To close off 2022, Xiaomi released the Mi 11 Lite 5G NE, an updated version of the same phone with a new chipset. In 2022, it appears that the Lite series will expand to include a NE model, which will differ to a greater extent.
A Chinese source claims that the impending Xiaomi 12 Lite 5G NE has already been discovered in an IMEI database, revealing both its existence and its model number, 2210129SG. The final “G” indicates that this is a device designed for use in international markets rather than the domestic Chinese market.
And if the rumors about it being a rebranded Civi 2 are true, it makes a lot of sense. Since this phone is currently available in China under a different brand name, it stands to reason that the rebranded version would be sold nowhere in China.
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset found in the Xiaomi Civi 2 is intended to be more powerful than the Snapdragon 778G found in the original 12 Lite. It has a different primary camera than the current Lite, clocking in at 50 megapixels instead of 108 megapixels, and a 20 megapixel ultrawide lens instead of an 8 megapixel sensor. The Civi 2's front-facing camera functions similarly to the original, but it also has a wider lens and brighter lights. Besides having a larger screen, the battery capacity is slightly higher at 4,500 mAh compared to 4,300 mAh. Otherwise, the two devices are virtually indistinguishable.
The FCC actually certified the 2210129SG back in September, so it's possible that the release date won't be too far off. We learned that the 12 Lite 5G NE will come in three different variations through the FCC application process: 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
