Xiaomi 12S Ultra: The Perfect Camera Phone That May Never Be Released in India
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the company's first phone to feature the iconic Leica branding, and it has the best cameras we've seen on a Xiaomi phone. Here are our initial thoughts.
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Working with an iconic camera brand undoubtedly helps smartphone brands improve their camera game, as seen with Vivo and OnePlus.
Before we get into the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, it's important to note that it is not a "true" successor to the Mi 11 Ultra, as this one is far superior and has a lot riding on it.
We've been testing Xiaomi phones since the Mi 3, which arrived in India in 2014, and we have to say that the 12S Ultra has the best camera module yet. However, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra may never see a formal launch in India, which is fine because we expect Xiaomi to incorporate the iconic Leica branding in its next-generation flagship, which will almost certainly make its way to India. So, how did we like the new Ultra? Continue reading to find out.
Xiaomi 12S Ultra: First impressions
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra attracts a lot of attention, thanks in part to the professional camera design cues on the back. The massive camera module appears to have been taken from a point-and-shoot camera. The eco silicone leather back panel is reminiscent of the Leica design aesthetic. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra's most notable design feature is its back panel.
The Leica logo is in the upper left corner, while the Xiaomi logo is at the bottom. To improve user convenience, the company has added IP68 certification for water and dust resistance. It is now available in Classic Black and Verdant Green. We got the latter, and it is distinctive in many ways, but our favorite color is black.
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra impressed us with its overall attention to detail. The gold-colored frames give the phone an ultra-premium feel. While we can see antenna bands running around on various sides.
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is a heavy device at 225 grams, but it does have all the characteristics of a premium device, such as an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus at the front.
The 6.73-inch LTPO2 AMOLED display is stunning in real-world use, with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The maximum brightness is 1500 nits, and the resolution is 14403200 pixels. However, in our limited time with the device, we noticed that the Xiaomi 12S Ultra display dims in direct sunlight, which was surprising given the on-paper specs.
Unfortunately, we received a Chinese SKU for testing, and we were unable to test the performance of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra during that time. However, in our limited time, it easily handled multiple apps and browser tabs. It runs MIUI 13, which is based on Android 12.
Xiaomi 12S Ultra: Amazing cameras
In terms of cameras, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the company's first phone to feature Sony's 1-inch IMX989 sensor and Leica's color science, so our expectations were high from the start. The primary camera sensor has an aperture of f/1.9, optical image stabilization, and octa-PD phase detection autofocus. A 48-megapixel ultra-wide angle sensor and a 48-megapixel telephoto sensor are also available.
Xiaomi informed us that the 12S Ultra will have an Aspherical High Transmittance Lens as well as the professional anti-glare lens coating ALD ultra-low reflectance technology. But we could tell the difference; we'll get into more detail later. However, starting with the camera UI, it is similar to other Xiaomi phones. There are also obvious additions, such as the inclusion of Leica-style camera options.
Starting with the daylight shots, the 12S Ultra is an absolute beast when it comes to capturing details, and the best thing we liked was the colors, which were true to life and not oversaturated in any way. Every photo we took that day was packed with details and kept the subject's natural texture.
Leica's color science comes into play and enhances each and every one of them. When you first power on the camera, you have the option of selecting between the Leica Authentic and the Leica Vibrant looks. Of course, you can change the setting later.
When shooting directly into the Sun or near light sources at night, the ALD ultra-low reflectance technology comes into play. What exactly does this mean? There is no green patch in your images that iPhone users will recognize.
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra's greatest strength is the Pro lenses used for Portrait mode, which includes a 35mm Black & White mode, 50mm Swirly bokeh, and 90mm soft focus.
Given Leica's history, the 35mm Black & White mode was our favorite, producing some fantastic results, which you can see below. The focus is quick, and Leica's color science improves the black-and-white tone of the images. The 50mm and 90mm modes are adequate, but only for certain subjects and situations.
A good camera phone can also take low-light photos. And the 12S Ultra easily accomplishes this. The colors in the low-light shots we took were vibrant. While the noise was kept to a minimum, there were incredible details and natural colors.
Xiaomi 12S Ultra: Initial thoughts
When Xiaomi unveiled the 12S Ultra in China, we knew we'd get a unit to test out, and we weren't wrong. While the Xiaomi 12S Ultra will not be available in India, it does provide a glimpse into how cameras on future Xiaomi flagships will function. We anticipate that the company will outperform the competition by leveraging the Leica partnership, as we have seen Vivo and OnePlus do for several years.
The 12S Ultra starts at around Rs 70,000 and goes up to around Rs 82,000 in China. However, if this is launched outside of China, it will have to be imported, which means it will be more expensive than in China.
To summarize, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the best camera smartphone that Xiaomi has produced. However, it is unfortunate that it will not be available in India; however, we must understand the company's strengths, and as of now, it does not fall into the ultra-premium smartphone category. The successor to the Xiaomi 12 Pro is expected to be India's first Leica-branded phone next year.
