Xiaomi 12T review
Xiaomi's new high-end phone, the 12T, offers numerous upgrades over its predecessor, the 11T. The device boasts a premium mid-range design, featuring a high-end display, high-resolution camera, and blazing fast charging capabilities. The screen has been upgraded to a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, boasting a higher resolution than last year's model. However, the display has lost Gorilla Glass Victus protection, settling for Gorilla Glass 5 instead. The phone still looks great, with a sharp pixel density of 446 PPI and deep blacks. The camera setup includes a 108-megapixel main cam with OIS, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide cam, and a 2-megapixel macro cam. While the main camera takes solid images with plenty of detail and balanced dynamic range, the fine detail rendition is somewhat peculiar, especially when shooting in 108-megapixel mode. The phone's performance is driven by a customized high-end chipset, the Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra, which rivals Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 series chips in benchmarks. The device has a large 5,000mAh battery and supports fast charging at up to 120W, making it quick to top up with an endurance rating of 104 hours. While the phone's performance is solid, there are some drawbacks. The display lacks Dolby Vision support, and the selfie camera and macro camera are mediocre. However, for gamers, the device shines, offering excellent stability in thermal throttling tests and supporting high frame rate gaming. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T is a well-rounded upper mid-ranger that checks most boxes for potential buyers. While it may not be perfect, its balanced design, performance, and features make it an attractive option, especially considering its price point.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi 12T is the latest high-end phone from Xiaomi, boasting several upgrades over its predecessor, the 11T. In this review, we'll take a closer look at the build quality and design of this premium mid-ranger. One notable aspect of the 12T's design is its minimalist approach. The phone's frame is made of plastic, unlike its metal counterpart in the 11T series. This change makes the phone slightly heavier, tipping the scales at around 200 grams. However, the device still feels solid and premium in the hand. The glass back on the 12T has a curved design with a matte finish, which provides a comfortable grip. The phone's IP53 rating ensures protection against dust and light splashes. One notable difference from last year's model is the use of Gorilla Glass 5 instead of Gorilla Glass Victus, although this doesn't seem to have impacted the display quality. The Xiaomi 12T features a stunning 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen has a higher resolution than its predecessor, offering a sharp pixel density of 446 PPI. While not as durable as last year's model, the display still delivers great visuals, with deep blacks and accurate colors. In terms of design choices, Xiaomi opted for a square camera module, which gives the phone a sleek look. However, some may find it similar to the previous models. The overall build quality is solid, making this mid-range phone feel more premium than its price would suggest. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T's design and build quality are a significant improvement over last year's model. While not perfect, the phone feels sturdy in the hand, and the AMOLED display is a highlight of the device.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi 12T boasts an impressive large 5,000mAh battery, which is one of its standout features. While it may not be the longest-lasting battery in its class, it still manages to deliver decent endurance. In our proprietary tests, the 12T earned an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating that you can easily get a day and a half of use out of it. One of the key improvements over its predecessor is the upgrade to fast charging. The 12T now supports up to 120W charging, which is significantly faster than the 67W rate found on last year's model. With this new adapter, you can quickly top up your phone from 0 to 96% in just 30 minutes, or even reach full charge in a mere 23 minutes with the special boost charging mode enabled. The battery life itself is quite satisfactory, with our tests showing that it can easily last a full day, depending on your usage. The addition of fast charging takes away any concerns about running out of juice, and you'll be able to quickly top up whenever needed. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T's battery life is a major highlight, providing plenty of power for all-day use. Paired with its swift charging capabilities, this phone offers an excellent combination for those who want reliable performance without worrying about battery anxiety.
Display
The Xiaomi 12T boasts a stunning high-end display that sets it apart from its predecessor, the 11T. Measuring 6.67 inches, this AMOLED screen offers a crystal-clear resolution of 1220p, which is an upgrade over last year's model. The display's pixel density of 446 PPI provides exceptional sharpness and clarity. One notable improvement is the increase in brightness, with the Xiaomi 12T reaching a maximum of over 500 nits in manual mode and up to 950 nits in auto mode when exposed to sunlight. This makes it ideal for outdoor use and provides an excellent viewing experience even in bright conditions. The display's refresh rate has also been upgraded to 120Hz, making swiping and scrolling feel silky smooth and responsive. Additionally, the screen is adaptive, dialing down the refresh rate when idle to conserve energy. Support for high frame rate gaming is another notable feature of this display, ensuring that users can enjoy seamless gameplay experiences. A slight downgrade is the reduction from Gorilla Glass Victus protection on last year's model to Gorilla Glass 5 on the Xiaomi 12T. However, this change does little to detract from the overall quality and performance of the display. Color accuracy and support for HDR10+ are also notable features of this screen. While Dolby Vision is not available, the display still provides an excellent viewing experience with accurate colors, good contrast, and deep blacks. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T's display is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a high-end smartphone experience.
