Xiaomi 12 Overview, Design, Hardware, Software and Price

The Xiaomi 12 is a flagship smartphone that packs a punch. It features a 6.28-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

One of the standout features of the Xiaomi 12 is its sleek and durable design. The phone has a Gorilla Glass Victus protection on both the front and back.

Under the hood, the Xiaomi 12 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, which provides a seamless performance. This chip is paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

The phone runs on MIUI 13, which is based on Android 11.

The Xiaomi 12 has a compact design, measuring 152.7 mm in height, 69.9 mm in width, and 8.1 mm in thickness. The phone's build quality is impressive, featuring a glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), and an aluminum frame.

The Xiaomi 12 is available in three colors: Gray, Blue, and Purple. This variety of colors gives users a choice to pick a phone that suits their personal style.

The phone's dimensions and weight are 152.7 mm x 69.9 mm x 8.1 mm and 179 grams, respectively. This makes it a lightweight and compact device that's easy to carry around.

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The design of the Xiaomi 12 series is quite impressive. The front is made of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which provides excellent protection against scratches and drops. The back is made of glass or eco-leather, depending on the model, and the frame is made of aluminum.

The dimensions of the phones vary slightly, but the Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro have bigger dimensions than the base model. Here's a breakdown of the dimensions:

The phones have a USB-C port, speaker, microphone, and dual SIM tray on the bottom side, and an additional microphone, IR blaster, and a second speaker on the top. The volume rocker and power button are located on the right side. The Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro were available in 4 colors: Black, Blue, Purple, and Green (China exclusive).

Design and Features is all about understanding how something is put together and what makes it tick. This section is a critical part of the process.

The design and features of a product or system are closely tied to its overall performance and user experience. A well-designed product is intuitive and easy to use, which is crucial for its success.

Good design involves considering multiple factors, including functionality, aesthetics, and user needs. The design should also be flexible and adaptable to different situations.

The features of a product or system are what make it unique and valuable. They can include anything from advanced technology to innovative materials.

A well-designed product with great features can set it apart from the competition and make it a standout in the market. This is especially true in industries where innovation and technology are key.

The Xiaomi 12 is a powerhouse of a phone, and its specifications are impressive to say the least. The phone features a 67W Fast Charging system, which can quickly top up your battery when you're on the go.

You can expect Wi-Fi 5 (5G) connectivity, ensuring you stay connected to the internet at high speeds. The phone also boasts Gorilla Glass Victus, a durable and scratch-resistant glass that will protect your screen from everyday wear and tear.

The Xiaomi 12 is equipped with a range of storage options, including 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, paired with 8GB or 12GB of RAM. The storage type is UFS 3.1, which is fast and efficient.

Here's a breakdown of the phone's storage options:

The phone also features Bluetooth 5.2, which allows for seamless connectivity to your favorite devices. The Xiaomi 12 is a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful and feature-packed smartphone.

The Xiaomi 12 series is powered by some serious hardware, with the Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro being the second smartphones to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, after the Motorola Edge X30.

This chipset is a beast, with an octa-core CPU that clocks in at 3 GHz for the single core, 2.5 GHz for the tri-core, and 1.8 GHz for the quad-core. The Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity, on the other hand, uses the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+, making it the first smartphone to feature this chip.

Here are the key specs of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC:

The Sensors & Security features of this device are quite impressive. It comes equipped with a Light Sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, and Gyroscope.

These sensors work together to provide a seamless user experience. For example, the Light Sensor can automatically adjust the screen brightness to match the surrounding environment.

You can also use biometric authentication to secure your device. The device features a Fingerprint Sensor, which is a convenient and secure way to unlock your device.

The Fingerprint Sensor is an optical type and is positioned on-screen. This means you can easily access it without having to physically touch a separate button.

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Face Unlock is also available, allowing you to unlock your device with just a glance. This feature is a great addition to the device's security features.

Here's a quick rundown of the device's sensors and security features:

The Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, making them two of the first smartphones to feature this high-performance processor.

The Xiaomi 12X takes a different approach, using the less powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 instead of the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which may impact its overall performance.

The Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity is a notable exception, as it's the first smartphone to feature the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+, a powerful chipset that's sure to impress.

Here's a breakdown of the chipsets used in these devices:

The Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro also feature an octa-core CPU with a clock speed of up to 3 GHz, which should provide smooth performance for demanding tasks.

The CPU architecture is based on 64-bit processing and is fabricated using a 4 nm process, which helps to improve power efficiency and reduce heat generation.

The battery in our device is a Li-Poly (Lithium Polymer) type, with a capacity of 4500 mAh. This should provide a decent amount of power for daily use.

The battery has wireless charging capabilities, with a 50W wireless charging speed that can fill the battery to 100% in just 53 minutes. I've found that wireless charging can be a convenient option, especially when I'm in a hurry.

Quick charging is also supported, with a 67W wired charging speed that can fill the battery to 100% in 39 minutes. This is faster than most other phones on the market.

The battery is non-removable, so you'll need to be careful when handling the device to avoid damaging it.

Here's a quick rundown of the battery's key features:

The battery also supports 10W reverse wired charging, which can be useful for charging other devices.

The Xiaomi 12 series is powered by a top-notch Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which is built on a 4nm fabrication process. This provides excellent performance and efficiency.

The operating system of choice is Android, with the MIUI 13 skin on top. This means you get a personalized and refined user experience, along with all the features and apps you need.

The Xiaomi 12 series boasts an octa-core CPU, with a combination of 3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, and 1.8 GHz cores. This ensures seamless multitasking and fast app loading.

Here's a breakdown of the CPU configuration:

The Adreno 730 GPU takes care of graphics rendering, providing a smooth and immersive experience for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks.

The Xiaomi 12 series was initially released with MIUI 13 based on Android 11 on the Xiaomi 12X and based on Android 12 on other models.

You can expect some exciting software updates, as Xiaomi has promised optimizations and refinements, including new personalization and widgets, likely modified from the Material You system of base Android 12.

The Xiaomi 12 series supports 8K video recording at 24fps (HDR), 4K video recording at 30/60fps (HDR10+), and 1080p video recording at 30/120/240/960fps, 720p video recording at 1920fps, and gyro-EIS.

Here are the supported audio formats and features:

The cameras on these devices are quite impressive. The Xiaomi 12 and 12X both have a triple camera setup, with a 50 MP primary camera, a 13 MP ultra-wide angle camera, and a 5 MP macro camera.

You'll be able to capture high-quality images with the 50 MP primary camera, which has a wide aperture of f/1.9. The ultra-wide angle camera is also quite useful for capturing more of the scene.

The cameras also feature autofocus, optical image stabilization (OIS), and a dual-color LED flash. This means you'll be able to take sharp and well-lit photos even in low-light conditions.

One of the standout features of the cameras is the ability to record video in high definition. The Xiaomi 12 and 12X can record video at resolutions of up to 7680x4320 pixels, and at frame rates of up to 240 fps.

Here's a breakdown of the camera specs for both devices:

The Xiaomi 12 Pro also has a 32 MP selfie camera, which is the same as the other devices in the range.

The Xiaomi 12 series initially ran on MIUI 13 based on Android 11 on the Xiaomi 12X and Android 12 on other models. This was a significant update for the series, bringing with it new features and optimizations.

One of the key features of MIUI 13 was its use of the Material You system, which provided new personalization and widgets. This was likely a big draw for users looking to customize their experience.

The Xiaomi 12X was later updated to Xiaomi HyperOS based on Android 13, marking a significant change for the series. This update brought with it new features and improvements to the operating system.

The Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro were updated to Xiaomi HyperOS 2 based on Android 15, while the Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity was updated to Xiaomi HyperOS 2 based on Android 14. These updates showed a commitment to keeping the series up-to-date and running smoothly.

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Xiaomi's MIUI 13 also brought with it optimizations and refinements, making it a solid choice for users looking for a reliable and feature-rich operating system.

Here's a breakdown of the software updates for the Xiaomi 12 series:

The multimedia features of this device are quite impressive. It comes equipped with stereo speakers, making it perfect for listening to music or watching videos.

