Last week, Xiaomi introduced its most anticipated premium smartphone: the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. The main feature of this device is the Leica camera system, which includes a 1-inch sensor. The phone comes with an updated faux leather design. It combines almost all the features you would expect from a flagship Android smartphone.

We’re deliberately hinting at a missing feature set because Xiaomi cut some corners despite paying a premium. Also, there are other things that can only be learned after testing the phone.

Xiaomi 12S Ultra: little-known facts

Still no USB 3.0

It’s 2022 and Xiaomi is still using USB 2.0 on its most expensive smartphone: the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. A report in May hinted that the company might eventually switch to USB 3.0. So the successor of the Mi 11 Ultra was expected to have this port, but unfortunately it did not. Thanks to the old USB standard, Xiaomi’s latest premium phone offers slower data transfer speeds. It also does not support video output as there is no DP Alt (DisplayPort Alternative) mode over USB Type-C.

Device color

The actual color of Xiaomi 12S Ultra is different from the official images used by Xiaomi in promotional materials. The green version we have looks paler than the renders. In any case, it’s worth noting that product color mismatch is a common problem in the industry and almost every product is a victim of it. So if you are planning to import this phone, check as many real photos and videos as possible to get a better idea.

Low frequency PWM display

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra display has a low PWM (pulse width modulation) frequency. Therefore, some users may find it uncomfortable to look at the phone’s screen at a low brightness level due to flickering. DC regulation is a solution to reduce flicker caused by low PWM frequency levels. However, this does not matter at all for the Xiaomi 12S Ultra and that is why the company has hidden this feature even in the developer options.

Charger in the box

Unlike Mi 11 Ultra, Xiaomi 12S Ultra comes with 67W fast charger. Last year, Xiaomi decided to sell its flagship smartphones in China without a charger in the box. However, interested customers were able to choose the charger for free, albeit for a limited time. The company changed its mind with the launch of the Xiaomi 12 series. Therefore, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra comes with a 67W charger and interestingly, it is slightly smaller than the old 67W charger.