Xiaomi 12S Ultra vs Xiaomi 13 Pro: A Detailed Comparison

Xiaomi consistently delivers impressive smartphones, and the 12S Ultra and 13 Pro are prime examples. Both pack top-tier specs, but cater to slightly different user preferences. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which flagship deserves your investment.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 13 Pro emerges as the overall winner thanks to its significantly faster charging, newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and slightly brighter display. However, the 12S Ultra remains a compelling option, particularly for those prioritizing exceptional camera performance and a slightly more compact design.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 12S Ultra Xiaomi 13 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 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2022, July 042022, December 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 09Available. Released 2022, December 14
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), ceramic back or silicone polymer back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.2 x 75 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.36 in)162.9 x 74.6 x 8.4 mm or 8.7 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight225 g (7.94 oz)210 g or 229 g (7.41 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)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 (~522 ppi density)
Size6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 108.9 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+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 13, 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, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1 - 128GB UFS 4.0 - 256/512GB
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lens, 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)50.3 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), PDAF (10cm - ∞), 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultrawide), AF
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@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 1080p@1920fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
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
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, 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 (G1), 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, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
 Virtual 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 36 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4860 mAhLi-Po 4820 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Dark GreenCeramic White, Ceramic Black, Ceramic Flora Green, Mountain Blue
Models2203121C2210132G, 2210132C
Price$ 288.00About 750 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 93h Endurance rating 115h
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: 1281666 (v9) GeekBench: 5087 (v5.1), 5323 (v6) GFXBench: 64fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
OUR TESTS
Battery-Active use score 10:55h
Battery (old)Endurance rating 93hEndurance rating 115h
CameraPhoto / VideoPhoto / Video
Display1065 nits max brightness (measured)1253 nits max brightness (measured)
Loudspeaker-25.6 LUFS (Very good)-25.6 LUFS (Very good)
PerformanceAnTuTu: 1039412 (v9) GeekBench: 4300 (v5.1) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)AnTuTu: 1281666 (v9) GeekBench: 5087 (v5.1), 5323 (v6) GFXBench: 64fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

  • Exceptional camera system with 1-inch sensor
  • Excellent low-light performance
  • High endurance rating
  • Premium build quality

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (slightly older chipset)
  • Can be slightly bulky

Xiaomi 13 Pro

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Incredibly fast 120W wired charging
  • Brighter display
  • Improved performance and efficiency

  • Camera processing can be overly saturated for some
  • Slightly less impressive low-light camera performance compared to 12S Ultra
  • Potentially larger size

Display Comparison

Both phones boast stunning AMOLED displays with excellent color accuracy and infinite contrast ratios. However, the Xiaomi 13 Pro takes the lead with a measured peak brightness of 1253 nits compared to the 12S Ultra's 1065 nits, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. Both support 120Hz refresh rates for smooth scrolling.

Camera Comparison

The 12S Ultra is renowned for its exceptional camera system, particularly its large 1-inch sensor. It excels in low-light photography and offers impressive dynamic range. The 13 Pro also features a high-quality camera system, but its image processing leans towards a more vibrant and saturated look. Both record excellent video.

Performance

The Xiaomi 13 Pro's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a noticeable performance boost over the 12S Ultra's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. While both are incredibly fast, the Gen 2 offers improved efficiency and handles demanding tasks and games with greater ease. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the 13 Pro.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 13 Pro boasts significantly faster charging speeds (120W wired vs 67W) and wireless charging (50W vs 50W). While the 12S Ultra has a slightly higher endurance rating (93h vs 115h), the 13 Pro's faster charging makes up for any difference in battery life.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is ideal for photography enthusiasts who value a larger camera sensor and don't mind slightly slower charging. The Xiaomi 13 Pro is best suited for users who demand the latest and greatest performance, incredibly fast charging, and a brighter, more vibrant display.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi 13 Pro worth the upgrade from the 12S Ultra?
If you prioritize performance, fast charging, and a brighter display, then the 13 Pro is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if you're primarily focused on camera quality and don't mind slower charging, the 12S Ultra remains a strong contender.
❓ Which phone has better video recording capabilities?
Both phones record excellent video, but the 13 Pro's newer chipset and image processing may offer slightly improved stabilization and dynamic range in certain scenarios.