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Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Series Brings Flagship Class Specifications to a More Affordable Price Point

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Xiaomi’s Redmi lineup has long been one of the most affordable smartphones available on the market. With the Redmi Note 11 series, the lineup took a step closer to bringing flagship-class specs with its 108-megapixel camera. This year, the series inches even closer with a 200-megapixel camera and high-performance display.

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The new series comes with three entries – for now. Spearheading the lineup is the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G which comes with a 200-megapixel camera and the MediaTek Dimensity 1080. The Note 12 Pro+ 5G also comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage and runs on Android 12 with MIUI 14. On the entry-level side of things is the Redmi Note 12 without 5G which comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage and comes with a 50-megapixel camera. Sitting right in the middle of the lineup is the Redmi Note 12 5G which comes with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. It comes with a 48-megapixel camera and up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal space.

The hallmark of the new lineup is the 200-megapixel sensor which comes as the main sensor on the Pro+. This main sensor is complemented by an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor and a 2-megapixel macro camera. On the front of the Pro+ is a 16-megapixel selfie camera. The Pro+ comes with a 6.67-inch FHD+ Flow AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 900 nits peak brightness and Dolby Vision support. The Pro+ is also the only one in the lineup which comes with a dual-curved design making it more ergonomic.

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The Redmi Note 12 5G’s 48-megapixel sensor is complemented by 8-megapixel ultrawide and 2-megapixel macro sensors. It comes with a 13-megapixel on the front. Display-wise it comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED DotDisplay with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1,200 nits peak brightness and Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The 5G version of the Redmi Note 12 comes with a curved back.

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The Redmi Note 12 without 5G comes in a completely flat form factor. It has the same camera setup complementing its 50-megapixel sensor and selfie camera as the Redmi Note 12 5G. Even the display is the same. The major differences here are its processor, the lack of 5G connectivity and the 50-megapixel sensor.

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The smartphones are IP53 splash and dust resistance certified. Xiaomi has also opted to keep the 3.5mm combo jack and IR blaster. All versions come with side-mounted fingerprint sensors which are embedded into the power button. They also all come with a 5,000mAh battery with 33W Fast Charging. However, Pro+ ups the ante a little bit with 120W HyperCharge.

Pricing & Availability

The Redmi Note 12 series will be available for pre-order in Malaysia starting on April 6, 2023. During this pre-order, purchases will be entitled to a free Redmi Smart Band 2. The e-commerce exclusive Redmi Note 12 (6GB + 128GB) will be available at a discounted price of MYR659 during this period.

In-store sales begin from April 15 onwards. Purchases made from this date onwards will be entitled to free Redmi Buds 4 Lite while stocks last.

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Purchases and Pre-orders can be made at authorised Xiaomi dealers and the Xiaomi storefronts on Shopee and Lazada.

The official pricing and variants available are listed below.

ModelColoursPricing (MYR)Pre-order OfferIn-Store Offer
Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G (8GB+256GB)Midnight Black
Polar White
Sky Blue		RM 1,599FREE
Redmi Smart Band 2		FREE
Redmi Buds 4 Lite
Redmi Note 12 5G (8GB+256GB)Onyx Gray
Forest Green
Ice Blue		RM 1,099FREE
Redmi Smart Band 2		FREE
Redmi Buds 4 Lite
Redmi Note 12 (8GB+128GB)Onyx Gray
Mint Green
Ice Blue		RM 799FREE
Redmi Smart Band 2		FREE
Redmi Buds 4 Lite
Redmi Note 12 (6GB+128GB)
*e-Commerce exclusive		Onyx Gray
Mint Green
Ice Blue		RM 699FREE
Redmi Smart Band 2		Special Price: MYR659

FREE
Redmi Buds 4 Lite

Official Specifications

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Health, Lifestyle, News

Xiaomi’s New Premium AIoT Offerings Come to Malaysia

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Xiaomi recently announced their new smartphone flagship – the Xiaomi 13 series globally and in Malaysia. At their Malaysian launch, however, Xiaomi also unveiled a new array of AIoT offerings which include a new smartwatch, earbuds, a robot cooker and a fleet of robot vacuums.

Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro

Xiaomi isn’t a stranger when it comes to high-quality wireless audio offerings. The company has debuted more than 5 offerings across its Xiaomi and Redmi product lineups. The new Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro comes to their premium Xiaomi lineup with Sony’s LDAC technology in tow. Using this technology, the Buds 4 Pro is able to bring top-of-the-line Hi-Res Audio with data transfer rates of up to 990kbps at bit depths of up to 32-bit. In addition to this, the buds are also equipped with Ambient Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology to zone out and focus. Together with this, the Buds 4 Pro comes with Xiaomi’s take on 360 Audio – Dimensional audio – which gives you a fully immersive audio experience with object-based positional sound.

The Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro is touted to have up to 9 hours of uninterrupted listening and a total of 38 hours of battery life including the charging case. You don’t even need to plug in to top up the charge thanks to wireless charging support. It also comes with dual-device connectivity which allows you to simultaneously connect to two devices at one go.

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The Buds 4 Pro comes with a more premium space capsule design that uses multiple magnets to keep the earbuds in place. You can also get the best fit with Xiaomi’s new “Intelligent Fit Monitoring” feature for maximum comfort. You even get more granular control with Xiaomi’s new Earbuds app which is available on the Google Play Store.

Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro

Together with the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, the company also announced the Watch S1 Pro. The new smartwatch is a union of the classic watch design and contemporary smartwatch technology. It comes with a 1.47-inch AMOLED display and a rotatable crown protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass. The design is punctuated by two colourways – a silver finish with brown leather and a carbon black case finish paired with a fluororubber strap. With Xiaomi’s smartwatch OS, you can further customise the watch to suit your style with over 100 watch faces.

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Source: Xiaomi Malaysia

The Watch S1 Pro is not just about style, it comes with the ability to track over 100 sports activities. Runners have a special added value with 10 pre-built programs that allow you to build endurance, burn fat and more complete with interval training. Of course, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro comes with all the features we expect from a smartwatch nowadays including sleep tracking, SPO2 tracking, heart rate tracking and calorie tracking.

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With up to 14 days of battery life, it’s also one of the longest-lasting smartwatches on the market. you can even get 2 more days of battery with just 10 minutes of charge.

Cleaning the Smart Way with Xiaomi Robot Vacuums

Xiaomi’s fleet of popular robot vacuums is also making its official Malaysian debut. The fleet consists of four models this round: the E10, S10, S10+, and X10. The robot vacuums come with a unique complement of features to cater to different price points and needs.

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Source: Xiaomi Malaysia

All of them come with advanced LDS sensors that allow the vacuums to intelligently map your home and react to obstacles intelligently. Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10 is can store up to 60 full cleans, features 4,000Pa powerful fan blower suction, and can clean up to 3 hours continuously with its 5,200mAh long-lasting battery. The S10+ features dual-pad pressure mopping for better stain removal, and up to 2 hours; The S10 features Zigzag and Y-shape cleaning routes for maximum cleaning efficiency and a smart water tank to protect floors from water damage; Lastly, the E10 is a versatile floor cleaning tool that cleans in one pass.

Xiaomi Smart Cooking Robot

Looking for a sous chef to help with cooking and meal prep? Well, Xiaomi’s smart cooking robot is here to help. It comes with eight specialized cooking features that allow you to cook a myriad of dishes with a single click of a button on the 8-inch display. Speaking of, it comes preloaded with over 200 chef’s recipes.

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Source: Xiaomi Malaysia

It comes with a high-power switched reluctance motor, with a rotation speed that ranges from 40 rpm to 12,000 rpm and 3D induction heating. The combination of these features is complemented by Xiaomi’s CookingIoT algorithm to set and forget as the Robot takes care of everything from grinding to frying and more.

Pricing & Avaliability

The whole stable of AIoT devices is available at Xiaomi stores and even on Shopee and Lazada.

