The Xiaomi 12 Lite smartphone was a serious shock. There are numerous telephones launched annually marketed on the mid-range market. Whereas they usually really feel nearly pretty much as good as what you would discover with a flagship machine, one thing at all times feels lacking. With the 12 Lite, Xiaomi managed to launch a powerful smartphone filled with options that also feels fashionable, trendy, and enjoyable to make use of.
The Xiaomi 12 Lite feels very totally different from the opposite smartphones within the 12 vary. Boasting vibrant choices and a light-weight construct, the 12 Lite feels tailored for the younger skilled trying to be fashionable with their tech. The cellphone is likely one of the extra light-weight units I’ve utilized in fairly some time, clocking in at solely 173 grams. On the dimensions entrance, the 159 x 74 x 7.3 mm measurements really feel nice within the palms, whereas giving sufficient display screen actual property to do something you would need whereas on the go.
Telephone Design & Construct
The look of the Xiaomi 12 Lite smartphone is industrial and blended up by the splash of color on supply with the units. Coming in both pink, black, or inexperienced color variations, Xiaomi has outdone themselves with the straightforward clear strains and a fogged glass again that makes the 12 Lite stand out amongst a sea of units all trying the identical. The buttons on the right-hand aspect of the cellphone are straightforward to push and discover, even when out and about, with the digital camera bump on the again giving a transparent have a look at the triple digital camera array. Additionally, you will discover a single USB-C charging port on the backside of the cellphone.

The display screen on the Xiaomi 12 Lite smartphone is a brilliant 6.55-inch AMOLED panel with a punch selfie digital camera proper on the prime of the show. The cellphone additionally options an in-screen fingerprint sensor that works very effectively, particularly for a mid-range model machine. It options Corning Gorilla Glass 5 that ought to hold your cellphone largely scratch free as you utilize the cellphone out and about. Sadly, there is no such thing as a IP ranking on the 12 Lite, so it’s higher refrained from water, excessive mud, or any main grime to make sure the cellphone stays working for so long as you want it.
“With the 12 Lite, Xiaomi managed to launch a powerful smartphone filled with options that also feels fashionable, trendy, and enjoyable to make use of.”
Wanting again to the show, the display screen is a 6.55in AMOLED Full HD+ panel that appears crisp, clear, and brilliant, and works on all the things from productiveness to gaming and in addition makes for an incredible media viewing expertise. Issues get much more attention-grabbing if you have a look at the very fact it will probably work at both 60HZ or 120Hz refresh charges, one thing I didn’t anticipate for a mid-range machine of this nature. To spherical issues off, the show helps HDR10+, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, as effectively Xiaomi calls TrueColor making the 12 Lite a unbelievable cellphone for media consumption.
Since we love gaming right here at CGMagazine, I needed to check out some gaming options on the cellphone, and the 240Hz contact sampling fee was a unbelievable shock when diving into the options of the Xiaomi 12 Lite smartphone. That is one thing I usually anticipate on a extra flagship-level machine, but it surely was a welcome addition to the cellphone, and made gaming rather more responsive. I did have some minor points with the palm cancellation on the 12 Lite, however there was by no means something that bought in the best way of session of Diablo Immortal.

The audio on the Xiaomi 12 Lite was much better than I anticipated and delivered some clear, loud sound from the stereo audio system. They won’t win over any audiophiles within the viewers, however for a fast music whereas within the lavatory or to observe a YouTube video, they’re greater than succesful. With there being no 3.5 mm headphone jack, for anybody wanting extra succesful audio might want to belief within the Bluetooth 5.2 capabilities for some wi-fi audio that may do your gaming or media justice.
Xiaomi 12 Lite Specs & Gaming
On the efficiency aspect of issues, the Xiaomi 12 Lite smartphone contains a Snapdragon 778G processor together with 8 GB Ram. In comparison with the eye-watering specs seen on most of the newest flagship telephones just like the OnePlus 10T or the Xiaomi 12 Professional, the specs could also be a bit bit underwhelming, however for most individuals’s wants, the ability below the hood must be greater than succesful.
Productively and social media work very effectively on the 12 Lite. Even when working a spread of various functions on the similar time, I didn’t discover any slowdown or lag. It was fast to change between with solely gaming displaying any actual slowdown on the general really feel of the cellphone.
“I did have some minor points with the palm cancellation on the 12 Lite, however there was by no means something that bought in the best way of session of Diablo Immortal.”
Partially that is because of the 8 GB RAM, however Xiaomi has managed to provide sufficient to make most issues run easily. In comparison with the Qualcomm 8 Gen 1 processor discovered within the flagship variants of the Xiaomi 12 vary, the Snapdragon 778G does depart a bit to be desired, however actually, for most individuals the distinction is not going to be noticeable.
The one space of efficiency I noticed any difficulty with the specs on supply was after I dove into gaming. Most video games I examined ran very effectively, with solely minor slowdowns throughout significantly intensive moments. Video games like Genshin Influence seemed unbelievable on the 6.55-inch display screen, displaying solely minor body fee drops whereas taking part in. Fortnite was the one recreation I noticed any actual points, and even then, it was minor and nonetheless very spectacular for a mid-range cellphone trying to faucet a very totally different market in comparison with the 12 Professional or 12S units that had been just lately launched.

