Xiaomi 12S Ultra vs Oppo Reno8 (China): A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Camera Capabilities

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra and Oppo Reno8 (China) represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The 12S Ultra, with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, aims for uncompromising performance, while the Reno8 leverages the Dimensity 1300 to balance power with efficiency. This comparison dissects their key differences, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and camera capabilities, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a significant edge in demanding tasks, and its camera system is likely superior. However, the Oppo Reno8 provides a compelling alternative with its faster 80W charging and potentially more efficient chipset.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno8 (China) Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, May 232022, July 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, June 01Available. Released 2022, July 09
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions160.6 x 73.4 x 7.7 mm (6.32 x 2.89 x 0.30 in)163.2 x 75 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight179 g (6.31 oz)225 g (7.94 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM), 800 nits (peak)LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, ColorOS 14Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.55", PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/4.1, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 128˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@3840fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K, 1080p)
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging80W wired, 45% in 10 min, 100% in 28 min Reverse wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 41 min 50W wireless, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4860 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Gold, VioletBlack, Dark Green
ModelsPGBM102203121C
PriceAbout 350 EUR$ 288.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 93h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo Reno8 (China)

  • Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Likely superior camera system
  • Wireless charging support

  • Slower wired charging than Reno8
  • Potentially higher power consumption

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

  • Extremely fast 80W wired charging
  • Potentially better thermal efficiency (Dimensity 1300)
  • Reverse wired charging

  • Less powerful processor than Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Camera system likely less advanced

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra boasts a display capable of reaching 1065 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Reno8’s display specs are not provided, Oppo typically employs high-quality AMOLED panels. The 12S Ultra’s infinite contrast ratio suggests a true black level, enhancing visual depth. Without Reno8 display specs, it's difficult to assess color accuracy or refresh rate, but the 12S Ultra’s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are marketed with a focus on photography and videography, but the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is expected to have a more advanced camera system. While specific details are missing, Xiaomi’s ‘Ultra’ branding typically signifies a flagship-level camera experience, likely featuring a large sensor and advanced image processing. The Reno8’s camera capabilities are less defined, and without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess its performance relative to the 12S Ultra. The 12S Ultra’s likely larger sensor and more sophisticated image processing will translate to better low-light performance and dynamic range.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) utilizes a 1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 prime core, 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 performance cores, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 efficiency cores. This architecture, built on a 4nm process, delivers superior performance and thermal efficiency compared to the Oppo Reno8’s Dimensity 1300 (6nm). The Reno8’s CPU configuration – 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – is capable, but the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s newer core designs and smaller process node provide a noticeable advantage in CPU and GPU intensive tasks. Gamers and power users will overwhelmingly benefit from the 12S Ultra’s chipset.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve a 93-hour endurance rating, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the Reno8). However, their charging speeds differ significantly. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra supports 67W wired charging (100% in 41 minutes), 50W wireless charging (100% in 52 minutes), and 10W reverse wireless charging. The Oppo Reno8, in contrast, offers a blazing-fast 80W wired charging (100% in 28 minutes) and reverse wired charging. While the 12S Ultra offers wireless charging, the Reno8’s significantly faster wired charging is a major advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno8 (China) if you need exceptionally fast charging and prioritize a balance between performance and battery life for everyday tasks. It's ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and don't necessarily need the absolute highest processing power. Buy the Xiaomi 12S Ultra if you demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, or photography, and value a potentially superior camera experience, even at the cost of slightly slower charging and potentially higher power consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Xiaomi 12S Ultra suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is known for improved thermal efficiency compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. However, throttling can still occur under sustained heavy load. Xiaomi typically implements robust cooling solutions in their 'Ultra' series, which should mitigate throttling to a reasonable degree, but it's not entirely eliminated.
❓ How does the Dimensity 1300 in the Oppo Reno8 handle graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact or PUBG?
The Dimensity 1300 is capable of running graphically demanding games, but you may need to lower graphics settings to achieve consistently smooth frame rates. While it won't match the performance of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, it provides a solid gaming experience for most titles, especially at medium to high settings.
❓ Is the 50W wireless charging on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra significantly faster than competing wireless charging solutions?
Yes, 50W wireless charging is relatively fast compared to the majority of wireless charging implementations. It's considerably faster than the 10W or 15W wireless charging found on many other smartphones, allowing for a more convenient and quicker top-up without needing a cable.