ProductsAvailabilityNormal PriceSpecial Deals
Xiaomi Buds 4 ProNowRM899–
Xiaomi Watch S1 ProNowRM1,399–
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10+NowRM3,799RM3,599
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X10TBARM2,199–
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10+NowRM2,099RM1,799
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum S10NowRM1,299RM1,099
Xiaomi Robot Vacuum E10NowRM899–
Xiaomi Smart Cooking RobotNow RM4,599–
Xiaomi Smart DehumidifierNowRM1,399–
Lifestyle, News

[MWC 2023] Xiaomi Showcases Wireless AR Glasses at MWC 2023

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Xiaomi is bringing back the age of smart glasses when they unveiled their new wireless, augmented reality (AR) Glasses. Announced at the MWC 2023 conference in Barcelona, the device is currently at the concept stage and is called the Xiaomi Wireless AR Glass Discovery Edition.

Meet Xiaomi Wireless AR Glass Discovery Edition

The start of a new smart glass generation, powered by Snapdragon

Xiaomi has revealed that this is their “…first wireless AR glasses to to utilize distributed computing, offering a retina-level adaptive display that adjusts to the lighting environment”. We can expect excellent connectivity with Snapdragon Spaces-ready smartphones and more importantly, is integrated with refined hand tracking. It is not a standalone device and needs to be paired with a Xiaomi 13 or other Snapdragon Spaces smartphones to fully function.

The Xiaomi Wireless AR Glasses Discovery Edition will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 platform, most recently seen with the Meta Quest Pro. It will also feature Xiaomi’s proprietary low-latency communication link. This allows low wireless latency of 3ms through Snapdragon Spaces compatible devices and full link latency as low as 50ms, which is comparable to wired latency.

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Xiaomi’s Wireless AR Glasses Discovery Edition is at the concept stage but packs a lot of promise.
Image source: GSMArena

Innovations in gesture control and retina-level display

Xiaomi has also featured their own self-developed micro gesture interaction that enables precise one-handed micro gestures based on the thumb, inner fingers and knuckles. The gestures allow functions such as selecting and opening apps, swiping through pages, and exiting apps without touching the paired smartphone. It also allows more advanced features such as text input with thumb tapping in the finger area, similar to the Chinese nine-key input method. Detecting these gestures is a low power-usage AON camera which also facilitates other features.

The centerpiece of the Xiaomi Wireless AR Glasses is retina-level near-eye display found in the lenses. The lenses leverage a free-form optical module that houses a pair of MicroOLED displays. This optical module has light-guiding prisms that minimizes light loss and produces clear, bright display with a peak of 1200 nits. The lenses are also electrochromic to adapt to different lighting modes and comes with special modes including a blackout mode to enhance content viewing on YouTube and TikTok as well as a transparent mode that will enhance AR immersion.

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An innovative free-form optical module with MicroOLED screens is the centerpiece.
Image source: GSMArena

Lightweight design without compromising toughness

Design-wise, the Xiaomi Wireless AR Glasses incorporates robust lightweight material such as magnesium-lithium alloy, carbon fiber parts, and a self-developed silicon-oxygen anode battery. Thought it appears to be on the bulkier side, it only weighs 126g, which should make it comfortable to wear for long periods. They will be available in titanium-colored shade, supports three-sizes of nosepieces for a precise fit and has an attachable myopic clip for nearsighted users.

From the prototype devices that were unveiled, it seems that Xiaomi has really brought out some innovative ideas and cutting-edge self-developed technology to the fore. Currently there is no indication of a release date but Xiaomi is working with their partners to expedite the process. While the history of smart glasses has not been great, especially with the demise of Google Glass, perhaps a new generation will be upon us soon with Xiaomi leading the way.

Sources: Xiaomi, PhoneArena, GSMArena

Hands On, Video

Hands-on with the Xiaomi 13 Pro in Ceramic White

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Xiaomi introduces the Xiaomi 13 Pro in Malaysia! The new smartphone comes with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and a camera system developed in collaboration with Leica. Pricing starts at MYR4,599.

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Android, Mobile, News

Xiaomi 13 series Comes to Malaysia Complete with the 1-inch Leica Sensor

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Leica is back in the international smartphone arena thanks to its new partnership with Xiaomi. With its initial offering, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra only officially being rolled out in Mainland China, the Xiaomi 13 marks the brand’s return to the ecosystem. The new Xiaomi 13 series crowning feature is the Leica Vario-Summicron 1:19-2.2/14-75 ASPH camera system which comes on the 13 Pro.

