iPhone 15 Plus Vs Xiaomi 12T Pro

iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Plus
Starting at

Refurbished price:421.00

Versus €979.00 new

See options
Xiaomi 12T Pro
Xiaomi 12T Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:201.00

Versus €1,199.00 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 15 Plus, released in September 2023, and the Xiaomi 12T Pro, launched in October 2022, represent distinct approaches to the modern smartphone experience. While both offer large displays and capable performance, the iPhone 15 Plus operates on Apple's iOS ecosystem, emphasizing seamless integration and a refined user interface, whereas the Xiaomi 12T Pro runs on Android with Xiaomi's MIUI overlay, offering greater customization and a focus on high-megapixel photography and rapid charging.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 15 Plus was released in September 2023, making it a more recent device compared to the Xiaomi 12T Pro, which launched in October 2022. This difference in release date inherently grants the iPhone 15 Plus a longer potential lifespan for receiving future software updates.
  • OS Support: Apple typically provides iOS updates for approximately 5-6 years from a device's release, meaning the iPhone 15 Plus, which launched with iOS 17, can expect support for several more years. The Xiaomi 12T Pro, which shipped with Android 12, is promised three major Android OS updates (up to Android 15) and four years of security patches from its launch.
  • Repairability: The Xiaomi 12T Pro has a reported repairability score of 7.6 out of 10 or 7 out of 10, suggesting a reasonable ease of repair. While a specific repairability score for the iPhone 15 Plus is not readily available, iPhones generally feature a design that can make certain repairs more complex. Both devices offer a degree of physical durability, with the iPhone 15 Plus featuring a Ceramic Shield front and IP68 dust and water resistance, while the Xiaomi 12T Pro includes Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and an IP53 rating for dust and splash resistance.

Year of Release

2023

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

iOS

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones are equipped with powerful internal components designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking, though they achieve this through different hardware architectures.

  • Processor Capabilities: The iPhone 15 Plus is powered by Apple's A16 Bionic chip, which delivers efficient performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and video editing, ensuring smooth operation without significant heating issues during intensive use. The Xiaomi 12T Pro features the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, which is also capable of handling graphically intensive games and demanding applications smoothly, with good thermal management during gaming sessions.
  • System Responsiveness and Multitasking: The iPhone 15 Plus, with its optimized iOS and 6GB of RAM (some sources indicate 8GB), provides a fluid and responsive user experience, excelling in app loading and seamless transitions. The Xiaomi 12T Pro offers 8GB or 12GB of RAM, contributing to its ability to manage multiple applications simultaneously and maintain overall system responsiveness within the Android environment.
  • Storage Options: The iPhone 15 Plus is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage. The Xiaomi 12T Pro offers storage configurations of 128GB or 256GB. Neither device supports expandable storage via a microSD card.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 15 Plus is noted for its exceptional battery longevity, often lasting more than a full day with heavy use and potentially up to three days with casual usage, thanks to its 4383 mAh battery and efficient processor. The Xiaomi 12T Pro, with its larger 5000 mAh battery, also provides long-lasting power, typically enduring a full day of standard use. The Xiaomi 12T Pro supports very fast 120W wired charging, capable of reaching a full charge in approximately 20-30 minutes, while the iPhone 15 Plus supports 20W wired charging, achieving 50% in 30 minutes.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

Both devices feature large, vibrant displays, but they differ in their underlying technology and refresh rate capabilities.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 15 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a resolution of 2796x1290 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 460 PPI. The Xiaomi 12T Pro comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1220x2712 pixels (1.5K) and a pixel density of 446 PPI, also providing rich colors and good clarity. Both displays support HDR content, with the Xiaomi 12T Pro specifically mentioning HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.
  • Brightness Levels: The iPhone 15 Plus offers a typical brightness of up to 1000 nits, a peak HDR brightness of 1600 nits, and an impressive peak outdoor brightness of up to 2000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The Xiaomi 12T Pro has a typical brightness of 500 nits and a High Brightness Mode (HBM) of 900 nits.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: A key difference lies in the refresh rate. The iPhone 15 Plus has a standard 60Hz refresh rate. In contrast, the Xiaomi 12T Pro features a smoother 120Hz refresh rate and a 480Hz touch sampling rate, which contributes to a more fluid scrolling experience and more responsive touch input, particularly noticeable in gaming.
  • Screen Features: The iPhone 15 Plus incorporates the Dynamic Island, an interactive area around the front camera that displays alerts and live activities.

