The question of when exactly the Xiaomi 12 flagship smartphone was released is still relevant for those looking for a compact and powerful device in the secondary market or in the remains of inventory. This device marks an important turning point in the strategy of the Chinese manufacturer, which decided to abandon the race for huge screen diagonals in favor of ergonomics.
However, despite the elapsed time, interest in the device is not extinguished due to its unique form factor and top-end processor of the period. Understanding the exact release dates of various modifications helps the buyer not to get confused in the versions of firmware and ensure that there is support for updates. In this article, we will discuss in detail the launch chronology, technical features and current feasibility of purchasing this gadget.
Importantly, the release dates in China, Europe and Russia varied significantly, creating confusion among consumers: Xiaomi traditionally introduces new products in the home market first, and only a few months later the device reaches the shelves in other regions.
Chronology of world presentations and local releases
The official debut of the Xiaomi 12 series took place in China on December 28, 2021.It was a strategic decision of the company to get ahead of competitors and introduce its new flagship based on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset before Samsung releases its Galaxy S22 line. Chinese users were able to pre-order immediately after the event, and the first live sales began on December 31, 2021.
The global premiere that most international buyers are targeting came much later, with the event taking place on February 28, 2022, at the MWC in Barcelona, when the world saw the European version of the smartphone adapted to local communication frequencies and standards, and official sales in Russia began in March 2022, which is a standard lag for the domestic market.
It is worth considering that in parallel with the base model, other versions of the lineup were released, including the Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12X. Their release dates could shift depending on the region and the availability of components.
| Region | Announcement date | Start date of sales | Features of the version |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 28 December 2021 | 31 December 2021 | Basic version, 12X, Pro |
| Global (Europe) | 28 February 2022 | 15 March 2022 | Only 12 and 12 Pros |
| Russia | 28 February 2022 | 24 March 2022 | Official Warranty, NFC |
| India | 21 July 2022 | 26 July 2022 | Delayed release |
⚠️ Warning: When buying a device released in late 2021, check the warranty activation date. In some cases, devices with an expired or reduced service life may be in storage.
Technical characteristics and uniqueness of the form factor
The main feature that many have been waiting for the release of Xiaomi 12, for its size, was its screen diagonal 6.28 inches was a breath of fresh air for users tired of shovels. Compactness here is not at the expense of performance: the device is based on the flagship platform Qualcomm, which ensured the highest speed at the time of release.
The display is AMOLED with 120 Hz refresh rate and FullHD+ resolution. This is the optimal combination for such a diagonal, allowing you to maintain high pixel density and clarity of the picture. At the same time, the resolution does not overload the GPU, which has a positive effect on autonomy.
Details of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
The main camera has Sony's IMX766 optically stabilized sensor, a time-tested module that was used in many flagships of the period. Video capture is supported at up to 8K resolution, although in practice most users are limited to 4K at 60 frames per second for better quality and compatibility.
- 📱 Screen: 6.28" AMOLED, 120 Hz, 1000 nits (peak brightness).
- 🚀 Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (8 cores, up to 3.0 GHz).
- 🔋 Battery: 4500mAh with quick charging of 67W.
- 📸 Cameras: 50 MP (main) + 13 MP (width) + 5 MP (telemacro).
Comparison of versions: Global, CN and Xiaomi 12X
When looking for information about when the phone came out, it is important to distinguish between modifications. The Chinese version (CN) and Global (Global) have differences in software and frequency support. In China, the shell is pre-installed with Chinese and English, without Google services out of the box (although they are easy to install).
The Xiaomi 12X is a special feature, which was released simultaneously with the main model in China, but it came to the global market later and in limited quantities. The main difference is the Snapdragon 870 processor. It is a less powerful, but cooler and more energy-efficient chip. For many users, this version was preferred because of the lack of problems with overheating.
The difference also came in support for wireless charging: The base Xiaomi 12 lacks this feature in the global version (the Chinese version has it), while the older 12 Pro has wireless charging everywhere, an important nuance when choosing a device in the secondary market.
☑️ What to look for when buying Xiaomi 12
Software and Relevance of Updates
Since its launch, the smartphone has received several major operating system updates, initially running on Android 12 with a MIUI 13 shell, and subsequently the company updated the lineup to MIUI 14, and then began implementing a new HyperOS system.
Support for the model continues, but it is coming to an end. For devices of this class, Xiaomi usually guarantees 2-3 years of major Android updates and 4 years of security updates. Since the phone was released in late 2021, it is not worth waiting for Android 15 or 16, but security patches will come for some time.
⚠️ Note: When buying a used device, make sure that it has the latest firmware version installed.Outdated software may contain security vulnerabilities and may not work properly with new versions of bank applications.
Users are often interested in installing custom firmware. Thanks to the popularity of the model, the development community is actively supporting the Xiaomi 12. However, unlocking the bootloader in the new shells of MIUI and HyperOS has become more difficult and requires an account with a certain level of activity.
Problems and shortcomings identified after the release
Despite the praise for its compactness, the device is not without its flaws. The main complaint of the owners was the work of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. This chip, manufactured according to Samsung standards, is prone to trolling (decreased performance) and heating under load. In a compact case, the heat sink is difficult, which leads to tangible heating of the back panel during games or prolonged video shooting.
Another controversial point is the lack of IP68 moisture protection in the global version (in Chinese it is claimed, but tests show different effectiveness).For the flagship of 2022, this was a significant omission, especially given the competition with the Samsung Galaxy S22, which had full protection from water.
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If you plan to play actively on the Xiaomi 12, it is recommended to purchase an external cooler or remove the case during long sessions to avoid resetting the screen brightness due to overheating.
Also worth mentioning is the quality of the video, which, despite 8K support, was inferior to the competition in some scenarios, and the transition between the lenses could be accompanied by jerks. For the average user, this is not critical, but demanding videographers could be unhappy.
Should I buy Xiaomi 12 right now?
If you’re looking for a compact smartphone with flagship performance and are willing to put up with the age of the model, the Xiaomi 12 remains one of the few options on the market. Finding something comparable in power in a small case in 2026-2026 is getting harder and more expensive.
However, if you want long-term support, a perfect camera and no heat problems, it is better to consider more recent models such as Xiaomi 13 or 14, or pay attention to the version 12X.
The secondary market offers many options, but beware: Refurbished instances or phones after unskilled repairs can work unstable.Always check the device before buying, using special screen and sensor tests.
What is the real autonomy of Xiaomi 12?
Does Xiaomi have 12 memory card jacks?
Does the global version support wireless charging?
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Xiaomi 12 is a niche device for fans of compact screens, ready to compromise in autonomy and heat for the sake of ergonomics.
⚠️ Warning: Don't buy Xiaomi 12 if you're an avid mobile gamer. Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor in a compact body will often go into trotting, reducing the cost of the product. FPS heavy-play.
In conclusion, the Xiaomi 12 will be remembered as the company’s bold experiment to return to comfortable size, its release in late 2021 and early 2022 set the trend for compact flagships, which other manufacturers support, and even years later, this device remains relevant to a certain audience who value the balance between size and power.