Xiaomi 12S vs Xiaomi 12T Pro: A Detailed Showdown

Xiaomi's lineup offers compelling flagship options, but choosing between the 12S and 12T Pro can be tricky. Both pack the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, but differ significantly in design, camera systems, and charging speeds. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12T Pro takes the crown for sheer charging speed and potentially a slightly brighter display. However, the 12S often boasts superior camera tuning and a more premium build. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities: speed and value versus camera quality and design.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 12S Xiaomi 12T 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, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 75 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2022, July 042022, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 07Available. Released 2022, October 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight179 g / 182 g (6.31 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLeica lens, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm-
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), AF200 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.22", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.47", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR1080p@30/60fps, HDR
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman KardonTuned by Harman Kardon 24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (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)
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 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, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 42 min 50W wireless, 100% in 57 min 10W reverse wireless120W wired, 100% in 19 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, White, Purple, GreenBlack, Silver, Blue
Models2206123SC22081212UG, 22081212G
PriceAbout 570 EUR$ 208.76 / € 167.62
SAR-1.08 W/kg (head)     1.07 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.00 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 91h
Camera-Photo / Video
Display-Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker--24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance-AnTuTu: 1032185 (v9) GeekBench: 4081 (v5.1) GFXBench: 65fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi 12S

  • Superior camera tuning
  • Premium build quality
  • Compact design
  • Leica-branded camera (often)

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Potentially shorter battery life
  • Less bright display (speculation)

Xiaomi 12T Pro

  • Incredibly fast 120W charging
  • Excellent battery life
  • Brighter display (measured)
  • Generally more affordable

  • Less refined design
  • Camera may not match 12S
  • Potentially less consistent camera performance

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12T Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 913 nits, potentially offering better outdoor visibility. The 12S's display is excellent, but lacks specific brightness figures. Both feature AMOLED panels with smooth 120Hz refresh rates, ensuring fluid scrolling and gaming. The 12T Pro's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term, but suggests deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

The Xiaomi 12S is generally considered to have the edge in camera performance, particularly in image processing and color science. It often features a Leica-branded camera system, known for its quality. The 12T Pro's camera is capable, but may not match the 12S's consistent results. Specific sensor details are needed for a more precise comparison.

Performance

Both phones share the same Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, guaranteeing flagship-level performance. The slight CPU core frequency difference (Cortex-A510 clocks) is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. Expect smooth multitasking, demanding gaming, and snappy app launches on both devices.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 12T Pro's endurance rating of 91h suggests significantly better battery life than the 12S. While the 12S offers 67W wired and 50W wireless charging, the 12T Pro's 120W wired charging is a game-changer, capable of fully charging the phone in under 20 minutes.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12S is ideal for photography enthusiasts and those who appreciate a more refined, compact design. The Xiaomi 12T Pro is a better choice for users prioritizing incredibly fast charging and a larger display, especially if budget is a key consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones offer excellent gaming performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. The 12T Pro's larger display might be preferable for some gamers.
❓ Is the Xiaomi 12S worth the extra cost?
If camera quality and a premium design are your top priorities, the 12S is worth the investment. If you value charging speed and battery life above all else, the 12T Pro is a more compelling choice.