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The Xiaomi 13 series comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB internal memory. Of course, the Xiaomi 13 series comes with two entries in Malaysia (for now): the Xiaomi 13 and the Xiaomi 13 Pro. The two entries come with a few differences that distinguish the smartphones from each other. The most significant of which the Leica Vario-Summicron 1:19-2.2/14-75 ASPH camera system.

The Pro comes with a triple camera array for the main camera complete with Leica lenses. The setup consists of the 1-inch, 50.3-megapixel Sony IMX989 with an f/1.8 aperture and 23mm focal length. It equipped with dual pixel phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser Autofocus and optical image stabilization (OIS). This is complemented with a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 3.2x optical zoom and PDAF. Completing the triple sensor setup is a 50-megapixel utlra-wide sensor with autofocus. On the front, the smartphone comes with a 32-megapixel selfie camera.

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The vanilla 13 comes with a triple sensor setup with a main 50-megapixel main sensor with PDAF and OIS complemented with a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. On the front is the same 32-megapixel sensor.

Leica isn’t just lending its lenses to Xiaomi for the Xiaomi 13 series, they’re helping with the software. The 13 and 13 Pro both come with the master lens system, a software features which provides better, more granular control to the focal length and depth of field for better portrait photos. In addition to this, the software comes with two distinct photographic styles: Leica Authentic Look and Leica Vibrant Look. These paired with Xiaomi’s own Imaging Engine culminate in Xiaomi’s strongest computational photography flagship.

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Of course, with all these photography features, the two smartphones come with powerful displays with up to 120Hz refresh rate.

Pricing & Availability

The Xiaomi 13 Series will be available in Malaysia starting on March 8th 2023.

The Xiaomi 13 will be available in three colours – Black, White and Flora Green. Only one variant will be available in Malaysia 12GB RAM with 256GB of internal storage. Prices start at MYR3,499.

The Xiaomi 13 Pro will be available in two colours: Ceramic Black and Ceramic White. Two variants of the 13 Pro will be avaiable 12RAM with 256GB of internal storage and a special, limited edition 12GB RAM with 512GB internal storage. The former will be priced from MYR4,699 while the limited edition will be on sale for MYR 4,999.

The Xiaomi 13 series will be available for pre-order starting on February 27, 2023 until March 7, 2023. Packages and pricing are as follows:

ProductPriceE-commercePre-order Deals(Feb 27 – Mar 7)Xiaomi Store Pre-order Deals(Feb 27 – Mar 7)Open sales Deals(Mar 8 onwards)
Xiaomi 13 (12GB+256GB)RM3,499RM699 off e-voucher Lazada | ShopeeFREEXiaomi TV P1 43” (worth RM 1,799)FREERedmi Buds 4 (worth RM 239)
Xiaomi 13 Pro (12GB+256GB)RM 4,599RM799 off e-voucher Lazada | ShopeeFREEFree Xiaomi TV A2 58” (worth RM 2,799)FREERedmi Buds 4 (worth RM 239)
Xiaomi 13 Pro (12GB+512GB)Limited Edition PackageRM 5,999–FREEXiaomi Watch S1 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, Xiaomi 33W PowerBank 10,000mAh Pocket Edition Pro (total worth of RM 7,469)
Android, Mobile, News

Xiaomi 13 series unveiled in China, challenges for top spot

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Xiaomi’s latest flagship devices, the Xiaomi 13 series, have been announced in China and challenges to be a top device in 2023.

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Xiaomi 13 series aims to be at the top of the 2023 smartphone line.
Image source: Weibo Xiaomi via Android Authority

Xiaomi’s announcement revealed two devices, the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro as part of the series. Both devices will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset for top-of-the-line performance. Shared features between the devices include the Android 13-based MIUI4 out of the box, 50W wireless charging, IP68 rating, Dolby Atmos sepakers and WiFi 6E support.

