Xiaomi 12S Ultrachat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

The selfie camera lacks 4K video and is limited to 1080p, which several users call a dealbreaker for a phone at this price point, and one that undermines the 'Ultra' branding.

@K_AcE11

I have been using Xiaomi 12s ultra for 3 days and for me this phone have almost what I wanted. The only downside is the front camera because doesn't have 4k video but I rarely using the front video so it's fine for me. The battery really impressive even though less than Xiaomi 11 ultra last year. I got overall 7-8 hours sot with mid usage(social media, youtube and gaming 2 hours with wqhd on, 120hz and on every feature) it far better than Xiaomi 11 ultra in term of daily usage. The camera it can be improve more after a few update but I enjoy using the Leica. The snapdragon 8+ gen 1 made by tsmc really have good optimisation and battery efficiency.launch

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July 24, 2022

@LukeA_55

The back looks like the definition of ultra but then you flip it over to a screen with poor viewing angles and a sub par selfie camera... How can they call this an ultra phone??launch

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July 10, 2022

@rafinyasar5948

I think xiaomi should start focusing on the front camera and the color science of overall camera along with video. No doubt every year xiaomi manages to hype up people about there flagship mi ultra devices but the optimization has been the area for which the full potential of the hardware cannot be used specially for the camera. I believe if xiaomi can keep up the good software updates mi 12s ultra or the global version can easily beat pixel series or even ipone and samsung who knows.launch

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July 9, 2022

@GavinSeim

They always miss it in the details and think they will get away with it. But it's the reason they never really win. A 1080p front camera is a deal-breaker for a phone of this cost in 2022.launch

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July 5, 2022

Long-time Xiaomi owners describe aggressive, recurring bugs in MIUI that don't get permanently fixed, unlike similar one-time issues on Samsung or iPhone, creating daily-driver frustration.

@FrankieTech

I really wanted to love this phone guys, but sadly this is the FIRST Xiaomi flagship I have not liked. Bummer...launch

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July 23, 2022

@irfanj

I've owned several xiaomis from mid range to a flagship and yeah, the bugs are pretty aggressive and noticeable and they kept reappearing. Unlike Samsungs and iPhone where they appeared once and next they're gone.launch

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July 8, 2022

@josephsiu8687

The 12 ultra looks stunning, but it seems like xiaomi is still holding back from going all in, they always have had a quality disparity between the main lens and the uw/zoom, I own a 10 ultra and the camera setup in very similar, love the versatility it provides but the quality of uw makes it very hard to use in anything other than perfect lighting, probably same story here with the 12s ultra; miui is also another problem, it is fun and nice to use but there is just bugs that can happen and you won't be able to fix them, and if you use it as your daily driver these smaller problems really build up the frustration.launch

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July 5, 2022

Multiple commenters say Xiaomi's biggest remaining weakness is inconsistent software and security update support, which they see as the key thing separating it from Samsung's flagship reliability.

@lukewt456

When Xiaomi finally does make the (not mistake) move of making software updates as long as the current Samsung commitment, that's when Samsung's likely going to have really serious competition on their hands.launch

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July 23, 2022

@Smithson52

Now all Xiaomi needs to do is start pushing out consistent software and security updates. That's the only thing they are lacking right now. Killer phone regardless!launch

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July 8, 2022

@ArthurMorganReborn

For me software updates are top priority. When I buy a phone, I want that phone to last long and if they don't give me proper software support, I might as well use an old phone.launch

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July 5, 2022

Commenters note a quality gap between the main sensor and the ultrawide/zoom lenses, plus fringing issues and a zoom quirk some find irksome, especially for heavy ultrawide/zoom users.

@joelconolly5574

Imagine this sensor on a more powerful computational photography device. Probably should add variable aperture to better help that fringing problem. But that zoom quirk is gonna irk a lot of people especially someone who uses the zoom just as often as the ultrawide. I hope Xiaomi fixes that. \nLastly, whether Xiaomi commits to updating this camera occasionally with future software is something of an uncertainty. Considering that software to better utilize the previous Mi 11 Ultra's sensor is still not there, I doubt Xiaomi would push any software for the Xiaomi 12S Ultra that would drastically improve the experience, let alone fix some bugs. I just hope they commit better this time.launch

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July 8, 2022

@deepak1987

They could have added many more upgrades to the camera department:\n# Much improved front cam\n# IMX 766 for UWA w/ autofocus so that super-macro is possible.\n# Added an extra 2.5x aux cam (since they removed the rear display)\n# Increased the periscope cam zoom to 7x (along with better OIS for the periscope cam)launch

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July 5, 2022

@josephsiu8687

The 12 ultra looks stunning, but it seems like xiaomi is still holding back from going all in, they always have had a quality disparity between the main lens and the uw/zoom, I own a 10 ultra and the camera setup in very similar, love the versatility it provides but the quality of uw makes it very hard to use in anything other than perfect lighting, probably same story here with the 12s ultra; miui is also another problem, it is fun and nice to use but there is just bugs that can happen and you won't be able to fix them, and if you use it as your daily driver these smaller problems really build up the frustration.launch

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July 5, 2022

The large round camera module is praised by some but criticized by others as likely to look dated fast, and the exposed camera area is seen as vulnerable to damage on surfaces.

