Xiaomi 12 Pro review : Analysis, Opinions, Characteristics and Price

We are going to do Xiaomi 12 Pro review, analysis, Characteristics and Price in this article.

Gone is the time when Xiaomi only sold cheap smartphones. For a few years, the Chinese company has opted to include terminals in its catalog that make a significant leap in performance, but which, in turn, also have a higher price. All this, to gain a foothold in the premium market and offer those loyal users of the brand an alternative to the iPhone that maintains the manufacturer’s differential characteristics. The Xiaomi 12 Pro , first announced in the Asian market and already available globally, is the Asian firm’s bet for this 2023.

Xiaomi’s new flagship plays in an increasingly extensive league. On the one hand, there is Apple with its iPhone 13 Pro Max. On the other, Samsung with its Galaxy S22 Plus and Galaxy S22 Ultra. A little further, the Google Pixel 6 Pro; and shyly peeking out, the Oppo Find X5 Pro. All of them, with a cost that exceeds – with the exception of the Pixel 6 Pro – the threshold of 1,000 euros. The Xiaomi 12 Pro can also be found for 1,000 euros. But what does the Chinese company offer to deal with all these models if it is no longer a differential point?

After testing it in depth, I have noticed several areas in which the Xiaomi 12 Pro stands out against the rest of its competition . They are sections that go beyond the processor, the configuration of the camera or the size of the resolution and screen, which although they also show off their chest, are not so different from those of any other mobile of the same price.

One of the differential features is the 120W fast charge . It is a much higher power than that offered by the main manufacturers. Xiaomi also includes the charger in the box. And not one of lower amperage, but the 120W one.
MIUI, and everything it offers , another important point. Xiaomi customization layer is popular for its features and customization options.
Your design . Although the company has maintained a line very similar to that of its competitors, there are some key points in which it stands out from the rest.

The important thing, in this case, is to know if these features that the Xiaomi 12 includes and not other smartphones are enough to position this model, not only as an option to consider in the premium range, but also as a worthy alternative to your competitors. All this, in addition, without neglecting the rest of the features related to the screen, performance or camera. But let’s go by parts.

Xiaomi 12 Pro Review: Performance and software: they go hand in hand

The Xiaomi 12 Pro arrives with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen. 1 processor and is accompanied, in this case, with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. At the level of results, there is hardly any news regarding smartphones that have exactly the same configuration. Qualcomm’s SoC does a very good job and offers excellent performance in most situations. Yes, it is true that I have noticed less ease when navigating the interface compared to other smartphones that have a lighter customization layer, such as the Oppo Find x5 Pro, but it is nothing dramatic, just small slowdowns in the animations when the device is executing some demanding task.

Another point in which I have also noticed a small difference compared to other smartphones that have a similar configuration is in temperature management. The Snapdragon 8 Gen. 1 is very powerful, and it is common for it to heat up when we play intensively, so manufacturers are betting on advanced cooling systems to try to dissipate all that heat that the processor accumulates. In this case, the Xiaomi 12 Pro has a cooling mechanism consisting of a vapor chamber and three layers of graphite sheet., which are responsible for reducing the interior temperature. The terminal does not heat up excessively, but it is common to notice how the back temperature changes slightly in those more powerful games or where the graphics are at maximum. Again, it is something that does not limit the user experience.

Regarding the software, the Xiaomi 12 Pro arrives with Android 12 under MIUI 13 , a very popular own interface for its different customization options and a multitude of additional settings. I’m a big fan of simple, minimalist customization layers, with no extra tweaks. However, I have to confess that the features of MIUI 13 have been very convincing to me.

The ability to intuitively activate floating windows or access recent apps through a side dock are very intuitive when performing productivity-related tasks. The ability to choose themes or customize some interface elements also help improve the user experience and create a more personalized device for the user. All this, in addition, without forgetting the privacy and security settings, many of them inherited from Android 12. The interface, yes, has the odd bug that, although it minimally hampers the experience, is something that is not expected to be seen in a premium range mobile . Luckily, it’s something that can be fixed with a software update.

The battery of the Xiaomi 12 Pro

What about battery life? The 4,600 mAh of this Xiaomi 12 do a good job when the use of the terminal is not excessively intensive, and allow up to a day of use without any problem. Of course, as long as we adjust some parameters, such as screen resolution or dark mode, which allows us to save some autonomy. With a very high screen configuration and more extreme use (games, mobile data, video playback) I will hardly be able to reach the end of the day with 20% battery.

The load of the Xiaomi 12 Pro, yes, is at another level. When I receive a smartphone or any other device to analyze, I tend to always —and practically unconsciously— go through the same ritual: open the box, take out the smartphone, turn it over to see its design and hold it to check its finishes and weight, turn it on and configure. While the setup process is ongoing, I check the accessories that are included in the box. Today, they are summed up in one component: the charging cable. But in this Xiaomi 12 it is different. The smartphone includes the charger in the box, a powerful 120W adapter. This allows you to charge 100% of the battery in just over 20 minutes. The charging time can also be reduced to around 15 minutes with an additional high-performance mode that can be activated from the interface.