True flagship experience of the Xiaomi 13 Pro

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The Sony IMX989 50MP sensor gives the Xiaomi 13 Pro the edge. Image source: Weibo Xiaomi via Android Authority

The Xiaomi 13 Pro offers the true flagship experience, with a 6.7-inch, 120Hz curved OLED with QHD resolution. The display features an LTPO panel, which allows dynamic adjustment of the screen refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz to save battery. There is also support for HDR10+, Dolby Vision and has good visibility with 1900 peak nits of brightness. Rear cameras are a 50MP 1-inch Sony IMX989 main sensor with Leica lenses, 50MP 3x telephoto lens and 50MP ultrawide. The front camera is a 32MP shooter that sits in a punch hole cutout in the front. The battery has 4820 mAh capacity with 120W wired charging, 50W wireless charging and capable of 10W wireless reverse charging. All devices come with ceramic backs colors options of Ceramic Black, Ceramic White, and Wilderness Green.

The Xiaomi 13 concedes in hardware but still packs a punch

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Smaller,, more affordable but no less a flagship. Image source: XiaomiUI

The standard Xiaomi 13 has a smaller 6.39-inch flat OLED panel with FHD resolution with no LTPO panel. Cameras are a slight step down too with a 50MP IMX800 main shooter, a 12MP ultrawide sensor and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. The battery is understandably lower capacity with 4500 mAh and has 67W wired charging. Overall, the standard variant only falls behind the Pro by display, cameras and to a lesser degree, battery life. It does however offer a smaller form factor with a flat design that some may prefer to the curved design of the Pro, along with a smaller price tag. Color options are Black, White, and Wilderness Green, but with glass backs this time. Both the standard and Pro variants will also be available in a sky-blue color with a leather finish.

Pricing and availability

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Both Xiaomi 13 phones get 3 colours and a fourth leather finish option with sky blue colour.
Image source: Weibo Xiaomi via Android Authority

The standard and Pro variants of Xiaomi 13 is currently available in China only. Both devices come in four memory configurations: 8 GB RAM +128 GB storage, 8 GB RAM + 256 GB storage, 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage and 12 GB RAM + 512 GB storage. Pricing for the Pro variant starts at 3999 yuan (approx. RM2534) and the standard variant at 3999 yuan (approx. RM3168) for the respective 8 GB + 128 GB variant.

Sources: Android Authority, TechNave, XiaomiUI

Android, Mobile, News

Xiaomi’s Redmi 10 5G Available in Malaysia Exclusively from Maxis

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Xiaomi’s Redmi lineup has been one of the most affordable smartphones in the market for a while now. However, the Redmi 10 lineup has been missing out on the 5G love that other devices have been launching with – that ends now with the Redmi 10 5G. Xiaomi is also switching things up with this launch in Malaysia, partnering exclusively with Maxis, one of the country’s largest mobile and internet service providers.

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The Redmi 10 5G is the first in the lineup to come with 5G connectivity. It’s powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 octa-core processor. It also comes with dual SIM support. You’ll be able to use two 5G SIMs as well with dual 5G standby. This is supplemented by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage in the version being offered on Maxis.

On the display front, the smartphone comes with a 6.58-inch Full HD, Dot Drop display. The screen also supports a 90Hz refresh rate with AdaptiveSync. It’s got Gorilla Glass 3 protection as well. The smartphone itself comes with support for AI face unlock and also has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

The Redmi 10 5G comes with a dual sensor camera setup. The main sensor is a 50-megapixel sensor with an f/1.8 aperture. This is supported by a 2-megapixel depth sensor. Up front, we have a 5-megapixel selfie shooter with an f/2.2 aperture.

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The smartphone has a 5,000mAh battery which should be able to last a whole day easily based on Redmi’s track record. If you need to top up, however, the Redmi 10 5G does have support for 18W fast charging using its USB-C connector. It also comes with a 22.5W charger provided in the box.

Pricing and Availability

The Redmi 10 5G will be available in Graphite Gray, Chrome Silver and Aurora Green. For now, it’s available exclusively on Maxis for as low as MYR1 on its Zerolution plans. Beyond the exclusivity period, the device will be retailing for MYR959.

