iPhone 15 Plus Vs Xiaomi 12T

iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Plus
Starting at

Refurbished price:420.00

Versus €979.00 new

See options
Xiaomi 12T
Xiaomi 12T
Starting at

Refurbished price:131.00

Versus €649.00 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 15 Plus, released in September 2023, and the Xiaomi 12T, launched in October 2022, are both smartphones designed for users seeking capable devices. While the iPhone 15 Plus operates on Apple's iOS ecosystem, the Xiaomi 12T runs on Android, offering distinct user experiences. Key differentiators between these two models include their camera systems, display technologies, and overall software approaches.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected practical lifespan.

  • Release Timeline and Software Support: The iPhone 15 Plus, being a 2023 release, benefits from Apple's typically longer software support, often extending to five or more years of major iOS updates. The Xiaomi 12T, released in 2022, receives Android updates, with manufacturers generally providing 2-3 major OS updates and 3-4 years of security patches.
  • Build and Durability: The iPhone 15 Plus features a Ceramic Shield front and a color-infused glass back, set within an aluminum frame, offering robust protection and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The Xiaomi 12T incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on its display and primarily uses plastic for its construction, with an IP53 rating, indicating resistance to dust and splashes but not full water immersion.
  • Material Composition: The iPhone 15 Plus integrates a significant amount of recycled materials, including 75% recycled aluminum in its enclosure and 100% recycled cobalt in its battery, reflecting a focus on sustainable manufacturing.

Year of Release

2023

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

iOS

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both devices offer responsive performance for everyday tasks, though they approach processing power from different ecosystems.

  • System Responsiveness: The iPhone 15 Plus provides smooth operation and efficient handling of demanding applications and graphics-intensive games, ensuring a fluid user experience. The Xiaomi 12T also delivers consistent performance for daily usage, multitasking, and gaming, supported by an integrated cooling system to maintain optimal temperatures during extended use.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 15 Plus is known for its extended battery life, often lasting more than a full day with heavy usage and potentially up to two days with moderate use, offering approximately 26 hours of video playback. The Xiaomi 12T, equipped with a larger battery capacity, provides good endurance, with users reporting up to 13.5 hours of screen-on time, and features 120W fast charging that can fully charge the device in about 19 minutes.
  • Storage and Multitasking: The iPhone 15 Plus is available with storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, providing ample space for applications and media. The Xiaomi 12T comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, utilizing UFS 3.1 storage for quick data access and LPDDR5 RAM for efficient multitasking.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both smartphones is characterized by vibrant displays, each with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 15 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors with a resolution of 2796x1290 pixels and a pixel density of 460 ppi. The Xiaomi 12T sports a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2712x1220 pixels and a pixel density of 446 ppi, also delivering rich colors and sharp visuals.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The iPhone 15 Plus excels in brightness, reaching up to 1000 nits typical, 1600 nits peak for HDR content, and an impressive 2000 nits peak for outdoor visibility, ensuring clear viewing even in bright sunlight. The Xiaomi 12T offers a typical brightness of 500 nits and a high brightness mode (HBM) of 900 nits, providing good visibility in most lighting conditions.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The iPhone 15 Plus maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate, providing a consistent visual experience. In contrast, the Xiaomi 12T features a 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, enhancing the overall responsiveness of the interface.

Resolution

1290 x 2796

1220 x 2712

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED

AMOLED

Audiovisual

Both devices offer capable camera systems, designed to capture a variety of moments with different strengths.

  • Main Camera Capabilities: The iPhone 15 Plus is equipped with a dual-camera system, featuring a 48MP main camera with a wide f/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and the ability to capture 2x telephoto shots using its quad-pixel sensor. The Xiaomi 12T boasts a triple-camera setup, highlighted by a 108MP main camera with a wide f/1.7 aperture and optical image stabilization.
  • Versatility in Photography: The iPhone 15 Plus includes a 12MP ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view and benefits from computational photography features like Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5, and Night mode for enhanced image quality across various scenarios. The Xiaomi 12T also features an 8MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view and a 2MP macro lens for close-up photography.
  • Video Recording and Audio: For video, the iPhone 15 Plus supports 4K Dolby Vision recording at up to 60 frames per second and includes a 12MP TrueDepth front camera with autofocus. The Xiaomi 12T records 4K video and has a 20MP front camera. The Xiaomi 12T offers stereo speakers with Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos for an immersive audio experience, while the iPhone 15 Plus also provides stereo sound output.

Main camera

48 megapixels

108 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

20 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements distinguish these two smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The iPhone 15 Plus features a USB-C port, marking a shift from previous models, and supports Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, and 5G connectivity. The Xiaomi 12T also offers Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, 5G connectivity, and includes an infrared blaster, a feature not commonly found on many smartphones.
  • Biometric Security and Navigation: The iPhone 15 Plus utilizes Face ID for secure facial recognition and includes a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for enhanced spatial awareness and precision finding. The Xiaomi 12T incorporates an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication.
  • Design and Handling: The iPhone 15 Plus measures 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm and weighs 201 grams, offering a substantial yet balanced feel. The Xiaomi 12T has dimensions of 163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm and weighs 202 grams, providing a similar hand-feel with a slightly thicker profile. Both devices support dual SIM functionality.

Weight

201 g

220 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.67

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

User feedback for the iPhone 15 Plus frequently highlights its exceptional battery life and the vibrant, large display as significant advantages. Common praise also extends to its capable camera system, particularly the improved main sensor and the integration of the Dynamic Island. Some users note the 60Hz refresh rate as a point of comparison with devices offering higher refresh rates. For the Xiaomi 12T, users often commend its fast charging capabilities and the smooth experience provided by its 120Hz AMOLED display. Its camera system, especially the high-resolution main sensor, also receives positive remarks for detailed photos. Criticisms sometimes point to its plastic build compared to more premium materials on other devices.

Users prioritizing extended battery life, a highly integrated software ecosystem, and advanced computational photography features may find the iPhone 15 Plus well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who value a high refresh rate display, extremely fast charging, and the flexibility of the Android operating system might lean towards the Xiaomi 12T. Both devices offer compelling features for their respective user bases. For those considering either model, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative to new purchases.

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