Xiaomi 12 or 12 Pro: Which smartphone is better to buy in 2026?

Choosing between the Xiaomi 12 and the Xiaomi 12 Pro is a dilemma faced by thousands of users who want to get a flagship smartphone at an adequate price: Both models were released in early 2022, but still remain relevant thanks to powerful hardware, support for updates and balanced characteristics.

In this article, we will not just list the technical characteristics, but will analyze the real differences in work: how models behave in games, how different the quality of the photo, whether to overpay for 120 watts of charging and 2K-We tested both models in 2026, taking into account current trends, from support for AI functions to compatibility with new versions. MIUI. If you’re fluctuating between these smartphones, our analysis will help you make informed choices.

1. Design and ergonomics: who is more comfortable in the hand?

At first glance, the Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro are almost indistinguishable: both have an aluminum-framed glass body, curved screen edges and minimal bezels. But the devil is in the details. The 12 Pro is 20 grams heavier (204 g versus 180 g for the base model) and 0.8 mm thicker. This may seem insignificant, but with prolonged use, the difference is felt: Xiaomi 12 is easier to hold with one hand, especially if you have small palms.

Another nuance is moisture protection: Both models are IP53 certified, which means spray protection, but not full immersion. This is a weakness of the flagships of 2022: competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S22 have already offered IP68. If you want water resistance, you'll have to buy a case or consider newer models.

• 📏 Xiaomi 12: 152.7 × 69.9 × 8.16 mm, 180 s
• 📏 Xiaomi 12 Pro: 163.6 × 74.6 × 8.16 mm, 204 s
• 🎨 Colors: 12 Pro has a unique shade of “Grey space”, 12 – “Green mystic»
• 🔋 Materials: Gorilla Glass Victus on both models, but the Pro frame is matted (fewer fingerprints)

⚠️ Note: If you drop your phone a lot, look at the Xiaomi 12 Pro — its matted frame slips less in your hands. But for reliability, we still recommend a case: the glass back of both smartphones is prone to scratches.

2. Screens: 1080p vs 2K - is the difference noticeable?

One of the key differences is Xiaomi. 12 fitted AMOLED-full-screen HD+ (2400 × 1080), 12 Pro — 2K (3200 × 1440). On paper, the difference is obvious, but in reality it all depends on your tasks:

• 🎮 For games and video: On the 12 Pro, the textures in games look a little clearer, but the difference is noticeable only when you compare them directly. In everyday use, both screens are pleasing with juicy colors and deep black.
• 📱 Autonomy: Higher resolution 12 Pro eats an extra 10-15% charge when used actively.
• 🔍 Read more: 12 Pro is easier to read PDF or work with tables – fonts do not “soap».

Both models support 120Hz, but the 12 Pro has a chip called LTPO 2.0, which allows you to dynamically adjust the frequency from 1 to 120Hz, saving battery life. The base model has a frequency of 60 or 120Hz.

The critical point: If you watch often HDR-Content (Netflix, YouTube Premium, Xiaomi 12 Pro wins with Dolby Vision support – colors look richer, especially in dark scenes.

3.Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 at the limit

Both models run on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the top chipset of 2022, but here's the caveat: Xiaomi 12 Pro has an improved cooling system (a larger steam chamber), which allows you to keep high performance longer without trottling.

• 🎮 Genshin Impact (max. settings): On 12 Pro FPS stable at 55-58 frames, while on Xiaomi 12 after 20 minutes, gameplay drops to 48-50.
• 📊 AnTuTu (2026): 12 Pro dials ~850,000 points, Xiaomi 12 — ~810,000 (a 5% difference is not critical for most tasks).
• 🔥 Heating: 12 Pro warms to 42°C in games, Xiaomi 12 – up to 46°C.

For everyday tasks (social networks, messengers, photos), it doesn't matter.

• 🎮 Playing heavy games for more than 30 minutes in a row;
• 🎥 You're mounting video on your phone;
• 🤖 Use resource-intensive applications (e.g., stable diffusion for image generation),

12 Pro is preferable.

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If you notice strong heat Xiaomi 12 in games, activate the Game Turbo mode in the settings and reduce the screen resolution to FHD+ – this will reduce the load on the GPU.

