Xiaomi presents Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12X and Xiaomi 12 Pro

Xiaomi has a few hot irons in the fire. At least, the presentation of the brand-new Xiaomi 12 series indicates that. The Chinese electronics company presented a total of three new flagships at an event. Surprisingly, the two small devices are the most exciting ones. They come in a comparatively compact design for Asian manufacturers. Is someone aiming at the dominance of the Western Android market?

The right smartphone for everyone

You do not have to look for the differences between the three models of the Xiaomi 12 series with a magnifying glass. In fact, they reveal themselves pretty quickly. On the one hand, there are two smartphones in a handy form factor. The Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12X are a clear challenge to Samsung. After all, both of them obviously strike the same note as the Galaxy S22 – the current blocking tip on the Android market. With the Xiaomi 12 Pro, the Chinese manufacturer again speaks a familiar language. The impressively large and high-resolution AMOLED display can obviously convince. We take a look at the three devices.

Xiaomi 12: Entry into the new series

The Xiaomi 12 is the base model of the new series. In the process, Xiaomi apparently rediscovers old virtues. After all, the manufacturer already launched a compact smartphone a few years ago. In the meantime, however, so much time has passed that it was no longer believed that the Chinese would use this smartphone design again. The goal is clear. Xiaomi tries to fit flagship technology into a comparatively small case. At 6.28 inches, the screen is about 0.2 inches bigger than that of the iPhone 13. Samsung’s Galaxy S22 also plays in about the same size league.

The comparison is certainly worthwhile. After all, Xiaomi is currently the third most popular smartphone manufacturer in our region after Apple and Samsung. Although all three companies follow the same strategy when it comes to the size of the base model, there are a few crucial differences. In particular, the difference in camera performance between the Xiaomi 12 (X) and the better-equipped big brother is really remarkable. On the other hand, the differences between the iPhone 13 and the Galaxy S22 are rather marginal compared to the iPhone 13 Pro and S22 Plus, respectively.

Firstly, there is the resolution of the AMOLED panel of the Xiaomi 12. With Full HD, this is significantly lower than that of the Pro model. The camera consisting of the main camera (50 MP), ultra-wide-angle lens (13 MP) and macro lens (5 MP) is also much weaker than on the Xiaomi 12 Pro. Thus, those who need a good camera will have to put up with a large form factor in Xiaomi’s case. The selfie camera on the other hand is identical to that of the top model. It also has a resolution of 32 MP in the Xiaomi 12. However, you will hardly notice a difference if you do not care about the camera performance.

A powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 from Qualcomm is under the hood of the Xiaomi 12. Of course, the latest wireless standards are also available. You can choose between different features of the Xiaomi 12. Besides the basic version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, you can also get a version with more storage. It then has 256 GB of flash storage. Due to its compact dimensions, the Xiaomi 12 is virtually predestined to stay in your pocket all day. If you always carry your smartphone with you, you will of course need a long-lasting battery.

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The Chinese build a 4,500 mAh battery into the Xiaomi 12, which should provide decent stamina. The Galaxy S22 is downright outclassed in a direct comparison with its 3,700 mAh. If the battery is empty, you should be able to recharge it very quickly thanks to a charging power of up to 67 watts. Thankfully, Xiaomi includes the necessary power adapter directly in the scope of delivery. Of course, wireless charging via Qi technology is also possible. Here, the Xiaomi 12 is supposed to be chargeable with up to 50 watts.

Xiaomi 12X: Can it be a bit more?

Malicious tongues would perhaps claim that the Xiaomi 12X is nothing half and nothing whole. What is certain is that the middle of the three devices from the 12 series raises a few question marks. The most important question is what the raison d’être of the 12X is in the first place. At first glance, it is clear that it can hardly be distinguished from the normal Xiaomi 12 in terms of looks. After all, it is almost identical in construction. However, if you take a look at the technical details, it quickly becomes clear why the Xiaomi 12X is a lot cheaper than the normal Xiaomi 12. The Chinese tech company has clearly saved costs, especially in the processor.

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Finally, the Snapdragon 870 is a very good processor, but it is mercilessly inferior to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. After all, it offers a quarter less performance. If you are not a die-hard fan of demanding mobile games, it is highly questionable whether this will be noticed in practice. By the way, the processor technology is the only difference between the two smartphones. Beyond that, the hardware is almost identical. Only the wireless charging option is omitted in the Xiaomi 12X.

Xiaomi 12 Pro: The new locking tip

With the Xiaomi 12 Pro, it quickly becomes clear that we are in the realm of flagships. This is already ensured by a look at the gigantic 6.73-inch AMOLED display. It is not only large, but also razor-sharp thanks to its 2K resolution. Like the Xiaomi 12, the display of the 12 Pro also offers buttery-smooth motion pictures thanks to a 120 Hz refresh rate. The device can regulate the battery life automatically so that it does not suffer too much. The other features also clearly speak the language of a high-end device. Besides resistant Gorilla Glass Victus, there is a maximum brightness of proud 1,500 nits here.

As mentioned, the processor is the same as that of the “normal” Xiaomi 12. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 should also provide a decent performance boost in the Pro model. However, the supported working memory in the Xiaomi 12 Pro is a bit more generous. This is because it does not stop at 8 GB. The 12 Pro is also available with 12 GB of RAM. There is also nothing to complain about in terms of connectivity. Besides Wi-Fi 6E, there is 5G, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2 and even an IR transmitter that turns your smartphone into a remote control. All in all, the Xiaomi 12 Pro gives the impression that it is simply a slightly bigger version of the Xiaomi 12.

You only think this up to the point where you take a look at the camera module. This is where Xiaomi has really stepped up its game. Just like the Xiaomi 12, the Pro also uses a triple camera. However, not only the main camera offers 50 MP. All three lenses have a resolution of 50 MP. The Pro’s battery of 4,600 mAh is another 100 mAh larger than the normal Xiaomi 12’s. However, it is not the capacity that is exciting, but the battery’s charging performance. Thanks to a 120-watt power adapter, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is supposed to be fully charged in just 18 minutes. Of course, wireless charging is not missing here either. As with the conventional 12, 50 watts are also possible.

Prices and availability

With the Xiaomi 12 series, the Chinese electronics company could finally achieve a breakthrough on the Western market. The form factor of the Xiaomi 12 is particularly praiseworthy. Finally, the company from the Far East is launching a device that can also be comfortably operated with one hand. However, the company should take a closer look at the equipment differences for the Xiaomi 13 series that might be launched next year. After all, both the display and the camera are really much better in the Pro model.

Those interested in one of the three devices presented can pre-order them now. For the Xiaomi 12, the company is calling for an MSRP of 850 euros (8/128) and 900 euros (8/256), respectively. The cheaper Xiaomi 12X costs 700 Euros (8/256) again. For the Xiaomi 12 Pro, the manufacturer charges 1,050 Euros (8/256) and 1150 Euros (12/256), respectively. By the way, those who pre-order the Xiaomi 12 or 12 Pro will get the Watch S1 Active from Xiaomi, an attractive wearable, for free until March 28. The Xiaomi 12X “only” comes with the Redmi Watch 2 Lite.

The mobile provider o2 offers the Xiaomi 12 Pro for pre-order without additional payment. Anyone who is interested in the smartphone anyway and is looking for a new contract should take a look there.

Otherwise, AliExpress is offering interesting pre-order bonuses, especially from 8 a.m. March 17 to 8 a.m. March 19, you can save another $100 on the purchase of the Xiaomi 12X. But the retailer is also calling out lower early-bird prices for the Xiaomi 12 and the Xiaomi 12 Pro.