Xiaomi‘s latest upcoming lineup of premium camera-optimized phones, the Xiaomi 12S Series was announced today. Developed in a technological partnership with long-time camera industry legend Leica, these new phones promise to deliver amazing optics.
The Xiaomi 12S series uses a custom version of Leica’s signature Summicron lenses. Specifically, the 8P aspheric lens within the phone’s camera module is reinforced with other coatings and materials to reduce flares, ghosting, and chromatic aberrations, as well as provide an overall crisp and clear picture for all types of environments.
Behind the lens, and deeper inside the module is either Sony’s IMX989 (Xiaomi 12S Ultra) or the IMX707 (Xiaomi 12S and 12S Pro) sensor. The IMX989 is a massive 1-inch sensor with big improvements in reducing noise and increasing light captured, with Xiaomi claiming it can effectively perform like a traditional camera.
The IMX707 is a more modest module, designed mainly for “fast startup and continuous capturing”, with the support of features such as Xiaomi AI Image Solution and Xiaomi ProFocus. It will provide modes such as 30 FPS ultra-fast burst mode, All-scene snapshot, and can also be used fairly well in dimly lit environments.
These lenses and sensors combine to allow the Xiaomi 12S to better integrate other software optimizations, as well as create two primary photographic modes for the camera: the “Leica Authentic Look”, and the “Leica Vibrant Look”
The Leica Authentic Look provides a sort of default settings that are more akin to what images would look like on a native Leica camera. The Leica Vibrant Look then combines Xiaomi’s “expertise” in the mobile photography space, which is generally described as more thematically dynamic.
“Post-production” conveniences will include 10-bit RAW format support (calibrated by Adobe Labs) with color correction metadata. For example, when using Adobe Lightroom to access images taken by the Xiaomi 12S Series, the Adobe Camera RAW software will automatically adjust the colors of the image using the metadata.
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra will be powered by the 4nm process Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. This is an architecturally improved version over the original Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, with an estimated 10% better performance and 30% better efficiency over its predecessor.
The Xiaomi Surge P1 (fast-charging) chipset and the Xiaomi Surge G1 (battery management) chipset are two extra chipsets built by Xiaomi in-house for the Xiaomi 12S Ultra and 12S Pro. They’re designed to provide a better user experience through energy conversion efficiency and usage longevity algorithms.
Both the Xiaomi 12S Ultra and Xiaomi 12S Pro will feature a 6.73-inch E5 AMOLED display with 1,500 nits of brightness, 2K resolution, P3 color gamut, and 120Hz max AdaptiveSync Pro. The Xiaomi 12S will be slightly smaller, using a 6.28-inch that also supports P3 color gamut, HDR10+, and 120Hz AdaptiveSync.
As for battery and charging, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra will have a 4,860 mAh battery that supports 67W wired fast charging, 50W wireless, and 10W reverse, and will be infused by both Surge chipsets. The Xiaomi 12S Pro supports 120W wired, and 50W wireless uses a 4,600 mAh battery and is infused with the Surge P1 chipset.
The Xiaomi 12S provides 67W wired, and 50W wireless support, and uses a 4,500 mAh battery.
Price and Availability
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra will be available in two colors, classic black and verdant green, with three storage variants:
- 8GB+256GB – RMB 5,999
- 12GB+256GB – RMB 6,499
- 12GB+512GB – RMB 6,999
The Xiaomi 12S Pro will be available in four colors, black, purple, green, and white, with four storage variants:
- 8GB+128GB – RMB 4,699
- 8GB+256GB – RMB 4,999
- 12GB+256GB – RMB 5,399
- 12GB+512GB – RMB 5,899
The Xiaomi 12S will be available in four colors, Black, Purple, Green, and White, with four storage variants:
- 8GB+128GB – RMB 3,999
- 8GB+256G – RMB 4,299
- 12GB+256GB – RMB 4,699
- 12GB+512GB – RMB 5,199
The Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity Edition will be available in two colors, Black and White, with two storage variants:
- 8GB+128G – RMB 3,999
- 12GB+256GB – RMB 4,499
These models are now available via official Xiaomi distribution channels in Mainland China.