The Xiaomi 12 series first debuted all the way back in the waning days of 2022, with the announcements of the Xiaomi 12 Pro, 12, and the 12X. After first premiering for China, they eventually expanded their availability to international markets in mid-March. The company is now working on a mid-range addition to the series: the Xiaomi 12 Lite. Following some of its specs popping up in various databases online, a new leak has detailed the phone's complete internals, suggesting that Xiaomi 12 Lite could beat its more powerful 12X sibling in one key department.

A recent tweet from leaker Yogesh Brar gives a more complete picture of the phone's specs. It will feature the Snapdragon 778G chip — the same chipset ticking inside last year's Lite NE model. The device will also sport minor improvements in other areas compared to its predecessor, including the switch to a 64MP primary shooter with OIS, a slightly bigger 4,500mAh battery with 67W fast charging support, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and a 120Hz refresh rate for the 6.55-inch FHD+ panel.

Earlier, we saw an IMEI database listing (via MySmartPrice) suggesting the Xiaomi 12 Lite would carry model number 2203129G, while a Geekbench test and the FCC entry detail how it will run MIUI 13. The phone will seemingly be available in three variants with a combination of 6/8GB RAM and 128 or 256GB storage.

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That right there highlights at least one area where the Xiaomi 12 Lite could improve on its more powerful 12X sibling: It will apparently run Android 12-based MIUI 13 right out of the box, while the Xiaomi 12X's MIUI build is based on Android 11.

Last year, the Chinese smartphone maker launched the Mi 11 Lite a few months after unveiling its 2021 flagship series. It then further expanded the lineup with the addition of another 5G variant of the device called the Xiaomi 11 Lite NE. The company seemingly plans to follow the same strategy this year with the addition of the upcoming 'Lite' model to the Xiaomi 12 series.

If last year's Xiaomi 11 Lite NE is anything to go by, the highlight of this year's model again should be its thin and light design — the former weighed only 158gms and was 6.8mm thick. Unlike other devices in its flagship series, Xiaomi positions the 'Lite' model as a lifestyle phone focusing on design and handheld feel.

With this much evidence popping up in multiple databases, it should only be a matter of time before the 12 Lite goes official — presumably in China first, followed by the rest of the world.