Xiaomi's flagship smartphones are always a buzz, and the Xiaomi 12 series is no exception. But when exactly did it launch? And is it relevant in 2026, when the market is already dominated by Xiaomi 14? If you're planning a purchase or just wondering about the history of the brand, this article will help you understand the chronology of events, key features of Xiaomi 12 and what the series will look like in the future.
Many people confuse announcement dates because of regional features: Xiaomi smartphones traditionally appear earlier in China than in the global market. We analyzed official sources, leaks and release history to give an accurate answer. And we will also explain why Xiaomi 12 became the first flagship of the brand with support for wireless charging with 50 watts — a technology that is still relevant even for new models.
Spoiler: If you're looking for information about the Xiaomi 12T or Xiaomi 12 Lite, their presentations were held separately — that's what we'll talk about later. And for those who want to know whether to buy the Xiaomi 12 in 2026, we've prepared a comparison table with the current flagships and a checklist of choice.
Official dates of the presentation of Xiaomi 12: the chronology of events
The first presentation of the Xiaomi 12 series took place on December 28, 2021 — but only for the Chinese market.This was an unexpected decision, since Xiaomi’s flagships were previously announced in February and March. The company explained the shift by the desire to accelerate the release of smartphones on the latest chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which Qualcomm introduced a month earlier.
The global presentation took place much later, on March 15, 2022, on which day the following were officially presented:
- 📱 Xiaomi 12 (standard version)
- 📱 Xiaomi 12 Pro (with improved camera and screen)
- 📱 Xiaomi 12X (compact version with Snapdragon 870)
In some regions (e.g. Europe), sales started only in April 2022 due to logistical delays.
The Xiaomi 12S, a special series for the Chinese market announced on July 4, 2022, included models with cameras from Leica and became the predecessor of modern flagships Xiaomi 13/14.
⚠️ Note: Some sites have information about the “presentation of Xiaomi 12 in 2023” and this is a mistake – we are talking about rebranding or re-release of the model for individual markets (for example, Xiaomi 12 Lite). 5G NE, which came out in September 2022).
Xiaomi 12 surprised at the presentation: key innovations
Xiaomi 12’s presentation was remembered for several breakthrough solutions that still remain relevant today:
1. Display with Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology:
- 🔍 Permission 2400 × 1080 (FHD+) supportive 120 Hz and 480 Hz sensory survey
- 🌈 Support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+
- ☀️ Brightness up to 1100 nits (peak - 1500 nits)
2. 50W wireless charging is the first time in Xiaomi’s history.For comparison, Xiaomi 11 had 30W, while competitors (such as Samsung Galaxy S22) had only 15W.
3.The cooling system with a steam chamber of 2900 mm2, which is 100% larger than its predecessor, and this allowed to avoid trolling even during long gaming sessions.
In addition, the presentation was announced a partnership with Harman Kardon to customize stereo speakers – this has become the standard for all subsequent flagships Xiaomi.
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If you buy Xiaomi 12 in 2026, look out for the 12/256GB version of storage – it supports UFS 3.1, while the base version (8/128GB) runs on UFS 3.0 and is noticeably slower.
Comparison of Xiaomi 12 with modern flagships (2026)
It’s been more than two years since the launch, but the Xiaomi 12 is still available for sale — should you buy it?
| Parameter | Xiaomi 12 (2021) | Xiaomi 13 (2022) | Xiaomi 14 (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Main camera. | 50 MP (Sony IMX766) | 50 MP (Sony IMX890) | 50 MP (Light Fusion 900) |
| Screen. | 6.28", 120 Hz, FHD+ | 6.36," 120 Hz, 2K | 6.36," 120 Hz, 2K, LTPO |
| Battery | 4500 mAh, 67 watts of wired | 4820 mAh, 67 Wh | 4610 mAh, 90 Wh |
| Price (new, 2026) | ~25 000 ₽ | ~45 000 ₽ | ~70 000 ₽ |
As you can see from the table, Xiaomi 12 is losing to modern flagships in performance and cameras, but wins in price.
