The question of when the Xiaomi Mi 12 Ultra will be released is still a frequent search question, although the device has already become part of the history of the mobile industry.The official presentation took place in China on July 4, 2022, and the global version was renamed Xiaomi 12S Ultra and introduced a week later. Many users confuse these models or expect the “pure” Mi 12 Ultra to appear in the international market, which, unfortunately, did not happen in the classical sense.
The smartphone marked a milestone for the company, marking the beginning of a deep partnership with the legendary German brand Leica. Xiaomi engineers and Leica have jointly developed an optical system that is still considered the reference for mobile photography. If you are looking for information about the release date, it is important to understand that the device is already available in the secondary market and in the remnants of inventory, but its legacy lives on in the new Ultra series.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the timeline of the release, the technical features and the reasons why this device remains relevant, you will learn why the global version received the S index and how it differs from the Chinese original, and we will discuss whether it makes sense to buy this flagship in the current realities or better pay attention to the more recent models.
Official release date and regional features
The launch of Xiaomi 12 Ultra (in Chinese) took place on July 4, 2022, one of the most anticipated technologies in the world of the year, with Chinese users getting the opportunity to pre-order immediately after the event, and sales started on July 6, 2022. The device was launched for the domestic market under the name Xiaomi 12S Ultra, which was the first use of the letter "S" in the main line of Ultra.
It was released on July 8, 2022, and it is important to note that for the international market, the company made a strategic decision not to use the Mi branding, completely abandoning it in favor of just Xiaomi. Outside of China, the device is known exclusively as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. The date difference between the Chinese and global markets was only a few days, which allowed to quickly saturate the demand of enthusiasts.
While the availability of the smartphone was officially available in China and some Asian countries, in many European countries it could only be purchased through parallel imports or specialty stores, creating confusion with warranty and software that is worth remembering when buying.
⚠️ Note: When purchasing a device designed for the Chinese market (CN Version, make sure it supports the frequencies you need. LTE and 5G, The frequency range may differ from the European.
Below is a table showing key dates and events related to the release of the device:
| Event | Date. | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Official presentation | July 4, 2022 | China |
| Start of sales | July 6, 2022 | China |
| Global Announcement (12S Ultra) | 8 July 2022 | Worldwide |
| HyperOS Update Release | 2023-2026 | Global |
Why is the global version called 12S Ultra?
The renaming of the device for the global market in Xiaomi 12S Ultra was not accidental. the letter "S" in the nomenclature of Xiaomi traditionally denotes an improved or updated version. In this case, it indicated the use of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor instead of the usual Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which was installed in the base models of the 12 series.
The engineering team faced the need to optimize heat removal and power consumption. The chipset with the index "+" was produced using a thinner TSMC 4 nm process, which ensured better energy efficiency, which is why the global version received the prefix "S", emphasizing its technical superiority over the standard flagships of the period.
In addition, the separation of the names helped to avoid confusion with the already released Xiaomi 12 Pro. Consumers were easier to understand that the 12S Ultra is a separate, more powerful development branch focused on mobile photography.
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If it says simply “12 Ultra” without “S”, it is likely a version for the Chinese market, even if it is bought in Europe.
Technical specifications and Leica camera
The main feature of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra was the camera, developed in collaboration with Leica, the main module was the 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor, at the time of release it was the largest sensor ever used in smartphones, which allowed for incredible dynamic range and natural background blur.
The optical system included three lenses, each with a resolution of 48 MP Telephoto lens with a periscopic design provided 5-fold optical zoom. Software photo processing offered two modes: "Leica Authentic" for realistic color reproduction and "Leica Vibrant" for more saturated, contrast shots.
- 📸 Primary sensor: 1 inch Sony IMX989, 50 MP, optical stabilization.
- 🔭 Telephoto lens: 48 MP, periscope, 5x zoom, OIS.
- 🌲 Ultra-wide angle: 48 MP, viewing angle 128 degrees.
- 🤳 Front camera: 32 MP for selfies and video calls.
Performance was provided by the top-end Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset paired with up to 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. This tandem allowed you to run any heavy games and applications without delay. The cooling system included a massive evaporation camera, which was critical for the stable operation of the processor and photo processing.
Screen, design and materials of the case
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra was a completely different design from the brand’s previous models, with the back panel made of eco-leather, which not only improved ergonomics but also prevented fingerprints from appearing. The huge round camera module occupied almost half of the back, resembling the lenses of professional SLR cameras.
Front section's occupied. 6.73-inch AMOLED-resolution-screen 3200×1440 Support for Dolby Vision and refresh rate 120 Hz made the picture incredibly smooth and bright. Peak brightness reached 1500 silk, which provided excellent readability under direct sunlight.
The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provided protection for the screen, and the case was IP68 certified, allowing the device to be immersed in water to a depth of 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, but owners of leather versions should be careful with moisture on the back panel, since the material could change its properties during prolonged contact with water.
⚠️ Warning: Leather back cover may wear off or change color over time, especially when wearing a smartphone without a cover in your pocket with keys.
Autonomy and charging speed
Despite its energy-efficient processor, the powerful screen and large camera sensor required a capacious battery. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra has a 4860 mAh battery. This is not a record number against the modern giants, but the optimization of the MIUI system (and subsequently HyperOS) allowed the device to confidently hold on to a full day of active use.
The smartphone supported fast wired charging with a capacity of 67 watts. This allowed you to replenish the power supply from 0 to 100% in about 40-45 minutes. There was also support for wireless charging of 50 watts and reverse charging, which allowed you to use the smartphone as a power bank for headphones or watches.
☑️ Checking battery status
Importantly, the power supply was included in the package, which in 2022 became increasingly rare among flagships.The cable included was designed to handle currents up to 6 Amps, so using third-party cables could limit charging speeds to standard 18-27 W.
Software and updates
At the time of release, the smartphone was running the shell MIUI 13 based on Android 12. Subsequently, the device received an update to MIUI 14 and Android 13. Now the model is available to upgrade to the latest operating system HyperOS, based on Android 14, which significantly improved the smoothness of the interface and work with memory.
Users of the Chinese version (CN ROM) have faced the lack of some Google services out of the box, although they took a couple of minutes to install. the Global ROM is free of these problems and has a pre-installed Play Market Store. However, the firmware of the CN ROM is often updated faster and contains some exclusive camera features.
How do I check the firmware version?
Support for security updates for this model has continued for 3-4 years since its release date in 2022, and the device is still in an active support cycle, receiving security patches and system optimizations.
Should you buy Xiaomi 12S Ultra in 2026?
The purchase of Xiaomi 12S Ultra in 2026 is a solution for mobile photography enthusiasts. If your main goal is to get pictures from a 1-inch sensor with Leica’s proprietary color correction, this smartphone still has the potential to give a head start to many new mid-range products.
However, the battery in used instances could degrade, and the presence of a factory warranty is almost impossible, and new models such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or 14 Ultra offer better photo processing algorithms and better autonomy.
- 👍 Pros of purchase: Unique 1-inch camera, leather case, 3.5 mm connector (in some versions / regions, but in the same version) 12SU He's gone, but USB-C), Support for memory cards (no, in) 12SU slot-free SD, internal memory).
- 👎 Cons of buying: No official warranty, possible battery wear, convex camera module prevents you from putting on the table.
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Buying the 12S Ultra is only justified if you are a fan of Leica photography and found the device in excellent condition at a bargain price, second to newer models in performance.
If you just need a reliable phone for everyday tasks, social media, and navigation, it might make sense to look at the latest mid-range models that will cost the same but offer longer support and a fresh battery.