Review and comparison of Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro

Not so long ago, Xiaomi began selling its new 12-series smartphones in the T.

The devices are called Xiaomi 12T and Xiaomi 12T Pro.

Their positioning is as follows: pre-top devices with chips of flagship models, but in a simpler version (design, materials).

Of course, the 12T Pro stands out here fordue to the fact that it uses a 200 MP main camera. I was very interested to see what it is, how well it shoots, and in general - whether it is worth introducing such multi-pixel cameras into smartphones. Looking ahead, I will say that it is very worth it! But not everything is so clear.

The internal content of Xiaomi 12T Pro is more than attractive:

Snapdragon 8+ Gen1
12 GB RAM
5000 mAh
120Hz AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision support

As for the price, to my surprise, it is the most reasonable for the Russian market - from 51,000 rubles.

If we are talking about the Xiaomi 12T model, then itnot much different from the older “brother”: the Qualcomm SoC was replaced with a MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Ultra chip, the RAM was reduced (8 GB), the main camera “threw off” half of the megapixels (108 MP), the Harman Kardon stereo speakers were replaced with the usual two speakers. There are other little things that I will talk about in this material.

The price for Xiaomi 12T is no less adequate and starts at 41,000 rubles.

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Specifications
Contents of delivery
Appearance
Elements
Displays
Working hours
Connection
Memory, processor and performance
Cameras
About sound
Impression

Specifications

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
Dimensions	163 x 76 x 8.6mm	163.2 x 75 x 9.1mm
Weight	202 grams	225 grams
Screen	6.67 inches AMOLED DotDisplay 2712×1220 dots, 120 Hz 480Hz touch frequency Corning Gorilla Glass 5 HDR10+	6.67 inches AMOLED DotDisplay 2712×1220 dots, 120 Hz 480Hz touch frequency Corning Gorilla Glass 5 HDR10+ Dolby Vision
CPU	Dimensity 8100-Ultra 5 nm Mali-G610 MC6	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 4 nm Adreno 730
Memory	8 GB + 128 GB 8 GB + 256 GB LPDDR5 + UFS 3.1	8 GB + 128 GB 12 GB + 256 GB LPDDR5 + UFS 3.1
Cameras	108 MP main (matrix 1/1.67″), f/1.7, OIS 8 MP wide, f/2.2 2 MP macro, f/2.4 20 MP selfie, f/2.24	200 MP main (matrix 1/1.22″), f/1.69, OIS 8 MP wide, f/2.2 2 MP macro, f/2.4 20 MP selfie, f/2.24
Battery	5000 mAh 120W power adapter	5000 mAh 120W power adapter
Speakers	Stereo (Dolby Atmos)	Stereo (Harman Kardon)
Protection	IP53	IP53
IR port	there is	there is
Wi-Fi	Version 6 2×2 MIMO	Version 6 2×2 MIMO
Bluetooth	5.3	5.2
NFC	there is	there is
5G	n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n40/n41/n66/n77/n78	n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n40/n41/n66/n77/n78/n75
4G	B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/ 12/13/17/18/19/ 20/26/28/32/66	B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/ 12/13/17/18/19/ 20/25/26/28/32/66
satellite positioning	GPS (L1+L5), A-GPS, GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)	GPS (L1+L5), A-GPS, GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), NavIC (L5)
Colors	Blue, silver and black	Blue, silver and black
Price	~ 41 000 rubles ~ 46 000 rubles	~ 51,000 rubles ~ 58 000 rubles

Contents of delivery

Smartphone (12T packed in paper, 12T Pro in a plastic bag)
USB cable
Power adapter (120 W labeled in different places and in different font)
Silicone Case
Instruction
Warranty card

Appearance

The design of new products can be called calm. There are no fanciful elements, screens, "waterfalls" and other tinsel. Let's put it this way: work tools with decent looks.

The front sides are flat (thanks, Xiaomi,cheered up), the back parts are slightly sloping - we also approve of this. The material covering the screen is Corning Gorilla Glass 5, the back covers are some kind of glass, no details. But the side faces are made of plastic. This is to the question of why the flagship models have metal and more advanced versions of Corning.

Both devices are sold in three colors: black, blue and silver. Naturally, they didn’t give me all the colors, but the 12T is in blue, and the 12T Pro is in black.

There are no purely tactile differences. The gadget in black is matte, and the gadget in blue is semi-glossy, playing a little in the light. The frames are made in the same way.

How easy is it to distinguish the devices?I think that according to the design of the camera block. In Xiaomi 12T Pro, the lens extends quite impressively, and the rest of the modules are lower on the “step”. Xiaomi 12T has a flat block, all lenses are on the same level.

The devices are easy to handle, although they are about 75 mm wide.