Maxis Zerolution Pricing Table

PricingMaxis Postpaid Plan
RM 1Maxis Postpaid 188
RM 19Maxis Postpaid 158
RM29Maxis Postpaid 128
RM 36Maxis Postpaid 98
RM 39Maxis Postpaid Share 48
Android, Mobile, News

Xiaomi 12 Lite Brings a 108-Megapixel Camera to the sub MYR1,000 Price Point

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Xiaomi has been known to shake up the smartphone market every now and again. Just recently, they announced the Xiaomi 12S Ultra which brings a large 1-inch sensor and Leica imaging technology to their flagships. Now, the company is supercharging their Lite series with features that make other mid-range smartphones cry.

The freshly announced Xiaomi 12 Lite completes the current Xiaomi 12 lineup. It brings a more restrained combination of specifications while keeping it more affordable but feature-packed. The 12 Lite is one of the lightest smartphones coming in at only 173g (6.1oz). It’s also one of the sleekest available right now with a 7.29mm thickness. It’s a rather industrial device with an angular body and rounded corners. Of course, like all modern smartphones, the 12 Lite comes with a multicamera setup.

Impressive Camera Performance with a 108-megapixel Sensor and Xiaomi’s Own AI

The Mi 12 Lite comes with a triple camera setup which is accented on the back by metal rings. The main sensor is a 108-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HM2 sensor. Yep – the same one we’ve seen on flagships like the S21 and Xiaomi 11. Complementing this is an 8-megapixel ultra wide-angle sensor and a 2-megapixel macro camera. Of course, the sensor is not thing doing the work when it comes to the camera. Xiaomi has imbued its MIUI camera with AI and features that up the ante in the midrange. Specifically, the Xiaomi 12 Lite will be shipping with AI-powered eye tracking and even motion capture.

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On the front, the smartphone is coming with a 32-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL GD2 sensor with autofocus. That’s right, the front camera of the Xiaomi 12 Lite comes with autofocus – something that is nearly unheard of at its price point and even in its device class. This is supported by Xiaomi’s own algorithm that optimises things like depth estimation and HDR colouration to give vibrant pictures and milky smooth bokeh. Xiaomi has also equipped the 12 Lite with a new Selfie Glow System which helps illuminate subjects in front of the sensor. The system consists of 2 strips of LED lights that are able to flood the subject with light. It also can act as a highlighting light under the right conditions.

Uncompromising Power with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G

The Xiaomi 12 Lite comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G. The octa-core processor packs performance and power savings with its 6nm fabrication. This is complemented with up to 8GB and 256GB of internal storage.

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In addition to the power-packed internals, the 12 Lite comes with a 6.55-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also has a 20:9 aspect ratio and an FHD+ resolution of 1080×2400 pixels. The display is a TrueColor display which can provide a more true-to-life-reproduction of colours. The phone also comes with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision certifications in addition to its stereo speakers.

All of this runs on a 4,700mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging. Xiaomi is touting that fast charging will allow you to go from 0-50% in 30 minutes. Smart charging provides some protection for overnight charging by charging from 0-80% rapidly and slowly to 100% by the time you unplug in the morning.

Pricing & Availability

The Xiaomi 12 Lite will be available in three colours: Lite Pink, Lite Green and Black. In Malaysia, it will be available with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal memory and 8GB RAM and 256GB internal memory versions. The former will be priced at MYR1,699 while the latter will be priced at MYR1,899.

The 12 Lite will be available for pre-order starting on the 19th of August until the 26th of August 2022. Pre-orders will be entitled to an MYR100 discount. Those done via Xiaomi Stores will get an additional MYR299 of freebies including a Xiaomi Shoulder Bag, Xiaomi Sports Bottle and a Mi Body Composition scale. While those done on Xiaomi’s online stores on Shopee and LAZADA will be entitled to a free Redmi Buds 3 Lite worth MYR99.

Android, Mobile, News

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra with Leica Co-Engineering Spearheads Xiaomi’s New Flagship Lineup

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Xiaomi took to the stage to announce their new flagship series – the Xiaomi 12S series. The series has multiple entries and has the Xiaomi 12S Ultra as its centrepiece. The new flagship is the first device in what looks to be a long-term partnership with Leica when it comes to imaging and photography.

