Xiaomi 12T Pro review

The Xiaomi 12T Pro is a new premium phone that boasts one of the highest-resolution cameras we've seen yet. This camera system is led by a 200-megapixel main camera, which can produce 12.5-megapixel photos by default. These images are excellent, with good detail, low noise, and vibrant colors. The phone also features Qualcomm's latest chipset, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, which provides smooth performance and great gaming capabilities. The display is a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1220p resolution, making it one of the sharpest we've seen. Battery life is solid but not class-leading, despite the large 5,000mAh battery. However, charging speed is incredibly fast thanks to the 120W adapter included in the box. Video recording capabilities are also impressive, with support for up to 8K resolution at 24fps. The phone's design is elegant but not eye-catching, with a glass back and a square camera bump. The frame is made of plastic, which feels nicely balanced and solid in hand. While it doesn't have full waterproofing, it does have an IP53 rating against dust and light splashes. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T Pro offers a well-rounded package with great performance, display, camera, and charging capabilities, all for less money than top flagships. While there are some minor shortcomings, such as the lack of wireless charging or an IP68 rating, it's hard to complain at this price point. The phone earns our full recommendation.

Build Quality and Design

The Xiaomi 12T Pro is a premium smartphone that boasts an impressive array of features, including one of the highest-resolution cameras available. However, it's not just the camera capabilities that make this phone stand out - its build quality and design are also noteworthy. Physically, the phone has a sleek and elegant look, with a glass back that provides a premium feel in the hand. The square camera bump may not be to everyone's taste, but it adds to the phone's overall aesthetic. While some might find the design a bit subdued, I think it's perfect for those who value practicality over flashy looks. One aspect where the 12T Pro falls short is its use of plastic for the frame, rather than metal. This decision may seem unusual, but it actually makes the phone feel nicely balanced and sturdy in the hand. The weight distribution is also excellent, making it easy to hold and maneuver. In terms of IP rating, the Xiaomi 12T Pro has an IP53 rating, which means it's not fully waterproof but can withstand dust and light splashes on the front screen. While this may be a drawback for some, I think it's a fair trade-off considering the phone's overall performance and features. Overall, the build quality and design of the Xiaomi 12T Pro are impressive, with a premium feel that justifies its mid-range price tag. If you're looking for a solid smartphone with great camera capabilities, this phone is definitely worth considering. Just be aware that it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive flagships.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 12T Pro boasts a large 5,000mAh power battery, which is a welcome feature in today's fast-paced world where devices are constantly being used for extended periods. However, despite its size, the phone's battery life is not quite as impressive as one would expect. In our proprietary tests, the 12T Pro managed to achieve a 91 hour endurance rating, which is decent but not outstanding. While it's not surprising that the phone doesn't have class-leading battery life given its high-performance hardware, it's still a bit disappointing considering the size of the power pack. That being said, the charging speed on the other hand is incredibly fast, thanks to the 120W adapter that comes in the box. We were able to charge the phone from zero to one hundred percent in just 30 minutes, which is truly impressive. And if you enable the special boost charging mode, you can reach full capacity in a whopping 23 minutes. Despite the slightly underwhelming battery life, the fast charging capabilities of the Xiaomi 12T Pro are a major plus point. It's great to see that Xiaomi has prioritized convenience and speed when it comes to powering up the phone. Overall, while the battery life may not be spectacular, the 12T Pro's rapid charging capabilities make up for it somewhat.

Display

The Xiaomi 12T Pro boasts a stunning display that is sure to impress. The 6.67-inch AMOLED screen is a treat for the eyes, with a resolution of 1220p (or 446 PPI) and a refresh rate of 120Hz. This results in incredibly smooth scrolling and swiping, making it perfect for gaming or general use. The display's color accuracy is also noteworthy, with vibrant colors that can be fine-tuned to suit individual preferences. With HDR10+ support and Dolby Vision capabilities, the screen is capable of delivering an exceptional viewing experience. The brightness levels are equally impressive, reaching a maximum of over 500 nits in manual mode and up to 900 nits in auto mode. One notable feature of the display is its ability to dial down its refresh rate to as low as 30Hz (or 60Hz in our tests) to save energy. While not as adaptive as some top-tier flagships, this still makes for a great compromise between performance and power efficiency. The display also houses an under-display fingerprint reader, which is quick and responsive. This adds to the overall premium feel of the device. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T Pro's display is a standout feature that elevates the phone from being just another high-end device to something truly special. While not perfect, it offers a great balance of performance, power efficiency, and features, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a premium display experience.

