Xiaomi 12S vs. vivo X80 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Flagship Power

The Xiaomi 12S and vivo X80 Pro represent compelling choices in the premium Android space, but cater to slightly different priorities. The 12S, leveraging the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, focuses on refined performance and efficiency, while the X80 Pro offers a choice of Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Dimensity 9000, alongside a robust camera system and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi 12S emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides a noticeable performance and thermal advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the X80 Pro, translating to smoother gaming and sustained performance. While the X80 Pro boasts faster charging and a potentially brighter display, the 12S’s efficiency and overall responsiveness give it the edge.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 12S vivo X80 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, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 421, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2022, July 042022, April 25
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 07Available. Released 2022, April 29
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frameGlass front (Schott Xensation Up), glass back or ceramic back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm164.6 x 75.3 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight179 g / 182 g (6.31 oz)215 g / 219 g (7.58 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusSchott Xensation Up
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density)
Size6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak)LTPO3 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730Mali-G710 MC10
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch 14 (Global), OriginOS Ocean (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLeica lens, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.3", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, (periscope telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/1.9, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom, gimbal OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", AF
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 15mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF-
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon32-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2 (Snapdragon)/ 5.3 (Dimensity), A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (Global)/ 3.2 (China), OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 42 min 50W wireless, 100% in 57 min 10W reverse wireless80W wired, 100% in 38 min 50W wireless, 100% in 50 min Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, White, Purple, GreenCosmic Black, Blue, Orange
Models2206123SCV2185A, V2145
PriceAbout 570 EURAbout 850 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 79h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.1 LUFS (Very good)

Xiaomi 12S

  • Superior chipset performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Improved thermal management
  • Efficient power consumption

  • Slower wired charging compared to X80 Pro
  • Missing reverse wireless charging

vivo X80 Pro

  • Faster wired charging (80W)
  • Potentially brighter display
  • Dimensity 9000 option for alternative performance

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can throttle under sustained load
  • Potentially less efficient power consumption

Display Comparison

The vivo X80 Pro boasts a display capable of reaching 1014 nits of peak brightness, suggesting superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Xiaomi 12S (brightness data unavailable). Both displays feature an infinite contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. However, without PWM dimming rate data for the 12S, it’s difficult to assess potential flicker-related eye strain. The X80 Pro’s larger display size (assumed, based on typical X80 Pro dimensions) may be preferable for media consumption, while the 12S likely aims for a more compact form factor.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are marketed as camera-centric, but detailed sensor information is limited. The X80 Pro likely features a larger main sensor, given vivo’s emphasis on camera technology. Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the X80 Pro’s image processing style is known for vibrant colors and strong contrast, while Xiaomi typically aims for a more natural look. Without specific aperture and OIS details, it’s difficult to definitively assess low-light performance, but the larger sensor on the X80 Pro would likely provide an advantage. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential.

Performance

The Xiaomi 12S’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) represents a significant architectural improvement over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) found in the vivo X80 Pro. The ‘+’ variant features a redesigned CPU core configuration – 1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 – offering higher clock speeds and improved efficiency. The X80 Pro offers a Dimensity 9000 option, with a similar core configuration (1x3.05 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510), but the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 generally exhibits superior GPU performance and thermal management. This translates to less throttling during extended gaming sessions on the 12S.

Battery Life

Both the Xiaomi 12S and vivo X80 Pro achieve a similar endurance rating of 79 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (data unavailable for 12S). However, the X80 Pro’s 80W wired charging (0-100% in 38 minutes) is significantly faster than the 12S’s 67W charging (0-100% in 42 minutes). The X80 Pro also supports 50W wireless charging (0-100% in 50 minutes), matching the 12S’s 50W wireless charging (0-100% in 57 minutes). The X80 Pro also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the 12S.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi 12S if you prioritize sustained gaming performance, efficient power usage, and a more responsive user experience. It’s ideal for power users and mobile gamers who demand consistent performance. Buy the vivo X80 Pro if you value camera versatility, exceptionally fast charging (80W wired vs 67W), and potentially a brighter display, and are willing to potentially trade some sustained performance for those features. The X80 Pro’s Dimensity 9000 variant may appeal to those seeking an alternative to Qualcomm’s silicon.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the vivo X80 Pro suffer from overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. While vivo implements cooling solutions, extended gaming at high settings can lead to noticeable throttling, reducing sustained performance. The Xiaomi 12S, with its 8+ Gen 1, will maintain higher frame rates for longer periods.
❓ Is the 50W wireless charging on both phones compatible with all Qi wireless chargers?
While both phones support the Qi wireless charging standard, achieving the full 50W charging speed requires a compatible charger that specifically supports Power Delivery (PD) and Qualcomm Quick Charge (QC) protocols. Standard Qi chargers will likely charge at a slower rate.
❓ What are the key differences between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Dimensity 9000 versions of the vivo X80 Pro?
The Dimensity 9000 generally offers comparable CPU performance to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but often exhibits better thermal efficiency and sustained performance. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 typically has a slight edge in GPU performance, making it preferable for graphically demanding games. The Dimensity 9000 also supports different modem technologies, potentially impacting 5G connectivity in certain regions.