Camera
The camera system on the Xiaomi 12T is one of its most notable upgrades over the previous model. The main camera boasts a 108 megapixel sensor, which combines pixels nine to one to produce 12 megapixel images by default. These are solid in quality, with plenty of detail, lively colors, good contrast, and balanced dynamic range. However, there's an interesting anomaly when shooting in 108 megapixel mode - the photos have very soft edges and corners. This might be due to the way the camera handles high-resolution shots, but it's worth noting that this is a minor quibble in what is otherwise a strong showing from the main camera. Portrait photos taken with the main camera are particularly impressive, with good subject separation, well-exposed subjects, detailed, and colorful results. The 8 megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera is also commendable, providing some of the best quality in its class. Photos have plenty of detail, good sharpness, and a natural looking rendition. Unfortunately, the 2 megapixel macro camera is a letdown, especially considering it's a downgrade from the 5 megapixel tele-macro on last year's model. The photos are usable but lack detail, particularly in low-light conditions. Auto night mode processing on the main camera is great, producing images with enough detail, low noise, and good color saturation and dynamic range. One notable absence is auto night mode for the ultra-wide-angle camera, but this can be toggled on, resulting in photos with acceptable levels of detail, realistic exposure, nice looking colors, and good dynamic range. Selfies from the 20 megapixel front-facing camera are okay, with good exposure and nice skin tones, although there's a lack of detail. Video recording is also impressive, with the main camera capable of capturing footage up to 4K at 30fps with electronic stabilization always on. The quality is good, with plenty of resolved detail, balanced sharpening, nice colors, and contrast, as well as natural looking dynamic range in low-light conditions. The ultra-wide-angle camera is capped at 1080p resolution, but the quality is great for what it is - plenty of detail, a natural rendition, low noise, and good colors and contrast. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T's camera system is impressive, with a strong showing from the main camera and ultra-wide-angle camera, although the macro camera and selfie cam are less impressive.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi 12T is a premium mid-ranger that boasts impressive upgrades over its predecessor, the 11T. With a high-end display, high-res camera, and blazing fast charging, this phone is definitely worth considering. One of the standout features of the 12T is its price. At an affordable rate, it offers a great balance of performance and value. The phone's premium design, complete with a high-end AMOLED display and stereo speakers, feels solid in the hand and looks great. The inclusion of a 120Hz refresh rate and 1220p resolution adds to the device's appeal. In terms of pricing, the Xiaomi 12T offers excellent value for money. With its high-quality display, fast charging capabilities, and impressive performance from the Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra chipset, this phone is a great option for those looking for a reliable upper mid-ranger. While it may not be as powerful as some of the top flagships on the market, the Xiaomi 12T's performance is still right up there. The inclusion of a large 5,000mAh battery and support for high frame rate gaming make it an attractive option for gamers. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T is a well-rounded upper mid-ranger that offers great value for its price. With its impressive display, fast charging capabilities, and solid performance, this phone is definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a new device.
Performance
The Xiaomi 12T is a premium mid-ranger that packs a punch when it comes to performance. Powered by a customized high-end chipset, the Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra, this phone delivers exceptional raw performance, comparable to Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 series chips in benchmarks. In our testing, the Xiaomi 12T demonstrated excellent stability and thermal efficiency, making it a great choice for gamers. The device's performance is right up there with top flagships, and its custom chipset ensures that image processing and power efficiency are top-notch. The Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra, while similar to the regular Dimensity 8100, has some tweaks that set it apart from its predecessor. These enhancements contribute to a smoother overall experience, making this phone a serious contender in the mid-range market. One of the standout features of the Xiaomi 12T is its ability to handle demanding tasks and high-frame rate gaming with ease. The device's performance was consistent across all our tests, making it an excellent choice for those who want a seamless gaming experience without breaking the bank. While not as powerful as top-tier flagships, the Xiaomi 12T's performance is still impressive, making it a Flagship-killer worth considering. With its exceptional performance and feature set, this phone is sure to please even the most discerning users. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T's performance is a major highlight of this device, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a powerful mid-range smartphone without the hefty price tag of a flagship.