You’re Gonna Leica this – the Leica Summicron 1:1.9-4.1 / 13-120 ASPH. camera system

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra comes with the Leica Summicron 1:1.9-4.1 / 13-120 ASPH. camera system. Yep – that’s a mouthful. The new co-engineered system marries Leica’s camera technology with Xiaomi’s smartphone prowess. It’s a Triple sensor setup with the new, 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor as the main sensor. The 50.3-megapixel sensor comes with Quad Bayer technology which promises better image capture in both low- and normal lighting and an aperture of f/1.9. It also comes with Octa-phase detection Autofocus which apparently allows it to focus faster. The main sensor is complemented by a 48-megapixel f/2.2 Sony IMX586 ultra-wide sensor and a 48-megapixel f/4.1 Sony IMX586 periscope sensor. These sensors also use Quad Bayer technology.

Xiaomi 12S Ultra Camera specs
Source: Xiaomi

The main sensor uses an 8P Aspherical Lens. This helps reduce glares and also helps with imaging performance overall. All of the sensors have Pixel binning which increases the quality of the photos taken by the camera thanks to an even larger hybrid pixel size. Binning essentially creates larger pixels by combining four pixels in the sensor. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra also comes with HyperOIS technology and boasts even better image stabilization thanks to an innovative approach of taking the time between images (7ms) to stabilize and reset the sensor.

  • Xiaomi 12S Ultra Lens
  • Xiaomi 12S Ultra Leica Photography Styles

In addition to the hardware, Xiaomi and Leica have worked together in developing the software. The result? Two shooting modes that bring Leica’s signature elements into your smartphone. The “Leica Authentic Look” hearkens back to Leica’s signature aesthetic. It brings the vibrancy of true-to-life colours and the depth and emotion of Leica’s surrealism. The resulting photos are colourful or monochrome with a sense of depth. Xiaomi and Leica’s collaboration is more apparent with the “Leica Vibrant Look”. This look brings Xiaomi’s know-how with mobile cameras to Leica’s signature aesthetic. The resulting pictures are more vibrant and work to capture the feel of the moment.

Partnering with Adobe and Dolby

Keeping photography centerstage, Xiaomi and Leica have also worked with Adobe to enable RAW capture on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. The RAW capture on the 12S Ultra allows you to capture your images in DNG format preserving all the image data so you can edit and manipulate the image on programs like Adobe Lightroom. Adobe Lightroom will come equipped with a special profile for the 12S Ultra which will allow it to show you the actual image captured without you tinkering. Lightroom will be able to load the profile automatically from the image metadata.

Xiaomi 12S Ultra Combination
Xiaomi 12S Ultra Black 3
Xiaomi 12S Ultra Black 5
Xiaomi 12S Ultra Black 6
Xiaomi 12S Ultra Green 1
Xiaomi 12S Ultra Black 1
Xiaomi 12S Ultra Black 2
Xiaomi 12S Ultra Black 4

When it comes to video capture, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is the first smartphone to come with the ability to capture Dolby Vision HDR video. This brings a wider colour depth to video than HDR10+, allowing you to impart more emotion and character to your video shots. It will also help with low light performance.

Still Powered by Cutting Edge Tech

While it may seem like the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is all about the camera, the series still comes packed with cutting-edge technology under the hood. The whole Xiaomi 12S series runs on the new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform which ups the performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 by nearly 10%. The new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is fabricated with TSMC’s new 4nm node which allows for better energy efficiency with a 21% smaller core and 10% boost in both CPU and GPU performance.

Xiaomi 12S Ultra Specs
Source: Xiaomi

Xiaomi has also equipped the Xiaomi 12S series with a brand new cooling system which it touts as more efficient than currently available vapour cooling systems. The technology mimics the hydrostatic system of a leaf and its capillaries. This mimicry allows the system to dissipate heat more effectively and quicker than traditional vapour cooling systems. In fact, Xiaomi is touting a 100% better thermal conductivity.