@bodcare1332

Love the leather Matt finish on the back. Makes a classy look all round. Can't help but think how vulnerable that large camera area would be subject to damage on desks etc.launch

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July 9, 2022

@喜武

New Xiaomi's features look amazing, but I can't agree with you about the design xD\nI feel like the square design looked cleaner, more modern and prestigious (I admit I also loved the little screen idea). As someone in the comment section has already said, it's probably going to look dated quite fast as well...\nThat being said I can totally imagine some people loving it though.launch

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July 5, 2022

@GavinSeim

Huge round bump makes sense, kind of. But seems like it will be dated super fast. EDIT: Silly comments. I dumped apple years for android. I'm preferring my S21 Ultra, but I love all this competition because it's not like Samsung or Apple are the good guys.launch

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July 5, 2022

Some feel the camera's color output is too saturated in certain lighting, while others specifically dislike the gloomy look of the Leica Authentic profile.

@toxomanrod

Few things I've noticed:\n1) digital zooming while recording is now smooth\n2) in-phone video editing added 'enhance' tab which adds basic color adjustment\n3) ultrawide distortion correction is way better\nI agree Leica authentic is too gloomy, but I use it more because the colors and exposure are near identical to what I see and the less sharpening makes it look like a dedicated non-smartphone camera. Great review guys, hi Will!launch

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July 18, 2022

@kizu779

This phone's camera is insane but I just wish that the color quality was a bit more natural and less saturated in certain lighting. But I do hope that this helps push the camera game for other smartphones to use a similar formula and improve upon itlaunch

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July 8, 2022

@raulpers

Even with a camera of this size, I still prefer the final quality of the Galaxy S22 ultra. Xiaomi still needs to improve a lot, many numbers to impress and the final results always leave something to be desired 😓launch

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July 5, 2022

Removing the rear secondary screen from the Mi 11 Ultra is seen as losing a defining niche feature that differentiated Xiaomi from other Android flagships.

@Mitorafer

I had the Mi 11 Ultra and upgraded to the new Xiaomi 12S Ultra:\nthe phone feels allot better, it is also lighter, the phone doesn't overheat, you get better battery life, the phone is allot faster, and the camera is amazing, the rear display will be missed but it's not such a deal breaker, since the new main camera is awesome, very steady and super fast shutter speed, also the phone comes with the charger and the wireless charging is slower, but you can use the wired one and it's still pretty fast, I used to charge the mi 11 ultra overnight and during the day, now with the 12s ultra I charge the phone from 30-40% to around 80% with quick 20 minute charges during the day (usually twice a day) and don't charge it overnight at all, the phone is amazing and I highly recommend it compared to mi 11 ultra, my only gripe is that selfie camera that just does the job and is nothing special, also the proximity sensor that was an issue with mi 11 ultra is fixed with Xiaomi 12s ultra,\nbut there are is a huge advantage to importing it, I payed $1225 for the green 12/512 version, while a month earlier I bought my gf an iPhone 13 Pro Max for $1525 and that was a blue 6/256 version, the iPhone itself is way more expensive and the case, screen protector, charger was all purchased as part of this price (while Xiaomi 12S Ultra had everything in the box)\nso yeah this phone is a better deal money wise, and if I bought the basic 8/256 version it would have been even cheaper, and it is cheaper than an s22 ultra too\nso for short is it better than mi 11 ultra? YES I have sold the mi 11 ultra a few days later, is it better than iphone or samsung, for long term no, since they both offer better software support, but short term hardware wise yeslaunch

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August 3, 2022

@RakanDiab

Losing the secondary display is a stupid move by xioami... I had that phone that display made jaws drop... It's what differentiated them from every other android phone... Why would they lose their niche? Same with oppo and the microscope camera... Flagships need niche features first to differentiate themselves from competition and second to have an edge over the really good mid range phones out there... The only company that can get away with no niche is Apple because they only compete with themselveslaunch

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July 14, 2022

At least one user says learning the phone was 'third party restrictive' was an immediate dealbreaker, since open app access is core to why they chose Android.

@Fred-zk3wv

As soon as I heard him say the words \"third party restrictive\" that's when I knew this phone wasn't for me no matter how good thephone is. The joy of having an Android phone is choices and almost no restrictions on third party apps.launch

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July 5, 2022