Xiaomi's 12 series offers a compelling range of options, but the 12T Pro and 12 Lite NE represent distinct approaches. The 12 Lite NE prioritizes a sleek design and efficient performance, while the 12T Pro aims for flagship-level power and ultra-fast charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right Xiaomi for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi 12T Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers significantly faster performance, and the 120W charging is a game-changer, fully charging the device in just 19 minutes. While the 12 Lite NE offers a more affordable entry point, the performance gap is substantial.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 75 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2022, October 04 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, October 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 72.7 x 7.2 mm (6.27 x 2.86 x 0.28 in) | 163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171.8 g (6.07 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 644 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF
20 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.78", 1.0µm
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) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
32 MP, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | - |
| Features | 2 Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.47", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30/60fps, HDR |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | Tuned by Harman Kardon
24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 40 min | 120W wired, 100% in 19 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Violet, Silver | Black, Silver, Blue |
| Models | 2210129SG | 22081212UG, 22081212G |
| Price | - | $ 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) |
Xiaomi 12 Lite NE
- More affordable price point
- Lighter and potentially more comfortable to hold
- Efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset for everyday tasks
- Significantly slower performance compared to the 12T Pro
- Slower charging speed (40 minutes vs 19 minutes)
Xiaomi 12T Pro
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- Ultra-fast 120W charging
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Higher price tag
- Potentially heavier and bulkier design
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi 12T Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 913 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the 12 Lite NE. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels for vibrant colors, the 12T Pro’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio specification on the 12T Pro is typical for AMOLED technology, offering deep blacks and excellent image quality. Details regarding refresh rate and resolution are missing for both, but the 12T Pro’s positioning suggests a higher-end panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, given the 12T Pro’s flagship positioning, it likely features a more advanced camera system with a larger sensor and improved image processing. The absence of sensor size information prevents a direct comparison, but the 12T Pro is expected to excel in low-light photography and video recording. The 12 Lite NE likely focuses on providing a good all-around camera experience for social media and casual photography. We can assume the 12T Pro will have more advanced features like 8K video recording.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The 12T Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the 12 Lite NE’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm). The 8+ Gen 1 features a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz, compared to the 12 Lite NE’s 2.4 GHz Cortex-A710. This architectural difference, combined with higher clock speeds on the A710 cores (2.75 GHz vs 2.36 GHz), results in substantially faster CPU performance. The 12T Pro also benefits from a more efficient 4nm process, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load. While both phones use 4nm fabrication, the 8+ Gen 1’s architecture is designed for higher peak and sustained performance.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 91 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite differing charging speeds. However, the 12T Pro’s 120W wired charging is a massive advantage, achieving a full charge in just 19 minutes. The 12 Lite NE’s 67W charging, while still fast, takes 40 minutes to reach 100%. This difference in charging speed significantly impacts user convenience, especially for those who frequently need to top up their battery. The similar endurance ratings suggest Xiaomi optimized software and battery management to compensate for the 12T Pro’s more powerful chipset.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi 12 Lite NE if you prioritize a lighter, more compact phone with a focus on everyday tasks and social media. It's ideal for users who don't heavily game or require extreme processing power. Buy the Xiaomi 12T Pro if you demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and value the convenience of incredibly fast charging. It's the better option for power users and those who want a phone that can handle anything they throw at it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the 12 Lite NE struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, while the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 is capable, it will likely require lower graphics settings and may experience frame drops in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. The 12T Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is far better equipped to handle these titles at higher settings with smoother performance.
❓ Is the 120W charging on the 12T Pro safe for the battery's long-term health?
Xiaomi incorporates multiple safety mechanisms into its 120W charging system to protect the battery. While fast charging generates more heat, the phone's software and hardware work together to regulate the charging process and prevent overcharging or damage. Long-term battery health will still degrade over time, but the fast charging itself isn't inherently detrimental.
❓ Does the Xiaomi 12T Pro support 8K video recording?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, given the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1's capabilities and the 12T Pro's flagship positioning, it is highly likely to support 8K video recording. The 12 Lite NE is less likely to have this feature.