Oleophobic coating of excellent quality, prints almost do not appear on the surface of the glass. The back side needs to be cleaned periodically.

In summary: as I said earlier, the devices are made in a calm design, the ergonomics are good, the materials are not premium, but of high quality.

Elements

It’s worth starting with the fact that the arrangement of elements on the Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro cases is exactly the same.

On frontal parts:

Small selfie camera. Doesn't distract at all.
Speaker. The volume is high, the stock is present. Purely subjective on the 12T Pro, the timbre is more pleasant, with deeper low frequencies.
Light sensor and proximity.

Bottom:

Slot for two SIM cards.
Main microphone.
USB Type-C
Main speaker.

On right:

Power button. Thin, with minimal travel, medium stiffness. On the Xiaomi 12T Pro, it is pressed with greater tactile feedback.
Volume control. One solid key. The parameters are similar to the power button.

Above:

IR transmitter
The second microphone for noise reduction during a call, stereo sound recording.
Second speaker. Forms stereo together with the main speaker.

FROM reverse sides:

Main camera.
Wide angle camera.
macro camera.
Flash. Two LEDs of different glow temperature.

Displays

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
Screen	6.67 inches AMOLED DotDisplay 2712×1220 dots, 120 Hz 480Hz touch frequency Corning Gorilla Glass 5 HDR10+	6.67 inches AMOLED DotDisplay 2712×1220 dots, 120 Hz 480Hz touch frequency Corning Gorilla Glass 5 HDR10+ Dolby Vision

In fact, all the parameters are in front of your eyes. Everything is clear and understandable.

Separately, it should be said that PWM is here at 1920 Hz. Checking the ripple factor:

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
Ripple factor. Within the range from 10% to 100% of the brightness of the matrix	4% - 18% And it's uneven. For example, with a matrix brightness of 50%, the CP can be 10%. With NM 100% - CP 18%.	4% - 15%

In general, in simple words, the PWM is small, it is quite possible to use devices at any matrix brightness.

Measuring brightness:

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
Brightness	Auto - 760 nits Manual - 740 nits HDR - 1400 nits	Auto - 790 nits Manual - 730 nits HDR - 1400 nits

Something like that. Essentially, there is no difference. The main thing is that the peak brightness is equally high.

The HDR Test program tells us that:

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
HDR10	Supports	Supports
HDR Dolby Vision	Do not support	Supports
HDR HLG	Supports	Supports

I did not measure color spaces. Here only a professional will understand the essence and meaning of all these triangles. Well, by eye, no one will ever distinguish even 90% DCI-P3 from 100% DCI-P3.

AOD mode is present on both models. Full-fledged, that is, it glows constantly or on schedule. In some models, it lights up only for a while.

Total: the average user will not notice a big difference, but if you are chasing a “topchik”, then Xiaomi 12T Pro will be more interesting.

Working hours

In this case, I again reduced all the necessary data to a table for easy reading:

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
Capacity, mAh	5000	5000
Power adapter, W	120	120
Video playback time at maximum brightness (~750 nits), hours	30	25
Operating time in games at maximum brightness, hours	17	6.5
Average glow time at automatic brightness, hours	7-8	4.5-5.5
Android PC Mark test, watch	7.5	7
Charging time from 0% to 100%, in minutes	~20	~20
Wireless charger	Missing	Missing

Separately, it should be said that Xiaomi 12T Proconsumes energy as if not in itself. The difference in heavy tests is almost double compared to Xiaomi 12T. After all the benchmarks, the 12T Pro battery showed 20%, and the 12T battery showed 40%.

By the way, I found this on the official sitecomment: "After 800 charge cycles, the battery capacity will be 80%." Considering that the 12T Pro is discharged quickly and will need to be charged twice a day, in about a year the manufacturer “promises” us 80% of the battery charge. Here's a 120W power adapter for you.

I think the problem is that gadgets have one battery, not two, as is usually the case for similar devices with fast charging.

The Xiaomi 12T is generally indifferent to the type of load. It discharges equally slowly.

Connection

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
5G	n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/ n28/n38/n40/n41/n66/ n77/n78 NSA+SA	n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/ n38/n40/n41/n66/ n77/n78/n75 NSA+SA
4G	B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/ 13/17/18/19/20/ 26/28/32/66	B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/ 13/17/18/19/20/25/ 26/28/32/66
3G	B1/2/4/5/6/8/19	B1/2/4/5/6/8/19
2G	850/900/1800/1900 MHz	850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Wi-Fi	WiFi 4, WiFi 5, WiFi 6 2.4GHz / 5GHz 2×2 MIMO	WiFi 4, WiFi 5, WiFi 6 2.4GHz / 5GHz 2×2 MIMO, 8X8 Sounding for MU-MIMO
Bluetooth	5.3	5.2
Satellite connection	GPS: L1+L5 Galileo: E1+E5a GLONASS: G1 Beidou NavIC: L5 QZSS L1+L5	GPS: L1+L5 Galileo: E1+E5a GLONASS: G1 Beidou NavIC: L5
VoLTE and VoWi-Fi	there is	there is
eSIM	Not	there is
Call recording	there is	there is

In my opinion, the devices behave the same way. No connection problems. It is strange that the younger version of Bluetooth has 5.3, while the older version has 5.2.

