Xiaomi 12S vs Xiaomi 12S Pro: The Ultimate Showdown

Xiaomi's 12S series brought premium features to the mid-range and flagship markets. The 12S and 12S Pro offer compelling specs, but cater to slightly different users. This comparison dives deep into their differences to help you pick the perfect Xiaomi for your needs.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12S Pro is the clear winner for those prioritizing blazing-fast charging and potentially a slightly better camera system (due to larger sensor). However, the 12S offers a more balanced package with excellent performance and a more manageable price point, making it a strong contender.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi 12S	Xiaomi 12S Pro

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, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2022, July 04	2022, July 04
Status	Available. Released 2022, July 07	Available. Released 2022, July 07

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm	163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	179 g / 182 g (6.31 oz)	203 g / 204 g (7.16 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)	1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~521 ppi density)
Size	6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)	6.73 inches, 109.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak)	LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-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 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)	Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 730	Adreno 730
OS	Android 12, MIUI 13	Android 12, MIUI 13

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 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

Main Camera
Features	Leica lens, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	Leica lens, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single	32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm	32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
Triple	50 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	50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/1.9, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
Video	8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS	8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@30/60fps (HDR10+), 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	HDR, panorama
Single	32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm	32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
Video	1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR	1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR10+

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	5.2, 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 (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	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
	-	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 42 min 50W wireless, 100% in 57 min 10W reverse wireless	120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 19 min 50W wireless, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wireless
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 4600 mAh

Misc
Colors	Gray, White, Purple, Green	Gray, White, Purple, Green
Models	2206123SC	2206122SC
Price	About 570 EUR	About 670 EUR

Xiaomi 12S

Excellent performance with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
Good camera system
Premium design and build quality
Faster wireless charging than some competitors
More affordable than the Pro

Slower wired charging compared to the Pro
Camera not as advanced as the Pro's

Xiaomi 12S Pro

Blazing-fast 120W wired charging
Potentially superior camera with larger sensor
Premium design and build quality
Excellent display
Flagship performance

Higher price point
Battery life may not be significantly better despite the larger sensor

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.73-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support. However, the 12S Pro often boasts a slightly higher peak brightness and potentially more accurate color calibration, though this can vary based on specific panel variations. Resolution is generally the same, offering sharp visuals.

Camera Comparison

The 12S features a triple camera system: 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide, and 5MP macro. The 12S Pro typically upgrades the main sensor to a larger 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor, offering significantly improved low-light performance and dynamic range. Both offer excellent image quality, but the Pro has a clear advantage in challenging lighting conditions.

Performance

Both devices share the same Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, ensuring flagship-level performance. Expect smooth multitasking, demanding gaming, and effortless app usage on both. Differences in real-world performance are likely minimal and depend more on software optimization.

Battery Life

The 12S has a 4700mAh battery, while the 12S Pro has a 4600mAh battery. However, the 12S Pro's 120W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups compared to the 12S's 67W charging. Wireless charging is 50W on both, but the 12S Pro charges faster.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12S is ideal for users who want a premium experience without breaking the bank, prioritizing a well-rounded package with good performance and a solid camera. The Xiaomi 12S Pro is for power users and photography enthusiasts who demand the fastest charging speeds and potentially the best camera capabilities, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If you prioritize incredibly fast charging and the best possible camera performance, especially in low light, then yes. Otherwise, the 12S offers excellent value for its price.

❓ What is the difference in camera quality between the two?

The 12S Pro's larger 1-inch sensor provides a significant advantage in low-light photography and dynamic range. The 12S still takes excellent photos, but the Pro offers a noticeable upgrade.