Xiaomi 12S Ultra vs Xiaomi 13: The Ultimate Flagship Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi 13 emerges as the overall winner, offering a brighter display, a more efficient chipset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2), and slightly better battery life. While the 12S Ultra boasts a unique camera system, the 13's improvements across the board make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi 12S Ultra | Xiaomi 13 |
| 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, 25, 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, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 04 | 2022, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 09 | Available. Released 2022, December 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back or silicone polymer back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 75 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.36 in) | 152.8 x 71.5 x 8.0 mm or 8.1 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 225 g (7.94 oz) | 185 g or 189 g (6.53 oz) |
| IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~414 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.36 inches, 97.7 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 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 Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, MIUI 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 - 128GB UFS 4.0 - 256/512GB | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Leica lens, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (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/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), 1/3.75", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| 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 (HDR), 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 1080p@1920fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| 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 (G1), 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/6e, 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 38 min 50W wireless, 100% in 48 min 10W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4860 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Dark Green | White, Black, Flora Green, Mountain Blue, Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Gray |
| Models | 2203121C | 2211133C, 2211133G |
| Price | $ 288.00 | € 314.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 93h | Endurance rating 108h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -25.6 LUFS (Very good) | -25.8 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 1248260 (v9) GeekBench: 5129 (v5.1) GFXBench: 109fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
- Exceptional camera with large sensor
- Unique zoom capabilities
- Premium build quality
- Fast charging
- Slightly older chipset
- Lower battery life compared to 13
- Can be harder to find in some markets
Xiaomi 13
- Brighter display
- More efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- Slightly better battery life
- Faster charging
- More readily available
- Camera not as unique as 12S Ultra
- Design is more conventional
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi 13 takes the lead in display brightness, measuring 1254 nits compared to the 12S Ultra's 1065 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (Infinite nominal), vibrant colors, and smooth refresh rates. However, the extra brightness of the 13 makes it more usable outdoors. Both utilize AMOLED technology for deep blacks and excellent viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
The 12S Ultra's camera system is its standout feature, particularly its large 1-inch sensor. It excels in low-light photography and offers unique zoom capabilities. The Xiaomi 13's camera is still excellent, with improved image processing and video recording capabilities thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. While the 12S Ultra has a unique appeal, the 13 offers a more consistently impressive camera experience.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xiaomi 13 provides a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the 12S Ultra. The Gen 2's improved efficiency translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. Both phones handle demanding tasks with ease, but the 13 has a slight edge.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi 13 boasts a slightly better endurance rating (108h) compared to the 12S Ultra (93h). Both phones support 67W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, with the 13 charging slightly faster (38 min vs 41 min wired). The 13's more efficient chipset contributes to its longer battery life.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is ideal for photography enthusiasts who prioritize a large sensor and unique zoom capabilities. The Xiaomi 13 is a better choice for users seeking a more balanced flagship experience with improved performance, a brighter screen, and longer battery life.