NEWS SPONSORED BY rAge EXPO:

After releasing its 12 flagship smartphone locally a few months ago, Xiaomi has launched its latest 12T series in South Africa. 

The series consists of two devices: the Xiaomi 12T, coming with an RRP of R13 999, and the better specced 12T Pro, retailing for R16 999.

It’s the 12T Pro that steals the spotlight with its 200 MP imaging system and a definite emphasis on great photography features. You also receive an 8 MP ultra-wide angle camera and 2 MP macro camera to round off the system. Xiaomi believes the three major benefits for Xiaomi 12T Pro users are unprecedented image clarity, low-light capabilities, and quick focus. We must say a few of the software features look just as impressive, for example ProCut, which crops an image into five different photos with differing compositions.

All the features are backed up by a solid chipset, since the 12T Pro is amongst the first devices locally to sport the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, with Xiaomi offering 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space.

The 6.67” AMOLED screen also packs a punch, with a 120 GHz refresh rate, Dolby Vision and a 1220 x 2712-pixel screen ratio (446 ppi), made from hardy Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

Also the 12T at a better price

As far as the 12T is concerned, it’s basically a carbon copy of the 12T Pro in looks, with a few specifications differing. There’s 8 GB of RAM available plus 256 GB of storage, with the MediaTek Dimensity 8100-Ultra chipset doing the heavy lifting. It contains a very similar screen, with the exception of Dolby Vision HDR tech and HDR10+ excluded. There are also fewer megapixels aboard its main camera, although at a considerable 108MP, we doubt you’ll come up short.

 Both devices feature a 5000 mAh battery, and importantly, 120 W turbo charging, which Xiaomi claims can push the battery from zero to 100 in only 19 minutes. As expected, these smartphones are 5G, while providing Android 12 out the box alongside Xiaomi’s MIUI user interface on top.

If you do have R3k extra in your bank account, the Xiaomi 12T Pro at R17k appears to be the one to get, although the regular 12T doesn’t look like a slouch either, retailing at R14k. 

Both units are available in black or blue, and it might be worthwhile to shop around during Black Friday, since we’ve seen them even cheaper.