Xiaomi 12X vs Xiaomi 12: A Detailed Showdown

Xiaomi's 12 series offered compelling options, but choosing between the 12X and the standard 12 can be tricky. Both phones boast premium designs and features, but they cater to slightly different users. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which one is the perfect fit for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12 offers a more powerful processor, brighter display, and wireless charging, making it the overall winner for performance enthusiasts. However, the 12X provides excellent value with its Snapdragon 870 and impressive battery life, appealing to those seeking a balanced and efficient experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi 12X	Xiaomi 12

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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - International	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - International
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China

Launch
Announced	2021, December 28	2021, December 28
Status	Available. Released 2021, December 31	Available. Released 2021, December 31

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions	152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm (6.01 x 2.75 x 0.32 in)	152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm (6.01 x 2.75 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	176 g (6.21 oz)	179 g or 180 g (6.31 oz)

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

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)	Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)	Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 650	Adreno 730
OS	Android 11, MIUI 13	Android 12, MIUI 13

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	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, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF	50 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF
Video	8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 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, HDR

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	5.1 / 5.2, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes (market/region dependent)
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, Wi-Fi 6 (market dependent), dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 or 6e (market dependent), dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

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

Battery
Charging	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 39 min	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 39 min 50W wireless, 100% in 53 min 10W reverse wireless
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Gray, Blue, Purple	Gray, Blue, Purple, Green
Models	2112123AC, 2112123AG	2201123G, 2201123C
Price	About 180 EUR	$ 284.99 / € 149.99
SAR	-	1.09 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.59 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body)	0.60 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 105h	Endurance rating 82h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-25.6 LUFS (Very good)	-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 598003 (v8), 690298 (v9) GeekBench: 3168 (v5.1) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 985115 (v9) GeekBench: 3652 (v5.1) GFXBench: 75fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi 12X

Exceptional battery life
Smooth performance with Snapdragon 870
Excellent value for money
Compact and comfortable design

Lower peak brightness display
No wireless charging
Slightly less powerful than the Xiaomi 12

Xiaomi 12

Top-tier performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Brighter and more vibrant display
Wireless charging capabilities
Premium design and build quality

Shorter battery life
Higher price point
Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12 takes a clear lead in the display department. While both offer excellent contrast (nominally infinite), the 12's measured 896 nits peak brightness significantly outshines the 12X, making it easier to view content outdoors and in bright sunlight. The 12X's display is still good, but lacks the same punch.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature excellent camera systems, but the Xiaomi 12 generally produces slightly better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The 12X's camera is still very good and offers a consistent experience. Specific camera specs (megapixels, sensor sizes) are similar across both models, but image processing algorithms differ.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Xiaomi 12 provides a noticeable performance boost over the Snapdragon 870 in the 12X. While the 870 is still a very capable chip, the 8 Gen 1 offers faster processing speeds and better graphics performance, especially beneficial for demanding games and multitasking. Both phones handle everyday tasks with ease.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 12X boasts a significantly longer endurance rating (105h) compared to the Xiaomi 12 (82h). This translates to noticeably longer battery life in real-world usage, allowing the 12X to easily last a full day, even with moderate to heavy use. The 12 offers faster wired charging (both 67W) and adds 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12X is ideal for users prioritizing battery life, a smooth experience, and a more budget-friendly price point. The Xiaomi 12 is best suited for power users who demand top-tier performance, a vibrant display, and the convenience of wireless charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 870 still a good processor?

Yes, the Snapdragon 870 is a very capable processor that provides smooth performance for most tasks and even demanding games. It's a great option for users who don't need the absolute latest and greatest.

❓ Does the Xiaomi 12X get hot?

While the 12X can get warm under sustained load, it generally manages heat well. The Xiaomi 12, with its more powerful processor, is more prone to thermal throttling under extended heavy use.