Xiaomi 12S Ultra vs Xiaomi 12S Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

Xiaomi's 12S series brought premium features to the mid-range and flagship markets. The 12S Ultra and 12S Pro both boast the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, but cater to different priorities. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra prioritizes camera excellence and battery life, while the 12S Pro shines with its blazing-fast 120W charging. If photography is your focus, the Ultra wins. For speed and convenience, the Pro takes the crown.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 12S Ultra Xiaomi 12S Pro
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, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 421, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 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, July 042022, July 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 09Available. Released 2022, July 07
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.2 x 75 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.36 in)163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight225 g (7.94 oz)203 g / 204 g (7.16 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~521 ppi density)
Size6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 109.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLeica lens, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
Triple50 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 50 MP, f/1.9, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@3840fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K, 1080p)8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@30/60fps (HDR10+), 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR10+
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (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)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 Virtual proximity sensingVirtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 41 min 50W wireless, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wireless120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 19 min 50W wireless, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4860 mAhLi-Po 4600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Dark GreenGray, White, Purple, Green
Models2203121C2206122SC
Price$ 288.00About 670 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-
CameraPhoto / Video-
Display1065 nits max brightness (measured)-
Loudspeaker-25.6 LUFS (Very good)-
PerformanceAnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

  • Exceptional camera system (1-inch sensor)
  • Long battery life (93h endurance)
  • Bright display (1065 nits)
  • Premium build quality

  • Larger and heavier design
  • Slower charging compared to the Pro
  • Potentially higher price

Xiaomi 12S Pro

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Slightly more compact design
  • Excellent performance
  • Vibrant AMOLED display

  • Less impressive camera compared to the Ultra
  • Shorter battery life
  • May lack some of the Ultra's premium features

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays with vibrant colors and smooth 120Hz refresh rates. The 12S Ultra boasts a slightly higher peak brightness of 1065 nits compared to the 12S Pro (estimated around 900 nits), offering better visibility in direct sunlight. The 12S Pro's screen is slightly smaller, potentially making it more comfortable for one-handed use.

Camera Comparison

This is where the 12S Ultra truly stands out. It features a significantly larger 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor, offering exceptional image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The 12S Pro has a capable camera system, but it doesn't match the Ultra's photographic prowess. The Ultra also typically has a telephoto lens with greater zoom capabilities.

Performance

Powered by the same Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset and CPU configuration, both phones deliver flagship-level performance. Expect smooth multitasking, demanding gaming, and effortless app navigation. Real-world performance differences will be minimal.

Battery Life

The 12S Ultra's endurance rating of 93h is impressive, indicating significantly longer battery life than the 12S Pro. While the 12S Pro's 120W charging is incredibly fast, the 12S Ultra's larger battery capacity allows it to last much longer between charges.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is ideal for photography enthusiasts and users who value long battery life. The Xiaomi 12S Pro is perfect for those who prioritize fast charging and a slightly more compact design, and don't need the absolute best camera system.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi 12S Ultra worth the extra cost?
If you're a serious photography enthusiast, the 1-inch sensor and superior camera capabilities of the 12S Ultra justify the higher price. Otherwise, the 12S Pro offers excellent value.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
The Xiaomi 12S Pro charges to 100% in approximately 19 minutes with its 120W wired charging. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra takes around 41 minutes with its 67W wired charging.