Xiaomi 12: which smartphone is better to buy in 2026?

Xiaomi 12 is still a hot choice for those looking for flagship capabilities at a reasonable price. Even two years after its release, these smartphones are confidently competing with the new products of 2026 thanks to powerful hardware, high-quality screens and an advanced camera. But how not to get confused in the variety of modifications — Xiaomi 12 Lite, Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Xiaomi 12S and Xiaomi 12 Ultra?

In this article, we will not only compare specifications, but also help you choose a model for specific tasks: for games, photography, long-term autonomy or compactness. Consider current prices in the used market, and features of firmware after updates. Spoiler: if you want a balanced option, Xiaomi 12 Pro remains the best choice, but for photo enthusiasts 12 Ultra is still out of competition.

And we're going to reveal one important nuance about 5G support in Russian firmware, which is often ignored by vendors, but everything in order.

A brief overview of the Xiaomi 12 line: what are the differences between the models

All Xiaomi 12 smartphones are built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 platform (except the Lite version), but differ in key parameters: screen size, cameras, battery and body materials.

• 📱 Xiaomi 12 Lite is a budget version with AMOLED 6.55, Snapdragon 778G and a triple camera 108+8+2 MP. Ideal for social networks and everyday tasks.
• 🔥 Xiaomi 12 is the base model with 6.28" AMOLED 120 Hz, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and a 4500 mAh battery.
• 📸 Xiaomi 12 Pro — top in price/quality ratio: 6.73" LTPO AMOLED 120 Hz, 50+50+50 MP (Leica) and fast charging 120 W.
• ⚡ Xiaomi 12S is an improved version of the 12 Pro with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and optimized cooling.
• 🎥 Xiaomi 12 Ultra is the flagship for photographers: 6.73" E5 AMOLED, the main camera 50 MP (1) with optical stabilization and a telephoto lens 48 MP.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi 12S and 12 Ultra were not officially shipped to Russia, so their purchase is associated with risks (warranty, firmware).

Xiaomi 12 vs Xiaomi 12 Pro: What to Choose for Games and Media

If you are looking for a smartphone for gaming (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) or watching movies, then the choice comes down to two models: the standard Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro. Both are equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, but the differences lie in the details:

For gaming, the Xiaomi 12 Pro is definitely better: thanks to its cooling system with a evaporative camera, it keeps its performance longer without trottling. In 3DMark Wild Life tests, the difference in FPS stability is 15-20%. And the Pro version has a larger screen, which is a plus for shooters and strategies.

But for multimedia, the choice is not so obvious. Xiaomi 12 is smaller and more comfortable in the hand, and its AMOLED- screen with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ is not inferior in quality of the picture, but 12 Pro offers speakers from Harman Kardon — volume and cleaner sound.

⚠️ Attention: In Russian firmware Xiaomi 12 Pro, support for 5G in the n78 bands (3.5 GHz] is disabled by default. To enable it, you need to manually edit the settings via ##4636## or install custom firmware.

Xiaomi 12 Lite: Should I Buy in 2026?

The Xiaomi 12 Lite is the most affordable model in the lineup, but with reservations: It is built on the Snapdragon 778G processor, which is weaker than the flagship 8 Gen 1, but consumes less power, which makes it an interesting option for those who do not need maximum FPS in games, but autonomy is important.

Pros 12 Lite:

• 🔋 Longer holds charge: moderate use lasts for 1.5-2 days (versus 1 days for 12 Pro).
• 📸 A good 108 MP main camera (Samsung HM2 sensor) is enough for social networks and daytime shots.
• 💰 The price in the secondary market starts from 15-18 thousand rubles (vs. 25-30 thousand for 12 Pro).

Cons:

• 🐢 Heavy games (PUBG Mobile on ultra-settings) show slowdowns.
• 🔊 Stereo speakers are available, but the sound is noticeably worse than the older models.
• 📉 There is no wireless charging and protection IP53 (the 12 Pro has IP53, but it's still weak).

Xiaomi 12 Lite should be considered if:

1. The budget is limited to 20 thousand rubles.
2. We need a lightweight smartphone (173g) with a good screen.
3. The games are Candy Crush or Brawl Stars, not Genshin Impact.

💡

Xiaomi 12 Lite is the best choice for social media and everyday tasks, but not for gamers or photographers.

