Xiaomi 12 Lite, 12 Lite Zoom and 12T spotted in early MIUI code

@xiaomiui has spotted new Xiaomi 12 series devices in MIUI code. According to the Twitter account, Xiaomi has added support for 'Munch', 'Taoyao' and 'Zijin'. However, @xiaomiui asserts that Xiaomi will only release Zijin in China; Munch and Taoyao will be available globally.

Reputedly, Taoyao is the Xiaomi 12 Lite, while Zijin is the Xiaomi 12 Lite Zoom. Both are Snapdragon 778G-based (SM7325) smartphones which have 1080p and 120 Hz displays with in-display fingerprint scanners. Similarly, the Xiaomi 12 Lite and Xiaomi 12 Lite Zoom have wide and ultra-wide-angle cameras. @xiaomiui insists that the latter has a telephoto camera though, hence its name, and that the Xiaomi 12 Lite must make do with a macro camera instead.

By contrast, @xiaomiui expects Munch to be the Xiaomi 12T or the Redmi K50S. Supposedly, this device will have the same camera arrangement as the Xiaomi 12 Lite, although it is unclear if they share sensors. Likewise, the Xiaomi 12T has a 1080p display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and an in-display fingerprint scanner. Conversely, the Xiaomi 12T contains a more poweful chipset, likely a refreshed Snapdragon 870 (SM8250).

Unfortunately, no details about the release of the 12T or 12 Lite series have leaked yet. Presumably, the Xiaomi 12T will arrive late next year, as the Mi 10T and 11T did. Xiaomi released an upgraded Mi 11 Lite as the 11 Lite 5G NE in September too, having unveiled the original model in March. Consequently, we may see the 12 Lite series debut alongside a flagship in early 2022, as the Mi 11 Lite did with the Mi 11 Ultra.

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