Xiaomi has also not forgotten wireless charging , compatible with a maximum power of 55W. The Xiaomi 12 Pro, on the other hand, can also supply battery to accessories or other devices through a reversible charging mode .

An excellent screen to match a somewhat special design

The screen is also an important feature when playing games, navigating the interface or consuming multimedia content. In this case, Xiaomi has opted for a 6.73-inch AMOLED panel with QHD+ resolution , 3,200 x 1,440 pixels. It also includes LTPO technology, which allows the refresh rate to be adapted to vary from 1 to 120 Hz. For example, if the screen does not detect movement, it minimizes the refresh rate to 1 Hz. On the other hand, if the user scrolls or browse the interface, the refresh rate increases to 120 Hz.

In general, the panel of the Xiaomi 12 Pro is excellent. It has a brightness that allows you to enjoy the content even in full sunlight, very well calibrated colors and quite correct viewing angles. An important detail is that the terminal has a double curvature on the screen. I have to confess that I am not a big fan of this feature, despite the fact that it helps the design look much more “premium” and eye-catching. And it is that the curvature on the side tends to create a kind of shading when the screen reproduces a white background, which is somewhat annoying when dark mode is not activated. Fortunately, it does not harm when watching a movie or playing a game, but it is something easily avoidable if you opt for a flat screen. Especially considering that the curvature does not offer additional functions.

And speaking of the “premium” and striking aspect. The Xiaomi 12 Pro also has a lot to say in terms of design. In my opinion, it is not the prettiest smartphone, but it does have quality finishes, as well as a matte back – very matte – that has its pros and cons. As pros, the finish on the back is really smooth . It is as if it were velvety, but without neglecting the sensation of glass, very well achieved. In addition, it prevents fingerprints from being marked , something that is appreciated in a terminal with these materials.

How cons? Just one: It ‘s pretty slippery . The aluminum frames, also in a matte finish, help to better hold the terminal, but on a couple of occasions, such as when turning it to use it in vertical mode, I have had to deal with that little “heart attack” that comes when it slips of the hands However, the chassis of the device is quite resistant and does not give the feeling of being a fragile mobile at all.

The cameras of the Xiaomi 12 Pro

Focusing on the photographic section, Xiaomi has chosen to maintain a configuration very similar to the Xiaomi 11 Pro. This time, yes, with more powerful sensors. The main camera of the smartphone is equipped with a 50-megapixel Sony IMX707 sensor and an f/1.9 aperture. It is accompanied by a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, as well as a telephoto sensor of the same resolution capable of taking pictures with a 2x zoom in optical format. How do each of these sensors behave?

The primary sensor lives up to the rest of its competition, offering excellent results that stand out for the high level of detail and extremely precise focus. In fact, one of the most interesting features of the Xiaomi 12 Pro camera is the ability to fix the focus on a subject by double-tapping the screen. In this way, even if we change the distance or location, or the subject moves, it will remain in focus. At the level of color and exposure, it also does a very good job, maybe a little saturated for my taste, but nothing to worry about. Night photography, on the other hand, stands out in terms of quality, although if there is no good artificial lighting it loses a lot of color and detail. Night mode can also help improve exposure and capture brighter shots.

The ultra wide angle camera , as usual, loses that level of detail so characteristic of the main sensor. However, it manages to preserve a good exposure and colors very similar to those obtained with the wide-angle lens, something that is appreciated. Finally, the quality of the telephoto sensor hardly varies compared to the main camera. Good detail, correct colors and an angle that, in my opinion, is much more attractive than the rest of the sensors. I miss, yes, a little more scope in optical format. Above all, if we take into account that its competition offers, at least, a 3x zoom.

It is important to mention that the Xiaomi 12 pro allows you to record video in 8K with 24 fps , as well as in 4K with 60 Fps. In both cases, the video quality is very good, but the most advisable thing is to record in 4k / 60 fps format.

Is the Xiaomi 12 Pro worth it?

The Xiaomi 12 Pro goes on sale at a price of 999.99 euros in its version with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory. It is an expensive terminal, but its price is in line with its competition. The iPhone 13 Pro Max, for example, costs 1,259 euros; the Galaxy S22 +, 1,050 euros; and the Oppo Find X, 1,299 euros. The million dollar question: is it worth it?

I have to confess that I have really enjoyed using the Xiaomi 12 Pro . It is, without a doubt, one of the most balanced mobiles that currently exist, and it will delight, above all, those who are looking for a smartphone to play and consume multimedia content, but without neglecting the photographic section. All this, in addition, with a convincing design and a fast charge that is very welcome. Of course, you should keep in mind that where the Xiaomi 12 Pro is weakest is in autonomy. It is good, but not as good as other competing smartphones.

The Xiaomi 12 Pro is also an ideal option for those loyal users of the brand who are already familiar with MIUI or who have a device from the company’s ecosystem.

Now, we must not forget who this device competes with . The Samsung Galaxy S22+, for a similar price, is your direct Android alternative. Also with very powerful features and a photographic section practically identical to that of Xiaomi. The iPhone 13 Pro, on the other hand, is another of its main rivals. Again, very powerful features and, in my opinion, a better camera and battery. The Apple mobile, yes, costs about 260 euros more and can be a disposable option if you prefer not to use iOS.