The Chinese manufacturer has just presented its new high-end smartphone, the Xiaomi 12. Available in two versions of different sizes, this ultra-powerful model acts as a technological showcase while remaining affordable.
Fans of the brand awaited this event with a firm footing: during a press conference held in China on December 28, Xiaomi unveiled its new high-end smartphone, the Xiaomi 12, in its first two versions, the 12 “short” and the 12 Pro. While the CES in Las Vegas will not open its doors until next January and the main manufacturers have not yet formalized their new 2022 flagships, starting with Samsung and its future Galaxy S22, Xiaomi fired the first. The Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro succeed the Mi 11 and Mi 11 Pro models launched in 2021, Xiaomi having chosen to abandon the Mi name used for ten years on some of its smartphones, in order to unify its ranges around the world. . True technological showcases, these two devices will be the stars of the Chinese brand’s catalog throughout 2022… while waiting for the arrival of a Xiaomi 12 Ultra, no doubt before the summer.
As had already been confirmed by the brand, the Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro have in common a very similar design, available in two screen diagonals, and an exceptional engine, the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 from Qualcomm, presented beginning of December 2021. Extremely powerful and doped with AI, It will equip the vast majority of high-end smartphones from 2022. Both mobiles will also benefit from Harman Kardon stereo speakers, fingerprint readers under the screen and above all Android 12 and the new Xiaomi MiUI overlay in version 13.
Xiaomi 12: a power monster in a compact format
With its panel of “only” 6.28 inches, the Xiaomi 12 is a UFO within the brand’s ranges, known for their XXL phones. Fans of small formats, able to fit easily in a pocket, will welcome this choice. With the Galaxy S21 and its 6.21 inches and the iPhone 13 and its 6.1 inches, it is one of the few high-end models to adopt such a compact and light format (180 grams). Which will not prevent it from being one of the most powerful models of 2022!
Despite its relatively small size, this screen has excellent characteristics: an Amoled technology panel, Full HD + definition (2400 x 1080 pixels), impressive brightness of 1100 nits, faithful colors and refreshment at 120 Hz. Latest generation Corning Gorilla Glass Victus glass, this panel with almost non-existent edges is also protected against drops and scratches.
The Xiaomi 12 has a triple module housed in a rectangular photo block. The main objective is associated with the Sony 50 Mpix sensor which has already proven its worth on several high-end smartphones. It is accompanied by an ultra wide-angle (13 Mpix sensor) and a macro lens (5 Mpix sensor). In the absence of optical zoom, the originality would come from the new Cyberfocus mode capable of ensuring precise tracking of its subjects.
Despite its lightness and limited thickness (8.2 mm), the Xiaomi 12 has a good capacity battery (4500 mAh), compared to that of the Galaxy S21 limited to 4000 mAh or that of the iPhone 13 (only 3227 mAh). Above all, it benefits from a 67 W wired fast charge (100% in 39 minutes), a 50 W wireless charge (100% in 53 minutes) and a 10 W reverse charge.
Xiaomi 12 Pro: bigger in everything
Much larger, the Xiaomi 12 Pro does not however play in excess with a 6.73-inch screen. Xiaomi is also pleased to report that its latest addition weighs only 205 g against 238 g for the iPhone13 Pro Max close diagonally (6.7 inches). With Amoled LTPO technology (the current must), the QHD panel of the 12 Pro (1440 x 3200 pixels) is able to vary its refresh rate very finely depending on the uses until it reaches 120 Hz. Xiaomi also announces a very high brightness with peaks at 1500 nits.
On the photo side, the Xiaomi 12 Pro has the same rectangular block accommodating 3 lenses. But unlike the Xiaomi 12, the main 50 Mpix sensor is a brand new reference from Sony, supposed to provide unprecedented performance, especially in low light. It is accompanied by two other 50 Mpix sensors, one associated with an ultra wide-angle lens, the other with a telephoto lens providing 2X optical zoom, and of course Cyberfocus.
Despite the thinness of its case (8.16 mm), the Xiaomi 12 Pro has a 4600 mAh battery, which takes advantage of the ultra-fast 120 W charging system discovered on the Xiaomi 11T Pro. According to Xiaomi, it would be the possibility of fully recharging the device in just 18 minutes: a great feat, if the promise is kept. The 50 W wireless charge (100% in 42 minutes) and the 10W reverse charge are also part of the game.
Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro: not in France before March 2022
Compatible with 5G and Wi-Fi 6, the Xiaomi 12 and the Xiaomi 12 Pro will be sold in China respectively from 3699 yuan and 4699 yuan in the 8-128 GB version, or the equivalent of 513 euros and 652 euros excluding taxes. Knowing that the price of the Mi 11 started at 749 euros at its launch, that of the Xiaomi 12 could therefore be a little lower once the taxes are added, but without real certainty. They should, however, be cheaper than the Galaxy S22 which they will compete in the high-end segment. The two new smartphones from Xiaomi should not, according to our sources, be available in France before March 2022.