4 Cameras: three modules vs. professional photography

This is one of the most controversial points. Xiaomi 12 Pro has three main modules (50 MP + 50 MP + 50 MP), whereas the base model only has two (50 MP + 13 MP + 5 MP).

In real-world conditions:

• 🌄 Daytime pictures: There is almost no difference - both smartphones give bright, detailed photos. 12 Pro slightly better handles shadows.
• 🌃 Night shooting: Here the 12 Pro is pushed forward by ProFocus – objects in the foreground remain clear even when moving.
• 🔍 Zoom: The 12 Pro has a real 2× Optical zoom, while Xiaomi 12 only digital – the difference is huge when shooting remote objects.
• 🎥 Video: Both models are filming 8K@24fps, But the Pro has better stabilization (hybrid). OIS+EIS).

Conclusion: If photography is a hobby or a job, the Xiaomi 12 Pro justifies overpaying. The basic model is enough for random shots on social media.

5. Battery and charging: speed vs capacity

Here, the Xiaomi 12 Pro wins:

• 🔋 Capacity: 4600 mAh vs 4500 mAh for Xiaomi 12 (difference of 2-3 hours of autonomy with moderate use).
• ⚡ Fast charging: 120 watts for the Pro vs. 67 watts for the base model. In practice: 12 Pro charges to 100% in 18 minutes, Xiaomi 12 charges in 39 minutes.
• 🔄 Wireless charging: Both models support 50W, but the Pro has reverse charging (you can charge headphones or smartwatches).

However, there are pitfalls:

⚠️ Attention: Fast charging 120W requires a proprietary power supply (only included with 12 Pro). Using third-party charging can reduce speed or damage the battery. Also note that high-current charging reduces battery life by 10-15% in 2 years.

If you travel frequently and need quick charge recovery, the 12 Pro is the best choice. For office work or moderate use, the difference is not critical.

Turn off fast charging in settings (if you are not in a hurry)|Use a dark theme and 60Hz to save money|Don't discharge below 20%|Keep your phone at a temperature of 10-35°C-->

6. Software and updates

At the time of release, both models were running MIUI 13 based on Android 12, and in 2026 they received an update to MIUI 14 (Android 13), and in the plans - Android 14 (but without warranties for Xiaomi 12).

• 🤖 Update support: Xiaomi 12 Pro will get one year longer patch security (up to 2026 vs 2026 for the base model).
• 🎯 AI functions: 12 Pro better optimized algorithms for processing photos (for example, removing objects in pictures works more accurately).
• 🔒 Bloatwar: Both models suffer from pre-installed apps, but on Pro they can be removed without root rights (on Xiaomi 12 some system applications remain).

If you want long-term support, look for newer models (such as the Xiaomi 14), but for most users, the difference between the 12 and 12 Pro is not critical.

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Xiaomi 12 Pro takes priority in the distribution of updates – critical security patches are released for it 1-2 weeks earlier than for the base model.

7.Price and Alternatives in 2026

In the secondary market (2026) prices for models vary:

• 💰 Xiaomi 12 (8/256 GB): 25 000–30 000 ₽
• 💰 Xiaomi 12 Pro (8/256 GB): 35 000–45 000 ₽
• 💰 Xiaomi 12 Pro (12/256 GB): 40 000–50 000 ₽

Should you overpay? Depends on your priorities:

• 📸 For the photo: Yes, 12 Pro is justified.
• 🎮 For games: Only if you play heavy projects for more than an hour.
• 🔋 For autonomy: 1000 mAh difference and fast charging can be critical.
• 💼 For office/social networks: Xiaomi 12 is enough.

Alternatives in the same price range:

• 📱 Poco F5 Pro (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, 120 W charging – 10-15 cheaper%.
• 📱 Realme GT 2 Pro (best screen and design, but weaker than the camera).
• 📱 Samsung Galaxy S22 (Better software optimization, but more expensive).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro