The question of when exactly Xiaomi 12 will be released has long been one of the most talked-about mobile technologies in the world: the official presentation of the flagship line took place at the end of 2021, ushering in an era of new processors and improved camera modules. For Russian users, information about the local release date was critical, as it determined the availability of the device in retail networks.
The global premiere took place much later than the Chinese announcement, which is standard practice for the company.The smartphone received a powerful processor and an updated design, which made it one of the market leaders in its segment. Below we will discuss in detail the chronology of the release of the device, its technical features and what was worth paying attention to when buying.
It is important to understand that dates can vary depending on the region and the specific retailer: the official start of sales in Russia took place on March 15, 2022, as confirmed by the first user reviews and the appearance of the product on the shelves, this event marked the beginning of the active phase of distribution of new products in the local market.
Chronology of presentations and releases
Xiaomi 12’s history began long before its physical appearance in stores, with the company traditionally pursuing a dual launch strategy, starting with China’s home market, where the first official presentation, which revealed key specs and price, took place on December 28, 2021.
The world premiere took place at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at the end of February 2022, an event that allowed European and other international partners to familiarize themselves with the new firsthand product. The global version received some software differences from the Chinese version, including the pre-installed Google service and the adapted firmware MIUI.
For consumers in Russia, the wait ended in mid-March, with logistics chains and customs procedures taking their time, but the device went on sale fairly quickly after the European launch, allowing enthusiasts to access the novelty almost simultaneously with the Europeans.
It is worth noting that Pro and X versions came to market in parallel with the base model. Each of them had its own delivery schedule, but the main focus was on the standard flagship. Understanding these dates helps to better navigate the cycles of updating the manufacturer’s lineup.
Technical characteristics and innovations
The device is based on Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 platform.This chipset has become a landmark for the industry, offering significant performance gains over its predecessors. The processor architecture has enabled complex computing tasks and smooth interface operation.
The screen is AMOLED with high refresh rate support. 2400×1080 pixel resolution provides clarity, and the pixel density makes the picture saturated. Gorilla Glass Victus is used to protect the image, which increases scratch resistance.
The cooling system, called LiquidCool, has been extensively redesigned, and engineers have increased the area of the evaporation chamber to cope with the heat generated by the new processor, which is especially important for gamers who spend a lot of time in demanding applications.
- 📱 Sony's main camera sensor IMX766 optically stabilized
- ⚡ Support for fast charging with a capacity of 67 watts in the kit
- 🔊 Stereo speakers with customization by Harman Kardon
- 💾 RAM LPDDR5 storage UFS 3.1
Details of the chamber module
Design, ergonomics and materials
The visual style of the device has changed from previous generations, with the camera unit located in the upper left corner and has an elongated rectangular shape, the back panel is made of matte glass or eco-skin depending on the color version chosen.
The ergonomics of the body has become one of the key advantages of the model: because of the use of a 6.28-inch screen, the smartphone is easily held with one hand, the frames around the display are minimal and symmetrical on all four sides, which creates an immersive effect.
The weight of the device is about 180 grams, which is a great indicator for a flagship. In the hand, it feels compact and not overloaded. The mechanical switch on is combined with a fingerprint scanner, which speeds up unlocking.
⚠️ Warning: Glossy versions of the back panel (e.g. blue) are highly susceptible to fingerprint contamination and require constant rubbing or cover use.
The connectors and ports are standard: USB Type-C on the bottom, IR port on the top. The lack of IP68 moisture protection in the base model (present only in the Pro version) is an important nuance when choosing.
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To preserve the appearance of the glass back panel, use a protective film on the back side or a transparent case with raised edges.
Software and interface
At the time of release, the smartphone was running the MIUI 13 shell based on Android 12. The interface offers deep customization and many features for user convenience. System animations have been optimized to work with a high refresh rate of the screen.
User experience is heavily influenced by the regional version of the firmware. The global version contains less pre-installed software and advertising than the Chinese version. Security updates and Android versions came regularly in the first two years of the device's life.
Second Space allows you to create an isolated space in your phone, which is useful for separating work and personal data, and there is also a One-Hand mode, which reduces the size of the interface for comfortable management of large content.
- 🛡️ Advanced privacy and data protection settings
- 🎨 Design themes with the possibility of deep customization
- 📲 Screen split mode for multitasking
- 🔋 Smart energy saving and background restrictions
☑️ Checking when buying a used
Comparison with competitors and analogues
At the time of its release, the Xiaomi 12 faced stiff competition from Samsung and OnePlus, with the Samsung Galaxy S22, which also offered a compact form factor, being the main rival, but the Chinese rival was winning in charging speed and trim.
Internally, the model competed with the 12X. The difference was the processor: the more affordable version used the Snapdragon 870. For most users, this difference in everyday tasks was not noticeable, but in heavy games, the base model showed better results.
Price policy positioned the device as an affordable flagship. Compared to the iPhone 13, Xiaomi offered a higher screen and faster charging in the box, making it an attractive choice for those looking for maximum performance for a reasonable money.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi 12 | Samsung Galaxy S22 | OnePlus 10 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen. | 6.28" AMOLED 120 Hz" | 6.1" AMOLED 120 Hz" | 6.7" AMOLED 120 Hz" |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Exynos 2200 / SD 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Charging. | 67 W (includes) | 25 W (block separately) | 80 W (includes) |
| Price (start) | ~$750 | ~$850 | ~$900 |
⚠️ Note: When comparing with competitors, consider that Samsung’s software support usually lasts longer (4-5 years of OS updates against 2-3 years ago, Xiaomi from that period).
Cost and availability in Russia
The recommended retail price at the start of sales in Russia was 69 990 rubles for the version 8/256 GB. This positioned the smartphone in the premium segment. However, after a few months, the price began to decline due to the release of new models and changes in the exchange rate.
Currently, the device is only available in the secondary market or in the remains of warehouses. The model's liquidity remains high due to its compact size, which is becoming rare.
When buying, you should pay attention to the firmware version. Global ROMs are valued higher than Chinese ones, and the presence of the box and the original charger also affects the final resale value.
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Xiaomi 12 has become one of the last truly compact flagships with top-end hardware, which retains its relevance even years after its release.