Xiaomi 12 vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
The Xiaomi 12 (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (2025) runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $750 and $892. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads — 87/100 vs 64/100 (a 23-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) has the bigger battery (6800 mAh vs 4500); the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is faster in AnTuTu (3,950,082 vs 1,322,176); the Xiaomi 12 is noticeably lighter (180g vs 224g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Xiaomi 12
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
What makes Xiaomi 12 better?
- Lighter: 180g vs 224g
- Cheaper at launch: $750 vs $892
- Better display (82/100 vs 81/100)
- Better portability (69/100 vs 42/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3950082 vs 1322176
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 1662
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 4188
- Bigger battery: 6800 vs 4500 mAh
- Faster charging: 90W vs 67W
- Higher performance (98/100 vs 68/100)
- Better camera (87/100 vs 52/100)
- Longer battery life (83/100 vs 57/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Xiaomi 12 vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) scores 23 points higher (87/100 vs 64/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (98/100 vs 68/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (87/100 vs 52/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (83/100 vs 57/100). Value score: Xiaomi 12 — 42/100, Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 88/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 12 (98/100 vs 68/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 12 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) are nearly equal (82/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 12 (87/100 vs 52/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) notably outperforms the Xiaomi 12 (83/100 vs 57/100). In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 12 notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (69/100 vs 42/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Xiaomi 12 | Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1322176 | 3950082 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1662 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 4188 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.3" AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2400x1080 | 1200x2608 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4500 mAh | 6800 mAh | |
| Charging | 67W | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 50W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 113 | — | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1100 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 152.7×69.9×8.2 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 180 g | 224 g | |
| Launch price | $750 | $892 |
Camera comparison
Xiaomi 12
- Main: 50MP f/1.88
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Front: 32MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Xiaomi 12
- 6.3" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1200x2608
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Xiaomi 12
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 67W
- Wireless: 50W
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6800 mAh
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads Xiaomi 12 by 66.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $142. Xiaomi 12 was $142 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 12 (98/100 vs 68/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 12 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) are nearly equal (82/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 12 (87/100 vs 52/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) notably outperforms the Xiaomi 12 (83/100 vs 57/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Xiaomi 12 notably outperforms the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (69/100 vs 42/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Xiaomi 12 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 12 by 23 points (87/100 vs 64/100).
What is the rating of the Xiaomi 12 and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 12 has a MobileRank rating of 64/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 87/100.
Which has the better camera: the Xiaomi 12 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on camera score (87/100 vs 52/100).
Which is more powerful: the Xiaomi 12 or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on performance (98/100 vs 68/100).
Should you choose the Xiaomi 12 over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 12 is a better fit for active users. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.