Xiaomi 12 Hands-on Review Part-II | Camera Result, Final Verdict

There’s a triple camera arrangement, but no telephoto lens:

The telephoto camera is of Xiaomi 12 undoubtedly Xiaomi’s most extensive absence with the 12. A flagship phone should have adequate magnification.

On the plus side, the device comes with the suitable camera hardware. The main one is Sony’s IMX766 sensor, which has a 50MP resolution and large 1,0m pixels measuring 1/1.56 “in terms of size. A 6P lens supports the sensor with OIS and an aperture of f/1.9.

OmniVision’s auxiliary ultrawide camera, model OV13B10, is made in the United States. It has a 13MP resolution, 1.12m pixels, and is 1/3.06 inch thick “in size. The optics provide a 123-degree field of view and an aperture of f/2.4.

Samsung’s 5MP S5K5E9 macro camera is equipped with a 2x telephoto lens and autofocus. A far superior alternative to most 2MP macro cameras.

Finally, we got OmniVision’s 32MP OV32B40 sensor with f/2.4 aperture and 0.7m pixels on the front.

Xiaomi 12; Camera Manus:

The camera app is straightforward and intuitive. To begin, sideswipes (on the modes scroller) are used to change methods, and you can also tap on the modes you see to switch to them directly. The toggle next to the shutter release is the only way to switch between the front and rear cameras; up and down swipes don’t function.

By going to the More tab and browsing to the edit button in the main Rolodex, you can add, remove, and rearrange modes and do so from the settings menu. The new methods will remain on the More tab, but you can switch to a (less intuitive) pull-out pane accessed through a line adjacent to the shutter release.

Additional options and the button to access the settings can be found in the hamburger menu at the bottom of the screen. A flash mode switch, an HDR switch, an AI toggle, a shortcut to Google Lens, and a magic wand with beauty effects and filters are all located next to the hamburger menu.

You may use the primary and ultra-wide cameras in the enlarged Pro mode, which allows you to set the shooting parameters yourself. There’s a manual focusing slider (with peaking as an option, a rare sighting), shutter speed (1/4000s to 30s), and ISO control with the range depending on which camera you’re using. There’s also a manual focusing slider (with peaking as an option, which is a rare sighting), shutter speed (1/4000s to 30s) and ISO control with the range depending on which camera you’re using. A small live histogram and a zebra toggle in the hamburger menu are offered.

All three cameras include night mode, and there’s also an Auto Night mode choice in the menu that’s turned on by default. Eye-tracking focus, which is likewise enabled by default, was another option that attracted our attention.

Xiaomi 12; The Primary Camera:

We had high expectations for the primary camera’s performance because the Xiaomi 12 is a flagship phone. Even so, we were somewhat aback by how good the samples appeared. Our standard set of scenes for comparing handsets was shot in various weather conditions. You’ll notice that some of them have a heavy cloud, while others appear sunny. The phone, on the other hand, had a constant overall appearance.

Everything looks sharp, with excellent detail visible in all sections of the image, a wide dynamic range, and no noise, even indoors. The Xiaomi 12 manages to keep a lot of clarity and sharpness while avoiding tiny grain when it comes to interior photos.

 

If we’re being picky, the colours are a little over-saturated, and the program aims for a slightly lower exposure, resulting in a more contrasty effect. Even said, some users may see these issues as a benefit. The strong contrast and bright colours contribute to a more instagrammable aesthetic, which is, after all, what most users want.

Switching the AI toggle will only increase colour saturation somewhat, but as we’ve shown, this isn’t necessary.

The photos are noticeably softer and noisier. The 50MP setting is also not recommended. You’ll obtain a little more information, and that’s it.

2x Zoom

The photographs taken at 2x zoom aren’t bad, as they retain much of the standard mode’s rendering but lack excellent crispness. We were anticipating a bit more sophisticated magnification due to the lack of a genuine telephoto camera on board. Instead, Xiaomi chose the path of least resistance, cropping the centre of the non-binned image and resizing it to 12.5MP to maintain uniformity between camera settings. Or at least, that’s what we think Xiaomi is up to.

Camera with a large field of view

Xiaomi has done an excellent job of keeping the primary and ultrawide cameras’ renditions consistent. Expect vibrant colours and slightly darker scenes because there are no significant variations in colour reproduction, contrast, or exposure. Dynamic range and sharpness aren’t as fantastic as possible, but they’re still acceptable by ultrawide standards. Indoor samples show some fine grain but nothing too noticeable.

Macro:

We don’t generally like macro cameras because they feel like a filler on the back of the camera that doesn’t add to the whole experience. Xiaomi’s phones, on the other hand, are one of the few that include higher-quality macro cameras on sure of their models. The Xiaomi 12 isn’t any different.

We’re used to seeing macro shots with limited resolution, faint colours, and low contrast that are difficult to capture due to the lack of autofocus. We don’t have much of that here. Although the 5MP camera does not produce the finest detailed photographs, it significantly improves the low-cost 2MP sensors. The colours are vibrant, the contrast is strong, and the sharpness is excellent. There’s also autofocus and an unnamed optical zoom, which considerably improve the shooting experience.

The Primary Camera In Low Light:

Even without Night mode turned on, the Xiaomi 12 captures some excellent nighttime images. Given the remarkable dynamic range, there’s probably some HDR in the background. The highlights appear to be well-balanced, while the shadows have a lot of detail. Images are also shockingly clear, with excellent points visible in well-lit locations, good contrast, and more conservative colour reproduction than the daylight shots. The noise reduction in these photographs is extremely impressive. Though we assume, grain is unavoidable, and we can only see it in really dark scenes.

Using the Night mode improves the appearance of photos. There is some artificial sharpness in there, but we believe it is just the correct amount, as the picture does not appear to be produced from a video game. Colours are somewhat enhanced, highlights are improved, and shadows are brightened to reveal more detail. What’s more, none of this comes at the expense of increased noise. Unless you are pixel-peeping, the only noisy patches are difficult to discern.

We highly recommend using the Night mode when conducting evening photography, mainly because it takes very little time to shoot. This is one of the fastest Night modes we’ve seen, taking only a second or two to activate in practically total darkness. We recommend leaving the Auto Night mode on and allowing the software to determine when it is required.

2x magnification

The 2x zoom struggles to preserve sharpness and eliminate noise as the light decreases. Sure, it reduces noise and slightly improves highlight/shadow balance, but the 2x zoom examples still leave many areas for improvement. Even the Night mode can’t make these samples useable because the overall portrayal is comparable to the standard 1x Photo mode.

Camera with a large field of view in low-light:

The 12MP device appears to be doing an excellent job for an ultrawide camera shooting in the dark. We saw a significantly smaller dynamic range, softer rendition, and a loss of fine detail than the primary camera. The contrast and noise reduction appear to be enough.

While the usual pictures with the primary camera look are fantastic, we strongly advise you to use the Night mode for your ultrawide shots. Fortunately, the ultrawide camera has a specific Night mode that enhances the photographs in various ways. You receive a more detailed rendering, sharper objects, improved lighting, and brighter shadows with more information. We discovered that stacking the photographs in Night mode takes a few seconds, but it’s still quick.

After you’ve finished with the real-world examples, check out our Photo comparison tool to see how the Xiaomi 12 stacks up against the competition.

Portraits:

The portrait shots are fantastic. Sharpness and detail are excellent, vibrant colours and noise is kept to a minimum even in challenging lighting. The camera was able to catch the subject’s natural reddish skin tone, albeit it’s a bit variable, and the skin may appear pale depending on the lighting. Although the fake bokeh effect is convincing, it is too strong and struggles to deal with more detailed foregrounds and backgrounds. Take a look at the second photo and pay attention to the flowers.

Selfies:

The selfies are fantastic. Although Xiaomi could have done a better job in sharpness, the overall quality is satisfactory. Fine detail, a wide dynamic range, no noise, vibrant colours, and the subject’s face are always well-exposed. We noted that the front-facing camera is susceptible to lighting conditions, as even a tiny decrease in ambient light causes a significant loss of sharpness. On the other hand, the portrait mode is quite impressive, at least when it comes to selfie portraits.

Xiaomi 12; Making a video:

The Xiaomi 12 can record videos in 4320p@24fps and 2160p and 1080p at 30 and 60 frames per second. However, the ultrawide’s camera is limited to 2160p@30fps. Although all movies are electronically stabilized, two additional action camera-like modes are more concerned with stability than quality. They’re known as Steady and Steady Pro, and they’re limited to 1080p@30fps.

Let’s begin with the 8K video. Right now, we can see that the sharpness isn’t outstanding, at least not for a full 4320p video. The detail is excellent, the colours are natural-looking, the contrast is high, and there is no noise. The dynamic range is imposing, as gloomy weather makes video capture difficult. Despite this, the Xiaomi 12’s film has well-balanced highlights and shadows.

The 4K video is weaker than the 8K video, but only slightly, and it has the same processing as the 8K video. The dynamic range is fantastic, the colours are true to life, and the detail is outstanding.

Even while the ultrawide camera can shoot 4K films, the quality isn’t up to par. They’re soft, lacking in fine detail, loud, and limited dynamic range. On the plus side, contrast is strong, and colours appear a little more appealing than those on the primary camera. White items have a blueish hue as well.

Competition:

The Xiaomi 12 is, as we stated at the outset of this review, the company’s first compact flagship since the Mi 8, which wasn’t considered close at the time. The Xiaomi 12’s 6.28-inch diagonal falls into this group today. Even so, there aren’t many compromises when it comes to decreasing size. The smartphone still has a 4,500 mAh battery and support for rapid wired and wireless charging. There are three cameras on board but no telephoto lens, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor is in command, and Xiaomi managed to squeeze in two full-fledged stereo speakers. The display isn’t LTPO2, but it does have all of the bells and whistles. It’s flagship-grade in every way: it’s brilliant, operates at 120Hz, supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, has 10-bit colour reproduction, and is Gorilla Glass Victus protected.