The Xiaomi 12S series comes with a Samsung AMOLED display with 2K resolution. The panel comes with an E5 material which helps increase brightness. The display has a peak brightness of 1,500nits. On the 12S Ultra, the display comes with 1-120Hz AdaptiveSync Pro which allows it to hit 1Hz refresh rates when viewing text and 120Hz when gaming. The other regular 12S and the 12S Pro come with 120Hz AdaptiveSync. Across the board, the displays are calibrated with 100% coverage of the P3 colour gamut and support Dolby Vision.

Xiaomi 12S Pro Combination 3
Xiaomi 12S Pro Source: Xiaomi

The smartphones come equipped with Dual 5g connectivity with a 4×4 MIMO modem. They also support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 with support for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon sound and aptX Adaptive.

The smartphones come with Xiaomi’s Surge G1 Battery Management chip and the Surge P1 fast-charging chips. These chips work in tandem to help preserve battery health while extending battery life and reducing charging time. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra comes with a 4,860 mAh single cell, silicon-oxygen anode battery which supports 16A output current. The Ultra supports 67W wired fast charging, 50W wireless fast charging and 10W reverse fast charging. The Pro sports a smaller 4,600mAh with support for 120W wired fast charging and 50W wireless fast charging. The regular 12S comes with an even smaller 4,500mAh battery which has support for 67W wired and 50W Wireless.

Pricing & Availability

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra will be available in Mainland China in the near future. It will be available in Classic Black and Verdant Green. It’s will be available in three variants 8GB+256GB, 12GB+256GB and 12GB+512GB. The 8GB+256GB version will be priced at CNY5999 (MYR3,951.18) while the 12GB + 256GB will retail at CNY6,499 (MYR4,280.08) and the 12GB+512GB version will be priced at CNY6,999 (MYR4,609.82).

Xiaomi 12S Combination 1
Xiaomi 12S Black 1
Xiaomi 12S Black 2
Xiaomi 12S Green 1
Xiaomi 12S Green 2
Xiaomi 12S Purple 1
Xiaomi 12S White 1
Xiaomi 12S White 2

The Xiaomi 12S and 12S Pro will be available in 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB variants. Pricing for the 12S starts at CNY3,999 (MYR2,633.90) for the 12S while the 12S Pro will start at CNY4,699 (MYR3,096.10).

Android, Camera, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

Xiaomi and Leica’s Partnership is Real – First Devices to Feature Leica Branding Coming 4th July 2022

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A few months ago, we heard a rumour. A little bird said that Leica is looking for a partnership with a mobile manufacturer. We heard that they are looking into another partnership with a different Chinese manufacturer at the time, Xiaomi. For a few months after that, the rumour seemed dead, quiet.

Leijun, the current CEO of Xiaomi global, today just confirmed that the rumours a few months ago was true after all. There were no big announcements too, no press releases. It is just a simple twitter post that also teases a 4th of July 2022 launch date for the Xiaomi 12S Series flagship smartphones. It is happening at 7pm at GMT +8 next week, which is good for us in Malaysia.

There is not too much that we know about the Xiaomi 12S series. To be fair, Xiaomi has not teased much about it and has been keeping mums about it quite well. Still there are a few things we may be able to expect out of the new flagship devices.

You can expect Qualcomm’s latest Snadragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip fitted into the new devices. It will effectively be the first devices in the world to pack Qualcomm’s new generation system on a chip (SoC). Technically at launch too, it will be the most powerful Android device available in the market.

You can expect up to 12GB of RAM too in the most premium variant of the Xiaomi 12S alongside up to 256GB of storage. In terms of display, you should get up to 120Hz in refresh rate, the highest you can sort of get in smartphones today anyway. Like Xiaomi teased a long time ago too, fast charging will still be a thing with the new device with up to 120W in charging speeds.

Of course, the Xiaomi 12S will be an Android 12 device at launch. It should be upgradable to Android 13 when it is available from Xiaomi. As with any other Xiaomi flagship that came before, it will come installed with MIUI 13 based on Android 12 too.

There are no confirmations on what prices the devices will launch with. There is also nothing to indicate its availability date in different regions. We are hoping that Malaysia will be in the list of countries that gets the Xiaomi 12S devices first. The Xiaomi 12S, with Leica’s co-engineered camera sounds a lot like a treat, and we are excited for it.