Resolution

1290 x 2796

1220 x 2712

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED

AMOLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but they approach photography with different sensor configurations and processing philosophies.

  • Main Camera Capabilities: The iPhone 15 Plus features a dual-camera system with a 48MP main sensor (f/1.6) that uses pixel binning to produce detailed 24MP or 48MP photos, alongside a 12MP ultrawide camera (f/2.4). The Xiaomi 12T Pro boasts a triple-camera setup, highlighted by a 200MP main sensor (f/1.69) with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which typically outputs 12.5MP images through 16-in-1 pixel binning, accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide (f/2.2) and a 2MP macro camera.
  • Photography Performance: The iPhone 15 Plus delivers good photo quality, especially in well-lit conditions, with accurate colors and respectable dynamic range. The Xiaomi 12T Pro's 200MP main camera captures significant detail in good lighting, and its pixel-binning technology aids in low-light performance, producing bright images. However, the secondary cameras on the Xiaomi 12T Pro, particularly the 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro, are generally considered less capable than the main sensor.
  • Video Recording: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video. The Xiaomi 12T Pro also supports 8K video recording. The iPhone 15 Plus offers 4K Dolby Vision video recording at various frame rates.
  • Front Camera: For selfies and video calls, the iPhone 15 Plus has a 12MP front camera with an f/1.9 aperture. The Xiaomi 12T Pro is equipped with a 20MP front camera with an f/2.24 aperture.
  • Audio Experience: The Xiaomi 12T Pro features loud stereo speakers tuned by Harman Kardon, providing a good media consumption experience. Information on the iPhone 15 Plus's speaker output is less detailed in the provided snippets, but iPhones generally offer balanced stereo sound.

Main camera

48 megapixels

200 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

20 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical features and design elements differentiate these two smartphones.

  • Connectivity Options: Both devices support 5G connectivity. The iPhone 15 Plus includes Wi-Fi 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) and Bluetooth v5.3. The Xiaomi 12T Pro supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, though it does not utilize the 6GHz frequency band for Wi-Fi 6E. The Xiaomi 12T Pro also supports eSIM functionality.
  • Port Types: A notable change for the iPhone 15 Plus is the adoption of a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, replacing the proprietary Lightning connector. However, it uses USB 2.0 speeds. The Xiaomi 12T Pro also features a USB Type-C 2.0 port. Neither phone includes a traditional headphone jack.
  • Useful Sensors and Biometrics: The iPhone 15 Plus relies on Face ID for secure authentication. The Xiaomi 12T Pro features an in-display fingerprint sensor and supports face unlock. Both devices include standard sensors like accelerometers, ambient light sensors, gyroscopes, and compasses.
  • Weight and Dimensions: The iPhone 15 Plus measures 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm and weighs 201 grams. The Xiaomi 12T Pro is slightly larger and heavier at 163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm and 205 grams.
  • Build Materials: The iPhone 15 Plus features an aluminum design with a Ceramic Shield front and a color-infused glass back. The Xiaomi 12T Pro has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 front, a plastic frame, and a glass back.

Weight

171 g

204 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.67

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

eSIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the iPhone 15 Plus frequently highlights its exceptional battery life and large, bright display as significant advantages. The switch to USB-C is also a commonly praised improvement. However, some users express disappointment with the continued use of a 60Hz refresh rate display and the absence of a telephoto camera, especially when compared to other devices in its category. The iPhone 15 Plus is generally seen as offering a consistent and user-friendly experience within the Apple ecosystem, with strong performance for daily tasks and good camera capabilities.

For the Xiaomi 12T Pro, common praise points include its powerful processor, very fast 120W charging, and the smooth 120Hz AMOLED display. The 200MP main camera is often noted for its detail in good lighting. Criticisms often revolve around the weaker performance of its secondary cameras (ultrawide and macro) and the lack of wireless charging or an official IP rating. Some users also note that while software updates are promised, the device launched with an older Android version, potentially shortening its effective update cycle compared to some competitors.

Users prioritizing extended battery life, a highly integrated software experience, and a robust build with strong water resistance may find the iPhone 15 Plus well-suited to their needs. Its consistent performance and long-term software support are also key considerations. Conversely, users who value a high refresh rate display, extremely fast charging, greater Android customization, and a high-megapixel main camera for detailed shots might lean towards the Xiaomi 12T Pro. Both devices offer compelling features, and choosing between them often comes down to individual preferences for operating system, specific feature priorities, and overall ecosystem integration. For those looking for an eco-friendly alternative, quality-assured refurbished options for both models are available, offering a sustainable choice.

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