Xiaomi unveils Xiaomi 12 Series in Mainland China
Xiaomi launched its latest flagship, the Xiaomi 12 Series, in Mainland China. Starting from this series, Xiaomi flagships will now feature models available in two sizes. Powered by the latest Snapdragon® 8 Gen 1, Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro feature industry-leading DisplayMate A+ OLED displays and powerful imaging capabilities.
MIUI 13 is also launched with new advancements in connectivity and additions to Xiaomi’s AIoT portfolio.
Flagship performance with Snapdragon® 8 Gen 1
Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro both feature Qualcomm’s most advanced chipset to date, the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 1 mobile platform, featuring Armv9 architecture—setting the bar for next-generation computing. GPU capabilities have been increased by 30% in terms of graphics rendering, and energy efficiency has increased by 25%. The 7th generation AI engine performs 5 times better than the previous iteration, and the 3-circuit ISP is capable of 18-bit data processing, while sampling capacity is increased by 4096 times compared with the previous generation.
Both new phones are equipped with LPDDR5 RAM, which supports up to 6400 Mbps transfer rates. The storage performance of new generation UFS 3.1 allows sequential write speeds to reach an astounding 1450MB per second—a substantial increase compared to the previous generation.
To ensure smooth and stable performance, the Xiaomi 12 packs a cooling system that features an extra-large 2600mm² VC soaking plate in a light and compact body, along with 10000mm² of heat-dissipating graphite, while the antenna area is also covered with white graphene. The Xiaomi 12 Pro uses an even larger 2900mm² VC and 3 large heat dissipation graphite sheets, which further enhance cooling performance for stable use.
Groundbreaking imaging capabilities
The Xiaomi 12 Series has achieved an imaging capability breakthrough with the all-new imaging computing algorithm, largely improving capture speeds for swift, stable imaging performance. Over the past two years, Xiaomi has revamped its image processing and architecture, and its heterogeneous parallel computing greatly shortens the continuous shooting interval and improves the shooting experience when shooting in burst mode. Shutter lag has also been significantly reduced, offering a speedy and responsive overall camera experience.
Derived from Xiaomi Cyberdog, Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro feature smart visual tracking capability, meaning the devices can simultaneously identify human eyes and figures, as well as pets for stable and accurate focusing. The advanced machine learning algorithm allows the system to quickly analyze features of the focused subject, even if shape, angle, or color change. This offers stable and smooth tracking for moving objects, just by double tapping.
Regarding hardware, the Xiaomi 12 features a Sony IMX766 main camera with a 1/1.56″ sensor size, a 13MP ultra-wide angle camera, and a 5MP telemacro camera. The Xiaomi 12 Pro features a state-of-the-art triple camera array, each of which is 50MP. The main camera debuts the Sony IMX707 with an ultra-large 1/1.28″ sensor that utilizes 2.44μm 4-in-1 pixels. This advanced camera system setup improves light-capturing capabilities by 49% compared to the previous generation. With this improved capability, together with Xiaomi’s own Night Mode algorithm, the Xiaomi 12 Pro excels in extreme low-light scenarios and allows snappier shots. The two other cameras both utilize the 50MP JN1 sensor, the ultra-wide camera featuring a 115° field of view, and a 2x telephoto camera for cleaner portrait shots. To top things off, Night Mode is available on both of these cameras, offering a capable camera for low-light scenarios at each focal length.
Industry-leading display in two different sizes
Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro both earned the highest-ever Display Performance Grade of A+ from DisplayMate—setting or matching 15 smartphone Display Performance records.
Xiaomi 12 features a 6.28-inch flexible OLED screen with a resolution of 2400×1080, 1100 nit peak brightness, 16000 brightness-level adjustments, and 120Hz refresh rate. At the same time, Xiaomi 12 adopts a TrueColor display, and professional color calibration allows for an accurate representation of 1.07 billion colors on the display.
Xiaomi 12 Pro features a 6.73-inch second-generation power-efficient 2K display, which uses Samsung E5 material, LTPO technology, and micro-lens technology—elevating the viewing experience while increasing smart energy-saving capability. To ensure best-in-class picture quality, it offers 3200 x 1440 resolution and provides detailed image clarity. Xiaomi 12 Pro supports 1000 nit HBM, enabling clear viewing even under strong light. When viewing HDR videos, the Xiaomi 12 Pro displays lifelike images with detailed highlights and deep blacks, along with 1500 nit peak brightness and astonishing contrast.
Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro both support HDR10+ and Dolby Vision®, enabling spectacular HDR viewing. With Dolby Vision®, users can enjoy an ultra-vivid display backed by incredible brightness, contrast, and colors full of details.
Built for audiophiles
Both the Xiaomi 12 and the Xiaomi 12 Pro offer symmetrical dual speakers. The Xiaomi 12 Pro utilizes a frequency division scheme, enabling an excellent audio experience with high frequency ductility supported by a customized mid-woofer and tweeter. Featuring outstanding hardware and professionally tuned SOUND BY Harmon Kardon, the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro provide a vivid, natural sound experience in three dimensions, perfecting sound quality for any environment.
Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro also support Dolby Atmos®. Users can experience amazing sound quality full of details, layers, and realism. Either through headphones or the built-in speakers, users can immerse themselves in three-dimensional audio and experience amazing audio while enjoying Dolby Atmos® content.
Both the Xiaomi 12 and the Xiaomi 12 Pro are designed to deliver a flagship experience. Both devices offer NFC and IR blaster capabilities, fulfilling daily user needs for convenience and efficiency.
120W charging and 4,500mAh battery in a compact body
The Xiaomi 12 is equipped with a large 4,500mAh battery in an extremely compact body design, to offer all-day use and live free from battery anxiety.
The Xiaomi 12 Pro features the industry’s first 120W single-cell 4,600mAh battery design. This single-cell battery, compared to dual-cell batteries, offers 400 mAh of increased capacity without increasing overall size. Additionally, Xiaomi’s own Surge P1 charging IC offers a solution to industry issues of having both high output and capacity, filling a need for single-cell batteries with charging over 100W.
Xiaomi 12 will be offered in three variants in Mainland China: 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, 12GB+256GB, with respective recommended retail prices of RMB 3,699, RMB 3,999, and RMB 4,399.
Xiaomi 12 Pro will be offered in three variants in Mainland China: 8GB+128GB, 8GB+256GB, 12GB+256GB, with respective recommended retail prices of RMB 4,699, RMB 4,999, and RMB 5,399.
Both devices will be available in black, blue, or purple glass variants, or green vegan leather.
Xiaomi 12X will be available in Mainland China, featuring a Snapdragon® 870 and starting at RMB 3,199.
All of the above will be available for purchase in Mainland China starting at 8 p.m. on December 31st.
MIUI 13 – Speedy and Stable
Today, MIUI 13 debuted during the Mainland China launch. This latest generation operating system offers an all-round upgrade for a snappy and stable software experience. This OS will now also be extended beyond smartphones and tablets to AIoT devices such as smart watches, speakers, and TVs—improving connectivity capabilities.
MIUI 13 focuses on improving core functions, with an overall fluidity increase of 52%. Further enhancing its self-developed Focused Algorithms, Atomized Memory, and Liquid Storage, the new system focuses on optimizing computing capabilities for core apps during heavy usage. MIUI 13 prevents and reduces deterioration of read-write capabilities through Atomized Memory and Liquid Storage technology by 5% over a 36-month period, prolonging the lifespan of devices.
As of Q3 2021, the number of connected devices on Xiaomi’s IoT platform exceeds 400 million. While leading the industry with its smart hardware portfolio, MIUI 13 will introduce the beta of Mi Smart Hub, which will help realize a more connected experience between smart devices. With Mi Smart Hub, users can find nearby devices and, with a simple gesture, seamlessly share and access content such as music, display, and even apps across multiple devices.
Aside from connectivity, MIUI 13 also features notable features for further personalization, offering a unique OS experience through new widgets, new dynamic wallpapers, and more.
Select features will be available for global versions of MIUI 13. Global users can expect OTA updates of MIUI 13 starting in Q1 2022. The first batch of models available for upgrade include Mi 11, Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11i, Mi 11X Pro, Mi 11X, Xiaomi Pad 5, Redmi 10, Redmi 10 Prime, Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE, Xiaomi 11 Lite NE, Redmi Note 8 (2021), Xiaomi 11T Pro, Xiaomi 11T, Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, Redmi Note 10, Mi 11 Lite 5G, Mi 11 Lite, and Redmi Note 10 JE.
Xiaomi Watch S1 and Xiaomi Buds 3
Xiaomi has also announced three new wearable devices—the Xiaomi Watch S1, Xiaomi Buds 3, and Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro in a new color.
Designed to drive a stylish, smart, and active lifestyle for lifestyles on-the-go, Xiaomi Watch S1 is an elegant, intelligent timepiece on your wrist with a refined stainless steel frame, sapphire glass, and a comfortable leather wrist band. A 1.43’’ large AMOLED touch display does more than tell the time, offering a crystal-clear viewing and easy navigation of messages, notifications, calls, and app controls while on the go. It provides comprehensive health insights while supporting up to 117 fitness modes and 5ATM water resistance. A single charge offers up to 12 days of regular usage and up to 24 days of standby time.
Today also marked the debut of Xiaomi’s brand-new TWS offering, Xiaomi Buds 3. This audio offering boasts a dual-magnetic dynamic driver and HiFi audio for top-of-the-line listening. It also features up to 40dB noise cancellation and three ANC modes for different scenarios. A single charge provides up to 7 hours of music playback and 32 hours of total usage with case.
In Mainland China, the Xiaomi Watch S1 will be available for RMB 1,099 while Xiaomi Buds 3 will be available at RMB 449 through Xiaomi’s official channels. As a follow-up to Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro debuted in September, 2021, Xiaomi is releasing a brand-new blue color variant of this popular product, coming at a discounted new year pricing at RMB 649.
