Xiaomi 12 Pro: A Classy Flagship That Trades Numbers for Subtle Sophistication

The top-tier smartphones from Xiaomi have typically revolved around impressive specifications and marketing flair. A prime illustration of this was last year’s Mi 11 Ultra (Review). However, with the launch of the Xiaomi 12 Pro, the brand appears to be adopting a more understated strategy for its flagship model. The design of the 12 Pro gives off a more sophisticated and polished vibe, lacking any sensational specifications concerning its cameras or battery size. Instead, Xiaomi focuses on providing enhanced consistency. So, does this sleek and elegant premium device fulfill the expectations of a flagship for 2022? Let’s examine it in detail.

The Xiaomi 12 Pro comes in two versions. The base model features 8GB of RAM and is priced at Rs. 62,999, while the 12GB RAM option is available for Rs. 66,999 in India. Both configurations offer 256GB of built-in storage, though there is no microSD card slot for memory expansion.

The body of the Xiaomi 12 Pro showcases a sleek metal frame bordered by dual glass panels. The front display employs Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus, and the rear is protected by Gorilla Glass 5. Both surfaces exhibit curved edges, enhancing the ease of handling this device. Weighing 205g, the 12 Pro manages to feel surprisingly light.

The Xiaomi 12 Pro sports a 6.72-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with a peak refresh rate of 120Hz

The 6.72-inch WQHD+ E5 AMOLED display features gentle curves on either side. It supports a peak refresh rate of 120Hz that can drop to 1Hz, thanks to LTPO 2.0 technology. This display is also certified for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making it ideal for streaming HDR content. A quad-speaker system tuned by Harman Kardon further enhances the sound experience.

Operating on MIUI 13, which is based on Android 12, the Xiaomi 12 Pro encompasses most features of Android 12. However, I did observe some pre-installed third-party applications during my initial usage.

The device is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, a staple in many of the latest flagship devices. It is equipped with a 4,600mAh battery, which Xiaomi claims can be charged to full capacity in just 18 minutes utilizing the included 120W charger in Boost mode. Additionally, the 12 Pro supports 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.

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The Xiaomi 12 Pro features a trio of rear cameras

What sets the Xiaomi 12 Pro apart is its camera arrangement, with all three rear cameras housing 50-megapixel sensors. The main camera includes optical image stabilization (OIS), the ultra-wide camera provides a 115-degree field of view, and the telephoto camera allows for 2X optical zoom. A 32-megapixel front-facing camera takes care of selfies.

As a high-end smartphone starting at Rs. 62,999 in India, the Xiaomi 12 Pro undeniably appears to represent the flagship category. It exudes a premium and stylish appearance; however, it lacks one crucial aspect: an official IP rating for water and dust resistance. This omission is peculiar, especially considering that some of Xiaomi’s budget models do come with IP ratings. This could potentially deter certain buyers. I’m also curious to see how Xiaomi’s implementation of Android 12 measures up against the flagships from Samsung and OnePlus. For those interested in this luxury smartphone from Xiaomi, stay tuned for my comprehensive review, which will be published shortly on Gadgets 360.