Xiaomi’s flagship smartphones are always a stir among tech enthusiasts, and the Xiaomi 12 Ultra model is no exception. Despite the fact that more than two years have passed since the announcement of the original Xiaomi 12 lineup, rumors about a possible “Ultra” version do not cease. In this article, we will examine whether Xiaomi will release 12 Ultra in 2026, what specs are to be expected, and whether it is worth delaying the purchase of current flagships for this device.
It’s important to understand that Xiaomi traditionally updates its Ultra models not every year, but with technological breakthroughs in mind. For example, Xiaomi 11 Ultra was released in 2021, and its successor, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, only in 2023. This creates confusion among users: some expect Xiaomi 12 Ultra as an intermediate model, others believe that the company missed this release.
Xiaomi’s official position: why 12 Ultra never came out
To date, Xiaomi 12 Ultra has not been officially announced and will likely never be released, the company confirmed this indirectly, releasing in 2022 only two models of the lineup — Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro, and then immediately moving to the Xiaomi 13 series in 2023.
- 🔄 Xiaomi has decided to focus on releasing Ultra models every two years to implement truly revolutionary improvements (for example, Leica optics in 13 Ultra).
- 📉 Falling demand: Pandemic and economic downturn in 2022 forced many manufacturers to cut premium smartphone lines.
- 🛠️ Technical limitations: There were no ready-made solutions for a significant upgrade in 2022 compared to 11 Ultra (e.g., the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 did not offer a significant performance boost).
However, rumors of a “hidden” release of Xiaomi 12 Ultra for limited markets (such as China) are still circulating online.
| Model | Announcement date | Key innovations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 11 Ultra | March 2021 | Secondary screen, Snapdragon 888, 50 MP camera | Released |
| Xiaomi 12 Ultra | — | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 was expected+, camera-up | Canceled. |
| Xiaomi 13 Ultra | April 2023 | Collaboration with Leica, 1-inch sensor | Released |
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | October 2023 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, variable aperture | Released |
⚠️ Warning: If you see offers to buy Xiaomi 12 Ultra on unknown sites, it is a scam.
What is Xiaomi 12 Ultra: the current alternatives in 2026
If you were counting on Xiaomi 12 Ultra as a premium smartphone, today there are more modern and proven options from the same manufacturer.
- 📱 Xiaomi 13 Ultra: Flagship of 2023 with Leica Summicron camera, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and screen 2K AMOLED 120Hz is ideal for photographers.
- 🔋 Xiaomi 14 Ultra: Novelty 2023/2026 variable-diaphragm (f/1.6–f/4.0), Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and support for wireless charging 80W.
Compare the key parameters in the table to see what you are losing (or gaining) by choosing modern models over the hypothetical 12 Ultra:
| Parameter | Xiaomi 13 Ultra | Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Hypothetical 12 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+ |
| Main camera. | 50 MP, Leica, 1" | 50 MP, variable aperture | 50 MP, no Leica. |
| Screen. | 6.73," 2K, 120 Hz. | 6.73", 2K, LTPO | 6.81", QHD+, 120 Hz |
| Battery | 5000 mAh, 90W | 5300mAh, 90W | 4800mAh, 67W |
Bottom Line: Even if the Xiaomi 12 Ultra were to be released in 2022, it would be obsolete today.The current 13 Ultra and 14 Ultra offer not only more powerful hardware, but also unique chips like a Leica collaboration or aperture variable.
Leaks and rumors: what is known about the “ghost” Xiaomi 12 Ultra
Despite the lack of an official announcement, in 2022, numerous leaks about the alleged Xiaomi 12 Ultra appeared on the network, some of them were so detailed that users believed in an imminent release.
- 📸 Camera: Rumors were about a 200-MP sensor from Samsung (similar to Motorola) X30 Xiaomi actually used this sensor later in Xiaomi. 12T Pro, but not in Ultra".
- ⚡ Charging: Support expected 120W wired 50W In reality, even 13 Ultras have only received a single charge. 90W.
- 🖥️ Screen: Talked about a subscreen front camera (as in the case of the camera) ZTE Axon 30.The technology was immature, and Xiaomi abandoned it until Mix Fold 3.
The most convincing leak came in May 2022 from an insider called Digital Chat Station (known by the nickname @) who published renders of a device with a square chamber module and the inscription Leica - but later it turned out that it was a prototype Xiaomi. 12S Ultra (which was released only for China) are the key differences between the prototype and the final version:
What is different about the prototype? 12S Ultra from the production model?
Why were the leaks so compelling? Because Xiaomi did develop an "Ultra" model for the Xiaomi 12 lineup, but abandoned it at the final stage, and some prototypes even got to bloggers, which gave rise to rumors. For example, in July 2022, YouTuber TechDroider published a video testing a "secret" Xiaomi 12 Ultra, which later turned out to be a fake based on the Xiaomi 12 Pro.
⚠️ If you are offered an exclusive Xiaomi 12 Ultra hands at a price below the market – check it out IMEI via imei.info, most likely a re-labeled 12 Pro or a fake.
Comparison with competitors: what other brands offered in 2022
To understand how relevant Xiaomi 12 Ultra would be at the time of its potential release, compare it with other brands’ flagships released in 2022, taking the alleged characteristics of the Ultra version and comparing them with real devices:
| Model | Processor | Camera. | Screen. | Price at launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hypothetical Xiaomi 12 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+ | 50 MP + 48 MP + 48 MP | 6.81", 2K, 120 Hz | ~120 000 ₽ |
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200 | 108 MP + 12 MPs + 10 MPs + 10 MPs | 6.8", 3088×1440, 120 Hz | ~130 000 ₽ |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | A16 Bionic | 48 MP + 12 MPs + 12 MPs | 6.7", 2796×1290, 120 Hz | ~150 000 ₽ |
| Oppo Find X5 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | 50 MP + 50 MP + 13 MP | 6.7", 3216×1440, 120 Hz | ~110 000 ₽ |
As you can see from the comparison, the hypothetical Xiaomi 12 Ultra would not have a significant advantage over the competitors of 2022. Moreover, in some respects (for example, autofocus on ultrasound from Samsung or the processor). A16 Apple would lose. That's another reason Xiaomi didn't release because it couldn't compete with the Galaxy. S22 Ultra or iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Interesting fact: in 2022, Xiaomi made a bet on Xiaomi 12S Ultra for the Chinese market, which would be superior in characteristics to the hypothetical global 12 Ultra. 12S Ultra was used by Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (rather than the base 8 Gen 1), which gave a performance gain of 10-15%.
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If you need a smartphone of 2022 with top specs, pay attention to Xiaomi 12S Ultra (can be ordered via AliExpress or local resellers) supports global LTE-ranges and has English-language firmware.
What if you want to use Xiaomi 12 Ultra?
If you’re determined that you need the Xiaomi 12 Ultra, we have some bad news: it’s officially impossible to buy a new device, but there are a few alternative ways to consider, with caveats to the risks and pitfalls.
🔍 Check it out. IMEI Original through imei.info
📄 Require the seller check or warranty card
🔋 Check the status of the battery using ##4636## (section "Battery information")
📦 Give preference to sellers with a rating above 98% (on AliExpress, Joom, etc.)
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- 🌍 Imports from China: At sites like AliExpress or Taobao, lots with the words Xiaomi 12 Ultra sometimes appear. 12S Ultra or re-marked 12 Pro. Be careful!
- 🔄 Used market: You can find ads on Avito or Yula for exclusive devices, 99% fraud, and if you get a real prototype, it won't be possible to repair and maintain it (no spare parts).
- 🛠️ Homemade Ultra: Some workshops offer an upgrade to the Xiaomi 12 Pro to the Ultra by replacing the camera module, which not only voids the warranty, but also leads to software problems (camera drivers are not optimized).
If you are buying, here are the red flags to watch out for:
- 🚩 Price below 50,000 ₽ (The real cost of the prototype is from 80 000 ₽).
- 🚩 Lack of original packaging or documents.
- 🚩 The seller refuses to provide a video with the test IMEI camera.
⚠️ Note: In 2023, Xiaomi officially announced that it would not produce parts for non-existent models, meaning that even if you manage to buy a prototype 12 Ultra, repairing its screen or battery will be impossible.
Next Next post: Should Xiaomi 15 Ultra Be Expected?
If you are interested in Xiaomi’s Ultra models, it is more logical to pay attention to the upcoming Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which is expected in October-November 2026.
- 🤖 Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (3nm, performance) +20% compared to 8 Gen 3).
- 📷 Camera: New 1-inch sensor with support 8K HDR and improved stabilization.
- 🔋 Battery: Possible support 100W wireless charging and battery capacity of 5500 mAh.
- 🖥️ Screen: LTPO OLED adaptive frequency from 1 Hz to 144 Hz.
Compare the expected specs of Xiaomi 15 Ultra with what 12 Ultra could offer if it came out:
| Parameter | Xiaomi 15 Ultra (expected) | Hypothetical 12 Ultra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Productivity | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 (3nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+ (4nm) | +40% in benchmarks |
| Camera. | 1" sensor, variable aperture | 1/1.1" sensor, fixed diaphragm | Best detail and lighting |
| Charging. | 100W wireless | 50W wireless | 2 times faster. |
| Support for the | 5 Years of Updates (to Android 19) | 3 years of updates (up to Android 15) | +2 years of relevance |
If you’ve considered the Xiaomi 12 Ultra as an investment in a long-term device, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a much smarter choice, especially since the Xiaomi 14 Ultra will drop 20 to 30 percent by the time it launches, making it an even more attractive option.
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Xiaomi 12 Ultra is a phantom smartphone that has never been released officially. All the latest technologies and improvements are implemented in the 13 Ultra and 14 Ultra models, and are also expected in the 15 Ultra.