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Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G 6.73 inch Amoled: Is It Still Worth Buying
Mumbai | July 18, 2025 | By Michael B. Norris
I remember the first time I unboxed the Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G back in May 2022. The box felt heavy - in a premium way.
The phone shimmered in Olive Mauve under my desk lamp, and the 120W charger looked more like a mini power brick than a mobile accessory.
I had just switched from a Galaxy S10, and the contrast was striking.
The Xiaomi 12 Pro felt like a statement - about ambition, about value, and about how far Xiaomi had come since its budget-first days in India.
Three years later, that same phone sits in my drawer, used occasionally for testing beta builds and shooting quick photos.
It still boots fast, still charges in under 20 minutes, and still takes surprisingly clean photos in daylight. But the shine has faded - both literally and figuratively.
So, in July 2025, what does the Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G represent? A second-hand bargain? A reminder of Xiaomi’s flagship flirtation? Or a cautionary tale about software promises and thermal throttling?
Let’s find out.
Then vs. Now - Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G at a Glance
Feature Launch Specs (2022) Experience in 2025
Chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Still smooth, but tends to throttle under load
Display 6.73" WQHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz LTPO Gorgeous even today; adaptive refresh helps battery
Front Camera 32MP Still sharp for video calls and selfies
Charging 120W wired, 50W wireless Fast as ever; battery capacity slightly degraded
Software at Launch MIUI 13 (Android 12) Currently on MIUI 15 (Android 14)
Original Price ₹62,999 – ₹66,999 ₹18,000–₹22,000 in used market (2025)
In the first year, the Xiaomi 12 Pro held up like a true flagship.
The triple 50MP setup was a showstopper in 2022. Today, it holds up surprisingly well - especially outdoors.
But in low light, the weaknesses show. Night mode has improved with updates, but noise creeps in, especially around edges and textures.
I remember the first time I unboxed the Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G back in May 2022. The box felt heavy - in a premium way.
The phone shimmered in Olive Mauve under my desk lamp, and the 120W charger looked more like a mini power brick than a mobile accessory.
I had just switched from a Galaxy S10, and the contrast was striking.
The Xiaomi 12 Pro felt like a statement - about ambition, about value, and about how far Xiaomi had come since its budget-first days in India.
Three years later, that same phone sits in my drawer, used occasionally for testing beta builds and shooting quick photos.
It still boots fast, still charges in under 20 minutes, and still takes surprisingly clean photos in daylight. But the shine has faded - both literally and figuratively.
So, in July 2025, what does the Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G represent? A second-hand bargain? A reminder of Xiaomi’s flagship flirtation? Or a cautionary tale about software promises and thermal throttling?
Let’s find out.
Then vs. Now - Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G at a Glance
Feature Launch Specs (2022) Experience in 2025
Chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Still smooth, but tends to throttle under load
Display 6.73" WQHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz LTPO Gorgeous even today; adaptive refresh helps battery
Rear Camera 50MP + 50MP + 50MP (Sony IMX707), Good in daylight, average in low light now
Front Camera 32MP Still sharp for video calls and selfies
Charging 120W wired, 50W wireless Fast as ever; battery capacity slightly degraded
Software at Launch MIUI 13 (Android 12) Currently on MIUI 15 (Android 14)
Original Price ₹62,999 – ₹66,999 ₹18,000–₹22,000 in used market (2025)
How It Performed Over Time
In the first year, the Xiaomi 12 Pro held up like a true flagship.
But by late 2023, some users began reporting heating issues during long gaming sessions or video capture - a known problem with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
Xiaomi later pushed thermal optimization updates, but performance still drops during extended load.
Battery life, initially promising with a 4600mAh cell and HyperCharge, has seen mild degradation.
Battery life, initially promising with a 4600mAh cell and HyperCharge, has seen mild degradation.
My unit now gives me about 4.5 hours of screen-on time, down from 6+ hours at launch.
The 120W charging still feels like wizardry, though - filling from 5% to 100% in under 20 minutes on Boost mode.
Software support was a mixed bag. Xiaomi promised 3 years of Android updates and 4 years of security patches.
Software support was a mixed bag. Xiaomi promised 3 years of Android updates and 4 years of security patches.
As of July 2025, most units have received Android 14 with MIUI 15, but Android 15 may not arrive officially.
Security patches have slowed down, now arriving quarterly rather than monthly.
You won’t find it on Xiaomi’s official store anymore, but the 12 Pro is still floating on Cashify, OLX, and Amazon Renewed.
Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G in 2025’s Market
You won’t find it on Xiaomi’s official store anymore, but the 12 Pro is still floating on Cashify, OLX, and Amazon Renewed.
Prices vary between ₹18,000 to ₹22,000 depending on condition and storage variant.
At that price, it competes with newer mid-range phones like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, Realme GT Neo 5, and refurbished Pixel 6.
