Xiaomi 12 Lite review

Xiaomi has been busy. Its 12S vary of gadgets have lately been introduced and following on is the mid-range 12 Lite mannequin that guarantees the basic Xiaomi expertise at a modest value.

However, in a fiercely aggressive sector of the market, can the Chinese language mannequin compete? Right here’s the complete Tech Advisor evaluate of the Xiaomi 12 Lite.

Design & Construct

• Comfy, gentle chassis
• Fairly color schemes
• No IP waterproof score

Normally, the Lite suffix on a smartphone denotes a downgraded spec sheet, however with the Xiaomi 12 Lite this appears extra precisely utilized to the chassis. Weighing in at a really snug 173g, it’s a pleasant machine to carry for prolonged intervals, plus the 159 x 74 x 7.3mm sits effectively within the hand, making a pleasant change from the cumbersome, 200g frames that appear to have turn out to be the norm within the final yr or so.

The color scheme can also be recent, with a alternative of Pink, Black or the Inexperienced on my evaluate mannequin. The plastic again panel is graduated, in order you tilt it within the gentle it modifications color in a really pleasing method. Within the prime left nook of the panel there’s additionally a raised rectangular space that homes the triple digital camera array. The plastic is evident, with a lite blue/inexperienced hue that once more seems to be sensible.

Foundry / IDG

As with the Redmi Be aware 11 Professional 5G that I reviewed lately (Redmi is a Xiaomi sub-brand), the perimeters are squared off somewhat than the curved sort which featured on the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G from final yr. This provides to the grip and offers the 12 Lite a contemporary aesthetic.

The entrance panel is made up nearly totally of the 6.55in AMOLED show, with solely a central punch-hole aperture for the digital camera interrupting the graphics. That is partly enabled by an under-display fingerprint sensor which saves area, plus it additionally signifies that the ability button on the appropriate flank is small because it doesn’t want to accommodate a sensor both.

Add to this the quantity controls, Twin-SIM slot and twin audio system, and the result’s a beautiful machine that’s genuinely good to make use of.

The show is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, so it ought to stand up to a good bit of damage and tear, however there’s no listed IP score on the 12 Lite (as there wasn’t with its predecessor the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G). Hold it away from water although and it ought to be positive, particularly if you happen to use the included silicone case that Xiaomi places within the field.

Alongside this, you’ll additionally discover a 67W quick charger and cable to replenish the 4,300mAh battery through the cellphone’s USB-C port.

Display & Audio system

• 6.55in AMOLED Full HD+
• 120Hz refresh charge
• HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient
• Stereo audio system

The 6.55in AMOLED Full HD+ panel on the 12 Lite is effectively balanced and supplies loads of color and definition. You’ll be able to select between both 60- or 120Hz refresh charges, with the previous saving on battery life and the latter providing easy scrolling. Not that the 60Hz choice isn’t good, however when you’ve turned on the 120Hz setting you’ll in all probability need to go away it there because it feels nice.

All of that is enhanced by the show’s assist for HDR10+, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, in addition to one thing Xiaomi calls TrueColor, which bolsters the palette of the panel.

Foundry / IDG

The Xiaomi 12 Lite doesn’t have the brightest display available on the market, with my measurements displaying round 450nits most, however that proved sufficient to deal with shiny daylight for essentially the most half when turned as much as full. Indoors or on extra overcast days you received’t have any downside seeing what’s on the show.

Utilizing the under-display fingerprint sensor was pleasingly simple, albeit with the preliminary setup taking just a little longer than with a bodily sensor in a button, because it was tougher to know which a part of my finger the sensor had tracked. This solely added about 30 seconds to the method although, and after that I discovered that I might unlock the cellphone with a really excessive success charge of first-time makes an attempt.

Professional tip: When saving your fingerprint, save two separate variations for every of the primary fingers/thumbs you primarily use to unlock the machine. This will increase the possibility of the sensor detecting you instantly.

