Xiaomi 12S UltravsXiaomi Mix Flip

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

Xiaomi Mix Flip

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is a dual-camera powerhouse that boasts impressive specs, but its performance is uneven. The phone's main camera, backed by Leica's color science, delivers stunning results with rich and cinematic shots. However, the ultrawide camera struggles to produce accurate colors, particularly when switching between modes. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S series, although not as strong in the main camera department, excels with its ultrawide and zoom cameras. The overall color science of the Samsung phone is also more pleasing, especially when capturing skin tones. Battery life is another area where both phones shine. Despite having a slightly lower battery capacity, Xiaomi's 12S Ultra manages to keep up with Samsung's power-hungry device, thanks to its more efficient chip. Wireless charging speeds are also significantly faster on the Xiaomi phone, making it a clear winner in this department. Charging times and software features further sway the balance towards Xiaomi. The company's battery management software is intuitive and helpful, while its charging capabilities outpace those of Samsung. Ultimately, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is a capable camera phone that edges ahead in some areas but lags behind in others. If you prioritize photography, this phone may be worth considering, but if other features like battery life, charging speed, or software are more important to you, Samsung's offerings might still take the cake. Both phones have their strengths and weaknesses. While Xiaomi takes the lead in some areas, Samsung excels in others. The decision ultimately comes down to your personal priorities.

Xiaomi Mix Flip

The Xiaomi Mix Flip is a significant addition to the flip phone market, offering a high-end design, impressive feature set, and excellent camera performance. The device's folding mechanism allows for a compact form factor while still providing access to an external display, which serves as a useful secondary screen. The phone's design is notable for its sleek and polished finish, with rounded edges on the back panels creating a subtle "M" shape when unfolded. However, it falls short in terms of ingress protection, lacking any official water or dust resistance. Under the hood, the Mix Flip packs a punch with Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen3 chipset, providing excellent performance in benchmarks. The device's thermal management is somewhat lacking, causing heavy throttling during prolonged CPU stress tests and gaming. Battery life is respectable, with nearly 12 hours of active use time, although charging times are a bit lengthy. The camera setup is one of the Mix Flip's standout features, boasting a 50-megapixel main camera paired with a two-time telephoto lens. Photos taken in daylight conditions exhibit excellent detail, contrast, and color accuracy, while nighttime shots show improved exposure, dynamic range, and low noise. The telephoto camera also produces detailed and natural-looking images. Overall, the Xiaomi Mix Flip is a solid offering that checks many boxes for potential buyers, but its thermal management issues and lack of ingress protection may be deal-breakers for some. If you're willing to overlook these drawbacks, this device might be an excellent choice for those seeking a high-end flip phone experience.