Camera

The camera system on the Xiaomi 12T Pro is undoubtedly its crown jewel. Boasting a 200-megapixel main camera, which is among the highest resolutions found in any smartphone to date, this device is poised to deliver unparalleled imaging capabilities. In our testing, we found that the 200-megapixel main camera consistently produced images with exceptional detail and clarity. The amount of information captured by this sensor is staggering, with even minor details and textures rendered with remarkable fidelity. Noise levels are also impressively low, while colors appear vibrant and true to life. One notable feature of the main camera is its ability to bin pixels 16:1 to produce 12.5-megapixel photos by default. This results in images that not only retain an impressive level of detail but also exhibit a natural-looking rendition with minimal noise. The dynamic range, too, is wide and impressive, making it ideal for capturing a broad spectrum of tonal values. One potential drawback of the main camera is its inability to produce meaningful improvements in image quality when shooting at full 200 megapixels. While this does result in some additional sharpening and a massive file size, we didn't notice any significant gains in terms of detail or overall image quality. The ultra-wide-angle camera on the 12T Pro takes an 8-megapixel photo, which while decent, is somewhat lacking in comparison to more expensive flagships. The images exhibit a mid-range level of quality, with adequate detail and some slight softness towards the edges. The colors are warmer and more saturated than those captured by the main camera. In low-light conditions, the 12T Pro's main camera excels, applying night mode processing to produce excellent results. These shots have brightened exposure, saturated colors, and impressive detail retention – although there is some added sharpening. In contrast, ultra-wide-angle images from the same scene appear somewhat darker, noisier, and softer. The macro camera on the 12T Pro, while underwhelming, does allow for some decent close-up shots in well-lit conditions. However, its lack of autofocus makes it less reliable than other cameras with this feature. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T Pro's camera system is a powerhouse that delivers exceptional results in a variety of shooting scenarios. While there may be some minor drawbacks to certain aspects of its performance, we believe that this camera is one of the best on any smartphone currently available – and an excellent reason to consider purchasing this device.

Price and Value

The Xiaomi 12T Pro is a premium phone that boasts impressive specs at an affordable price point. The device's design is elegant but unassuming, with a glass back and square camera bump that won't turn heads, but still looks solid. One of the standout features of the 12T Pro is its display. A 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1220p (446 PPI) provides excellent contrast, color accuracy, and brightness. The screen also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for an immersive viewing experience. Under the hood, the phone is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which delivers smooth performance and great gaming capabilities. The device has a large 5,000mAh battery that provides solid but not exceptional battery life, with our tests yielding 91 hours of endurance rating. The camera setup on the 12T Pro is one of its strongest points, featuring a 200-megapixel main camera that takes excellent photos in good light. The Ultra-wide and Macro cameras also perform well, although they don't quite match the quality of more expensive flagships. Considering its impressive specs and features, the Xiaomi 12T Pro offers incredible value for money. Priced similarly to budget flagships, it packs a punch that's usually reserved for premium devices. While there are some minor compromises – like the lack of wireless charging or an IP68 rating – the 12T Pro is an excellent choice for those seeking a high-performance phone without breaking the bank. In conclusion, the Xiaomi 12T Pro offers exceptional value for its price. It delivers impressive performance, great displays, and solid cameras, making it a top contender in the mid-range market. While there may be some minor trade-offs, the overall package is well-rounded and appealing.

Performance

The Xiaomi 12T Pro is a powerhouse of a phone, boasting some of the most impressive specs in its class. At the heart of this device lies Qualcomm's latest and greatest chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1. As expected, it delivers benchmark scores that are among the highest on an Android phone right now. In real-world use, the performance is equally impressive, offering a smooth and snappy UI experience. Whether you're gaming, switching between apps, or simply navigating through menus, the Xiaomi 12T Pro's processor handles everything with ease. The 5,000mAh battery provides ample power for all your daily needs, and while it may not last as long as some other flagships, it still manages a respectable 91-hour endurance rating in our tests. However, what truly sets this phone apart is its rapid charging capabilities. With the included 120W adapter, you can go from zero to one hundred percent in just 30 minutes. The performance is further complemented by the device's efficient cooling system, which helps keep the processor at a safe temperature even during intense gaming sessions or extended use. While some users may be tempted to upgrade to more expensive flagships with advanced features like wireless charging and IP68 ratings, the Xiaomi 12T Pro offers an impressive package for its price. With its lightning-fast performance, large battery, and rapid charging capabilities, it's hard to deny this phone as a solid choice for anyone seeking a high-end experience without breaking the bank. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T Pro delivers on its promise of exceptional performance, making it a top contender in its class.

Pros

1. Exceptional Camera: The 200MP main camera produces stunning images with great detail, vibrant colors, and low noise.

2. Fast Charging: The phone's 120W fast charging capability is incredibly quick, allowing you to charge the device from zero to 100% in just 30 minutes.

3. Great Display: The 6.67-inch AMOLED display offers a sharp 446 PPI resolution, HDR10+ support, and a maximum brightness of over 500 nits.

4. Smooth Performance: The phone's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset ensures seamless performance and great gaming experience.

5. Good Battery Life: While not exceptional, the battery life is decent, with a 91-hour endurance rating in our tests.

6. Stereo Speakers: The phone's stereo speakers with Harman Kardon sound and Dolby Atmos support deliver great audio quality.

Cons

1. No Wireless Charging: The Xiaomi 12T Pro does not offer wireless charging, which might be a drawback for some users.

2. Limited IP Rating: The phone has a limited IP rating (IP67) that may not provide adequate protection against water and dust exposure.

3. Underwhelming Macro Camera: The 2MP macro camera is underwhelming, with no autofocus feature and poor low-light performance.

4. No Wireless Headphones Support: Like some other Xiaomi phones, the 12T Pro does not support wireless headphones out of the box.

FAQ