If a smartphone maker goes to take design inspiration from the flat-sided Apple iPhone 13 collection, then it at the very least ought to make some enhancements to it. The look of the Xiaomi 12 Lite has clearly been influenced by the iPhone 13, so has the corporate finished the first rate factor?
I’m more than happy to say it has crushed Apple in a single essential facet: in-hand consolation. Plus, the cellphone itself is primed and able to tackle a number of of essentially the most anticipated Android telephones of 2022. It’s undoubtedly sizzling, however is it only a bit too sizzling?
Extra snug than the iPhone 13
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 13’s squared-off, flat-sided look is superb. However in case you maintain any of the telephones and not using a case, they will shortly turn into uncomfortable because the sharp edges quickly dig into your palm. It’s removed from the top of the world, and in case you use a case — which most will — you gained’t even discover. Nevertheless, after the intense consolation of the iPhone 11 collection, the redesign for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 was jarring to long-time Apple cellphone house owners.
Step ahead Xiaomi and the Xiaomi 12 Lite. The cellphone has flat sides, however some cautious chamfering has rounded the sharper edges that include this design selection, and it has labored wonders for the in-hand really feel. Maintain an iPhone along with it and the distinction is evident, because the Xiaomi 12 Lite nestles reasonably than digs into your fingers and palm. It means you’ll be able to comfortably use it and not using a case.
The Xiaomi 12 Lite weighs 173 grams and is just 7.2mm thick, which helps with its consolation, and makes it simple to slide into your pocket. It’s obtainable in three colours, the attractive Lite Inexperienced in our pictures, a Lite Pink, or a easy black model. Regardless of the Lite title, the cellphone is comprised of glass and aluminum, and never plastic as chances are you’ll count on. The digital camera module stands happy with the flat rear panel and comprises three cameras, whereas the etched line separating them offers it an uncommon look.
The Xiaomi 12 Lite might not have essentially the most unique design, but it surely does repair the one dangerous factor about flat-sided telephones, and that makes the type selection a lot simpler to forgive.
Blended digital camera efficiency
The principle digital camera is the Xiaomi 12 Lite’s headline characteristic. It’s a 108-megapixel, Samsung-produced HM2 sensor, full with options like eye monitoring to assist with pinpoint focusing when taking pictures of individuals. It’s joined by an 8MP wide-angle digital camera and a 2MP macro digital camera. On the entrance is a 32MP selfie digital camera in a top-center hole-punch cutout.
Based mostly on the quick time I’ve used the digital camera, I’ve come away pretty happy. Photographs have that very distinct Xiaomi look to them, that means electrical blues and greens, and an typically detail-obscuring method to publicity. The wide-angle digital camera is the worst wrongdoer, and due to the low megapixel depend, it doesn’t pull in a lot element both. The principle digital camera actually does amplify colours, and if that’s not your factor, you most likely gained’t just like the outcomes very a lot.
It’s price mentioning the attention monitoring, which isn’t one thing seen on many telephones exterior of some Sony Xperia gadgets. It’s helpful while you wish to take nice portrait pictures, as skilled photographers use the attention as a focus to make sure somebody’s face actually stands out within the picture. It really works shortly and successfully on the Xiaomi 12 Lite, so in case you take lots of pictures of your mates, chances are you’ll discover the 12 Lite punches above its weight right here.
Too sizzling to deal with
Contained in the Xiaomi 12 Lite is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor with both 6GB or 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB space for storing, relying on which model you purchase. You have a look at a 6.55-inch AMOLED display screen with a 2400 x 1080 pixel decision, a 120Hz refresh charge, plus a 240Hz contact sampling charge, and HDR10+ certification. There’s a 4,300mAh battery with 67W quick charging, designed to take the battery to full in about 40 minutes.
The processor appears to work fairly arduous contained in the Xiaomi 12 Lite, as throughout my early exams it’s got noticeably heat, and bordering on sizzling when enjoying video games. A brief 30-minute session with Asphalt 9: Legends noticed the again of the cellphone get toasty, with a lot of the warmth gathering on the prime finish of the cellphone, and subsequently straight underneath the place you maintain the system. It was by no means too sizzling to carry, however the heat was far increased than most telephones I take advantage of, and undoubtedly noticeable nearly instantly.
What might trigger this? It could be a software program situation, reasonably than something to do with the processor or cellphone design. My assessment cellphone has the newest model of Xiaomi’s MIUI over Android 12 however has not been up to date since I’ve used it, and this has been forward of the ultimate public launch. I haven’t used the Xiaomi 12 Lite for lengthy sufficient to ascertain reliability, or how lengthy the battery will final. The software program is similar as that discovered on the Xiaomi 12 Professional and I’d count on to face the identical points. Past that, the battery capability is kind of small in comparison with telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy A53, and it might battle to final past a full day in case you play lots of video games. Particularly if it at all times runs sizzling.
Again on the optimistic facet, the display screen could be very engaging, though by default it’s set at 60Hz, so ensure you change this to 120Hz instantly. With out it, textual content blurs unpleasantly while you scroll. Watching video exhibits off the Xiaomi 12 Lite’s stereo audio system. Sadly, they don’t have plenty of bass as you’d count on, and above about 70% quantity, distortion quickly makes you flip it down. They undoubtedly get loud, but it surely’s not essentially the most refined audio expertise.
A aggressive deal (if you may get it)
Xiaomi has priced the 12 Lite at $399 for the 6GB/128GB model, and as much as $499 for the highest 8GB/256GB mannequin. Though Xiaomi has offered U.S. costs, the 12 Lite nearly definitely gained’t be launched within the nation. On the very least, it’s going to be obtainable “internationally.” Xiaomi hasn’t confirmed precisely the place but, however we count on Europe and India to be on the checklist, and probably the UK, too.
At this worth, the Xiaomi 12 Lite goes up in opposition to the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, and primarily based on the specs, it’s more likely to face competitors from the forthcoming Nothing Cellphone 1 and the Google Pixel 6a. Samsung’s Galaxy A53 5G is a good purchase, however even within the quick time I’ve used the Xiaomi 12 Lite, the efficiency from the Snapdragon 778G chip is noticeably smoother and sooner than the A53’s Exynos chip. Nevertheless, the very fact it will get fairly sizzling can’t be missed, because the A53 runs significantly cooler.
For those who’re within the Xiaomi 12 Lite, we’d counsel not solely contemplating the Galaxy A53, but in addition holding out and seeing what Nothing delivers with the Cellphone 1, and in addition how good the Pixel 6a’s digital camera seems to be.
Editors’ Alternative