Xiaomi 12 Lite review
The Xiaomi 12 Lite is a mid-range device that belongs to the same family as the flagship Xiami 12, 12X, and 12 Pro series. While it shares some design elements with its more expensive counterparts, such as an accented camera bump, it stands out with its flat back and frame, giving it a squared-off look and feel. The phone's front features a 6.55-inch AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution, Gorilla Glass 5 protection, and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. The display is one of the highlights of the phone, offering excellent sharpness, contrast, and maximum brightness that enters flagship-grade territory. The Xiaomi 12 Lite also features an under-display fingerprint reader, which is responsive and convenient to use. However, unlike some other Xiaomi devices, it lacks a headphone jack, but it does have a pair of stereo speakers that deliver good sound quality. Under the hood, the phone runs on a Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, which provides smooth performance and decent battery life. The phone's camera system consists of a 108-megapixel main cam, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. While the cameras produce good results, they are not significantly better than those found on cheaper Xiaomi mid-rangers. The phone also features fast 67W charging, which can charge the battery from zero to 84 percent in half an hour. The overall package is solid, with the standout feature being its excellent AMOLED display. However, for those willing to spend a bit more, there are competitors with flagship-grade chipsets available. While the Xiaomi 12 Lite is a decent phone, it may not be the best value for money, especially considering that most of its features can be found on cheaper mid-rangers from the same brand. Nevertheless, it remains a solid option for those in search of a reliable and feature-packed mid-range device.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi 12 Lite is a mid-range device that belongs to the same family as the flagship Xiaomi 12, 12x, and 12 Pro series. While it shares some of the same design elements, such as the accented camera bump, it does stand out from its more expensive counterparts with a flat back and frame that gives it a squared-off look and feel. One of the first things you'll notice about the Xiaomi 12 Lite is its build quality. The phone is made of plastic, which may seem like a compromise compared to the glass and aluminum used in the more expensive models. However, the finish on the 12 Lite imitates frosted glass, giving it a premium feel that's surprising for a mid-ranger. The phone itself feels light, which is expected given its mid-range status. The front of the device features a 6.55-inch AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. While the display is not as large or high-resolution as some of its flagship counterparts, it's still plenty sharp and vibrant. One of the standout design features of the Xiaomi 12 Lite is its under-display fingerprint reader, which is more convenient than the side-mounted ones found on some other mid-range devices. Unfortunately, this means that you won't get a headphone jack with your purchase. However, the phone does come with a pair of stereo speakers that earn a "very good" rating in our loudness tests. Overall, the Xiaomi 12 Lite has a solid design and build quality that's surprising for its mid-range price point. While it may not offer the same level of premium feel as some of its flagship counterparts, it's still a great option for those looking for a reliable and feature-packed device.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi 12 Lite is a mid-range device that belongs to the same family as the flagship Xiaomi 12 series. One aspect where this phone shines is its battery life. The 4300mAh battery, although similar in size to last year's model, manages to deliver decent scores on our battery tests with a final endurance rating of 100 hours. However, it's worth noting that the battery performance could be improved further. Despite not being exceptional, the battery life is still respectable and should be sufficient for most users. The fast charging capabilities of the phone are also noteworthy, with the bundled adapter allowing for rapid top-ups. In terms of actual usage, I found the battery to last a full day with moderate use, including some gaming and video streaming. However, more heavy-handed usage might require a charge during the evening hours. While not outstanding, the battery performance is still commendable considering the phone's mid-range status. The inclusion of fast charging support does help mitigate any potential battery life concerns. Overall, while not perfect, the Xiaomi 12 Lite's battery life is a solid aspect of this device, and it should be sufficient for most users' needs.
Display
One of the standout features of the Xiaomi 12 Lite is its excellent AMOLED display. Measuring 6.55 inches, it boasts a 1080p resolution, Gorilla Glass 5 protection, and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. This results in smooth scrolling and swiping experiences, with the display adaptive to save energy when not in use. The display also supports 12-bit color HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and has a maximum brightness of around 510 nits, making it suitable for bright sunlight conditions. In auto mode, this can boost up to 820 nits, putting it on par with flagship-grade displays. In terms of performance, the AMOLED display delivers excellent sharpness and contrast, making for an immersive viewing experience. Colors are vibrant, although some might find them slightly over-the-top. The display also handles HDR content well, showcasing detailed textures and fine details in dark areas. One notable feature is the display's fast 240Hz touch sampling rate, which enhances responsiveness. However, it's worth noting that this refresh rate is not always utilized, as it's only activated when the screen is being interacted with. The Xiaomi 12 Lite's AMOLED display is a significant upgrade over last year's model, offering faster performance and improved brightness. While some might argue that it's still possible to find cheaper options with similar displays, the Xiaomi 12 Lite's features make it a solid mid-range choice for those seeking an excellent viewing experience. In conclusion, the AMOLED display on the Xiaomi 12 Lite is a highlight of this device, making it well-suited for those who value picture quality.