Despite the relatively restricted mini flagship variety these days, there are still some competitive options priced between €700 and 850 that immediately compete with the Xiaomi 12 for €800. The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is the first to come to mind.

6.1-inch OLED panel

With a 6.1-inch OLED panel of comparable quality and more rigid Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection, the South Korean giant’s compact solution this year is even smaller than the Xiaomi 12. It comes with a more rigid Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. It also includes a proper 3x telephoto camera, but the battery capacity falls short. We haven’t tested the phone’s endurance yet, but it won’t be difficult to outperform the Xiaomi 12. However, the latter takes the lead when it comes to charging speed. The Galaxy S22 5G is dust and water-resistant to IP68 standards, and its dual speakers are likely to be better tuned. Although the Galaxy S22 appears to be the better option, it is roughly €50 more expensive than the Xiaomi 12.

With iPhone 13 Mini:

Yes, deciding between Android and iOS is difficult, but let’s assume that size and features are the most crucial factors. The iPhone 13 mini is difficult to discuss in the compact luxury sector without discussing it. Apple’s solution, which costs €800 in Europe, is a direct competitor.

The build quality, raw performance, and compactness of the iPhone 13 mini are unsurpassed. Suppose you don’t mind the large notch and lack of HRR display. It’s fantastic, but it’s not running at 120Hz. Surprisingly, the iPhone 13 mini’s battery life is poorer, at least according to our tests. The Xiaomi 12 also charges much more quickly. In short, the iPhone 13 mini boasts a more mature and future-proof operating system and a slightly better ultrawide camera and a more premium compact design.

With The Sony Xperia 5 III:

The Sony Xperia 5 III is another flagship that can be held in one hand. Although it is a phone from 2021, it is still relevant enough to recommend in the first half of 2022. The older Snapdragon 888 SoC isn’t a problem because it has enough processing capacity to handle almost everything on Google Play. A microSD card slot, IP65/IP68 water and dust resistance, long battery life, good stereo speakers, an actual 3x telephoto camera, and other unique video taking functions are all included in the gadget. The Sony competitor is priced at €780-800, potentially undercutting the Xiaomi 12 by a small percentage.

As you can see, the Xiaomi 12 and its tiny competitors don’t have a clear winner. Regardless of which option you select, you will win some and lose some. However, if you’re willing to increase your diagonal tolerance, the Realme GT2 Pro is a strong contender. Realme’s recently released flagship is superior in practically every way. An LTPO2 OLED display, outstanding ultrawide camera performance, excellent battery life, blazing-fast charging, a set of good-sounding stereo speakers, and an unorthodox paper-like design on the rear are all found behind the 6.7-inch screen. The Xiaomi 12 boasts a better primary camera, supports wireless charging, and has a more quality body overall. Furthermore, the GT2 Pro will save you €50, making the Xiaomi 12 even more challenging to beat. However, the choice between MIUI 13 and Realme UI 3.0 may be a personal preference.

Verdict:

We were blown away by the Xiaomi 12 when we first got our hands on it. This was the first thing that sprang to me as the compact flagship to recommend in 2022. A glance at the specifications sheet confirms this. All included are luxury builds, bright and quick OLED, large battery, fast wired and wireless charging, dedicated stereo speakers, and a triple-camera array with a large primary sensor. Then there’s the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, which is at its heart.

Unfortunately, while writing this review, we discovered that most of these notable features come with restrictions. The large battery doesn’t last long enough, the specialized stereo speakers are unbalanced, and the camera arrangement is missing a good zoom solution and a dedicated telephoto camera. The SD8G1 implementation also appears to be problematic, as sustained performance isn’t comparable to other competitors using the same or similar chipset.

These flaws prevent us from recommending the phone straight away, but they aren’t significant enough to overshadow the Xiaomi 12’s positive qualities, which we adored. The exceptional camera performance across the board, excellent ergonomics, bright screen, and quick wireless/wired charging are all advantages that contribute to a compelling argument. It is, without a doubt, one of the few compact quality solutions available, but it is far from the only one. There are other viable solutions available, and we strongly advise you to investigate them.

Pros:

• One of the few premium small phones with excellent ergonomics.
• Curved OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate. Day and night, the camera performs admirably.
• Fast wired and wireless charging, as well as reverse wireless charging.
• Without Dolby Atmos, the speaker quality is adequate.
• MIUI 13 is a highly customized and mature Android 12 operating system.

Cons:

• The battery life is disappointing.
• There is no protection against intrusion.
• There isn’t a telephoto camera or a zoom option that is good enough.
• Poor long-term performance.
• Stereo speakers are unbalanced, and Dolby Atmos exacerbates the problem.