Xiaomi 12S Ultra

Overview & Display

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra, launched in 2022, is a premium smartphone designed for those who appreciate top-tier hardware. Its display is a standout feature, utilizing a 6.73-inch LTPO2 AMOLED panel that delivers a crisp and immersive viewing experience. With support for 1 billion colors, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, visuals appear vivid and lifelike. The screen is incredibly bright, capable of hitting a peak brightness of 1500 nits, which means it remains perfectly legible even under harsh, direct sunlight. A 120Hz refresh rate ensures that scrolling through apps, browsing the web, and navigating the interface feel incredibly smooth and fluid. In terms of build, the device features a glass front made of tough Gorilla Glass Victus, an eco-leather back that provides a unique tactile feel and a secure grip, and a sturdy aluminum frame. It also comes with an IP68 rating, meaning it is dust-tight and water-resistant, giving you peace of mind against accidental spills or rain. Powering the smartphone is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. This chipset offers exceptional performance, ensuring that daily tasks, intensive multitasking, and demanding applications run effortlessly without any noticeable lag or stutter.

Camera & Battery

The photography system on the rear of the device is exceptionally robust, featuring a triple camera array. The main camera is a 50 megapixel sensor that utilizes a large 1.0-inch-type sensor to capture an immense amount of light for detailed photos. It includes advanced features like dual pixel PDAF and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) to keep shots sharp and reduce blur from shaky hands. Accompanying the main sensor is a 48 megapixel periscope telephoto lens that offers 5x optical zoom for capturing distant subjects clearly, along with a 48 megapixel ultrawide lens that captures a wide 128-degree field of view, ideal for landscapes or group shots. Video creators can record in ultra-high resolution, with capabilities reaching up to 8K at 24fps and 4K at up to 60fps, alongside impressive slow-motion options. For self-portraits and video calls, there is a 32 megapixel front-facing camera that records video at 1080p. Keeping everything running is a 4860 mAh battery, which offers a reliable 9.5 hours of screen-on time for mixed daily usage. Charging is quick and convenient, supporting 67W wired charging to get you back to full power rapidly, 50W wireless charging for cable-free convenience, and 10W reverse wireless charging to share power with other devices.

Who Should Buy This

This smartphone is an ideal match for mobile photography enthusiasts, content creators, and power users who require robust performance. The exceptional camera setup makes it perfect for capturing high-quality photos and videos on the go, while the powerful processor satisfies mobile gamers and professionals who need to run demanding applications smoothly. The large, vibrant display is excellent for media consumption, allowing users to enjoy movies and streaming content with cinematic quality. However, potential buyers should be mindful of certain design choices. The phone is quite large and heavy, weighing 225 grams, which might feel cumbersome during extended one-handed use. Additionally, users looking for legacy connectivity or storage flexibility will need to adapt, as the device does not feature a 3.5mm headphone jack and lacks a card slot for expandable storage. This means you will need to rely on wireless audio solutions and manage the internal storage space carefully over time. It is best suited for those who prioritize cutting-edge camera capabilities and raw processing power, and who are comfortable adapting to a modern, port-free audio and non-expandable storage ecosystem.

Pros

• Large, bright AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

• Advanced triple camera system with a large main sensor and 5x optical zoom.

• High-performance processor handles heavy multitasking and gaming easily.

• Durable build with Gorilla Glass Victus and IP68 water resistance.

• Fast wired and wireless charging options with good battery endurance.

Cons

• The device is heavy and bulky, making one-handed operation difficult.

• No 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio users.

• Lacks a card slot for expanding the internal storage.

Verdict

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is a powerful, camera-centric smartphone that excels in capturing professional-grade visuals and delivering smooth performance. It is a fantastic choice for photography lovers and tech enthusiasts who want a premium display and top-tier processing capabilities. While it carries drawbacks like a heavy body and lack of expandable storage, its hardware strengths make it a compelling option for power users.