The Xiaomi 12 not only have three older brothers. The Xiaomi 12 Lite It manages to complete the rest of its range with a more fitted and economical model for those who do not need as much power in their daily lives. We had the opportunity to test it briefly, so we can now offer you our first impressions.
This is how Xiaomi makes money – they pull you in and suck you in
Xiaomi 12 Lite, technical sheet
|
XIAOMI 12 LITE |
|
|---|---|
|
filter |
6.55-inch AMOLED 950 nits, 120Hz |
|
processor |
Snapdragon 778G at 2.4GHz |
|
versions |
6GB/128GB 8GB/128GB 8GB/256GB |
|
rear cameras |
Main: 108 megapixels (1/1.52″, 0.7μm, f/1.88) |
|
Front camera |
32 megapixels (1/2.8″, 0.8μm, f/2.45) |
|
drums |
4,300mAh |
|
system |
Android 12 |
|
connectivity |
5G |
|
Dimensions and weight |
159.30 x 73.30 x 7.29 millimeters |
|
others |
stereo speakers Gorilla Glass 5 on the front Colours: ‘Lite Green’, ‘Lite Pink’ and black |
|
price |
Since 459 euros |
Xiaomi 12 Lite Black 8GB RAM 256GB ROM
A Xiaomi without risks but which respects what it offers
The back of the Xiaomi 12 Lite changes color depending on how light reflects on it. It makes you think twice about putting a case on it due to its visual appeal and comfort in grip.
The Xiaomi 12 Lite is not a small mobile: it has a very respectable 6.55-inch AMOLED screen (very good size for a mid-range), although this does not make it heavy, at least if we are used to using a large format smartphone. Its back is finished in polished glass, with straight lines but without “sharp” edges.
The result is a very comfortable grip and feel, a mobile that gives the impression of wanting to use it without a case. Its size and weight also allow it to be used with one hand for certain tasks, although one will surely end up using both hands most of the time to go faster.
The general feeling when picking up and using the Xiaomi 12 Lite is that of a sober, simple but well-defined mobile.
The buttons are stiff and have an easy ‘click’ feel (thanks when you turn the volume up and down), and despite the cameras protruding, placing it on the table doesn’t cause the phone to dance around too much. The general feeling is that we are faced with a mobile not big ambitions but well built.
The 950 nits of the screen (a data that does not appear in the official specifications but that Xiaomi provided us) are enough to use it in daylight, even when wearing sunglasses that obscure your vision. The AMOLED panel provides very vivid colours, more than enough for the general user, and the FullHD+ resolution means that every individual pixel is indistinguishable.
By the way, I am grateful that Xiaomi has opted for a completely straight screen and without unnecessary curves that we have seen in mobiles from other brands. And the company could have saved at 120Hz claiming that we are facing a “lite” version of the Xiaomi 12, but it has not and that is a great asset for this mobile. We also don’t notice any problem with the lower frame, which is slightly thicker than the rest of the frames: it feels like having an all-screen in your hand.
Too bad we didn’t get a chance to check the speed of the fingerprint sensor under this display, which is something we’ll do in our full review.
A ‘daily driver’ that seems abandoned to the general public
Due to the shortness of the tests we were able to do with the Xiaomi 12 Lite, we were not able to subject the Snapdragon 778G to rigorous testing, but its use by opening various applications and recording videos at maximum quality. gives us decent performance. Everything opens at decent speeds, and the interface didn’t show frequent “cuts” in its animations. We know the 778G is an older chip, but that shouldn’t be a dilemma for the type of users the Xiaomi 12 Lite is aimed at.
In the absence of more exhaustive tests, the autonomy of the Xiaomi 12 Lite seems to be able to last a whole day
This same brevity in the tests does not allow me to be conclusive concerning the autonomy, but I can say that after a fairly active day the Xiaomi 12 Lite is finished with 40% of its battery. With this, we can estimate, in the absence of our next full analysis, that this device will have enough battery to last a day.
We’ll probably charge it every night, as is customary in almost all other terminals, or we will take advantage of its 67W fast charge to recharge it in a few minutes when we need it. And yes, there is a charger included in your box.
Promising photos during the day and more regular at night
Photos taken with the Xiaomi 12 Lite. Good result during the day and low light at sunset.
Xiaomi didn’t skimp on the megapixels in its primary rear camera, which translates to good camera behavior in daytime scenarios. We have 108MP in the main lensand the 2 MP Macro lens does not disappoint either:
The 2 MP rear lens for macro photography should not be underestimated either. Very good contrast between the foreground and the blurred background.
The front camera for selfies too does a good job of blurring the background to achieve a portrait style, distinguishing very well the border between my body and the background. There is a nice post-processing job:
One of the functions of the Xiaomi 12 Lite allows us to use a pair of LEDs integrated into the screen as Flash, not only when shooting but even during focusing. Xiaomi claims this regulates the amount of light better and improves portrait quality, but a drop in quality is seen in nighttime environments that we will have to check better in our complete test:
Are they cameras worthy of a “Lite” model? In the daytime environment and in the absence of a more exhaustive test, we can bet on it. In night environments, this is where this Xiaomi 12 Lite can falter.
The ‘Lite’ of the Xiaomi 12 Lite comes into its own
The Xiaomi 12 Lite can attract like mid-range. Its price of 449 euros is much softer than the 799 euros of its big brother, the Xiaomi 12; and the sacrifices that have been made in its specifications should not bother a general user who is simply looking for an Android for his daily life without too many ambitions.
The ‘Lite’ in its name already tells us that it is not a mobile for those looking for maximum performance and the highest quality, especially with the camera at night. For them we have Xiaomi 12S Ultra. This 12 Lite is a mobile that makes some sacrifices, but still knows how to make them in places where the general user shouldn’t notice.
Our complete analysis is pending in order to have a more precise idea of the capabilities of this Xiaomi 12 Lite, but a priori you can earn a good place in the mid-range market. Especially for not having spared the diagonal on its screen and for these 108 MP which guarantee a certain (certain) level of photographic quality.