Xiaomi 13 Lite vs Xiaomi 12T: The Ultimate Showdown

Xiaomi continues to deliver compelling mid-range smartphones, and the 13 Lite and 12T are prime examples. Both offer a blend of style and performance, but cater to slightly different users. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best fits your priorities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 12T takes the crown with its significantly faster charging, more powerful chipset, and slightly better battery life. However, the 13 Lite boasts a more refined design and potentially better selfie camera, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing aesthetics and a slimmer profile.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 13 Lite Xiaomi 12T
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, 42, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 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
Announced2023, February 262022, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 08Available. Released 2022, October 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame-
Dimensions159.2 x 72.7 x 7.2 mm (6.27 x 2.86 x 0.28 in)163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistant-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 644Mali-G610 MC6
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 14Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 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)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)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR
Selfie camera
Dual32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.3, (depth)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDRHDR, panorama
Single-20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.47", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30/60fps, HDR
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-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, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging67W wired, 100% in 40 min120W wired, 100% in 19 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Lite Blue, Lite PinkBlack, Silver, Blue
Models-22071212AG
PriceAbout 180 EUR€ 181.96 / £ 283.32
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 93h Endurance rating 104h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.5 LUFS (Average) -25.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 534143 (v9) GeekBench: 2936 (v5.1), 2434 (v6) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 780204 (v9) GeekBench: 3756 (v5.1)

Xiaomi 13 Lite

  • Stylish and lightweight design
  • Good selfie camera
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Fast charging (67W)

  • Less powerful chipset
  • Shorter battery life
  • Potentially less impressive main camera

Xiaomi 12T

  • Powerful chipset (Dimensity 8100 Ultra)
  • Incredibly fast charging (120W)
  • Longer battery life
  • Potentially better main camera

  • Less refined design
  • LCD display (potentially less vibrant colors)
  • May be slightly heavier

Display Comparison

Both phones feature vibrant displays with excellent brightness, reaching 938 nits and 954 nits respectively. The 12T edges out slightly in peak brightness, but both offer a great viewing experience. Both have a nominal infinite contrast ratio, indicating deep blacks and excellent image quality. The 13 Lite may have slightly better color accuracy due to its AMOLED panel (assumed), while the 12T's LCD panel is still very good.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but the 13 Lite is expected to have a better selfie camera due to its focus on a more youthful demographic. The 12T likely has a more capable main camera sensor, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and more detailed photos. Video recording capabilities are likely comparable, offering 4K recording on both devices.

Performance

The Xiaomi 12T's Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra chipset is noticeably more powerful than the 13 Lite's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better performance in demanding games on the 12T. The 13 Lite is still capable for everyday tasks, but the 12T offers a more premium experience.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 12T holds a clear advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 104 hours compared to the 13 Lite's 93 hours. However, the 12T's standout feature is its 120W wired charging, which can fully charge the phone in just 19 minutes, a significant improvement over the 13 Lite's 67W charging (40 minutes).

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 13 Lite is ideal for users who value a stylish design, a good selfie camera, and a comfortable, lightweight feel. The Xiaomi 12T is the better choice for those prioritizing raw performance, incredibly fast charging, and longer battery endurance.

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 it if I prioritize selfies?
Yes, the Xiaomi 13 Lite is likely to have a better selfie camera, making it a good choice if that's your priority.