Foundry / IDG

See also  Sony Xperia 10 IV review

These desirous to sport on the Xiaomi 12 Lite may also respect the 240Hz contact sampling charge which ought to support these fast actions within the warmth of battle. One minor gripe I had with the machine alongside these strains was that the palm cancellation (the place the cellphone ignores faucets and swipes from different elements of your arms that unintentionally contact the display) wasn’t pretty much as good because it could possibly be.

On a couple of events I instantly discovered the display switching to the All Opened Apps web page as a result of I’d rubbed in opposition to the sensible button with out realising. This may be mounted in software program although, so hopefully an improve will additional enhance this space sooner or later.

On the audio facet of issues, you’ll discover audio system at both finish of the machine, which produce an honest quantity of sound. Positive, it received’t win over the hearts of any audiophiles on the market, however for podcasts, audiobooks, watching movies or some gentle music use, the audio system can do an honest job.

There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, so that you received’t be hooking this up on to a speaker, however the Bluetooth 5.2 capabilities imply that wi-fi headphones and audio system can immediately enhance the audio output of the Xiaomi 12 Lite.

Specs & Efficiency

• Snapdragon 778G SoC
• 8GB RAM
• 128GB Storage
• Twin SIM

Maybe surprisingly, Xiaomi has fitted the 12 Lite with the identical Snapdragon 778G processor that appeared within the earlier technology 11 Lite 5G. Whether or not that is all the way down to the world-wide scarcity of processors that has been occurring for the final yr or so is unknown, however to be truthful the efficiency of the 12 Lite for many issues individuals will normally do with their smartphones is on the cash.

Opening apps and transferring by varied screens and menus are all swift and responsive. There’s no noticeable lag when utilizing the machine in any respect, and even within the cameras you get a fast launch with the cameras able to go: important if that ‘decisive second’ seems earlier than your eyes.

The Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Professional each have the flagship Qualcomm 8 Gen 1 processor so it is a key distinction.

Little question the 8GB of RAM that comes on this variant helps with the efficiency, though you possibly can order a 6GB model if you wish to avoid wasting cash (I wouldn’t advise this). Xiaomi additionally provides a digital reminiscence extension characteristic that may supposedly deputise as much as 3GB of onboard storage as RAM.

The cellphone’s greater brothers include as much as 12GB of RAM so naked that in thoughts if you happen to suppose you’ll want extra energy.

Storage itself is a normal 128GB of UFS 2.2, however once more you possibly can go for 256GB if you happen to suppose this might be too small. In a transfer that may upset some customers, Xiaomi has determined in opposition to supporting microSD playing cards within the 12 Lite, with the twin card slot solely able to holding SIM playing cards.

This implies you’ll want to decide on the configuration that fits your wants from the get-go, as you received’t be capable to change it later. That’s disappointing, particularly because the 11 Lite 5G provided a hybrid slot which might host both twin SIMs or a single SIM and microSD card.

Foundry / IDG

In some ways, the Xiaomi 12 Lite shares the vast majority of its specs with the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G. There’s the identical processor I discussed above, storage and reminiscence configurations, and the record continues when it comes to Wi-Fi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2 to not point out the show could be very related, though the 12 Lite goes as much as 120Hz refresh charge the place the 11 Lite tops out at 90Hz.

A number of areas the place they differ is when it comes to measurement, the 11 Lite is definitely slimmer and lighter, battery charging speeds are sooner on the 12 Lite, plus the cameras have been given an improve on the brand new mannequin. We have been impressed with the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G, and it’s been decreased in value on the time of writing, so in order for you most of what the 12 Lite provides however at a less expensive value, it’s price contemplating.

That being stated, the 12 Lite is a really good to make use of and customarily impressed by simply getting on with every thing and never making a fuss. Precisely what you need from a cellphone.

To see the way it compares to others in its class. Right here’s the usual benchmark testing that each one evaluate telephones undergo (as a consequence of technical difficulties with the positioning on the time of testing, the GFX Bench scores aren’t registered):

Cameras

• 108Mp f/1.88 Principal digital camera with Samsung HM2 sensor
• 8Mp Ultrawide and 2Mp Macro
• Evening Mode
• 32Mp Selfie digital camera

Mid-range gadgets usually dwell or die by their cameras. In that case, the Xiaomi 12 Lite is in a really wholesome state and will in all probability make it comfortably to previous age. The triple digital camera mixture of 108Mp f/1.88 essential, 8Mp f/2.2 ultra-wide and 2Mp f/2.4 macro flip in some actually spectacular outcomes.

Foundry / IDG

Focussing is quick and normally tracks the meant material (not at all times true with telephones I’ve examined). In good gentle I bought some glorious photographs, whether or not it was close-ups of flowers, catching my canine in a heroic pose (ready for a deal with), panorama photographs or basic on a regular basis photos.

Extra impressively, the night-time photographs I managed to seize actually did make me marvel if the cellphone was dearer than I’d first thought. There’s a Evening Mode and it does job of selecting out issues like a darkish blue boat in a harbour at night time and making it seen. However, once I turned off the Evening Mode and let the conventional digital camera do its factor, I managed to get some atmospheric photographs that I used to be pleased with.

The metering appears effectively balanced, and as long as you’ve gotten a wall or in my case the facet of a bridge to relaxation the cellphone on when taking the picture, then photographs stay effectively uncovered and sharply focussed.

There may be some noise within the photographs, which the software program does its greatest to easy out, which suggests any photos you’re taking might be completely positive for sharing on social media, however if you wish to crop in and probably print them off you then may see much less spectacular remaining photographs.

Right here’s a range on photographs I took with the Xiaomi 12 Lite:

Xiaomi consists of varied images modes, together with Macro, Portrait, Professional, Panorama, Gradual Movement, Time Lapse and others, however bear in mind that a number of of those must obtain earlier than you should utilize them. So, you may need to mess around with them at residence earlier than heading out and utilizing up any of your knowledge plan.

Video tops out at 4K/30fps, with the default being 1080p/30fps. You’ll be able to seize some good footage with the digital camera, though the sound felt a bit skinny. Transferring from shiny to darkish areas didn’t appear to section the sensor an excessive amount of, though on very shiny days there was a bent to overexpose the perimeters of the footage.

However once more, completely good for social media and the inclusion of OIS (optical picture stabilisation) on the primary sensor helps hold issues easy.

A 32Mp selfie digital camera is discovered on the entrance, and once more it’s able to some first rate photographs. You’ll discover extra modes and filters built-in that may easy out your pores and skin or different such trickery, however the usual digital camera does job of capturing element rapidly and precisely.

Whereas it’s not the perfect digital camera cellphone for individuals who need professional stage photographs, as an on a regular basis shooter in your pocket that allows you to get these vital photographs and share them on Instagram or Fb, the Xiaomi 12 Lite is a superb choice.

Battery Life & Charging

• 4300mAh battery
• 67W Quick Charging (with charger included)
• Xiaomi AdaptiveCharge

Battery life on the Xiaomi 12 Lite could be very first rate. Utilizing the cellphone closely throughout a day – watching some YouTube movies, plenty of internet looking, emailing, social media apps and even the occasional cellphone name – left me with round 30% within the tank at bedtime (which is usually previous midnight).

Easing off on the screentime meant that I might simply get by two days on a single cost. Not that getting the machine again to 100% is far of an inconvenience.

Foundry / IDG

Utilizing the included 67W charger, the 12 Lite went from empty to full cost in 41 minutes, which is great. So, even if you happen to resolve to spend hours every day staring on the display, you’ll be capable to replenish the complete battery in much less time that it takes to have your lunch.

There’s no wi-fi charging assist for this mannequin, so that you’ll must plug it in if you need to energy it again up, however as I discussed above you no less than get the charger included within the field.

For benchmark followers, placing the Xiaomi 12 Lite by the PCMark Battery Take a look at returned the results of 11 hours and three minutes. Which is kind of respectable if not outstanding.

