Xiaomi 12S Ultra vs Xiaomi 12X: A Detailed Showdown

Xiaomi offers a range of compelling smartphones, and the 12S Ultra and 12X are two popular choices. Both offer premium features, but cater to different needs and budgets. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the clear winner for photography enthusiasts and those demanding top-tier performance thanks to its superior camera system and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip. However, the 12X offers exceptional battery life and a more compact design at a more accessible price point, making it a strong contender for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi 12S Ultra	Xiaomi 12X

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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - International
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China

Launch
Announced	2022, July 04	2021, December 28
Status	Available. Released 2022, July 09	Available. Released 2021, December 31

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)	152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm (6.01 x 2.75 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	225 g (7.94 oz)	176 g (6.21 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)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)
Size	6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)	AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPU	Adreno 730	Adreno 650
OS	Android 12, MIUI 13	Android 11, MIUI 13

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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	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, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm, 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)	8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 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, HDR

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	5.1 / 5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes (market/region dependent)
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, Wi-Fi 6 (market dependent), dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, 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, 100% in 39 min
Type	Li-Po 4860 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Dark Green	Gray, Blue, Purple
Models	2203121C	2112123AC, 2112123AG
Price	$ 288.00	About 180 EUR
SAR EU	-	0.59 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 93h	Endurance rating 105h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-25.6 LUFS (Very good)	-25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 598003 (v8), 690298 (v9) GeekBench: 3168 (v5.1) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OUR TESTS
Battery (old)	Endurance rating 93h	Endurance rating 105h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	1065 nits max brightness (measured)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-25.6 LUFS (Very good)	-25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 598003 (v8), 690298 (v9) GeekBench: 3168 (v5.1) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

Superior Camera System
Flagship Performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
High Brightness Display
Fast Charging (Wired & Wireless)

Higher Price
Slightly Shorter Battery Life
Potentially Larger Size/Weight

Xiaomi 12X

Excellent Battery Life
More Compact Design
Faster Wired Charging (39 mins)
More Affordable

Less Powerful Chipset
Less Advanced Camera System
Lower Peak Brightness

Display Comparison

Both phones boast impressive displays with infinite contrast ratios. However, the 12S Ultra takes the lead with a significantly brighter peak brightness of 1065 nits compared to the 12X. This makes the 12S Ultra's screen more visible in direct sunlight. Both utilize AMOLED technology for vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

This is where the 12S Ultra truly shines. It features a significantly more advanced camera system, likely including a larger sensor and improved image processing capabilities (details are missing in the provided specs, but generally known). The 12X's camera is still capable, but doesn't match the 12S Ultra's potential for high-quality photos and videos.

Performance

The 12S Ultra's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the 12X's Snapdragon 870. The 8+ Gen 1 offers noticeably faster processing speeds and improved graphics performance, making it better suited for demanding games and multitasking. The 12X still provides smooth performance for everyday tasks.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 12X edges out the 12S Ultra in battery endurance, boasting a slightly higher endurance rating of 105 hours compared to the 12S Ultra's 93 hours. While the charging speeds are comparable (both with 67W wired charging), the 12X's longer battery life provides a noticeable advantage for users who prioritize longevity.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is ideal for photography lovers, power users, and those who want the absolute best Xiaomi has to offer, regardless of price. The Xiaomi 12X is a great choice for users prioritizing battery life, a more manageable size, and a balance of performance and affordability.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If photography and top-tier performance are your priorities, then yes. The 12S Ultra's camera and chipset justify the higher price tag. However, if you're on a budget, the 12X offers excellent value.

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. It will handle demanding games with higher frame rates and better graphics.