Xiaomi 12 Pro in 2025 – Still Worth It?
A Real-Life Comparison with Xiaomi 13 Pro, 14 Ultra, and 15 Ultra
Introduction
It’s 2025, and the smartphone landscape has evolved dramatically. Foldables are more common, AI photography is the norm, and flagship specs are now expected even in mid-range devices. Yet here I am, still carrying my Xiaomi 12 Pro — a device launched back in early 2022. Why? That’s the story I’m going to tell you today. After testing the Xiaomi 13 Pro, 14 Ultra, and recently, the 15 Ultra, I can confidently say: the Xiaomi 12 Pro still holds its own — but with some caveats.
Build Quality & Design
The Xiaomi 12 Pro was a design marvel in its time — a curved 6.73-inch AMOLED display, ceramic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front, and symmetrical aesthetics that made it look premium from every angle. Three years later, it still feels amazing in hand. Compared to the boxier Xiaomi 13 Pro or the bulkier Ultra models, the 12 Pro wins in ergonomic comfort.
- Weight: 204g — lighter than the 15 Ultra’s 227g
- Grip: Slim and well-balanced, unlike the wide profile of 14 Ultra
- Design Score (Personal): 9/10 in 2025
Display: Still a Champion?
Back in 2022, the Xiaomi 12 Pro came with one of the best displays in the market — a 120Hz LTPO AMOLED panel with QHD+ resolution and up to 1500 nits of brightness. And honestly? In 2025, it’s still gorgeous. Streaming HDR content, gaming, or just browsing — the display competes even with the newer 13 Pro and 14 Ultra, though the 15 Ultra edges ahead with its peak 3000 nits and Dolby Vision Pro enhancements.
Is the difference noticeable in real life? Only under extreme sunlight. Indoors, the 12 Pro still shines — literally and figuratively.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs New Giants
The Xiaomi 12 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. While it had thermal throttling issues at launch, later updates improved performance and stability. Compared to the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (13 Pro), 8 Gen 3 (14 Ultra), and 8 Gen 4 (15 Ultra), it obviously lags behind in raw numbers, but for daily tasks, social media, YouTube, Lightroom photo edits, and even moderate gaming — it’s still fast.
Geekbench (2025 Retest):
- 12 Pro: 1230 Single / 3850 Multi
- 13 Pro: 1520 / 4800
- 14 Ultra: 1600 / 5200
- 15 Ultra: 1740 / 6100
In benchmarks, yes, it's outclassed. In real-world experience? Still snappy — especially on MIUI 14.5 which runs smoothly after its final update in late 2024.
Camera Experience in 2025
Here's where things start to show the age. The 12 Pro’s triple 50MP setup was great in 2022, and still captures beautiful photos in daylight. But the newer Leica-tuned sensors in Xiaomi’s later Ultra models bring richer detail, better dynamic range, and significantly improved night performance.
My experience: The 12 Pro struggles with motion, night mode, and zoom. If you’re someone who photographs a lot — you’ll miss the periscope and improved stabilization of newer models.
Battery Life & Charging
The 4600mAh battery and 120W wired charging are still exceptional by today’s standards. The newer phones offer slightly larger batteries, but not always better life — mostly due to the more demanding hardware.
- Screen-On Time (My Use): 6 to 7 hours
- Charge from 0 to 100%: 18-20 minutes
- Wireless Charging: 50W (still impressive!)
Compared to the 15 Ultra’s 90W wireless and 150W wired, it’s a step behind — but in practice, not a dealbreaker at all.
MIUI Experience
MIUI 14.5 was the last major update for the 12 Pro. It's stable, fast, and refined — but it’s no longer getting new features. You won’t see HyperOS 1.0 or future AI enhancements rolling out to it.
If you're a power user, that might matter. But for the average user? It’s still intuitive, customizable, and reliable.
Comparison Summary: 12 Pro vs Newer Models
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 Pro | Xiaomi 13 Pro | Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Xiaomi 15 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 |
| Camera | Triple 50MP | 50MP + 50MP + 50MP | Leica Quad Camera | Leica Penta AI Camera |
| Battery | 4600mAh, 120W | 4820mAh, 120W | 5000mAh, 120W | 5100mAh, 150W |
| Software Support | Ended with MIUI 14.5 | Still supported | Running HyperOS | AI-enhanced HyperOS+ |
Final Verdict – Is Xiaomi 12 Pro Still Worth Buying or Keeping?
If you're holding on to your Xiaomi 12 Pro in 2025, you're not necessarily behind. It's still a solid flagship with one of the best screens of its time, fast charging, and elegant design. But if you’re into photography, gaming, or simply want future-proof features like AI tools and extended software support, then the 14 Ultra or 15 Ultra will feel like a leap.
Would I still use the 12 Pro? Yes — but I’ve also started carrying the 15 Ultra for camera and multitasking work. Both coexist in my digital life. That says a lot.
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