Xiaomi 12S Ultra vs Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity): The Ultimate Showdown

Xiaomi's flagship lineup offers compelling choices, but deciding between the 12S Ultra and the 12 Pro (Dimensity) can be tricky. Both boast premium features, but cater to slightly different users. This comprehensive comparison will break down the key differences to help you make the right decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the clear winner for photography enthusiasts and those prioritizing battery life. Its superior camera system and exceptional endurance outweigh the 12 Pro (Dimensity)'s slightly faster processor. However, the 12 Pro offers a more streamlined experience and potentially better value.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi 12S Ultra	Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)

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	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2022, July 04	2022, July 04
Status	Available. Released 2022, July 09	Available. Released 2022, July 13

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frame	-
Dimensions	163.2 x 75 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.36 in)	163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	225 g (7.94 oz)	201 g (7.09 oz)
	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)	-

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)	1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~521 ppi density)
Size	6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.73 inches, 109.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)	LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)	Octa-core (1x3.20 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)	Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 730	Mali-G710 MC10
OS	Android 12, MIUI 13	Android 12, MIUI 13

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama	Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single	32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm	32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
Triple	50 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)	50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 15mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF
Video	8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@3840fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K, 1080p)	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	HDR, panorama
Single	32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm	32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon	24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive	5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)	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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	Virtual proximity sensing	-

Battery
Charging	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 41 min 50W wireless, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wireless	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4
Type	Li-Po 4860 mAh	Li-Po 5160 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Dark Green	Gray, Blue
Models	2203121C	2207122MC
Price	$ 288.00	About 570 EUR

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)	-

OUR TESTS
Battery (old)	Endurance rating 93h	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	1065 nits max brightness (measured)	-
Loudspeaker	-25.6 LUFS (Very good)	-
Performance	AnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	-

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

Exceptional Camera System (1-inch sensor)
Outstanding Battery Life
High Brightness Display
Fast Charging (Wired & Wireless)
Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

Potentially Higher Price
Larger and Heavier Design
Software can be bloated

Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)

Slightly Faster Processor (Dimensity 9000+)
Potentially Better Value
Sleek and Compact Design
Smooth Performance

Less Impressive Camera
Shorter Battery Life
Lower Peak Brightness Display

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates. However, the 12S Ultra boasts a significantly higher peak brightness of 1065 nits compared to the 12 Pro's likely lower figure (estimated around 800-900 nits based on typical Xiaomi displays). The 12S Ultra's contrast ratio is also listed as 'Infinite,' suggesting exceptional blacks and vibrant colors. The 12 Pro's display is still excellent, but the 12S Ultra has a noticeable edge in brightness and contrast.

Camera Comparison

This is where the 12S Ultra truly shines. It features a groundbreaking 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor, offering unparalleled image quality, especially in low light. The 12 Pro (Dimensity) has a capable camera system, but it simply can't compete with the 12S Ultra's main sensor. The 12S Ultra also likely has more advanced computational photography features. Video recording capabilities are also superior on the 12S Ultra.

Performance

The Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) holds a slight advantage in raw processing power thanks to the Dimensity 9000+. While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the 12S Ultra is incredibly capable, the Dimensity 9000+ generally benchmarks slightly higher. In real-world usage, both phones will handle demanding games and applications with ease. However, the 12 Pro might exhibit marginally faster load times and smoother multitasking.

Battery Life

The 12S Ultra dominates in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 93 hours. This is significantly better than the 12 Pro (Dimensity), which likely offers around 60-70 hours of usage. Both phones support fast wired and wireless charging, but the 12S Ultra's 67W wired charging is slightly faster than the 12 Pro's.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Xiaomi 12S Ultra? Photography lovers, power users needing long battery life, and those wanting the absolute best camera Xiaomi has to offer. Who should buy the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)? Users prioritizing a smooth, fast experience, those on a slightly tighter budget, and those who prefer a more compact design.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi 12S Ultra worth the extra cost?

If photography is a priority, then yes. The 1-inch sensor is a game-changer. However, if you're on a budget and don't need the absolute best camera, the 12 Pro is a great alternative.

❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?

The Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) likely has a slight edge in raw gaming performance due to the Dimensity 9000+ chipset, but both phones are capable of handling demanding games.