Xiaomi 12T Pro vs vivo S12 Pro: Which Mid-Range Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The Xiaomi 12T Pro and vivo S12 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range flagship space. The 12T Pro, leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, aims for raw power, while the S12 Pro, with the MediaTek Dimensity 1200, focuses on a balanced experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi 12T Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers significantly superior performance, and the blazing-fast 120W charging is a game-changer. However, the vivo S12 Pro remains a viable option for those prioritizing value and a more refined software experience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo S12 Pro Xiaomi 12T Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 75 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2021, December 222022, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 30Available. Released 2022, October 06
Body
Dimensions159.5 x 73.3 x 7.4 mm (6.28 x 2.89 x 0.29 in)163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 103.9 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 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 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS OceanAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)200 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.22", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+
Selfie camera
Dual50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDRHDR, panorama
Single-20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.47", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, HDR
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audioTuned by Harman Kardon 24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging44W wired120W wired, 100% in 19 min
Type4300 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, YellowBlack, Silver, Blue
ModelsV2163A22081212UG, 22081212G
PriceAbout 430 EUR$ 208.76 / € 167.62
SAR-1.08 W/kg (head)     1.07 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.00 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 91h
Camera-Photo / Video
Display-Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker--24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance-AnTuTu: 1032185 (v9) GeekBench: 4081 (v5.1) GFXBench: 65fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo S12 Pro

  • Potentially more refined software experience (FunTouch OS)
  • Sleek and stylish design (based on brand reputation)
  • Competitive price point

  • Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 1200)
  • Slower charging speed (44W)

Xiaomi 12T Pro

  • Significantly faster performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Blazing-fast 120W charging (19 minutes to full)
  • Brighter display (913 nits)

  • Xiaomi’s MIUI can be polarizing
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12T Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 913 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the vivo S12 Pro. While both offer an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the 12T Pro’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The lack of LTPO technology on either device suggests both will rely on variable refresh rate switching rather than adaptive refresh rates for power efficiency. Bezels and color accuracy are not specified, making it difficult to assess these aspects definitively.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are scarce. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Xiaomi 12T Pro, positioned as a flagship, likely incorporates a more advanced camera system. The absence of details on the S12 Pro’s camera suggests it may prioritize software processing over raw hardware capabilities. We can assume both phones will offer a range of shooting modes, but the 12T Pro is expected to excel in low-light performance and video recording due to its more powerful ISP.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 12T Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a clear upgrade over the vivo S12 Pro’s Dimensity 1200 (6nm). The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 features a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz, alongside Cortex-A710 performance cores, offering a substantial performance advantage over the Dimensity 1200’s Cortex-A78 cores. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 also provides superior thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones likely feature ample RAM, the Snapdragon’s more advanced architecture will deliver a smoother and more responsive experience, particularly in demanding games.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 91 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. However, the Xiaomi 12T Pro’s 120W wired charging is a massive advantage, achieving a full charge in just 19 minutes. The vivo S12 Pro’s 44W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the 12T Pro mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery, offering greater convenience and reducing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo S12 Pro if you prioritize a sleek design, a potentially more polished software experience (depending on your preference for vivo’s FunTouch OS), and are comfortable with slightly less demanding tasks. Buy the Xiaomi 12T Pro if you demand top-tier performance for gaming and multitasking, need the fastest possible charging speeds, and value raw power over all else.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Xiaomi 12T Pro get noticeably hotter than the Dimensity 1200 during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is more powerful, its 4nm process node is also more efficient. This means it *should* generate less heat than the Dimensity 1200’s 6nm process, even under heavy load. However, thermal management also depends on the phone’s cooling system, which isn’t specified for either device. Expect the 12T Pro to potentially throttle less, maintaining higher frame rates for longer.
❓ Does the Xiaomi 12T Pro’s 120W charging degrade the battery health faster than the vivo S12 Pro’s 44W charging?
Modern smartphones employ sophisticated charging algorithms to minimize battery degradation, even with ultra-fast charging. While theoretically, higher wattage charging *could* contribute to faster degradation over the long term, the Xiaomi 12T Pro’s charging system is designed to mitigate this. The convenience of a full charge in under 20 minutes often outweighs the potential for slightly accelerated degradation.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications on the vivo S12 Pro a cause for concern?
It suggests the S12 Pro’s camera system may not be a primary selling point. While it will likely produce acceptable photos and videos in good lighting conditions, it may struggle in low-light scenarios compared to the Xiaomi 12T Pro, which is expected to have a more advanced camera setup.