Both devices can record phone calls.The voices are saved: both yours and the interlocutor. True, during a call, for some reason, you need to swipe to the right to get to the screen with the call recording button. Unintuitive and uncomfortable.

Memory, processor and performance

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
Memory	8 GB + 128 GB 8 GB + 256 GB LPDDR5 + UFS 3.1	8 GB + 128 GB 12 GB + 256 GB LPDDR5 + UFS 3.1

As you can see, the Xiaomi 12T Pro smartphone can be bought with a decent amount of RAM. I only had the 8 GB version on hand. Below is a RAM speed test table:

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
Speed 8 GB RAM, MB/s	8500	8600

We make the following conclusion:Xiaomi used, in fact, the same RAM for different devices; the speed is extremely low for such gadgets. I am sure that 12 GB of RAM will have a speed no higher. Weird.

Built-in memory for 12T Pro could be more than 256 GB. After all, it uses a 200 MP camera, and the video can be saved as 8K.

	Xiaomi 12T (256 GB)	Xiaomi 12T Pro (128 GB)
Built-in memory speed, read/write, MB/s	1079 / 663	1540 / 390

Built-in memory of smartphones is fast.Xiaomi 12T has a higher write speed, while Xiaomi 12T Pro has a higher read speed. It's hard to say which is better. Logically, reading is better. But it depends on the experience of using the phone.

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
CPU	Dimensity 8100-Ultra 5 nm Mali-G610	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 4 nm Adreno 730

This is my first time encountering a Dimensity processor8100-Ultra. As far as I understand, the SoC was made to order specifically for Xiaomi 12T under the Dimensity 5G program: when the processor manufacturer collaborates with the smartphone manufacturer in order to develop the optimal chip installed in a particular gadget. This is done mainly for the correct operation of cameras, image processing, and so on.

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The chipset is built on a 5 nm process technology, has 8 cores (4 × 2.85 GHz ARM Cortex-A78, 4 × 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex-A55), Mali-G610 is responsible for the graphics.

The Xiaomi 12T Pro processor is a classic.Here 4 nm process technology, 8 cores (1 x Cortex-X2 3200 MHz, 3 x Cortex-A710 2800 MHz, 4 x Cortex-A510 2000 MHz) and Adreno 730 graphics. smartphone in 2022: Asus Rog Phone 6, Huawei Mate 50 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip/Fold 4, vivo X Fold+ and so on.

Pivot table:

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
Antutu test, points	841 450	1 040 186
Geekbench test	778 Single 3251 Multi 3170 Compute	753 Single 3349 Multi 4673
Throttling	Not	Yes, unstable and quite strong
Housing heating, in degrees Celsius	up to 40	Up to 45

With games, it’s clear that everything is fine: PUBG on Xiaomi 12T Pro shows 50-60 fps, and Xiaomi 12T is about 40-45 fps. In Genshin Impact, the 12T smartphone produces 30-50 fps, and the 12T Pro 40-60.

In my opinion, in short, QualcommSnapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is similar to Snapdragon 888, only with even higher performance. What I mean: rushing through, throttling, heated like a stove, but gives the result without compromise.

The Dimensity 8100-Ultra processor is just an amazing discovery for me. Almost does not heat up, the performance is quite high, there is no throttling.

Cameras

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
Cameras	108 MP main (matrix 1/1.67″), f/1.7, OIS 8 MP wide, f/2.2 2 MP macro, f/2.4 20 MP selfie, f/2.24	200 MP main (matrix 1/1.22″), f/1.69, OIS 8 MP wide, f/2.2 2 MP macro, f/2.4 20 MP selfie, f/2.24

Since we have a review-comparison of two smartphones, and not a review of the photo part of these gadgets, in this paragraph I will not touch on the cameras in great detail.

Frankly, I expected pure marketing from 200 MP. But after testing Xiaomi 12T Pro came to the conclusion that such devices can do without zoom lenses. At least without 2X-3X magnification.

The bottom line is that even with a more or less adequate lighting level of 200 MP, the frame can be “cropped” so that you end up with an 8 MP - 12 MP shot with a decent approximation.

It is clear that physics cannot be deceived:under insufficient lighting conditions, artifacts and noise will still come out, which will reduce the magnification when cropping the image. As practice has shown, with Xiaomi 12T Pro, such a frame is obtained only in the dark.

