Xiaomi 12S Ultra vs. Mi 11 Ultra shootout

11 July 2022
A full review of the 12S Ultra is on the way, but we thought you would appreciate a quick look at the capabilities of the new Leica-branded camera.

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Anonymous, 12 Jul 2022You don't need a large screen, if you zoom in it shows... more"a decent midranger camera such as A52s doesn't look any worse that's what's posted here"
As much as I can agree that A52s has a decent main camera, it really doesn't come close to this one taking every factor into account.

    Anonymous, 13 Jul 2022Whatever the case is, default processing of manufacturers o... more12S Ultra definitely DOESN'T overprocess details, it's almost uncanny how it actually treats its 1-inch sensor like a proper large sensor instead of completely wasting its potential through unpolished image processing. These photos look as good as what you can expect from a 12.5MP (or 50MP Quad Bayer) sensor.

      Trump, 13 Jul 2022What can I say. Trash results from trash phone made by comm... moreWhat can I say, a trash comment posted by a trashy racist troll.

        • S
        • Samer Nabeel
        • 3iR
        • 13 Jul 2022

        I would've liked to see a RAW picture comparison to see the true difference in the sensors output without processing.

          • T
          • Trump
          • 46c
          • 13 Jul 2022

          Rly, 11 Jul 2022I looking forward fhor the review. I have the MI 11 ultra ... moreAnd S22 ultra takes MUCH better photos! Mi 11 ultra is barely a midranger not a high end camera phone cause well it's chinese cheap hardware!

            • T
            • Trump
            • 46c
            • 13 Jul 2022

            What can I say. Trash results from trash phone made by communist China. And to those hoping for sw updates, the upcoming sw updates will actually downgrade the camera further cause well it's cheap China.

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              • Pickelsss
              • u7V
              • 13 Jul 2022

              borisM, 12 Jul 2022The 12S Ultra has much better optics and sharper details bu... more12S Ultra will be at its maximum potential after several SW Update for sure

                Mike, 12 Jul 2022The main camera of the 12S Ultra looks extremely good and b... moreI find the zoom on the blue building with the 12 much better than the 11 honestly.

                  well, 12 Jul 2022Mine 11 Ultra unit same as yours - much better corner sharp... moreProbably a faulty lens issue. It's surprisingly common. At least it's happened me on two previous phones I had anyway.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • n1r
                    • 13 Jul 2022

                    Anonymous, 13 Jul 2022Go have a look at MKBHD blind camera test, they represent a... moreWhatever the case is, default processing of manufacturers of today doesn't allow one to make best of what the hardware is capable of. It's not a good excuse to say most people don't zoom so let's just ignore that.

                    Expensive devices are meant to do even that which most people don't do. As I say from personal experience, that which looks good zoomed looks good unzoomed, but not the other way round. Bad quality bricks don't make a good building.

                    By no way do I mean image processing is a bad thing in essence. When it's restrained it's fine, for example have a look at 950xl, it's got just the right amount of processing for today's taste. I know some may find 808/1020 is too "underprocessed", but if they find 950/950xl underprocessed, then they should really start to think themselves instead of OEMs and popular youtubers telling them how to think.

                    HDR+ (image stacking/computational photography) is separate from post processing because you can shoot HDR+ RAW. Bigger sensor and computational photography will improve photo quality of course, but imposing poor post processing which OEMs do takes away from potential and things just feel like wasted. Just look how 808/1020/950xl made best out of the hardware they had and they're still remembered today.
                    You can try some custom GCam build and control post processing and see for yourself.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • uJA
                      • 13 Jul 2022

                      Anonymous, 12 Jul 2022You don't need a large screen, if you zoom in it shows... moreGo have a look at MKBHD blind camera test, they represent a good (not all) portion of the consumers or even techie. Votes goes to mostly pleasantly processed photo rather than raw looking photo. All the over sharpening that you mention are not visible on a small screen but rather show up as micro-contrast when viewed on mobile devices. Most consumer do not really zoom in to the photo unless they are looking for details.

                      As to why people spend so much on a phone with better camera? simple, large sensor or rather more $ usually mean the phone is able to capture and process better than cheaper or smaller sensor camera (brand to brand, not talking about different processing of different brands of phones). Bigger sensor also represent better dynamic range capability which is also one of the most important aspect of photo taking. You can do soft process photo into HDR, but in extreme cases, they often do not show up as nicely as a sensor that is capable of higher DR.

                        I am not sure 12u has better optics. They both have 8p and 7p lenses for main and ultra wide cameras respectively.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • TCx
                          • 13 Jul 2022

                          main camera: same resolution and noise, 12u has better texture render and less paint

                          ultra wide: 12u is worse in resolution and noise.

                          5X: same resolution, 12u has less noise.

                            • k
                            • kai
                            • IVy
                            • 13 Jul 2022

                            I've zero interest on how the 12S Ultra camera compare to 11 Ultra, ZERO. I'm only interested in how the 12S Ultra (leica mode, of course) compare to iPhone 13 Pro, X80 Pro (Zeiss mode, of course), Pixel 6 Pro etc.

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                              • Dez
                              • Ld7
                              • 12 Jul 2022

                              So, where can I buy one of these?

                                • M
                                • Mike
                                • 8se
                                • 12 Jul 2022

                                The main camera of the 12S Ultra looks extremely good and better than Mi 11 Ultra's main camera. However, the 5x telescope and ultrawide photos look still picture on the Mi 11 Ultra - for whatever reason.

                                  Anonymous, 12 Jul 2022Larger sensor ( consequently larger lenses) is gonna let mo... moreLol, if there is any degradation, its too small or not constant. Shots looks pretty sharp to me, some in whole width. No point arguing about some random ghostly lens issue, may be as well some processing or smudge.
                                  All shots are better than yours anyway, its the next...

                                    • b
                                    • borisM
                                    • 457
                                    • 12 Jul 2022

                                    The 12S Ultra has much better optics and sharper details but the 11 Ultra seems a bit better tuned for now. I'm surprised at how similar they are actually.

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                                      • ron2000xm
                                      • XwA
                                      • 12 Jul 2022

                                      I snapped up an 11u 8/256 plus 80w wireless charger package from xiaomi for a mere 520usd last month. how's that for value!

                                        • r
                                        • ron2000xm
                                        • XwA
                                        • 12 Jul 2022

                                        JFA, 12 Jul 2022Great reviews and comparison. I am also waiting reviews fr... morexiaomi already said they no long send phones to dxomark for review.