Putting the Pro inside

TESTED XIAOMI 12 PRO. After the deluge of Mi 11 models, Xiaomi is back with an all-new flex for 2022. It's their most expensive phone till date and one that takes its Pro moniker seriously.

- Nishant Padhiar

Megapixel count in smartphone cameras is like toppings on an ice cream. Everyone likes em but no one's really sure which is the right mix. It's time to usher in the world's first phone camera with 50MP sensors on all three lenses - primary, ultra-wide and telephoto. The Xiaomi 12 Pro also gets a spec bump in the form of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, faster 120W Hypercharge, 120Hz display with Adaptive Refresh rate and whether you like it or not...MIUI 13 on Android 12.

The slim and slippery body encases a fantastic 6.7in WQHD+ resolution screen that's good enough for 1500nits and supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+. But a cover is recommended unless you want it to fly out of your hands like an oiled-up clam.

Bucking the trend slightly, Xiaomi differentiates the camera module by oversizing the lens cover for its primary 50MP lens, while the other two lenses and flash are separated by fine grid lines, giving it a very organised and industrial look. The mauve finish, which Xiaomi calls Purple might be polarising, but you also have the option for grey and blue.

Social or professional

Boasting of a big 1/1.28 sensor size, the primary cam is 50MP if you want maximum resolution, but by default super bins 4-in-1 for a 12MP HDR image for everyday purposes. Regardless of auto or Pro mode, the results are consistent and impressive but the 50MP mode will deactivate HDR.

Excess baggage

Xiaomi hasn't broken from the shackles of bloatware and it is everywhere, including random and dubious ads that might pop up during an app launch, or signing up for more than you asked for just for using a file-sharing app. You're asked for permissions constantly.

Getting gritty with it