When comparing pictures of Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro, I decidedso: if you do not use the original resolution of the modules, then the photos almost do not differ from each other. Therefore, it is necessary to take shots exclusively at 108 MP and 200 MP. That's when the difference is visible. And the funny thing is that not always in favor of 12T Pro! I don’t know how it happened, but some shots at 12T turned out clearer and sharper. There is a suspicion that software and AI in these devices work differently. Pay attention to the inscriptions: 12T frames are often easy to read, and some letters merge on 12T Pro shots. I think that artificial intelligence in 12T turned out to be “smarter”.

When shooting in the dark, it is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of who shoots better. But, as a rule, Xiaomi 12T Pro shots are a little more detailed and there is more information in the light areas.

Top left - image in low original quality, top right - 5X digital zoom, bottom left - 10X digital zoom, bottom right - 100% zoom 200 MP image.

If you are interested, I will separately review the Xiaomi 12T and 12T Pro camera modules.

Other cameras of these devices are the same andfrankly weak. You can understand - they saved money, and why compete with flagship devices. Throw in 12T Pro and 200 MP, and a zoom lens, and a cool "wide" - what would be the point of taking Xiaomi 12S / 12S Ultra / 12 Pro?

Video is better shot by Xiaomi 12T Pro. Here you have 8K, and 4K at 60 fps, and a wider dynamic range. He shoots as if on a film camera with digitization. Well, HDR is a little more interesting.

Front cameras can write FullHD HDR 30 fpsand regular FullHD video at 60 fps. I liked the quality. I wanted to write, they say, for 4K, buy a flagship, but it turned out that neither 12S Ultra nor 12 Pro can write 4K selfies.

Total:At the moment, I can't say that the 12T Pro with 200MP shoots better than the 12T with 108MP. Somewhere one apparatus breaks ahead, somewhere another. I think it's the algorithms. No wonder MediaTek made the 8100-Ultra processor specifically for Xiaomi 12T. Or maybe the manufacturer did not highlight Xiaomi 12T Pro much: if it is much cooler, then why take Xiaomi 12, 12X, 12 Pro, 12T and so on.

Sample photos on Xiaomi 12T

Sample photos on Xiaomi 12T Pro

Original photos of both devices (zip, 346 MB)
Original crop photos (zip, 17 MB)

Video examples on Xiaomi 12T:

Sample video (MP4, 52 MB)
Sample video (MP4, 45 MB)
Sample video (MP4, 113 MB)
Sample video (MP4, 178 MB)
Sample video (MP4, 13 MB)

Video examples on Xiaomi 12T Pro:

Sample video (MP4, 48 MB)
Sample video (MP4, 33 MB)
Sample video (MP4, 150 MB)
Sample video (MP4, 220 MB)
Sample video (MP4, 18 MB)
Sample 8K video (MP4, 375 MB)

About sound

The press release says that Xiaomi 12T hasstereo speakers with Dolby settings. But in the materials about Xiaomi 12T Pro it is said that the speakers are developed under the strict guidance of Harman Kardon. If someone is not in the know, then there is no JBL or HK in the Russian Federation.

Purely by ear, the 12T speakers play more interesting: a little more bass, the sound is open. In terms of volume, parity with 12T Pro. Here's Harman Kardon for you!

Both devices support all possible modern Bluetooth audio codecs: aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX TWS +, aptXHD, LDAC, LHDC, and AAC with SBC.

Impression

Xiaomi marketers and developers should be given their due: they know how to make smartphones so that you still make a choice in favor of this or that device.

	Xiaomi 12T	Xiaomi 12T Pro
pros	+ Excellent processor: high performance, no throttling, low heat + Great main camera, better than the 12T Pro in some ways + Fast built-in memory + Excellent autonomy + Record telephone conversations + Optimal price	+ Powerful processor: unrealistic performance + Curious 200 MP main camera + Shooting video in 8K, 4K at 60 fps + Excellent screen matrix: very high peak brightness, almost no PWM + Record telephone + Adequate cost
Minuses	I have no particular complaints!	- Processor throttling - The body heats up to 45 degrees Celsius - Not always predictable photos at 200 MP - Average autonomy (compared to 12T)

It seems to me that the choice should be approached approximatelyso: if you need a top-end smartphone from a technical point of view, then look towards Xiaomi 12T Pro. If you don't need 1 million points in Antutu, you are quite happy with the 108 MP camera, and autonomy is not in last place, then Xiaomi 12T is your candidate.

Prices for new items, surprisingly, are extremely pleasant for the Russian market. Let me remind you: 12T - from 41,000 rubles, 12T Pro - from 51,000 rubles.

I'm waiting for you in the comments: which smartphone seemed more interesting to you and why?

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