Xiaomi 12 Ultra: photo monster or overpayment?

The Xiaomi 12 Ultra is a smartphone for photography enthusiasts, and here it still has no equal among the 2022 devices.Its main camera features a Sony IMX707 size 1" sensor (like the Sony Xperia Pro-I), and optical capabilities include:

• 📷 Basic module: 50 MP, f/1.9, optical stabilization.
• 🔍 Telephoto lens: 48 MP, 5x optical zoom (equivalent to 120 mm).
• 🌄 Ultra-wide angle: 48 MP, 128°.
• 🎥 Supports video recording in 8K@24fps and 4K@60fps with HDR.

In terms of photo quality, 12 Ultra beats even some smartphones in 2023, for example, in tests DxOMark scored 141 points (versus 137 for the iPhone 13 Pro Max).

⚠️ Warning: Russian firmware Xiaomi 12 Ultra often lacks support for 8K videos and some Leica modes. To unlock them, you need firmware global or European version MIUI.

Should I pay more for Ultra in 2026?

• ✅ Yes, if the photo is your priority №1 and you are willing to put up with dimensions (225 g, thickness 9.1 mm).
• ❌ No, if you want a universal model — for the same money you can take the Xiaomi 13 with a fresher processor.

Prices for used 12 Ultra start from 40 thousand rubles, which is comparable to the cost of new mid-range smartphones. If the budget allows, it is better to look at the Xiaomi 13 Ultra – it has improved optics and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Autonomy and charging: which model lives longer?

One of the main questions when choosing a smartphone is how long it will work without an outlet. In the Xiaomi 12 line, autonomy varies from “satisfactory” to “excellent”, but it all depends on the use case.

Several important observations:

• 🔋 Xiaomi 12 Lite is winning in autonomy thanks to an energy-efficient processor and a smaller screen. In office use (messaging, calling, web), it easily reaches up to two days.
• ⚡ Xiaomi 12 Pro discharges faster because of the LTPO- screen and powerful chipset, but compensates for this with ultra-fast charging: in 18 minutes to 100%.
• 📱 Xiaomi 12 Ultra loses in autonomy because of the voracious camera and the large screen. When you're shooting video, the battery goes down in 4-5 hours.

Tip: if autonomy is critical, pay attention to the settings:

Firmware and updates: what with support in 2026

All Xiaomi 12 models originally came with MIUI 13 based on Android 12. At the time of writing (2026), the update situation is as follows:

• 📱 Xiaomi 12/12 Pro/12 Lite received MIUI 14 (Android 13) and will no longer update to Android 14 (officially).
• 🔄 Xiaomi 12S/12 Ultra also stopped at Android 13, but there are unofficial HyperOS ports.
• 🔓 Custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) is available for all models, but they may be unwarranted.

The main problems of Russian users:

1. 5G: Some bands (e.g., n78) are disabled in local firmware, and are solved by installing a global or European version of MIUI.
2. Google Services: Some used devices may have Google Play Services removed. Check before buying through Settings → Apps → Google Play Services.
3. bootloader lock: On Xiaomi 12 Ultra, unlocking the bootloader can take up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting.

If you are buying a smartphone with your hands, be sure to check:

Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI


Settings → About the phone → Android version




Settings → Additional → Region (should be “Russia” or “Global”)

⚠️ Warning: When upgrading from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14 on the Xiaomi 12 Pro, some users encountered a screen flicker bug.Solution: reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Reset).

Prices and where to buy in 2026

The new Xiaomi 12 is no longer available, but the choice is huge in the secondary market. Here are the current prices (according to Avito, Yula and SberMegaMarket for May 2026):

Where to buy:

• 🛒 Avito/Yula: Cheaper but high risk of gray imports or counterfeits. Always ask for a check and check IMEI.
• 🏦 SberMegaMarket/Kaspersky: Expensive, but there is a warranty (usually 3-6 months) Check the description - sometimes sold "as new" with a replaced battery.
• 🌍 AliExpress: Only for 12S/Ultra, because they were not officially sold in Russia.

Tips for buying:

1. operation of all cameras (including macro and telephoto lens, if any).

2.Run a heavy game (e.g. Genshin Impact) for 5-10 minutes – so you can see if there is a trolling.

3. Verification IMEI via *#06# and check with the box.-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi 12