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Le Parisien tested: the Xiaomi 12, a high-end small format

2022-08-03T13:29:40.057Z


What is the "small" flagship of the Chinese manufacturer of this year 2022 worth, whose main originality is its compact format? here is our


Determined to impose itself on the high-end segment, Xiaomi launched two premium smartphones a few months ago: the Xiaomi 12 Pro and a less expensive version, simply called Xiaomi 12. It is the latter that we tested .

A small “flagship” in size.

But not really by the price since marketed all the same 899 euros.

That is one hundred euros more than its predecessor of last year, the Mi 11. Is this tariff hypertrophy justified?

Complete answer in this test.

We liked

The compact size.

Few Android smartphones offer reduced dimensions as an iPhone 13 Mini or an iPhone SE can offer.

This is the case of the Xiaomi 12. Relatively small and thin (152.7 mm high x 69.9 wide x 8.2 thick), it is very pleasant to handle.

All operations can be performed with one hand and the buttons fall naturally under the fingers.

In the pocket, the phone knows how to be discreet, in particular thanks to its contained weight (180 g).

Users allergic to "bricks" that are handled with two hands will appreciate.

A wonderful screen.

Offering deep blacks, vibrant colors and pronounced contrast, the 6.28-inch Amoled panel, in Full HD +, is of excellent quality.

Its maximum brightness goes up rather high, which guarantees comfortable reading in direct sunlight.

Another good point: the refresh rate, which reaches 120 Hz, for increased fluidity.

The Amoled screen is of excellent quality.

Onion finishes.

The Xiaomi 12 is adorned with noble materials.

Its metal back, with a slightly grainy coating, is very pleasant to the touch.

Above all, it does not catch fingerprints.

The smartphone is available in three colors: blue, gray and purple.

It is this last version that we had in our hands.

We found it very elegant.

We also appreciate the finishes of the photo block and the slight curvatures on the sides of the panel, but also the finesse of the upper and lower edges of the screen.

No doubt: at first glance, we notice that the phone belongs to the high-end segment.

Only downside: the absence of the IP68 standard, which would have guaranteed the total waterproofness of the phone.

He is strong.

This Xiaomi 12 has the best current Android processor: the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 from Qualcomm.

It is coupled with 8 GB of RAM, for 256 GB of storage.

A configuration that is altogether classic in the high-end segment, which is still just as convincing.

Unsurprisingly, the phone is swift on a daily basis and manages multitasking without batting an eyelid.

It also encounters no difficulty in running resource-intensive games in the best conditions.

Rather convincing in photo.

The main 50 megapixel (MP) module delivers eye-pleasing shots, with good sharpness and controlled dynamic management.

Some may regret Xiaomi's aggressive software processing, which tends to saturate colors too much.

But overall it's still fun.

Main sensor.

The 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle also does a good job (as long as the light is good).

Image distortion is limited and sharpness remains correct.

But the colors appear colder than in the shots captured with the main module.

Ultra wide angle.

The X2 zoom is acceptable.

But beyond (you can zoom up to X10), the quality deteriorates markedly.

The absence of a telephoto lens, which we will discuss below, is felt.

Zoom X2 (digital).

Zoom X5 (digital).

Zoom X10 (digital).

At night, the main module does well.

The colors remain shimmering, the correct exposure.

Even if, smoothing obliges, some details go through the grinder.

The management of strong light sources, such as street lamps, is not optimal either.

We sometimes end up with long streaks of light.

Night mode off.

Night mode activated.

Portrait mode isn't always right.

But by insisting a little, when the light is sufficient, we end up obtaining beautiful photos, with a pleasant blur effect (bokeh) and satisfactory clipping.

The 32 MP selfie camera does a good job.

The details are plentiful, the photos contrasting and the background blur fairly natural.

However, it is necessary to deactivate the beautification mode: this one excessively smoothes the face.

We liked less

No telephoto lens.

Difficult to understand Xiaomi's choice to deprive his baby of a telephoto lens given the asking price.

Especially since direct competitors, such as the Samsung S22 and Google's Pixel 6 Pro, have it... Clearly, it's better not to rely on your Xiaomi 12 to capture distant subjects.

Instead, the Chinese manufacturer offers us a much less useful macro sensor on a daily basis.

And the digital zoom does not work miracles.

In addition to the main sensor, the device has an ultra wide-angle … and a macro module.

Telephoto point, therefore.

It gets a little too hot.

In its communication, Xiaomi highlights a liquid “XXL” cooling system.

A technology supposed to regulate the temperature of its device.

Unfortunately, the promises are not kept: the Xiaomi 12 tends to heat up a lot when it is used too much.

Especially during video game sessions.

In addition to being quite pronounced, this (over)heating appears too quickly, in less than ten minutes for example on a game of "Call of Duty".

The phone tends to heat up quickly when it is used for greedy tasks.

Fair autonomy (but fast charging).

The endurance of the Xiaomi 12 is quite disappointing.

The device will only last a day.

And only if you don't bother him too much... If, indeed, you are too greedy on video streaming and gaming, he won't even pass this course.

It must be said that the heating mentioned above should not help… Fortunately, the 67 W charger – supplied in the box – is effective: in less than 45 minutes, you go from 0 to 100%.

And a quarter of an hour allows you to recover half of the juice.

A speed that compensates for the low autonomy.

We should also mention its ability to recharge wirelessly in 50 W and the reverse charge of 10 W. Two good points.

Verdict

The Xiaomi has strong assets, in particular its finishes, exemplary, and its screen, sumptuous.

But it is above all its reduced format that seduces.

We deplore that said autonomy a little too low, generally poorly controlled heating and the absence of optical zoom.

Its price, too, is enough to make you tick.

At almost 900 euros, it comes up against fierce competitors: the S22 from Samsung, the Pixel 6 Pro from Google, even the iPhone 13. Devices that seem more balanced to us, even if the Xiaomi 12 is not unworthy.

Xiaomi 12.

Only one version: 8GB + 256GB, 899.90 euros.

5G, no jack.

No expandable memory, NFC.

Three colors available: purple, blue and grey.

Source: leparis

All news articles on 2022-08-03

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