We put the Xiaomi 12 through our rigorous DXOMARK Display test suite to measure its performance along 6 criteria: readability, color, video, motion, touch, and artifacts. In this test results, we will break down how it fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
Overview
Key display specifications:
- 6.28 inches, OLED
- Dimensions: 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.16 mm
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels, (~419 ppi density)
- Aspect ratio: 20:9
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz

Pros
- Smooth touch interactions
- Smooth light transitions
- Properly maintained performance in angle
Cons
- Low brightness level in HDR10 video watching
- Lack of brightness in most tested conditions, especially under sunlight
- Difficulties to handle frame drops when watching videos
The Xiaomi 12’s 120Hz screen refresh rate provides a smooth experience and its color rendering is well-managed in indoor light conditions.
The device adapts its brightness levels smoothly to changing lighting conditions. However, brightness could be a bit higher when viewing photos indoors; and when outdoors, the screen is too dim to properly see the content. Under sunlight, the display activates an image adaptation function, but that tends to reduce color nuances.
Brightness is also an issue when using the Xiaomi 12 to watch movies. In low light, the screen’s brightness is too low to allow for a comfortable viewing experience, particularly when watching HDR10 content. Frequent frame drops also minimize the movie-watching experience. This is the main drawback of the device.
Test summary
About DXOMARK Display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective and perceptual tests under controlled lab and real-life conditions. Note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still image (gallery) and video apps at their default settings. (For in-depth information about how we evaluate smartphone and other displays, check out our articles, “How DXOMARK tests display quality” and “A closer look at DXOMARK Display testing.”
The following section gathers key elements of our exhaustive tests and analyses performed in DXOMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations under the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Readability
Xiaomi 12
76
Readability evaluates how easily and comfortably users can read the display under different real-life conditions on still content (photos & web). DXOMARK uses its Display Bench to recreate ambient light conditions ranging from total darkness to bright sunlight. In addition to laboratory tests,perceptual analysis is also made in real-life environments.


Luminance uniformity in false color for 20% gray

The more visible the green color is, the more uniform is the display.
Color
Xiaomi 12
91
The color attribute evaluates the capacity of the device to accurately reproduce colors. The measurements taken are for fidelity, white point color, and gamut coverage. We perform color evaluations for different lighting conditions to see how well the device can manage color in the surrounding environment. Colors are measured using a spectrophotometer in a controlled lighting environment. Perceptual analysis of color rendering is against the reference pattern displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.





The Xiaomi 12 shows a slight blue to green cast.
Video
Xiaomi 12
91
Our video attribute evaluates the Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling of each device in indoor and low light conditions. We measure tone mapping, color gamut, brightness and contrast of the display. We perform perceptual analysis against our professional reference monitor (Sony BVM-HX310) to ensure that the rendering respects the artistic intent.

The primary colors are measured both in HDR10 and SDR. The extracted color gamut shows the extent of the color area that the device can render. To respect the artistic intent, the measured gamut should match the mastering color space of each video


Motion
Xiaomi 12
87
The motion attribute evaluates the handling of dynamic contents. Frame drops, motion blur, and playback artifacts are scrutinized using games and videos.
The long exposure photos below show the number of frame irregularities in a 30-second video. A good performance shows a regular pattern (either a flat gray image or a pull-down pattern).


Touch
Xiaomi 12
85
To evaluate touch, DXOMARK uses a touch robot and a high-speed camera to play and record a set of scenarios for smoothness, accuracy and response-time evaluation.
Xiaomi 12 86Artifacts
Evaluating artifacts means checking for the performance, image rendering and motion flaws that can affect the end-user experience. DXOMARK measures precisely the device’s reflectance and the presence of flicker as well as evaluates the residual aliasing when playing videogames, among others.
DXOMARK invites our readership (you) to post comments on the articles on this website. Read more about our Comment Policy.