Xiaomi is one of the most popular smartphone manufacturers worldwide. The company releases a number of smartphones varying in specs and prices every year, and this year we saw some really powerful smartphones from the brand. This includes the Xiaomi 12S Ultra model that featured a massive 1-inch sensor onboard with Leica optimization.
A few years ago, if you said you wanted a premium smartphone, we would have typically recommended a OnePlus or a Huawei device. Xiaomi did have powerful devices, but they never felt as premium or smart as the established manufacturers. But over the past few years, Beijing based brand has changed its perception among premium buyers with beautiful designs, high-end features, and collaborations like Leica co-branding on their smartphones.
If you are in the market to get a value for money smartphone or even a top-end flagship, there’s at least one Xiaomi device that could be the right fit for you.
So lets look at the Best Xiaomi Phones of 2022 in the Premium segment.
Xiaomi 12S Series
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Xiaomi launched its most powerful smartphone lineup of 2022, the Xiaomi 12S series in July this year and it features three devices, the Xiaomi 12S, 12S Pro, and the top-end Xiaomi 12S Ultra.
If you want best from Xiaomi – these are the devices to pick up in 2022.
Xiaomi 12S and 12S Pro comes with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor with upto 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage. The regular variant is backed by a 4,500mAh battery with support for 67W wired charging whereas the Pro model has a 4,600mAh battery with support for 120W wired charging. They both support 50W wireless and 10W reverse wireless charging.
But the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the really gem in the series and the best Xiaomi phone to get in 2022. It comes with a the Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. The phone features a 6.73 inch LTPO 2.0 AMOLED display on the front with 2K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 1500 nits of peak brightness, and 521ppi pixel density.
The biggest highlight of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra (our review here) is the Leica Summicron lens system at the back. It comes with a triple camera setup featuring a Sony IMX989 primary sensor with a large 1-inch sensor size and a 50 megapixel resolution. The main shooter also comes with HyperOIS and is capable of recording 8K videos as well. The primary camera is paired with another 48 megapixel ultra wide angle lens with 128 degree FOV, and a 48 megapixel telephoto lens with 120x magnification and OIS.
Xiaomi 12S Key Features:
- 6.28-inch AMOLED FHD display with DisplayMate A+ certification.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, Adreno 730 GPU.
- 50MP rear triple-cameras, a 32MP AI front camera.
- 8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 Storage.
- 4500mAh battery, 67W wired charging, and 50W wireless charging.
- MIUI 13 based on Android 12 OS, OTA updating supported.
Xiaomi 12S Pro Key Features:
- 6.73-inch AMOLED 2K display.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor.
- 50MP rear triple-cameras, Sony IMX707 1/1.28″ sensor.
- 8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 Storage.
- 4600mAh battery, 120W fast charging.
- MIUI 13 based on Android 12 OS, OTA updating supported.
Xiaomi 12S Ultra Key Features:
- 6.73-inch AMOLED 2K display, 2nd LTPO, HDR10+.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor.
- 50MP+48MP+48MP rear triple-cameras, Sony IMX989 sensor.
- 8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 Storage.
- 4860mAh battery, 67W wired charging, and 50W wireless charging.
- MIUI 13 based on Android 12 OS, OTA updating supported.
Xiaomi 12T Series
The Xiaomi 12S series is currently limited to the Chinese market. But if you want a more global device, your best bet would be the Xiaomi 12T series featuring the Xiaomi 12T and the Xiaomi 12T Pro models.
Xiaomi 12T comes with the Dimensity 8100 chipset paired and 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage while the Xiaomi 12T Pro features a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Both of them have 5,000mAh batteries with 120W fast charging.
Xiaomi 12T series features a 108MP main sensor with OIS support, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro camera. On the other hand, the Pro variant is the first-ever Xiaomi device to sport a 200MP primary sensor while retaining the other two lenses from the regular model.
Overall, they are powerful devices from 2022, which are available internationally.
Xiaomi 12T Key Features:
- 6.67” 120Hz AdaptiveSync AMOLED DotDisplay.
- Dimensity 8100-Ultra processor, Mali-G610 MC6 GPU.
- 108MP+8MP+2MP triple camera, a 20MP in-display selfie camera
- 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 Storage.
- 5000mAh battery, 120W wired turbo charging.
- MIUI 13 based on Android 12, with full GMS and Google Play pre-installed.
Xiaomi 12T Pro Key Features:
- 6.67” 120Hz Adaptive Sync AMOLED DotDisplay.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, Adreno GPU.
- 200MP+8MP+2MP triple camera, a 20MP in-display selfie camera
- 8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 256GB UFS 3.1 Storage.
- 5000mAh battery, 120W wired turbo-charging.
- MIUI 13 is based on Android 12.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
Xiaomi’s Mi 11 Ultra (our review here) is yet another camera monster featuring the Sony IMX586 with one of the massive CMOS sensors on a phone in 2021. Yes, the phone was released last year but it is still a great buy if you can get it for a discounted price tag via online retailers like giztop. One of the highlights of the phone, apart from its large camera setup was the secondary screen at the back, which made it unique.
The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra features 6.81-inch E4 AMOLED display that features curved edges and a punch-hole camera cutout. The screen has a Quad HD+ resolution, up to 120Hz refresh rate, 1700nits peak brightness, 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut, MEMC, Dolby Vision, and an in-screen fingerprint scanner. It also comes with Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the front and a ceramic build on the back with IP68 rated dust and water resistance.
The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 888 mobile platform powers the Mi 11 Ultra along with 12 GB LPDDR5 RAM. It ships with 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage and a 5,000mAh battery and supports 67W wired charging, 67W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra Key Features:
- 6.81-inch 2K E4 AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor, Adreno 660 GPU.
- 50MP rear triple-cameras, a 20MP AI front camera.
- 8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM, 256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 Storage.
- 5000mAh battery, 67W wired charging, and 67W wireless charging.
- MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11, with full GMS and Google Play pre-installed.
So these were the best Premium smartphones that you can get in 2022. As always, these smartphones offer exceptional value for the premium price you pay.