On the storage aspect of issues, the 12 Lite options 128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage, with a 256 GB choice additionally accessible. Sadly, there is no such thing as a skill to extend the storage capability after buy with there solely being a twin sim slot on the 12 Lite with no place for an SD card for elevated capability. That is one thing I’m unhappy to not see, particularly with previous choices giving extra flexibility must you want more room sooner or later.
Photograph & Video
That includes a triple digital camera array with a 108Mp f/1.88 important, 8Mp f/2.2 ultra-wide and 2Mp f/2.4 macro, the Xiaomi 12 Lite smartphone comes out of the gate swinging in the case of pictures. I’m used to mid-range telephones out of China giving a bit additional in the case of the digital camera, however Xiaomi outdid themselves right here, boasting a cellphone that outdoes many flagship units, delivering some actually gorgeous nonetheless and motion pictures. The cellphone additionally contains a 32 MP selfie digital camera that, whereas not wonderful, managed to seize some nice pictures worthy of Instagram.







Photographs from the Xiaomi 12 Lite really feel good, giving unbelievable color illustration, clear photographs, with an autofocus that follows the meant goal very effectively. I discovered some color throughout brilliant days a bit overly vibrant, however it is a private choice with many of the pictures effectively fitted to social media or to share with family and friends. Even the night time mode was one thing that delivered effectively above its paygrade, managing some clear pictures that out-classed many telephones from the previous few years. Even simply wandering round Toronto at night time I managed to get some pictures I used to be excited to share, one thing I actually didn’t anticipate after I first picked up the 12 Lite for evaluation.
“…for those that like to experiment with their cameras, the Xiaomi 12 Lite smartphone is bursting with settings that ought to actually get your inventive juices flowing.”
The Xiaomi digital camera app consists of numerous modes to precise your artist imaginative and prescient, together with many in-camera filters to beautify and modify to your coronary heart’s content material. I used to be amazed on the stage of changes on supply simply in the usual photograph modes, and for those that like to experiment with their cameras, the Xiaomi 12 Lite smartphone is bursting with settings that ought to actually get your inventive juices flowing. The digital camera additionally permits for video at 4K/30fps, with the default being 1080p/30fps, and whereas I don’t really feel it’s fairly on par with many units on the sound entrance, it must be greater than sufficient for TikTok or different social media.
Battery & MIUI
The 4300mAh battery on the Xiaomi 12 Lite was very succesful. Whereas testing the cellphone, utilizing it closely through the day with some gaming and productiveness apps, the cellphone managed to final from round 7AM to 10PM with 20-percent battery to spare on the finish of the day. It was a strong displaying that ought to final for most individuals all through the day with ease.
Whereas it delivers strong battery life, if there may be ever a fear, the Xiaomi 12 Lite helps quick charging, and with the included 65W brick within the field, the cellphone can go from empty to 100% in solely 40 minutes. So so long as you will have time to calm down close to a plug, you need to have the ability to make it to your late-night social gathering with ease. Sadly, the 12 Lite doesn’t help wi-fi charging, so you have to to make sure to convey your energy twine with you, or you would be in for a little bit of a shock.
“The light-weight eye-popping design makes the Xiaomi 12 Lite a beautiful choice for individuals wanting an thrilling new smartphone, and the value seals the deal.”
Working Android 12 below the MIUI 13 pores and skin, the Xiaomi 12 Lite feels quick and fluid. I’m not an enormous fan of Android skins, however with a strong stage of flexibility, I by no means had any difficulty utilizing the included OS. There are alternatives to make MIUI 13 look much like what individuals anticipate on Android, however you may as well give it a extra iOS really feel with no app drawer must you really feel the necessity.

There’s a little bit of bloat put on, and software program that may very well be redundant ought to you have already got options you will have paid for or simply used on different units. Fortunately, most of those apps will be uninstalled if not wanted, and solely present a minor annoyance ought to it’s essential to go down this route.
Xiaomi has outdone themselves with the Xiaomi 12 Lite smartphone, boasting an incredible look and specs that assist it carry out effectively above different telephones in an identical value vary. Clocking in at $449 USD for the mannequin examined, with it going as much as $499 for the 256 GB mannequin, the 12 Lite is a beautiful providing, one which younger professionals ought to make the most of.
The light-weight eye-popping design makes the Xiaomi 12 Lite a beautiful choice for individuals wanting an thrilling new smartphone, and the value seals the deal. For individuals wanting a mid-range machine that delivers options and a contemporary design, few telephones evaluate to what the Xiaomi 12 Lite brings to the desk.