Xiaomi 12X vs Xiaomi 12T: The Ultimate Showdown

Xiaomi's lineup offers compelling options, but choosing between the 12X and 12T can be tricky. Both phones pack impressive features, but cater to slightly different users. This comprehensive comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12T emerges as the overall winner thanks to its significantly faster charging, brighter display, and powerful Dimensity 8100 Ultra chipset. However, the 12X remains a strong contender, offering a more compact design and a proven Snapdragon 870 processor.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi 12X	Xiaomi 12T

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, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
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 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China	-

Launch
Announced	2021, December 28	2022, October 04
Status	Available. Released 2021, December 31	Available. Released 2022, October 06

Body
Dimensions	152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm (6.01 x 2.75 x 0.32 in)	163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	176 g (6.21 oz)	202 g (7.13 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)	1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size	6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak)	AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)	Octa-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)	Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 650	Mali-G610 MC6
OS	Android 11, MIUI 13	Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, MIUI 14

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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	-
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	108 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)
Video	8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	HDR, panorama
Single	32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm	20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.47", 0.8µm
Video	1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR	1080p@30/60fps, 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

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1 / 5.2, A2DP, LE	5.3, A2DP, LE
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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 39 min	120W wired, 100% in 19 min
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Gray, Blue, Purple	Black, Silver, Blue
Models	2112123AC, 2112123AG	22071212AG
Price	About 180 EUR	€ 181.96 / £ 283.32
SAR	-	1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.59 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body)	0.99 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 105h	Endurance rating 104h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-25.6 LUFS (Very good)	-25.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 598003 (v8), 690298 (v9) GeekBench: 3168 (v5.1) GFXBench: 47fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 780204 (v9) GeekBench: 3756 (v5.1)

Xiaomi 12X

Compact and pocketable design
Reliable Snapdragon 870 processor
Excellent all-around performance
Good value for money

Slower charging speed
Less bright display compared to 12T
Camera performance slightly behind 12T

Xiaomi 12T

Blazing-fast 120W charging
Bright and vibrant display
Powerful Dimensity 8100 Ultra chipset
Improved camera capabilities

Larger and less pocketable design
Potentially higher price point
Dimensity chipsets can sometimes have software optimization quirks

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12T boasts a significant advantage with its measured peak brightness of 954 nits, making it far more visible in direct sunlight. Both phones claim an 'infinite' contrast ratio, which is a nominal value and doesn't provide concrete data. The 12X's display is still good, but the 12T's brightness is a noticeable upgrade.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. The 12T is expected to have a slight edge in low-light performance and video recording due to its newer sensor and image processing capabilities. Both offer versatile photo and video options.

Performance

The Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra in the 12T generally outperforms the Snapdragon 870 in the 12X, especially in graphics-intensive tasks. While the 870 is still a capable chip, the 8100 Ultra offers a smoother experience for demanding games and applications. Both phones handle everyday tasks with ease.

Battery Life

Both phones have similar endurance ratings (105h vs 104h), suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage. However, the 12T's 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing it to charge from 0% to 100% in just 19 minutes, while the 12X takes 39 minutes with its 67W charging.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12X is ideal for users who prioritize a smaller, more pocketable phone with a reliable processor and excellent all-around performance. The Xiaomi 12T is perfect for those who demand blazing-fast charging, a vibrant display, and top-tier performance for gaming and demanding tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi 12X still worth buying in 2024?

Yes, the Xiaomi 12X remains a solid choice for those seeking a compact phone with good performance and value. However, consider the 12T if you prioritize faster charging and a brighter display.

❓ Which chipset is better, Snapdragon 870 or Dimensity 8100 Ultra?

The Dimensity 8100 Ultra generally offers better performance, especially in graphics-intensive tasks. However, the Snapdragon 870 is a well-optimized and reliable chip.