Xiaomi 13T Pro vs 12T: A Deep Dive into Xiaomi's Mid-Range Champions

The Xiaomi 12T established itself as a strong contender in the mid-range, offering a compelling blend of performance and features. Now, the Xiaomi 13T Pro arrives, promising significant upgrades. This comparison meticulously examines the key differences between these two devices, focusing on whether the 13T Pro justifies its position as the newer, more premium option.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi 13T Pro is the superior choice. Its Dimensity 9200+ chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost, and the brighter display enhances the viewing experience. While battery endurance is similar, the 13T Pro’s faster processor and improved efficiency make it the better all-around performer.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 12T Xiaomi 13T 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, 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, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 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, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, October 042023, September 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 06Available. Released 2023, September 26
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back or silicone polymer back, plastic frame
Dimensions163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)162.2 x 75.7 x 8.5 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight202 g (7.13 oz)200 g or 206 g (7.05 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 144Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-X3 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra (5 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ (4 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MC6Immortalis-G715 MC11
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, MIUI 14Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLeica lens, color spectrum sensor, LED 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/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/1.9, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 4K/1080p@30fps HDR10+, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; 10-bit LOG, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.47", 0.8µm20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.8µm
Video1080p@30/60fps, HDR1080p@30fps, HDR10+
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), NavIC (L5), BDS
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/6e/7, dual/tri-band (market/region dependent), Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 19 min120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 19 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, BlueAlpine Blue, Meadow Green, Black
Models22071212AG23078PND5G
Price€ 181.96 / £ 283.32$ 370.00 / £ 482.55 / € 301.99
SAR1.09 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)1.00 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 104h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -25.0 LUFS (Very good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 780204 (v9) GeekBench: 3756 (v5.1)-

Xiaomi 12T

  • Excellent value for money
  • Fast 120W charging
  • Solid overall performance

  • Dimensity 8100 Ultra is now superseded
  • Display brightness is lower than the 13T Pro

Xiaomi 13T Pro

  • Significantly faster Dimensity 9200+ processor
  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Improved power efficiency

  • Slightly lower endurance rating than the 12T
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 13T Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 1094 nits compared to the 12T’s 954 nits. This 14% increase in peak brightness translates to improved visibility in direct sunlight. Both displays share an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks. While neither specification details refresh rate or panel type, the improved brightness of the 13T Pro provides a tangible benefit for outdoor use and HDR content viewing.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific sensor details. However, given Xiaomi’s recent trends, it’s reasonable to expect the 13T Pro to feature a more advanced camera system. The Dimensity 9200+ also offers a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) capable of handling more complex image processing tasks. Without detailed sensor specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the 13T Pro’s superior processing power likely results in better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the 12T utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra (5nm), while the 13T Pro features the Dimensity 9200+ (4nm). The move to a 4nm process node with the 9200+ offers improved power efficiency and thermal performance. The CPU architecture also sees a significant upgrade, with the 13T Pro’s Cortex-X3 prime core (3.35 GHz) offering substantially higher single-core performance than the 12T’s Cortex-A78 (2.85 GHz). This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The 13T Pro’s CPU configuration (1x3.35 GHz + 3x3.0 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) is also more balanced than the 12T’s (4x2.85 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz).

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 12T has an endurance rating of 104 hours, while the 13T Pro has an endurance rating of 102 hours. Despite the more powerful processor, the 13T Pro’s improved efficiency partially offsets the increased power draw. Both devices support 120W wired charging, achieving a full charge in 19 minutes. The 13T Pro’s active use score of 11:50h suggests slightly better real-world battery performance, likely due to the more efficient chipset.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi 12T if you prioritize value and are content with excellent, but not leading-edge, performance. It remains a capable device for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Buy the Xiaomi 13T Pro if you demand the fastest possible performance in this price bracket, frequently engage in demanding mobile gaming, or value a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 9200+ in the 13T Pro get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the 8100 Ultra in the 12T?
The Dimensity 9200+ is built on a more efficient 4nm process, which generally results in lower heat generation under load. While both phones will warm up during prolonged gaming, the 13T Pro is likely to maintain higher sustained performance due to better thermal management.
❓ Given the similar endurance ratings, will I see a real-world difference in battery life between the 12T and 13T Pro with typical daily use?
While the endurance ratings are close, the 13T Pro’s more efficient chipset should translate to slightly longer battery life with typical usage. The active use score of 11:50h for the 13T Pro suggests a small advantage in real-world scenarios.
❓ Is the 120W charging equally fast on both devices, or does the 13T Pro benefit from faster charging speeds due to its chipset?
Both devices are rated for 120W charging and achieve a 100% charge in 19 minutes. The charging speed is primarily limited by the charger and battery technology, not the chipset, so you won't see a significant difference in charging times between the two.