Xiaomi 12S Ultra vs Xiaomi 12T Pro: A Detailed Showdown

Xiaomi consistently delivers impressive smartphones, and the 12S Ultra and 12T Pro are prime examples. Both pack powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chips, but cater to different priorities. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the perfect device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra shines with its exceptional camera system and slightly brighter display, while the 12T Pro boasts incredibly fast 120W charging and a more streamlined design. For photography enthusiasts, the Ultra is the clear winner; for those prioritizing speed and value, the 12T Pro takes the crown.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 12S Ultra Xiaomi 12T 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 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 / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2022, July 042022, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 09Available. Released 2022, October 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions163.2 x 75 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.36 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
Weight225 g (7.94 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 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 & 4x2.0 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, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (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)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)
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@3840fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K, 1080p)8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.47", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, HDR
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman KardonTuned by Harman Kardon 24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 41 min 50W wireless, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wireless120W wired, 100% in 19 min
TypeLi-Po 4860 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Dark GreenBlack, Silver, Blue
Models2203121C22081212UG, 22081212G
Price$ 288.00$ 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 93h Endurance rating 91h
Camera Photo / VideoPhoto / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.6 LUFS (Very good) -24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)AnTuTu: 1032185 (v9) GeekBench: 4081 (v5.1) GFXBench: 65fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
OUR TESTS
Battery (old)Endurance rating 93hEndurance rating 91h
CameraPhoto / VideoPhoto / Video
Display1065 nits max brightness (measured)913 nits max brightness (measured)
Loudspeaker-25.6 LUFS (Very good)-24.1 LUFS (Very good)
PerformanceAnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)AnTuTu: 1032185 (v9) GeekBench: 4081 (v5.1) GFXBench: 65fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

  • Exceptional camera system with 1-inch sensor
  • Slightly brighter display
  • Faster wireless charging
  • Premium build quality

  • Higher price
  • Slower wired charging compared to 12T Pro
  • Larger and heavier design

Xiaomi 12T Pro

  • Blazing-fast 120W wired charging
  • More affordable price
  • Sleek and streamlined design
  • Excellent performance

  • Camera not as impressive as 12S Ultra
  • Slightly dimmer display
  • Potentially less robust thermal management

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays with vibrant colors and deep blacks. The 12S Ultra edges out the 12T Pro with a slightly higher peak brightness of 1065 nits versus 913 nits, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. Both have a nominal infinite contrast ratio, providing excellent image clarity. The 12S Ultra's display might offer a marginally better viewing experience, but both are superb.

Camera Comparison

This is where the 12S Ultra truly distinguishes itself. It features a significantly more advanced camera system, including a massive 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor. This results in exceptional image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, with greater detail and dynamic range. The 12T Pro's camera is still very capable, but it doesn't match the Ultra's photographic prowess. Video recording capabilities are also generally superior on the 12S Ultra.

Performance

Under the hood, both devices share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. However, the 12T Pro has a slightly different CPU configuration (Cortex-A510 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz vs 1.8 GHz on the 12S Ultra). In real-world usage, the difference is minimal, and both phones deliver flagship-level performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. Thermal management will be a key factor in sustained performance, and the 12S Ultra's larger size may offer a slight advantage.

Battery Life

Both phones offer similar endurance ratings (93h vs 91h), suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The 12T Pro's 120W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for a full charge in just 19 minutes. The 12S Ultra's 67W charging is still fast, but takes considerably longer (41 minutes). Wireless charging is also faster on the 12S Ultra (52 min vs unknown for 12T Pro).

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is ideal for photography lovers who demand top-tier image quality and are willing to pay a premium. The Xiaomi 12T Pro is a great choice for users who want a powerful phone with blazing-fast charging and a more accessible price point, prioritizing speed and efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi 12S Ultra worth the extra money?
If photography is your top priority, the 12S Ultra's exceptional camera system justifies the higher price. Otherwise, the 12T Pro offers excellent value.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
Both phones offer flagship-level gaming performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Thermal management might be a slight advantage for the 12S Ultra due to its larger size.