Xiaomi 12T vs Xiaomi 12 Lite: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Xiaomi's lineup offers compelling mid-range options, and the 12T and 12 Lite are two popular contenders. Both phones boast stylish designs and impressive features, but cater to slightly different users. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12T takes the crown for raw performance and charging speed thanks to its Dimensity 8100 Ultra chipset and 120W charging. However, the 12 Lite offers a more refined design, a slightly better display for color accuracy, and a more appealing price point for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 12T Xiaomi 12 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, October 042022, July 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 06Available. Released 2022, July 11
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)159.3 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm (6.27 x 2.90 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight202 g (7.13 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 950 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra (5 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MC6Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, MIUI 14Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
Triple108 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.47", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
Video1080p@30/60fps, HDR1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with dual speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 19 min67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 50% in 13 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, BlueBlack, Lite Green, Lite Pink
Models22071212AG2203129G
Price€ 181.96 / £ 283.32€ 119.80 / $ 269.00 / £ 121.15
SAR1.09 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)1.09 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)0.60 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 104h Endurance rating 100h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.0 LUFS (Very good) -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 780204 (v9) GeekBench: 3756 (v5.1) AnTuTu: 528905 (v9) GeekBench: 2943 (v5.1) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi 12T

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Powerful Dimensity 8100 Ultra chipset
  • Brighter display
  • Excellent main camera

  • Design can feel less premium
  • Color accuracy on display not as good as 12 Lite
  • Can get warm under heavy load

Xiaomi 12 Lite

  • Stylish and lightweight design
  • Accurate color reproduction on display
  • Good portrait camera
  • More affordable price

  • Less powerful chipset
  • Slower charging speed
  • Performance can struggle with demanding games

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12T boasts a brighter display at 954 nits peak brightness compared to the 12 Lite's 824 nits. While both have excellent contrast ratios (Infinite nominal), the 12T's higher brightness makes it more visible in direct sunlight. The 12 Lite, however, often receives praise for its more accurate color reproduction, making it preferable for media consumption where color fidelity is key.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but with different strengths. The 12T generally produces more detailed photos, especially in good lighting conditions. The 12 Lite often excels in portrait mode, delivering pleasing bokeh effects. Video recording capabilities are comparable, though the 12T might offer slightly better stabilization. Low-light performance is generally similar, with both phones benefiting from night mode.

Performance

Here, the Xiaomi 12T clearly wins. The Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 778G 5G found in the 12 Lite. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and significantly better gaming performance on the 12T. The 12 Lite is still capable, but it won't handle demanding tasks as effortlessly.

Battery Life

Both phones offer similar endurance ratings (104h vs 100h), suggesting comparable real-world battery life. However, the Xiaomi 12T's 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing it to charge from 0% to 100% in just 19 minutes, while the 12 Lite's 67W charging takes around 13 minutes to reach 50%. This difference in charging speed is a significant advantage for the 12T.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12T is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone prioritizing speed and fast charging. The Xiaomi 12 Lite is a great choice for those seeking a stylish, well-rounded phone with a good camera and a more affordable price tag, prioritizing aesthetics and a smoother everyday experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi 12T worth the extra money over the 12 Lite?
If you prioritize performance and fast charging, the 12T is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget and value design and color accuracy, the 12 Lite is a compelling alternative.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi 12T's Dimensity 8100 Ultra chipset provides significantly better gaming performance than the 12 Lite's Snapdragon 778G 5G.