Phones with 12-bit color: 4 models

What is it?

What is 12-bit color and what does it do?

12-bit colour is the case where the maker writes that the display panel can drive 12 bits of depth per colour channel; against a standard 8-bit panel, tonal transitions are shown in far finer steps and banding in flat areas such as skies is reduced. Xiaomi's upper models carry this statement.

Most content is 8- or 10-bit; a 12-bit panel does not show it worse, but the difference only appears with 10-bit and higher content. The figure is what the maker gives for the panel driver; colour accuracy is a separate matter and cannot be read from this row.

Decision table

12-bit color Display Features: which one for what?

The 4 models on this page are scored only against each other, for the use you pick. Scores come from the spec sheets; no price and no advertising go in.

What will you use it for? Gaming Photo / Video Battery Life Daily Use

Leads for Gaming: Xiaomi 17 Ultra95%

Leads for Photo / Video: Xiaomi 17 Ultra87%

Leads for Battery Life: Xiaomi 17T Pro73%

Leads for Daily Use: Xiaomi 17T Pro82%

#4#2#2#2
Xiaomi 17TXiaomi
6.59" · Dimensity 8500 Ultra · 50 MP
63% 87% 67% 77%
Why it ranks here
- 120Hz display
- Current model — 4 months on the market
Good for gaming?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Photo / Video
- 115mm telephoto reach
- Current model — 4 months on the market
Is the camera good?
Why it ranks here
- 6500 mAh battery — top of the pool
- Current model — 4 months on the market
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Daily Use
- Current model — 4 months on the market
#2#3#1#1
Xiaomi 17T ProXiaomi
6.83" · Dimensity 9500 · 50 MP
85% 87% 73% 82%
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Gaming
- 144Hz display
- Current model — 4 months on the market
Good for gaming?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Photo / Video
- 115mm telephoto reach
- Current model — 4 months on the market
Is the camera good?
Why it ranks here
- 7000 mAh battery — top of the pool
- Current model — 4 months on the market
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Daily Use
- Current model — 4 months on the market
#1#1#4#4
Xiaomi 17 UltraXiaomi
6.9" · Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 · 50 MP
95% 87% 55% 69%
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Gaming
- 16 GB of RAM
- 120Hz display
- Current model — 7 months on the market
Good for gaming?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Photo / Video
- 100mm telephoto reach
- Current model — 7 months on the market
Is the camera good?
Why it ranks here
- Current model — 7 months on the market
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- Current model — 7 months on the market
#3#4#3#3
Xiaomi 17Xiaomi
6.3" · Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 · 50 MP
69% 82% 61% 74%
Why it ranks here
- 120Hz display
- Current model — 7 months on the market
Good for gaming?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Photo / Video
- 60mm telephoto reach
- Current model — 7 months on the market
Is the camera good?
Why it ranks here
- Current model — 7 months on the market
How long does the battery last?
Why it ranks here
- Editorial tag: Daily Use
- Current model — 7 months on the market