At that price, it competes with newer mid-range phones like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, Realme GT Neo 5, and refurbished Pixel 6.
The build quality and display still outclass most of these, but newer phones offer fresher software and more efficient chipsets.
Parts availability is decent. Replacement batteries and screens are listed on Mi Service Centers and third-party repair sites.
Parts availability is decent. Replacement batteries and screens are listed on Mi Service Centers and third-party repair sites.
However, software support is starting to fade - no new features, slower updates, and some apps flagging it as "legacy."
Real-World Camera, Display & Charging Review (2025)
The triple 50MP setup was a showstopper in 2022. Today, it holds up surprisingly well - especially outdoors.
The Sony IMX707 main sensor delivers sharp detail, and colors remain true to life without excessive processing.
But in low light, the weaknesses show. Night mode has improved with updates, but noise creeps in, especially around edges and textures.
The telephoto lens now feels underwhelming compared to today's periscope zooms.
Display-wise, the 6.73-inch AMOLED still impresses.
Display-wise, the 6.73-inch AMOLED still impresses.
With HDR10+, 1500 nits peak brightness, and Dolby Vision support, it's better than most current phones under ₹30K.
Watching HDR content or gaming still feels immersive.
Charging? Still one of the best. The 120W HyperCharge remains unmatched in this price range, and wireless charging works reliably with most Qi pads.
In 2025, the Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G is no longer a flagship. But it's arguably one of the best-value phones you can buy used under ₹25,000 - if you can live with its age.
Vs. Pixel 6 (used): Xiaomi wins on display and charging, but Pixel edges ahead in software experience and camera AI.
Vs. OnePlus 10 Pro (used): The OnePlus feels more premium, has better software polish, but costs ~₹5K more on resale.
Vs. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (new): The newer Note wins on freshness and UI smoothness, but loses on display quality and build.
For casual users who want a premium display, strong multimedia performance, and can compromise slightly on long-term updates, the Xiaomi 12 Pro still delivers.
Back in 2022, Xiaomi was still chasing flagship credibility. The 12 Pro helped - sleek, well-specced, and genuinely premium.
Charging? Still one of the best. The 120W HyperCharge remains unmatched in this price range, and wireless charging works reliably with most Qi pads.
Competition & Value Analysis
In 2025, the Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G is no longer a flagship. But it's arguably one of the best-value phones you can buy used under ₹25,000 - if you can live with its age.
Here’s how it compares:
Vs. Pixel 6 (used): Xiaomi wins on display and charging, but Pixel edges ahead in software experience and camera AI.
Vs. OnePlus 10 Pro (used): The OnePlus feels more premium, has better software polish, but costs ~₹5K more on resale.
Vs. Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (new): The newer Note wins on freshness and UI smoothness, but loses on display quality and build.
For casual users who want a premium display, strong multimedia performance, and can compromise slightly on long-term updates, the Xiaomi 12 Pro still delivers.
User Sentiment & Brand Perception
Back in 2022, Xiaomi was still chasing flagship credibility. The 12 Pro helped - sleek, well-specced, and genuinely premium.
But MIUI's bloatware issues, update delays, and thermal mismanagement chipped away at user trust.
In 2025, Xiaomi is again refocusing on midrange and budget flagships in India.
In 2025, Xiaomi is again refocusing on midrange and budget flagships in India.
Devices like the Xiaomi 14 Lite and Redmi Turbo series are getting traction - but the full-flagship approach hasn’t returned.
On forums like Mi Community India and Reddit r/IndianGaming, users still fondly remember the 12 Pro - often recommending it for media consumption and casual gaming in the used market.
On forums like Mi Community India and Reddit r/IndianGaming, users still fondly remember the 12 Pro - often recommending it for media consumption and casual gaming in the used market.
But it's also seen as “peak Xiaomi before the decline in premium support.”
If you find a clean, well-maintained Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G under ₹20,000 - and you're not obsessed with the latest Android updates - it’s still a solid deal.
Verdict - Worth Buying Used in 2025?
If you find a clean, well-maintained Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G under ₹20,000 - and you're not obsessed with the latest Android updates - it’s still a solid deal.
The WQHD+ display, 120W charging, and solid build make it a multimedia powerhouse.
But be cautious:
Software support is nearing its end.
Battery degradation may vary.
Thermal throttling is still present in demanding use cases.
Camera performance is no longer class-leading.
For power users, skip it. For students, budget buyers, or a reliable second device - it’s hard to beat at the current used price.
But be cautious:
Software support is nearing its end.
Battery degradation may vary.
Thermal throttling is still present in demanding use cases.
Camera performance is no longer class-leading.
For power users, skip it. For students, budget buyers, or a reliable second device - it’s hard to beat at the current used price.
By Michael B. Norris
Technology journalist with 8+ years covering Android flagships, mobile hardware, and Indian consumer tech trends
Technology journalist with 8+ years covering Android flagships, mobile hardware, and Indian consumer tech trends
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