Camera
The camera setup on the Xiaomi 12 Lite is a highlight of the device, with a triple-camera arrangement featuring a 108-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. During the day, the main camera performs impressively, producing high-quality photos with excellent sharpness, fine detail, low noise, and wide dynamic range. Colors are vibrant and well-balanced, making for some stunning shots. Portrait mode shots from the main camera are also good, with detailed subjects and decent separation between subject and background. The 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera takes decent photos, although not as sharp or detailed as those from the main sensor. However, it still manages to produce punchy colors, controlled noise, and good dynamic range. The macro camera is a letdown compared to last year's model, with a lower resolution and no autofocus, making it challenging to capture sharp photos. In low-light conditions, the main camera struggles slightly, producing photos with some noise, crushed shadows, and clipped highlights. However, the dedicated night mode helps to brighten up the exposure, balance out highlights and shadows, and boost colors. It also manages to reveal a bit more detail in dark areas. The ultra-wide camera produces soft, low-quality photos with narrow dynamic range, clipped highlights, crushed shadows, and plenty of noise. The front-facing camera features a higher-resolution 32-megapixel sensor this year, producing selfies with plenty of detail, good exposure, wide dynamic range, and natural-looking colors. Auto-focus also ensures that subjects are sharp and well-exposed. When it comes to video recording, the main camera can capture footage in up to 4K resolution at 30fps, with good sharpness, contrast, and detail. However, our only minor complaint is the color temperature, which leans towards bluish whites. The ultra-wide camera produces softer footage than the main camera, but that's expected given its lower resolution. Overall, the Xiaomi 12 Lite's camera setup offers a solid mid-range package, with some standout features like excellent daytime photos and good low-light performance thanks to the dedicated night mode. However, it faces stiff competition from other phones at similar price points, which may offer better cameras or more powerful processors.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi 12 Lite is a mid-range device that attempts to bring a premium experience to the table without breaking the bank. Priced in the mid-range segment, it's an interesting proposition considering its features and performance. One of the standout aspects of the phone is its excellent AMOLED display, which boasts a fast 120Hz refresh rate, adaptive brightness, and HDR10+ support. The color accuracy is impressive, with vibrant colors that are sure to please. The display's sharpness and contrast are also notable, making it a pleasure to watch videos or browse through content. However, the device's processor, a Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, is not the most powerful in its class. While it performs well in benchmarks, it's not as fast as some of its competitors that run on flagship-grade chipsets. This might be a deal-breaker for those who value raw performance above all else. The camera setup, which includes a 108MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, is decent but not exceptional. The main camera produces good results in well-lit conditions, with plenty of detail and minimal noise. However, the ultra-wide camera struggles in low-light situations, producing soft images with clipped highlights and crushed shadows. In terms of value, the Xiaomi 12 Lite offers a solid mid-range experience without breaking the bank. While it may not be the most powerful device in its class, it's an excellent choice for those who want a premium feel without paying flagship prices. The excellent display, decent camera performance, and fast charging capabilities make it a compelling option. Ultimately, whether or not the Xiaomi 12 Lite represents good value depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a mid-range device with a premium twist, this might be the phone for you. However, if you prioritize raw performance or exceptional camera capabilities, there are other options available that may better suit your requirements.
Performance
While the Xiaomi 12 Lite may not be the most powerful device in its price range, it's still a capable performer that holds its own against more expensive flagships. Under the hood lies a Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, which is the same one used in last year's Mi 11 Lite 5G NE and the Samsung Galaxy A52S. In benchmarks, the Xiaomi 12 Lite scores well, outperforming other mid-range devices running on Snapdragon 600 series silicon. However, it's worth noting that at this price point, you can find phones with more powerful flagship-grade chipsets. Thermal management is also an area where the Xiaomi 12 Lite excels, despite feeling warm during our stress test, performance remained quite stable. The phone handled demanding tasks like gaming and video editing without breaking a sweat, although it did show some signs of strain under intense usage. Battery life on the Xiaomi 12 Lite is decent, with a final endurance rating of 100 hours in our tests. However, it's not the most impressive aspect of this device. Fast charging has been upgraded to 67W, which is still relatively quick and convenient. One area where the Xiaomi 12 Lite truly shines is its adaptive refresh rate. The display can dial down from 120Hz to 60Hz when not in use, helping to conserve battery life while also providing a smoother user experience. This feature alone makes the device feel more premium than some of its competitors. Overall, the performance on the Xiaomi 12 Lite is solid, if not spectacular. While it may not be the most powerful phone in its class, it's still a capable performer that gets the job done without breaking a sweat.