vivo iQOO 12 5G vs Xiaomi 16 Ultra
Compare vivo iQOO 12 5G vs Xiaomi 16 Ultra side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2, 50MP vs 50MP camera, 5000mAh vs…

vivo
iQOO 12 5G
$599
4categories won

Xiaomi
16 Ultra
$1,299
15categories won
3 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Xiaomi 16 Ultra takes the overall win
The Xiaomi 16 Ultra proves superior overall against the vivo iQOO 12 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the 16 Ultra leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the 16 Ultra. Choose the 16 Ultra if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iQOO 12 5G if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
16 Ultra takes battery honors offering 6,200 mAh alongside 120W charging.
16 Ultra provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 and 24GB RAM.
16 Ultra takes photography with 50MP optics and 3.2x optical telephoto capabilities.
iQOO 12 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $599 vs $1299.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iQOO 12 5G vs 16 Ultra: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iQOO 12 5G | 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.78" | 6.73" |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 | 1440 x 3200Winner |
| Pixel density | 453 ppi | 521 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 144 HzWinner | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3000 nits | 3600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iQOO 12 5G | 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 2,150,000 | 3,200,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 6950 | 10800Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 16 GB | 24 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 1TB | 2TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iQOO 12 5G | 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4Winner |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 3.2xWinner |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Selfie camera | 16 MP | 32 MPWinner |
| Max video | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 60fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iQOO 12 5G | 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,000 mAh | 6,200 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 120 W | 120 W |
| Wireless charging | No | 80 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iQOO 12 5G | 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 203.7 gWinner | 226 g |
| Thickness | 8.1 mmWinner | 9.2 mm |
| Water resistance | IP64 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, glass back, Schott Alpha glass front | Grade 5 Titanium frame, Ceramic Glass front and back |
Software and support
| Specification | iQOO 12 5G | 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 14 | Android 17 |
| OS updates | 3 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iQOO 12 5G | 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $599Winner | $1,299 |
vivo iQOO 12 5G
A disruptive performance powerhouse, the iQOO 12 paired the premier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 silicon with a dedicated Q1 esports computing chip, a blazing 144Hz 3000-nit LTPO display, 120W FlashCharge, and a stunning 64MP periscope telephoto camera.
- Display
- 6.78"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
Xiaomi 16 Ultra
Equipped with a second-gen 1-inch LOFIC sensor with 15EV dynamic range, stepless physical f/1.6–f/4.0 aperture, a mammoth 200MP 1/1.4" periscope telephoto, 120W wired and 80W wireless charging, and 6,200 mAh capacity, the 16 Ultra is a DSLR in your pocket.
- Display
- 6.73"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 6,200mAh