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The Xiaomi 12 Pro — the most recent flagship from the Chinese model — is stuffed stuffed with prime tech, together with the most recent Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and a 120-watt wired quick charger that claims a blisteringly quick recharge pace. Combined with a top-end digicam, the 12 Pro presents robust competitors to the likes of the iPhone 13 Pro, Google Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, even when it is a comparatively unknown model within the US. Having spent a while with the cellphone, there’s loads I like about it, from its superb display screen and its wildly highly effective processor to its strong digicam.The cellphone will go on sale later this month within the UK and Europe, and whereas US availability is but to be confirmed, Xiaomi’s official pricing places the cellphone as beginning at $999 for the bottom mannequin (with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage), or roughly £765 and AU$1,380 when transformed. I’ve been testing the upper mannequin, with 12GB RAM and a extra beneficiant 256GB of storage, though how way more that’ll set you again is not clear on the time of writing.
Xiaomi 12 Pro: An Android 12 Powerhouse You Might Not Have Considered
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That value places it squarely on par with the bottom iPhone 13 Pro, whereas sitting $200 underneath the S22 Ultra, making it a doubtlessly strong possibility for these of you wanting a high-performance Android cellphone whereas nonetheless holding some money left in your checking account. Humdrum design, stunning displayPhysically I do not suppose the cellphone is especially thrilling to take a look at, at the very least within the grey coloration that my evaluation mannequin arrived in. It’s completely effective and should you normally use a case then it is in all probability a moot level, however its plain frosted glass again and commonplace rectangle digicam unit are a bit of uninspired. I’d at the very least go for the purple or blue colours it is also obtainable in so as to add a little bit of aesthetic attraction. Still, it feels sturdy to carry, and it makes use of toughened Gorilla Glass Victus on the back and front so I’m assured it may take a number of knocks with out shattering into 1,000,000 items. It does not have an official IP waterproof score (that I’ve been advised to this point, at the very least) so it is price holding it particularly secure when holding it close to swimming swimming pools, bathrooms or clumsy mates carrying beers. I’ve requested Xiaomi for clarification on waterproofing as it is a widespread function on flagship telephones and I’d hope to see this right here. The Xiaomi 12 Pro (second left) alongside the iPhone 13 Pro, Pixel 6 Pro and Oppo Find X5 Pro.
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On the entrance is a 6.73-inch AMOLED show which is each brilliant and vibrant. Its punchy colours will swimsuit these of you who play numerous colourful cell video games, whereas its 3,200×1,440-pixel decision implies that even tiny particulars are pin sharp. It has a 120Hz refresh price too, making scrolling appear buttery easy, however you may flip this down (or depart it on auto) with a view to protect battery life. Solid digicamOn the again you will discover three 50-megapixel cameras: a normal zoom, a 2x telephoto zoom and an ultrawide digicam. The principal digicam makes use of a 1/1.28-inch sensor which is bodily bigger than you will discover on the iPhone 13 Pro. Larger sensors usually imply they’ll seize extra mild and due to this fact produce higher wanting photographs. So far in my testing I’ve discovered the 12 Pro’s photos to be typically respectable, however not excellent. Colors are vibrant and publicity is ok, though the ultrawide lens typically overexposes some highlights in a scene. Xiaomi 12 Pro, principal digicam.
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Xiaomi 12 Pro, ultrawide digicam. Notice that the buildings in direction of the middle of the picture are a contact overexposed.
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Xiaomi 12 Pro, principal digicam. I just like the daring, correct colours right here.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
The 2x zoom lens is sweet, however I’d prefer to have seen an extended zoom vary — 5x and even as much as the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s superb 10x optical zoom. An extended zoom actually opens up extra attention-grabbing compositions which can be nonetheless out of attain with a 2x lens. Xiaomi 12 Pro, 2x optical zoom. This shot is properly uncovered with spot-on colours. Still, it might be good to have extra zoom to play with to convey these distant buildings extra into the body.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
That giant principal picture sensor helps it take pretty brilliant, sharp photos at night time and I’d say that my take a look at photographs to this point are just about on par with Android rivals such because the Pixel 6 Pro or the Oppo Find X5 Pro. It can shoot video at as much as 8K decision and you will find devoted video results, together with optical stabilization for smoother-looking handheld footage.Xiaomi 12 Pro, night time mode. It’s as brilliant and sharp as photographs I’ve seen from its rivals.
