Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Xiaomi 12S Ultra Review: The Camera Beast That Challenges the Flagships
In the ever-competitive world of smartphones, Xiaomi has steadily climbed the ladder, and with the release of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, it has made a bold statement: it’s not just about power, but about redefining the mobile photography experience.
📸 Leica Meets Xiaomi: A True Camera Powerhouse
The standout feature of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is undoubtedly its 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor, co-engineered with Leica. This is the largest sensor ever used in a Xiaomi smartphone, and it makes a massive difference in both daylight and low-light photography. The Leica partnership introduces two shooting modes—Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant—catering to purists and casual users alike.
In real-world use, the camera delivers stunning dynamic range, realistic colors, and bokeh that rivals some dedicated cameras. Night photography is equally impressive, with sharp details and minimal noise even in near-dark conditions.
🔍 Key Camera Specs:
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50.3MP 1-inch main sensor (Sony IMX989)
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48MP ultra-wide
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48MP periscope telephoto with 120x digital zoom
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32MP front-facing camera
⚙️ Performance & Display
The 12S Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, offering top-tier performance without thermal throttling. Gaming, multitasking, and video editing are buttery smooth. It also features LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, keeping it on par with other flagship devices.
The 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display is a visual treat. With QHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and Dolby Vision, it delivers deep blacks, crisp details, and vibrant colors—perfect for streaming, gaming, and editing your masterpiece photos.
🔋 Battery & Charging
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra includes a 4,860mAh battery, and thanks to 67W wired and 50W wireless fast charging, it goes from 0 to 100 in no time. The 10W reverse wireless charging is a nice touch too.
📦 Design & Build
This phone looks and feels premium. With a vegan leather back and a bold, circular camera module, it screams “pro photographer.” It’s also IP68 water and dust resistant, so it’s built for the field.
🚫 Drawbacks
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No global launch: The 12S Ultra is China-exclusive, which limits its availability.
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MIUI quirks: While feature-rich, MIUI still has some bugs and bloatware.
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No microSD card slot or headphone jack.
🎯 Verdict
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra isn’t just another flagship—it’s a serious contender for the title of best camera phone of its time. With innovative hardware, top-tier specs, and a clear focus on photography, Xiaomi has blurred the line between smartphones and professional cameras.
If you can get your hands on it, especially if you’re a photography enthusiast, the 12S Ultra is worth a serious look.
