Xiaomi 12 Review
Before starting the review, I would like to thank the Vayava store for having sent us this Xiaomi 12. A compelling and cutting-edge smartphone which maintains a restrained size and aims to rival the Samsung Galaxy S22. Lately, Xiaomi has sold too many devices of different ranges, leaving some pending points, such as optimization and minor errors in the operating system. Throughout the review, we will see if this Xiaomi 12 is the high-end that many were waiting for.
This device comes in a white box with a large 12 on the front and the full name of the terminal on the bottom. It should be noted that the “Harman/Kardon” sound signature is screen-printed, and they mention 5G technology. On the side of the box, there are the terminal specifications, the IMEI numbers and the recycling and European conformity stamps.
Inside the box, we find the small envelope where the manuals and quick guides of the terminal come, all in several languages, including Spanish. Also comes the skewer to access the nano-SIM cardholder and the transparent TPU case. Below is the smartphone. In this case, it is a very soft purple colour. Below and to finish, we can see multiple chargers of 67W of European power and a USB to USB type C charging cable.
I still think it is ideal that a charger with maximum charging power and a TPU case continue to come. I hope they don’t suppress it as it happens in the Chinese market.
Software
Once again, there is not much to comment on since it is a well-known customization layer, which allows many adjustments and customization. How could it be? Otherwise, it comes with the latest version of MIUI in version 13.0.14, which runs under Android 12. As is customary by the manufacturer, they assure us of different security patches and updates.
Being a global version, it has most languages ​​such as Spanish, English, Italian, Portuguese, German, etc. Also, it comes with the Google Play app store and Google services already pre-installed.
As for the applications that come, Xiaomi is a manufacturer that likes to incorporate a lot of “bloatware” and applications into its devices. From advertising integrated into the photo gallery, as in the file manager. On this occasion, it has incorporated Google applications such as Gmail, Maps, Youtube, Drive, YT Music, Duo, Photos Contacts, Calendar and a few more that you can later see in the screenshots that I will leave you. Xiaomi has also wanted to integrate its own, such as Security, themes, Gallery, cleaner, Mi Browser, Time, Notes, Share Me, Mi remote, etc.
From my point of view, and as I always say, I think many applications come pre-installed. I don’t believe all people use all of them.
When analyzing the Xiaomi 12 with the Malwarebytes antivirus, it has not detected any danger or threat that could put the user’s integrity at risk.
Thanks to the MIUI customization layer, we can configure and program the “dark mode” to take advantage of the blacks of AMOLED screens and change the screen refresh rate from 60 to 120Hz to achieve a better experience in the system. We can also enable on-screen gestures or calibrate the screen’s colours to adjust them according to our preferences.
Some other peculiarities that this customization layer of this Xiaomi 12 includes is the “lite mode” that increases the icons and the text, allows you to extend the RAM by 3 GB or measure the heart rate through the fingerprint sensor located on the screen.
Few manufacturers incorporate the video output, and this Xiaomi 12 does not have a USB type C port that allows it.
Design and Screen
This Xiaomi 12 has a fantastic look thanks to its rounded screen and the manufacturing materials based on aluminium alloys. The dimensions of this Xiaomi 12 are 69.9 mm long x 152.7 mm high x 8.2 mm thick and weigh only 180 grams. It is a tiny smartphone for what we can be used to and with a restrained weight, which is very comfortable and ergonomic at hand.
It has a 6.28-inch curved AMOLED screen with an FHD+ resolution (1080x 2400 lines) that provides 418 pixels per inch. I think it is a perfect screen, but it is not one step below that of its older brother, the Xiaomi 12 Pro, with its higher resolution.
The screen has vivid and bright colours, thanks to its 12-bit panel, with good viewing angles and a maximum brightness of 1100 nits. Although it is not bad, I would like to clarify that this figure is lower than its predecessor, the Xiaomi Mi 11 or its older brother, the Xiaomi 12 Pro.
Furthermore, it has Corning Gorilla Glass 7 Victus protection that provides maximum hardness in case of falls and resistance to scratches.
I wouldn’t say I liked that they have not provided this Xiaomi 12 with IP68 protection against water and dust. I think it has a high price and that it could have already incorporated said certification. On the other hand, although the curved Edge screen is more attractive, we will have more difficulties if we want to protect it with screen protectors or covers.
Power and Hardware
As for the hardware, and how could it be otherwise, mount the latest and best of each component. The processor incorporates the latest Qualcomm processor, the 64-bit Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, manufactured in 4 nm. It is an 8-core processor with a configuration that allows optimization and performance of the smartphone. It has four cores, ARM Cortex A510 capable of reaching a speed of 1.8GHz, specially designed to perform less demanding tasks—three other substances with an ARM Cortex A710 configuration with a maximum computing speed 2.5GHz. The last core has a Cortex X2 architecture with a top speed of 3.0GHz, specially designed to perform the most demanding tasks that require more raw power. In addition, and as a fundamental part, it incorporates the latest and most powerful GPU, the Adreno 730, which can execute any game or task reliably in any conditions.