Andrew Lanxon/CNET
Huge energyInfacet the cellphone is Qualcomm’s newest 5G-enabled Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, backed up by a meaty 12GB of RAM on my evaluation mannequin. It’s an absolute powerhouse, reaching benchmark scores that comfortably outpace the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Pixel 6 Pro and Oppo Find X5 Pro. While it is essential to keep in mind that benchmarks are not at all a whole indicator of efficiency, the cellphone does really feel extraordinarily succesful in on a regular basis use. Navigating across the Android 12-based interface is swift and lag-free whereas enjoying demanding video games like Asphalt 9: Legends and PUBG. It all seems extremely easy, with excessive body charges always. Graphically intense video games like Asphalt 9: Legends performed extraordinarily easily.
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Good battery and quick chargingInfacet the cellphone is a 4,600-mAh battery, which will get comfortably via a full day of combined use. How a lot you tax your battery will at all times rely in your conduct, however should you’re checking e-mail all through the day, listening to podcasts and different basic duties, you will seemingly even have sufficient energy to spare for the subsequent day. Heavier use like spending the day filming 8K video and enjoying graphically intensive video games will seemingly drain the battery quick sufficient to warrant charging within the afternoon.But the cellphone’s extremely speedy 120-watt quick charging is estimated by Xiaomi to totally recharge the cellphone from empty in round 18 minutes, hopefully making that afternoon increase fairly simple should you want it. I have not but been capable of take a look at that declare because it requires a particular quicker charger, which usually will come within the field however didn’t arrive with my evaluation unit.The Xiaomi 12 Pro alongside its smaller, cheaper sibling, the Xiaomi 12.
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Cheaper, smaller Xiaomi 12 The 12 Pro is joined by the smaller Xiaomi 12. Beneath its 6.2-inch show is identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, so you may anticipate comparable blistering efficiency. The rear cameras have been pared down nonetheless, with a 50-megapixel principal sensor, a 13-megapixel extremely extensive and a 5-megapixel 2x telephoto. It’ll include a extra reasonably priced beginning value of $749 and might be a great possibility if you’d like a high-performance cellphone in a smaller package deal.
Xiaomi 12, 12 Pro specs comparability chart
Xiaomi 12 Pro
Xiaomi 12
Galaxy S22 Ultra
Display measurement, decision
6.73-inch AMOLED (3,200×1,440 pixels)
6.28-inch AMOLED (2,400×1,080 pixels)
6.8-inch AMOLED (1440×3088 pixels)
Pixel density
521ppi
419ppi
501ppi
Dimensions (Millimeters)
163.6 x 74.6 x 8.16 mm
152.7 x 69.9 x 8.16 mm
77.9 x 163.3 x 8.9 mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)
7.23 oz; 205g
6.34 oz; 180g
8.08 oz; 229 g
Mobile software program
Android 12
Android 12
Android 12
Camera
50-megapixel (extensive), 50-megapixel (ultra-wide) 50-megapixel (telephoto)
50-megapixel (extensive), 13-megapixel (ultra-wide) 5-megapixel (telephoto)
108-megapixel (extensive), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide) 10-megapixel (telephoto) 10-megapixel (telephoto)
Front-facing digicam
32-megapixel
32-megapixel
40-megapixel
Video seize
8K
8K
4K
Processor
Snapdragon 8 gen 1
Snapdragon 8 gen 1
Snapdragon 8 gen 1
RAM/Storage
8GB + 128GB; 12GB + 256GB
8GB + 128GB; 12GB + 256GB
8GB + 128GB; 12GB + 256GB; 12GB+512GB; 12GB+ 1TB
Expandable storage
No
No
None
Battery/Charger
4,600 mAh (120W quick charger bundled)
4,500 mAh (67W quick charger bundled)
5,000 mAh (45W wired charger)
Fingerprint sensor
In-display
In-display
In-display
Connector
USB-C
USB-C
USB-C
Headphone jack
No
No
No
Special options
5G-enabled; 120Hz show; 120W quick charging; 50W wi-fi charging
5G-enabled; 120Hz show; 67W quick charging; 50W wi-fi charging
5G (mmw/Sub6), bundled S Pen, 100x Space Zoom (digital), 10x optical zoom, 47 W charging help
Price off-contract (USD)
$999 (128GB)
$749 (128GB)
$1,200
Price (GBP)
TBA
TBA
£1,150
Price (AUD)
TBA
TBA
AU$1,849