Xiaomi 12T vs Xiaomi 13 Lite: The Ultimate Showdown

Xiaomi continues to deliver compelling smartphones at competitive prices. The Xiaomi 12T and 13 Lite both offer attractive features, but cater to slightly different users. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs and budget.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12T boasts superior performance thanks to its Dimensity 8100 Ultra chipset and blazing-fast 120W charging. However, the 13 Lite offers a more refined design, a slightly brighter display, and a more appealing camera system for casual users. The 12T wins on power, the 13 Lite on aesthetics and ease of use.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 12T Xiaomi 13 Lite
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, 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, 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 042023, February 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 06Available. Released 2023, March 08
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)159.2 x 72.7 x 7.2 mm (6.27 x 2.86 x 0.28 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight202 g (7.13 oz)171 g (6.03 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
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 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra (5 nm)Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MC6Adreno 644
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, MIUI 14Android 12, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 8GB 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
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)50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
Dual-32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.3, (depth)
FeaturesHDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR
Single20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.47", 0.8µm-
Video1080p@30/60fps, HDR1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 19 min67W wired, 100% in 40 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, BlueBlack, Lite Blue, Lite Pink
Models22071212AG-
Price€ 181.96 / £ 283.32About 180 EUR
SAR1.09 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 104h Endurance rating 93h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.0 LUFS (Very good) -28.5 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 780204 (v9) GeekBench: 3756 (v5.1) AnTuTu: 534143 (v9) GeekBench: 2936 (v5.1), 2434 (v6) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi 12T

  • Exceptional Performance
  • Blazing-Fast 120W Charging
  • Excellent Battery Life
  • Vibrant AMOLED Display

  • Design Less Refined
  • Camera Processing Can Be Inconsistent
  • Can Run Hot Under Heavy Load

Xiaomi 13 Lite

  • Stylish Design
  • Versatile Camera System
  • Slightly Brighter Display
  • User-Friendly Software

  • Lower Performance Than 12T
  • Slower Charging Speed
  • Battery Life Slightly Shorter

Display Comparison

Both phones feature vibrant AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Xiaomi 13 Lite edges out the 12T with a slightly higher peak brightness of 938 nits versus 954 nits (though the difference is minimal in real-world use). Both offer excellent color accuracy and viewing angles. The 13 Lite's design might make it feel slightly more premium in hand.

Camera Comparison

The Xiaomi 13 Lite features a more versatile camera system, particularly in its selfie capabilities. While both phones offer decent image quality, the 13 Lite's processing tends to produce more pleasing results for casual users. The 12T's camera is capable, but can sometimes produce slightly less natural-looking images. Both offer good video recording capabilities.

Performance

The Xiaomi 12T's Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra is the clear performance winner. It handles demanding games and multitasking with ease. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the 13 Lite is still capable, but it won't match the 12T's raw power. Expect smoother frame rates and faster app loading times on the 12T.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 12T holds a slight advantage in battery endurance, boasting an impressive 104h endurance rating compared to the 13 Lite's 93h. However, the 12T's 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The 13 Lite's 67W charging is still fast, but not as impressive.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12T is ideal for gamers, power users, and those who prioritize raw performance and rapid charging. The Xiaomi 13 Lite is a great choice for photography enthusiasts, style-conscious buyers, and those seeking a more balanced and user-friendly experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi 12T is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset.
❓ Is the Xiaomi 13 Lite worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize design, camera versatility, and a user-friendly experience, the 13 Lite might be worth the premium. Otherwise, the 12T offers better value for its performance.