<\/p>\n
Many South Africans may not be familiar with the Chinese brand, Xiaomi, however, those who are understand that they\u2019re known for innovative products which come with an affordable device.<\/p>\n
The company has been making strides in the smartphone industry globally, with the introduction of, among others, faster charging devices which have record recharge times.<\/p>\n
Of course, the \u2018world\u2019s best anything\u2019 label should come with a hefty price tag, which contrasts with Xiaomi\u2019s reputation for making affordable products, especially locally.<\/p>\n
However, this doesn\u2019t mean the company does not sell pricier devices. Xiaomi is one of the bigger names in the Internet of Things (IoT) space, meaning they sell a range of expensive tech, from vacuum robots to hoverboards, thanks to Xiaomi\u2019s acquisition of Segway.<\/p>\n
As the company reaches maturity, it\u2019s only fitting that it should attempt to rank up its smartphone market share with the launch of a device like the Xiaomi 12.<\/p>\n
While it isn\u2019t the most expensive smartphone in the country (by a lot), the 12 certainly indicates the company\u2019s attempts at attracting a more affluent market.<\/p>\n
The \u2018Spec\u2019 Sheet<\/strong><\/p>\n Off the bat, the Xiaomi 12 boasts a set of features easily comparable to that of a high-end smartphone launch, expected from manufacturers like Samsung, Huawei or Apple.<\/p>\n However, in terms of its camera, the 12 ditched the quad camera module expected from most manufacturers in favour of a very powerful triple camera set-up. The main camera features 50MP, 13MP and 5MP lens, capable of recording video in 8K at 24 frames per second. Meanwhile the 12 features a decent 32 MP selfie camera capable of recording video in 1080p at 30 or 60fps.<\/p>\n The device runs the Android 12 operating system at unboxing, powered by the sophisticated Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which is also found in scores of top devices such as the Vivo X80 Pro, Oppo Find X4 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.<\/p>\n The 12 also features 8 or 12GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB storage options and all-day power with its 4500mAh battery.<\/p>\n To b<\/strong>uy or not buy<\/strong><\/p>\n At face value, the Xiaomi 12 doesn\u2019t scream premium and while almost all Xiaomi products don\u2019t look cheap in terms of quality, they won\u2019t make your friends envious.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in the market for a decent smartphone at an affordable cost, slightly edging up the price when compared to Xiaomi\u2019s previous premium devices, the 12 gets the job done.<\/p>\n On the plus side, watching content on the 12 makes for a premium mobile viewing experience, offering a brilliant display and an unmatched sound quality thanks to Dolby enhancement.<\/p>\n