You can expect a range of alert types, including vibration, MP3, and WAV ringtones.

The device has a USB Type-C audio jack, which is a convenient and versatile connection option.

One of the standout video features is its ability to record in 8K at 24 frames per second, with HDR capabilities.

It can also record in 4K at 30 or 60 frames per second, with HDR10+ support. Additionally, it can record in 1080p at 30, 120, 240, or 960 frames per second, or in 720p at 1920 frames per second, all with gyro-EIS for smooth and stable footage.

The Xiaomi 12 release date is likely to be a month or two after its announcement in China, similar to the Mi 11's global sale in March last year.

The Xiaomi 12 series will probably follow a similar pricing strategy to the Mi 11, positioning itself slightly lower than the competition.

We anticipate the Xiaomi 12 to come with a flagship-grade price, similar to the Mi 11's £749 price tag.

The Chinese prices of the Xiaomi 12 series have dropped from last year, with the 12x starting at 3199 yuan, the normal 12 at 3699 yuan, and the 12 Pro at 4699 yuan.

Xiaomi prides itself on value, and it's likely that the Xiaomi 12 pricing will be in line with this year's models, similar to the Mi 11's $699 starting price.

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The Xiaomi 12 series is launching in December, which is when we can expect to hear more about it, given that Xiaomi tends to announce its flagship series after Qualcomm unveils its latest chipsets.

Harish Jonnalagadda, Android Central's Senior Editor, notes that this pattern was also seen with the Mi 11, which was announced in December but didn't go on global sale until March of last year.

In China, the Xiaomi 12 series is already available for purchase, just like the Mi 11 was last year.

Unfortunately, it may take a month or two for the Xiaomi 12 to become available in the U.K., based on the Mi 11's example.

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The Xiaomi 12 is expected to come with a flagship-grade price, which is in line with its predecessors. The Xiaomi Mi 11 sells for £749, and the Mi 11 Ultra goes for £1,199.

The Chinese prices for the Xiaomi 12 series are 3199 yuan for the 12x, 3699 yuan for the normal 12, and 4699 yuan for the 12 Pro. These prices have actually dropped from last year, which is a good sign.

The Xiaomi 12 series pricing could be the same as this year, with the Mi 11 starting at $699 and the Mi 11 Ultra going up to $1,299. This pricing strategy worked well for Xiaomi last year, positioning its models slightly lower than the competition.

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The Xiaomi 12's user experience is a game-changer. The phone's 6.28-inch AMOLED display provides an immersive viewing experience with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support.

One of the standout features of the Xiaomi 12 is its fast charging capabilities. With a 67W fast charger, the phone can go from 0 to 100% in just 15 minutes.

The phone's MIUI 13 operating system is also designed to provide a seamless user experience, with features like improved performance and enhanced security.

The Xiaomi 12 is a compact flagship phone that's part of a lineup with almost identical phones.

In terms of user experience, the Xiaomi 12's compact design is a major advantage. It's easy to hold and use with one hand, making it perfect for those who prefer a smaller phone.

The phone's compact size doesn't compromise on performance, as it's powered by a high-end processor. This means you can expect seamless multitasking and fast app loading times.

One thing to note is that the Xiaomi 12 is almost identical to another phone in the same lineup, which might make it harder to decide between the two.

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User Reviews are a great way to get a feel for how a product performs in real-life situations. Users have shared their opinions on the Xiaomi 12's camera app, with some finding the GCam and configs to be a big improvement.

One user found that the green and yellow tones in the GCam app are more natural than the original camera app color. They even tried it out and were pleased with the results.

Some users may be interested in reading what others have to say about their experience with the Xiaomi 12. You can find their opinions by clicking on the "Read all opinions" link.

The Xiaomi 12 series is expected to arrive in the UK within the next month or so, but it's unclear which models and specs we'll get.

It's likely to be a strong competitor among the best phones in the UK, but Xiaomi will need to get the pricing spot on to attract users.

With Samsung being the established Android phone of choice in the UK, Xiaomi may need to offer a tempting price difference to get users to switch.