Xiaomi 12T Pro Vs Xiaomi 13T Pro

Xiaomi 12T Pro
Xiaomi 12T Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:201.00

Versus €1,199.00 new

See options
Xiaomi 13T Pro
Xiaomi 13T Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:253.00

Versus €900.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Xiaomi 12T Pro, released in October 2022, and the Xiaomi 13T Pro, launched in September 2023, are both high-performance Android smartphones from Xiaomi's T Series. While they share a similar design philosophy and focus on powerful specifications, the newer 13T Pro introduces advancements in camera technology, display capabilities, and overall durability, building upon its predecessor's foundation.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical resilience.

  • Release Timeline and OS Support: The Xiaomi 12T Pro was released in October 2022 with Android 12, and was promised three major Android OS updates, extending its support up to Android 15, along with four years of security patches. The Xiaomi 13T Pro, launched in September 2023 with Android 13, benefits from an extended update policy, promising four major Android OS updates (up to Android 17) and five years of security patches, offering a longer period of software relevance.
  • Repairability and Physical Durability: The Xiaomi 12T Pro received a repairability score of 7 out of 10, indicating a reasonable ease of repair. It features Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and has an IP53 rating for dust and splash resistance. The Xiaomi 13T Pro also uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for its display but significantly upgrades its ingress protection to an IP68 rating, meaning it offers more robust resistance against dust and water immersion.
  • Expected Practical Lifespan: Given the extended software support and enhanced durability features, the Xiaomi 13T Pro is likely to maintain optimal functionality and security for a longer duration compared to the 12T Pro, making it a suitable choice for users prioritizing long-term device usage.

Year of Release

2022

2023

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones are equipped with powerful processors designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking, though they utilize different chip architectures.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Xiaomi 12T Pro is powered by a processor that delivers strong performance for gaming and intensive applications, ensuring smooth operation and efficient handling of complex tasks. The Xiaomi 13T Pro features a newer generation processor, which offers improved CPU and GPU speeds, resulting in even faster app loading times, more fluid multitasking, and enhanced graphics performance for advanced gaming.
  • Storage and Responsiveness: The 12T Pro comes with UFS 3.1 storage, offering quick data access, and is available with up to 12GB of RAM. The 13T Pro upgrades to UFS 4.0 storage, which provides significantly faster read and write speeds, contributing to a more responsive overall system experience, especially when opening large files or applications. It also offers configurations with up to 16GB of RAM, further boosting its multitasking capabilities.
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices house a 5000mAh battery and support 120W wired fast charging, capable of reaching a full charge in approximately 19 to 27 minutes. Users of both models report solid battery life that can last through a full day of moderate to heavy use.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

16 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is a highlight, featuring large, vibrant displays with high refresh rates, though the newer model offers notable enhancements.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Xiaomi 12T Pro and 13T Pro feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1220x2712 pixels, providing sharp and clear visuals. These displays support Dolby Vision and HDR10+, ensuring excellent contrast and color reproduction for media consumption.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The 12T Pro offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations, with a typical high brightness mode (HBM) of 900 nits. The 13T Pro elevates the experience with a 144Hz refresh rate, providing even smoother motion, and boasts a significantly higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, which greatly improves visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger screen size on both phones offers an immersive viewing experience for videos and games. The 13T Pro's higher refresh rate and superior peak brightness contribute to a more dynamic and comfortable viewing experience across various lighting environments.

Resolution

1220 x 2712

1220 x 2712

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems, but they approach imaging with different primary sensor strategies and feature sets.

  • Camera System Capabilities: The Xiaomi 12T Pro features a 200MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. The Xiaomi 13T Pro, co-engineered with Leica, opts for a more balanced approach with a 50MP main sensor (Sony IMX707) with OIS, a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
  • Photography Performance: The 12T Pro excels in capturing highly detailed images in well-lit conditions with its high-megapixel main sensor, and offers solid low-light performance. However, its secondary cameras are considered less capable. The 13T Pro, with its Leica tuning, delivers consistent color reproduction and detail across its main and telephoto lenses, with users praising its night mode and portrait capabilities. The dedicated telephoto lens on the 13T Pro provides superior optical zoom capabilities compared to the 12T Pro's in-sensor zoom.
  • Video Recording and Audio: Both devices are capable of recording video at up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second. They also feature stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, with the 12T Pro benefiting from Harman Kardon tuning, providing a rich audio experience for media consumption.

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core specifications, several practical elements differentiate these two Xiaomi Pro models, impacting daily usability and connectivity.

  • Connectivity Options: Both phones support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Xiaomi 12T Pro includes Wi-Fi 6 (ax) and Bluetooth 5.2. The Xiaomi 13T Pro offers more advanced connectivity with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, providing potentially faster and more stable wireless connections. Both support NFC for contactless payments.
  • Port Types and Sensors: Both devices feature a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. They include essential sensors like an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking, as well as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and compasses. The 13T Pro also supports eSIM functionality, offering more flexibility for network usage.
  • Weight, Dimensions, and Build Materials: The Xiaomi 12T Pro measures 163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm and weighs 205g, featuring a glass back and plastic frame. The Xiaomi 13T Pro is slightly more compact at 162.2 x 75.7 x 8.5 mm and has a variable weight of 200g (PU composite) or 206g (glass), depending on the back panel material. The 13T Pro's IP68 rating offers superior protection against dust and water compared to the 12T Pro's IP53 rating.

Weight

204 g

206 g

Screen size (in)

6.67

6.67

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Xiaomi 12T Pro often praises its powerful processor, very fast charging, and the impressive detail captured by its 200MP main camera in good lighting conditions. Common criticisms include its basic IP53 ingress protection and the less capable secondary cameras. The Xiaomi 13T Pro generally receives acclaim for its top-notch design, IP68 rating, superb OLED display with high brightness, excellent battery life, and the outstanding photo and video quality from its Leica-tuned cameras. Some users note that while the 13T Pro's camera system is a significant improvement, the ultra-wide-angle lens lacks autofocus, and the telephoto lens performs best in good light.

Users prioritizing a device with a high-resolution main camera for detailed shots and a slightly more accessible entry point might find the Xiaomi 12T Pro well-suited to their needs. Those who value a more robust water and dust resistance rating, a brighter and smoother display, a more versatile and consistently performing camera system with optical zoom, and a longer software update commitment will likely lean towards the Xiaomi 13T Pro. Both devices offer rapid charging and strong performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications. For those considering a quality-assured refurbished option, both models present an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new.

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