vivo S15e vs Xiaomi 12 Lite: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a potentially cooler gaming experience, the vivo S15e emerges as the winner. Its 66W charging and Exynos 1080 chipset offer a slight edge. However, the Xiaomi 12 Lite’s brighter display and comparable battery endurance make it a strong contender, especially for media consumption.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo S15e | Xiaomi 12 Lite |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 25 | 2022, July 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 30 | Available. Released 2022, July 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 73.6 x 8.5 mm (6.29 x 2.90 x 0.33 in) | 159.3 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm (6.27 x 2.90 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2404 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.0 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1080 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP10 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS Ocean | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| - | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 50% in 18 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 50% in 13 min |
| Type | 4700 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver/Pink | Black, Lite Green, Lite Pink |
| Models | V2190A | 2203129G |
| Price | About 300 EUR | € 119.80 / $ 269.00 / £ 121.15 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.2 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 528905 (v9) GeekBench: 2943 (v5.1) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo S15e
- Faster charging speed (66W)
- Potentially better sustained performance with Exynos 1080
- 5nm chipset for improved efficiency
- Display brightness is unknown and likely lower than Xiaomi 12 Lite
- Camera specifications are vague
Xiaomi 12 Lite
- Brighter display (824 nits)
- Wider charging protocol support (PD3.0, QC4)
- Potentially better battery efficiency with 6nm Snapdragon 778G
- Slightly slower charging speed (67W)
- Lower CPU clock speed compared to Exynos 1080
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi 12 Lite boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 824 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the vivo S15e. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While both displays feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the Xiaomi’s higher peak brightness translates to more vivid and punchy visuals. The absence of refresh rate information for the S15e is a notable omission, potentially giving the 12 Lite an advantage if it features a higher refresh rate panel.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning of both devices suggests a focus on selfie cameras. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is a significant drawback. The usefulness of a 2MP macro camera on either device is questionable, as image quality is typically limited. The image processing style will likely be a key differentiator, with vivo often favoring brighter, more saturated images, while Xiaomi tends towards a more natural look.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo S15e utilizes the Exynos 1080 (5nm) while the Xiaomi 12 Lite employs the Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). While both are octa-core CPUs with a Cortex-A78 prime core, the Exynos 1080’s 2.8 GHz clock speed is higher than the Snapdragon’s 2.4 GHz. However, the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 778G generally offers better power efficiency. The Exynos 1080’s architecture (1x2.8GHz + 3x2.6GHz Cortex-A78) suggests a focus on peak performance, while the Snapdragon 778G’s (1x2.4GHz + 3x2.2GHz Cortex-A78) is more balanced. This translates to potentially better sustained performance for the S15e during demanding tasks, but the 12 Lite may exhibit better battery life.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve a 100-hour endurance rating, suggesting comparable battery life despite unspecified battery capacities. However, charging speeds differ significantly. The Xiaomi 12 Lite supports 67W charging with PD3.0 and QC4, reaching 50% charge in 13 minutes. The vivo S15e offers 66W charging, taking 18 minutes to reach 50%. While the difference is minor, the 12 Lite’s broader charging protocol support (PD3.0, QC4) provides greater compatibility with various chargers. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 778G in the 12 Lite may contribute to slightly better overall battery efficiency.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S15e if you frequently game on your phone and value rapid charging speeds to minimize downtime. Its Exynos 1080, built on a 5nm process, should offer better sustained performance under load. Buy the Xiaomi 12 Lite if a vibrant, bright display is paramount for your usage, particularly if you consume a lot of video content or use your phone outdoors. Its 824 nits peak brightness provides a superior viewing experience in bright conditions.