a range between $195.04 and $330.77, while the 12GB/256GB model is listed between $233.93 and $374.30, with prices varying between vendors and regions. Overall, the device offers flagship-level performance with a premium display, capable camera system, and fast charging, making it a compelling option in its price range.