- 🎮 Gamers (thanks to good cooling and 120Hz screen)
- 📸 Selfie lovers (front camera 32 MP with autofocus)
- 💰 Buyers with a limited budget (cost in the 2-3 less than Xiaomi 14)
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Xiaomi 12 is a good choice for those who do not need the latest technologies, but it is important to have balanced features and price.
Xiaomi 12T and 12 Lite: separate presentations and key differences
Many people confuse the Xiaomi 12 with the 12T and 12 Lite series, which were later announced and marketed as more affordable alternatives.
Xiaomi 12T was introduced on October 4, 2022 and became the first Xiaomi smartphone with a camera on 200 MP (sensor Samsung HP1).
- 📏 Display. 6.67" permittingly 1220 × 2712 (1.5K)
- 🔋 Battery 5000 mAh with 120 W charging
- 🎯 Chipset MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Ultra (Snapdragon instead)
Xiaomi 12 Lite debuted on July 9, 2022 as the most compact and lightweight flagship (weight – only 173 g).
- 🎨 10-bit AMOLED-The screen supports Dolby Vision
- 📸 Triple camera: 108 MP (main camera) + 8 MP (ultrashishiro) + 2 MP (macro)
- 🔄 Support for 67W fast charging
These models are often sold for less than the original Xiaomi 12, but are inferior to it in performance and ecosystem chips (for example, there is no support for Xiaomi HyperCharge for accessories).
Why Xiaomi 12T didn’t get the Snapdragon?
Where to watch Xiaomi presentations online: official sources
If you want to keep an eye on future announcements (like Xiaomi 15), here are proven sources to view live presentations:
1. Xiaomi's official YouTube channel:
Social media:
Specialized resources:
Important: broadcasts usually start at 14:00 Beijing time (in Moscow it is 09:00).For convenience, use the Time and Date service for time zone conversion.
⚠️ Note: Some unofficial channels (e.g. YouTube) may leak presentations days before the official announcement, most often fakes – only check the information on the verified resources listed above.
The future of the Xiaomi 12 series: what to expect in 2026-2026
While the Xiaomi 12 is no longer the current flagship, the series will continue to evolve as budget and mid-budget models.
1. Xiaomi 12R (expected in 2026):
2. Xiaomi 12S Ultra (rebranding rumors):
According to the insider Digital Chat Station, Xiaomi may return the name 12S for a new line with Leica cameras, but already based on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The expected date of the announcement is the first quarter of 2026.
Also worth watching for the announcements of Xiaomi Civi 4 (the successor to Xiaomi 12 Lite) and the possible release of Xiaomi 12T Pro+ with support for 200 watts of charging.
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Should you buy Xiaomi 12 in 2026: pros and cons
If you’re considering Xiaomi 12 as an option to buy, weigh the pros and cons:
Pros:
- ✅ Great. AMOLED-The screen supports Dolby Vision
- ✅ Fast 50W wireless charging (rare for budget flagships)
- ✅ Compact size (6.28) and light weight (179 g)
- ✅ Good optimization. MIUI 14 (updates are still coming out)
Cons:
- ❌ Chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 warms up at long loads
- ❌ There is no memory card slot (only built-in memory)
- ❌ The camera loses even to mid-budget smartphones in 2026
- ❌ No official support for Android 15 (last updated is Android 14)
For whom will be suitable Xiaomi 12 in 2026:
- 👍 Fans of compact smartphones (alternative to iPhone 13 mini)
- 👍 Gamers who are interested in the refresh rate of the screen 120 Hz
- 👍 For those looking for a smartphone with good sound, Harman Kardon)
Who better to consider other options:
- 👎 Photographers (Xiaomi camera) 13/14 better)
- 👎 Those who plan to use a smartphone for more than 2 years (chipset is morally outdated)
- 👎 For those who like big screens (the 6.28 display) it may seem cramped)
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Xiaomi 12 in 2026 is the middle ground for those who value the balance of price, compactness and performance, but do not chase the latest innovations.