Software program & Apps

• MIUI 13
• Android 12
• Safety updates till July 2026

If there’s one weak spot on the 12 Lite, then it’s in all probability the software program. Don’t get me fallacious, MIUI 13 is a superbly serviceable system that gives loads of options, but it surely does take just a little getting used to. And I’m not the primary individual at Tech Advisor towers to seek out this to be the case.

As an illustration, wallpapers and themes all come through a Theme retailer. There’s loads of free stuff, and also you get ones bundled in with the cellphone, but it surely’s a barely completely different strategy to a few of the different variations of Android that you will have already used.

Bloatware isn’t too unhealthy, with the cellphone having a couple of video games and social media apps pre-installed out of the field. Xiaomi additionally consists of its personal bespoke apps for notes, internet looking and different issues, however that is saved to a minimal and most could be uninstalled.

Foundry / IDG

I did discover that the display could possibly be just a little delicate, particularly in the case of long-pressing icons. When transferring apps from one display to the opposite, the slightest wobble of my finger would make the cellphone suppose I used to be scrolling between pages, making it just a little tough to select up the apps. A gradual hand solved this, however if you happen to’re used to whizzing round you may discover this considerably annoying.

Android 12 is operating beneath MIUI 13, and Xiaomi now guarantees three main Android model updates plus 4 years of safety updates throughout the lifespan of its gadgets. In brief, this implies the machine might be usable for 4 years from its launch date, however after that the safety updates will cease and you’ll have to retire the cellphone. We’re not loopy that that is the case, because it means you’re much less prone to hand on a cellphone to a relative, thus consigning it to a landfill someplace. Sadly, that is the case throughout the business, and 4 years is definitely fairly good. If you need longer, strive Samsung or Apple.

Worth & Availability

On the time of writing Xiaomi has solely confirmed the worth of the 12 Lite in US {dollars}, despite the fact that it received’t formally go on sale in America. We’ll replace this with extra pricing when it turns into obtainable however right here’s how the fashions break down:

• 6GB/128GB – $399
• 8GB/128GB – $449
• 8GB/256GB – $499

There’s likelihood that these costs might have the identical numbers connected when they’re launched on 9 July within the UK, Europe, and greater ones (as a consequence of foreign money conversion charges) in India and different territories. As a reference level, the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G was priced at £399/€399 for the 8GB/128GB variant, so the pricing on the 12 Lite could possibly be across the similar.

This brings the machine into competitors with the likes of the OnePlus Nord 2T, Realme GT 2 and Xiaomi stablemate the Poco X4 Professional 5G. All of those are nice telephones for lower than £/$/€500 and the Xiaomi 12 Lite actually doesn’t embarrass itself on this firm.

Try extra choices in our greatest mid-range smartphones chart.

Verdict

The Xiaomi 12 Lite is a really strong mid-range cellphone. The light-weight building is a snug change from the heavier options discovered at this value level, plus the squre-edged design is each trendy and makes it simpler to carry within the hand.

Efficiency is once more superb, as are the cameras in order for you one thing for social media platforms. The software program is usually a bit clunky at instances, and the overly delicate show takes just a little getting used to, however these are minor gripes in comparison with all the opposite advantages on supply.

When you’re meaning to spend this type of cash on a cellphone in 2022, the Xiaomi 12 Lite must be on the very prime of your ‘ones to strive’ record.

Specs

• 6.55-inch AMOLED FHD+ DotDisplay, with 120Hz refresh charge, 240Hz contact sampling, Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+ assist, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
• Snapdragon 778G
• MIUI 13 with Android 12
• 6/8GB LPDDR4X RAM
• 128/256GB UFS 2.2 Storage
• 108Mp f/1.88 Principal digital camera (with Samsung HM2 sensor)
• 8Mp f/2.2 Extremely Large digital camera
• 2Mp f/2.4 Macro digital camera
• 32Mp f/2.45 Selfie digital camera
• 5G (Twin SIM)
• Wi-Fi 6
• NFC
• Bluetooth 5.2
• 4300mAh battery with 67W wired turbo charging
• Twin audio system with assist for Dolby Atmos
• USB-C charging port
• 159 x 74 x 7.3mm
• 173g