Xiaomi in 2022: a full review of flagships and gadgets

2022 was a turning point for Xiaomi, marking its final move into premium devices. Instead of the usual race for budget solutions, engineers focused on materials quality, collaboration with Leica and the introduction of advanced charging technologies. This year, we saw the Xiaomi 12S Ultra change the way mobile photography is viewed, and the Xiaomi 12 series set new standards for compactness for flagships.

Consumers no longer have to choose between power and ergonomics, and the lineup has expanded not only with smartphones but also with Pad 5 tablets, as well as ecosystem products that are tightly integrated into MIUI. If you’re planning to buy equipment or just follow the market, it’s important to understand which models have defined the brand’s face during this period.

In this article, we will take a closer look at key releases, their technical features and hidden nuances that are often overlooked in marketing brochures, explaining why the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor was a test for engineers and how Xiaomi managed to solve the problems of overheating in later versions.

Xiaomi’s flagship 12 and 12 Pro series

The first to enter the arena were smartphones basic series Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro. The main feature was the focus on ease of use with one hand, which has become rare for the market of Android flagships. the Basic model received a screen diagonal of 6.28 inches, which made it an ideal choice for those who are tired of “shovels”.

Inside the devices, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which, despite its high performance, had a tendency to heat, had to implement sophisticated cooling systems, including a large-area evaporation chamber, and yet in heavy-game scenarios, the case could warm appreciably.

The Xiaomi 12X, which often remains in the shadow of its older brothers, was a feature of the Snapdragon 870, a proven and cold processor that many users found to be the middle ground between price, performance and no overheating issues.

• 📱 Display: AMOLED E5 prior 3200×1440 pixels in the Pro version.
• 🔋 Recharging: Support for fast charging of 120W (depending on region).
• 📷 Camera: The main module of Sony IMX766 optically stabilized.
• ⚙️ OS: Initial launch on Android 12 with shell MIUI 13.

⚠️ Note: Global versions of Xiaomi 12 series smartphones often lack some features available in Chinese firmware, for example, the full operation of the second one. SIM-slot-in 5G.

The Photo Revolution with Xiaomi 12S Ultra

In the summer of 2022, the company unveiled a device that split the history of mobile photography into "before" and "after." Xiaomi 12S Ultra became the world's first smartphone to receive a 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor. It's not just a marketing ploy, but a real leap in quality shots, especially in low light.

The collaboration with the legendary German company Leica brought not only the logo on the back, but also the special color profiles "Leica Authentic" and "Leica Vibrant" that dramatically changed the character of the picture, and the photos became more artistic and less digital.

The camera's design also changed, with a huge camera module jutting above the body, requiring special covers with a protective ring for the lens, a compromise that users made for the quality of the photo.

Importantly, the 12S series was originally released only for the domestic market of China: the global counterpart was the Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept and later the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, but it was the 12S Ultra that set the tone for the entire industry in 2022.

• 📸 Sensor: 1-inch Sony IMX989, 50 MP.
• 🔭 Zoom: Periscopic telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.
• 🎨 Leica: Special filters and watermarks in the photo.
• 💾 Memory: Up to 12 GB of RAM LPDDR5.

⚠️ Note: When buying the Chinese version of Xiaomi 12S Ultra for use in Europe or CIS make sure it supports the frequencies you need. 4G/5G networks (Band) 20 may be absent).

Tablet renaissance: Xiaomi Pad 5 and Pad 5 Pro

After a long hiatus, Xiaomi returned to the tablet market with the Pad 5 series. In 2022, the lineup was replenished with a version of the Pad 5 Pro, which offered characteristics close to laptops.

The key element was support for the Xiaomi Smart Pen stylus with a input delay of only 2 ms. This allowed you to take notes and draw comfortably. The screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a resolution of 2.5K ensured smooth interface and clarity of text.

The processor base divided the models: the standard Pad 5 received the Snapdragon 860, and the Pro version – Snapdragon 870. For multimedia and easy tasks, the basic model was enough, but for multitasking and Pro games, the version was the uncontested leader in its price segment.

The MIUI for Pad shell was optimized for the big screen, supporting split screen and floating windows, and this turned the tablet into a full-fledged workstation, especially when paired with a keyboard case.

Game Solutions: Black Shark 4 and 4 Pro

Although Black Shark is formally a sub-brand, in 2022 these devices were closely associated with Xiaomi's ecosystem: The Black Shark 4 series offered arguably the best ergonomics for gamers thanks to physical magnetic triggers at the end of the case.

The Pro received a Snapdragon 888 processor, while the base version was content with the Snapdragon 870.The main feature was a superfast charging 120 watts, which allowed you to fully charge the device in just 15 minutes, which is critical during long gaming sessions.

AMOLED screens with a frequency of 144 Hz provided incredible smoothness in supported games, however, it was worth remembering that the software of gaming smartphones often has specific settings that may not be clear to the average user.

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Use external cooling (cooler) when playing heavy projects on Black Shark 4 Pro, so that the processor does not reset frequencies due to trottling.

Smart home and wearable electronics

2022 also saw the release of new versions of popular gadgets: the Mi Band 7 received a larger screen and always-on display (AOD), making it an even more popular fitness tracker.

In the segment of the smart home came new versions of robot vacuum cleaners series Xiaomi Robot Vacuum with automatic base cleaning and laser navigation LDS. They learned to better build maps of the room and bypass obstacles.

New Mi Electric Scooter 4 models with increased range and improved energy recovery systems were also unveiled, with the ecosystem becoming increasingly connected, allowing devices to be controlled through a single entry point.

• ⌚ Mi Band 7: Screen 1.62, 110+ sporting regimes.
• 🧹 Vacuum cleaners: Water management support and dry cleaning.
• 🛴 Transport: Increased range up to 35 km.

⚠️ Note: When buying the global version of Mi Band 7, make sure that the Mi Fitness app (formerly Zepp Life) supports your region, as sometimes servers can be split up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Xiaomi in 2022 made a bet on the quality of the camera and materials, sacrificing the versatility of some models for niche solutions.