Xiaomi 12 Pro in the first test: Many features with gaps
The Chinese manufacturer made it clear last year with the Mi 11 Ultra that Xiaomi can do absolute high-end. A successor ala Xiaomi 12 Ultra is still a long way off, but the 12 series presented for Germany offers the Xiaomi 12 Pro as a first for high-end top smartphones for this year.
Xiaomi 12 Pro: Prices for Germany
- Xiaomi 12 Pro (8/256GB): 1,050 euros
- Xiaomi 12 Pro (12/256GB): 1,150 euros
At first glance, there are hardly any gaps in the equipment. We took a closer look at the Xiaomi 12 Pro and in the first test we clarify how good the photo quality, workmanship and features of the new flagship are.
Xiaomi 12 Pro with dual speakers, unfortunately without water protection
Even if the 12 Pro weighs 205 grams no lightweight it’s so lies the smartphone does very good in hand. With its dimensions of 164 x 75 x 8 millimeters, it has a typical format for a display size of 6.7 inches. One matte glass back offers one very pleasant feel. The metal frame and camera unit are also matte for a consistent look.
Mobile phone protective cases for the Samsung Galaxy S22 series in the test
Xiaomi built it in again at the top and bottom of the frame two speakerswhose sound from Harman/Kardon has been matched. In order to the 12 Pro offers true stereo sound, including Dolby Atmos. What the sound quality is concerned, there is naturally also a lack of bass here. Compared to a Samsung S22 Ultra vocals on the 12 Pro lack presence. This moves somewhat into the background and is buried under the remaining instruments. However, the speakers can play loud. If you don’t like the out-of-the-box setting, you can tamper with the presets in the menu or optimize the equalizer.
It can’t really be due to the stereo speakers that Xiaomi with the 12 Pro on one Water and dust protection according to IP68 waived Has. In the Mi 11 Ultra, it was found despite these speakers. It’s a pity that we now have to do without this for a top-of-the-range phone with a price starting at 1,050 euros does not fit into the premium concept.
Latest generation OLED with light reserve and heart rate measurement
On the front of the Xiaomi 12 Pro is an OLED with a 6.7-inch diagonal. It is bent to the two long sides, whereby the Display edges are particularly narrow here stand out. Also, the screen comes with a very fine resolution of 1,440 x 3,200 pixels that leaves nothing to be desired. Also the contrasts and the Color rendering cut a good figure.
Also great: even under sun exposure is a good readability given, because the brightness of the OLED is at a high level. But the boost comes at first glance does not come close to the luminosity of an S22 Ultra – which, however, is unsurpassed. More details will be revealed by the test in the laboratory.
Of course, the 12 Pro offers a variable Display refresh rate between 1 and 120 Hz. This means that we are looking at a latest generation LTPO display, which allows the panel to be operated in a power-saving manner. A special feature is hidden behind the ins display integrated fingerprint sensor. This not only unlocks the device quickly and reliably, but can also measure heart rate. And that in comparison with a smartwatch even quite accurate.
Xiaomi 12 Pro: The currently most powerful Android smartphone?
Inside is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, currently the fastest Android chipset that a manufacturer can install. On top of that, our test smartphone is equipped with a whopping 12 GB of RAM, which leads to excellent overall performance. Menus and apps open smoothly and quickly, mobile gaming is not an issue in the highest settings. In the generic Performance Benchmarks like Antutu and Geekbench the 12 Pro performs excellently and outperforms both the Find X5 Pro and the S22 Ultra. Only Apple’s iPhone 13 Pro does even better. This makes the Xiaomi 12 Pro actually the fastest Android phone on the German market.
Benchmark test: Xiaomi 12 Pro vs. Oppo Find X5 Pro
- Antutu benchmark: 984,580 vs 748,728
- Geekbench Single Core: 1,215 vs 855
- Geekbench Multi-Core: 3,763 vs 3,353
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 2,586 vs 2,540
You get 256 GB of storage, of which you as a user 226 GB can prove. Xiaomi still preinstalls some apps like Amazon, Facebook, TikTok or Netflix, but you can of course delete them.
With the modern chipset you also get current connectivity, which includes dual SIM (with 5G), WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. The 12 Pro also has an infrared emitter to control a TV. For the icing on the cake, only E-SIM and ultra-wideband would have been necessary.
Three times 50 MP for good image quality: Xiaomi 12 Pro better than Oppo Find X5 Pro?
The camera equipment of the Xiaomi 12 Pro is easy to remember, it consists of three optics with a resolution of 50 megapixels each. The user is responsible for focal lengths Wide and ultra wide-angle lens and a 2x optical zoom to disposal. The equipment of the 12 Pro is similar to that of the Oppo Find X5 Pro.
Our first photo test shows that the wide angle of the Xiaomi 12 Pro with 50 megapixels photos with more details and drawing created than of Oppo X5 Pro. In fact, when compared to the 108MP optics of the S22 Ultra, the 12 Pro does quite well in bright light. Photos only turn out to be less contrasty than with Samsung and the S22 Ultra is a bit ahead when it comes to fine detailing.
the Ultra-wide-angle optics, on the other hand, cannot get past that of the X5 Pro in the first test. Despite the identical resolution, the Oppo takes better photos with more details. The same applies to the 2x zoom, where the X5 Pro also delivers the slightly better image. Our laboratory test will show more details.
Pressure refueling with up to 120 watts and many software features
Xiaomi goes all out when it comes to charging power. By included power supply you load the 12 Pro with record-breaking 120 watts in 18 minutes to 100 percent fully. Wireless are still 50 watts inside. Wireless power share offers the option to charge headphones or other smartphones on the back of the 12 Pro.
Our standardized runtime test will also show how good the battery life is. The capacity of the battery is with 4,600mAh but not huge for the energy-hungry chipset and for a top-of-the-line smartphone.
Xiaomi installed current Android 12 on the 12 Pro, along with the MIUI 13 interface. This looks modern out and offers lots features. There is a tidy Lite mode, a sidebar with quick access to the most important functions, and an app lock or second profile.
Xiaomi 12 Pro: First test conclusion
Without question, Xiaomi offers with the 12 Pro is an excellent top smartphone with massive performance and top equipment. The camera quality also seems to correspond to the price, but this will become apparent in the final test.
the lack of water protection is not a deal breaker for everyone, but in the upper class Nevertheless duty. Especially since the device for Price of 1,050 or 1,150 euros not cheap comes along and the competition (Galaxy S22, S22+ and S22 Ultra as well as Oppo Find X5 Pro and Find X5) all offer water protection.
In the upper class, updates are also becoming more and more important for a long service life. Samsung is considered the benchmark here and delivers monthly patches and four Android versions. Xiaomi can’t do that yet.
High-end competition has never been greater in the smartphone market. The 12 Pro has a tough competitive environment for its high price.