When the Xiaomi 12 series launched, the top-end flagship in the line, the 12 Ultra, was conspicuous in its absence. But now the company has confirmed that the 12 series is being replaced by the 12S range and - among them - the 12S Ultra. 

This phone is the bleeding-edge showcase of everything Xiaomi can cram into a modern phone, with upgraded camera options and the highest-end specs as far as its display and chipset are concerned. 

Xiaomi 12S Ultra availability and price

  • 4 July launch 
  • From RMB 5,999 in China - (roughly $895/£740/€860)

Xiaomi introduced the three-phone 12S range on 4 July during an event, during which it showed off its first Leica-branded camera units. Among them, the 12S Ultra, as well as the 12S and 12S Pro. Retail availability is limited to China to begin with. There's no word on when or if the products will be available at any point outside of China. 

Turning to the question of price, the phone will command a high price tag, given its flagship status. It will be available for 5999 Yuan in China, which converts to roughly £740 GBP or $895 at time of writing.

However, we can't imagine that the actual price outside of China would be anywhere near that low. Using the example of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, which landed at £1,199 when it was released, we'd expect a price closer to that in western markets. 

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Xiaomi

Design

  • 163.17 x 74.92 x 9.06mm - 225g
  • IP68 water and dust resistant
  • Large circular camera unit
  • Leather-like rear surface

There's one thing that stands out on the back of the Xiaomi 12S Ultra - its camera bump. The camera unit is a large, circular protrusion that takes up nearly all of the space in the top third of the phone, and features the triple camera system. 

The 12S Ultra seems like it's not interested in playing things safe at all, combining this massive camera unit with a classy leather-like material on the back. It's a striking - and stunning - implementation in our view. 

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Xiaomi

Aside from the camera unit, everything about the design tells the story that this is a premium flagship phone. It's IP68 rated for water and dust resistance, and has that rear surface covered in a leather-like material which comes in a classy Verdant Green and a Classic Black. 

Otherwise, it's very much the typical flagship design with an aluminium chassis and a curved display that dominates the front area, with a punch-hole camera in the centre near the top edge. 

Display and hardware specs

  • 6.73-inch AMOLED LTPO display - Adaptive 120Hz
  • 3200 x 1440 resolution - 522 ppi
  • Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 - 8GB/256GB, 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB
  • 4860mAh battery - 67W wired charging - 50W wireless charging

Like the Xiaomi 12 Pro launched earlier in the year, the 12S Ultra features a large 6.73-inch display. This particular display is a quadHD+ 3200x1440 panel with a pixel density of 522 pixels per inch. 

Like all the top phones, the display boasts 120Hz refresh rates, and uses an advanced LTPO type panel, which means it can adapt its refresh rate to match the content, going as low as 1Hz for static displays. It can also reach as high as 1500 nits peak brightness, and supports all the popular HDR standards: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG. 

As to the core hardware, it's the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 running the show alongside either 8GB or 12GB, depending on which variant you go for. This chipset is - of course - the latest from Qualcomm at time of writing, which not only boosts performance but also means the battery can last longer too. 

That battery itself is a 4860mAh battery, with support for 67W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. Not quite as fast as the 120W wired charging on Xiaomi's other 2022 phones then, but still fast enough to make it very convenient to top up. 

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Xiaomi

Cameras

  • Triple camera system
    • 50MP main - 1-inch IMX989 sensor
    • 48MP ultrawide
    • 48MP telephoto
  • ToF sensor

It's clear from the design of the phone's camera bump, that the 12S Ultra has a serious range of cameras to leverage as you take photos and videos.

Xiaomi has partnered with Sony to create a new 50.3-megapixel sensor: the IMX989. It's a 1-inch sensor, making it huge in comparison to practically every other flagship sensor out there. Xiaomi has also partnered with Leica to create the Sumicron mobile lenses, which feature a special coating to improve optical performance. 

This primary lens is joined by the ultrawide 48-megapixel f/2.2 camera and the f/4.1 periscope zoom lens with a 48-megapixel sensor. There's lots of impressive-sounding tech involved in each of the three lenses too. Each uses pixel binning to create roughly 12-megapixel images, and each features phase-detection autofocus. 

The ultrawide also features macro capabilities, while the telephoto zoom lens also has an advanced stabilisation system called 'HyperOIS' to smooth out any hand-shake, even at the upper end of the zoom length. 

Even video capture abilities sound really good. In its default recording mode you can shoot up to 8K (7680x4320) resolution at 24fps, or you can shoot Dolby Vision (10-bit/HLG) at 4K up to 60fps and slow motion up to an incredible 480 frames-per-second. 

Xiaomi 12S Ultra: What's happened so far?

Here's everything we know so far about the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. It's worth noting, prior to Xiaomi's announcement it was assumed this would be the 'Ultra' model of the Xiaomi 12 line. Since 28 June, it's been clear that it will be the 12S Ultra, not the 12 Ultra. In older stories you'll see it referred to as '12 Ultra'. 

4 July 2022: Xiaomi 12S Ultra launched alongside 12S and 12S Pro

Xiaomi officially launches the 12S series in China. 

29 June 2022: Xiaomi teases 1-inch primary Sony IMX989 sensor

In a post to Weibo, Xiaomi has shown off the difference in size between its IMX989 equipped primary camera, and the current crop of flagship cameras. 

28 June 2022: Xiaomi confirms launch date and teases design

Xiaomi took to social media to confirm the 12S series will launch on 4 July, and shows a teaser of the design. 

15 June 2022: Xiaomi 12 Ultra appears on 3C website

The Xiaomi 12 Ultra has appeared at a certification website, suggesting launch is imminent.

7 June 2022: New Xiaomi 12 Ultra render gives us our best look yet at specs and design

These clean renders from a reliable source give us a good look at what the Xiaomi 12 Ultra design.

17 May 2022: Huge Sony camera sensor could appear in Xiaomi 12 Ultra

A report from Digital Chat Station leads many to speculate that Sony's latest 50MP 1/1.1-inch sensor could appear in the Xiaomi 12 Ultra.

04 April 2022: Xiaomi 12 Ultra could come in special variants

According to TechNave, we could see special versions of the Xiaomi 12 Ultra, with a choice of finishes.

07 March 2022: Renders show off Xiaomi 12 Ultra with huge camera

Renders reportedly showing the Xiaomi 12 Ultra show off a huge camera on the rear of the phone.

07 March 2022: Xiaomi 12 Ultra 4900mAh battery and 120W charging

A Weibo leaker suggested that the Xiaomi 12 Ultra will get a big battery and support fast charging.

19 February 2022: Xiaomi 12 Ultra: Official listing and leaks tout existence and expected launch date of Xiaomi's flagship champion

Appearance in a database suggests that the 12 Ultra is coming, with a launch time frame suggested.

06 January 2022: There might not be a Xiaomi 12 Ultra at all

A report indicates that there's a chance Xiaomi won't release a 12 Ultra at all this year, based on model numbers in its database.

14 December 2021: Xiaomi 12 Ultra case leak shows-off complex rear camera setup

A leaked case image indicates that the 12 Ultra will have a massive circular camera unit, with plenty of cutouts for different lenses and parts.

16 November 2021: Xiaomi 12 Ultra to ditch rear screen, could be first with Snapdragon 898?

An apparent leak suggests that the 12 Ultra will no longer feature a rear screen, like the 11 Ultra, and speculates on its potential chipset.

16 November 2021: There might be a Xiaomi 12 Ultra Enhanced model

A report by fansite Xiaomiui indicates that there might be two Ultra models, one even more high-end than the normal Ultra and called Ultra Enhanced.