The new Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro arrive in the brand’s catalog to lead a year that is key. With the red-hot competition in the market, they have sought a high-level ally, none other than Leica, to offer what are, right now, the most advanced camera terminals of the moment. And we say this because we have tested them and, below, you can read our impressions.
And the first thing we have to say is that the final choice between the Pro model and the “normal” – which has little of “normal” – is going to be much more close than in other “families”. Contrary to most cases, it is not a matter of there being a more or less complete model, but rather two different concepts with adapted features for each one. But yes, both with the participation of Leica in the cameras, which is a differential point against the competition.
Technical sheet: characteristics and differences
| Xiaomi 13 | xiaomi 13 Pro | |
| Dimensions | 152.8mm x 71.5mm x 7.98mm | 162.9mm x 74.6mm x 8.38mm |
| Weight | 189 grams | 229 grams |
| Screen | AMOLED FHD+ 6.36″, 120 Hz / 240Hz touch. 20:9, 2400×1080 | AMOLED WQHD+ 6.76″, 120Hz / 240Hz touch. 20:9, 3200×1440 |
| OS | MiUI 14 and Android 13 | MiUI 14 and Android 13 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 8 / 12GB RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 128 / 256GB | 256 / 512 GB |
| Battery | 4,500 mAh (67W charge) | 4,820 mAh (120W charge) |
| Wide angle main camera | 50/54 megapixels with f/1.8. | 50MP, f/1.9, 1″ sensor. |
| ultra wide camera | 12 megapixels with f/2.2 aperture | 50MP, f/2.2 |
| telephoto sensor | 10 megapixels with f/2.0 | 50MP f/2.0 |
| Frontal camera | 32 megapixels with f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.0 |
| connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, 5G and Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 7, 5G and Bluetooth 5.3 |
| ports | USB Type C 3.2 and Dual SIM | USB Type C 3.2 and Dual SIM |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor and face unlock | Fingerprint sensor and face unlock |
Design: two very different proposals
Beyond the obvious hardware differences between the two terminals, the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro propose a very different design concept for each of them. And although we have not yet been able to test the Xiaomi 13 Lite, it is perhaps the year in which the brand has wanted to make great differences between the terminals of the same family.
On the one hand, we have a compact, manageable and ergonomic phone with the Xiaomi 13 . In fact, the intention is that it is a phone to use “with one hand”, and it is achieved. It has a flat frame that improves grip, a smooth screen and a glass back with a small curve on the sides.
The Xiaomi 13 Pro is totally different. We return to a screen with pronounced bezels , which gives it an “infinite” feeling and that has the replica on the back cover that mimics this design. The metal frame is reduced around it and although the camera has the same design in both terminals, the “hump” of the Pro model is much more pronounced – although justifiably because the differences in this element between the two phones are more than evident -.
The Pro model is a terminal with more generous dimensions, both in thickness and weight – and it shows in the hand -. Something that will be compensated later by the extraordinary photographic performance of one and the other. It is also what explains the change in design, since the round edges hide the change in size a bit.
Screen, a differentiating element
The technology used by the screens of both terminals is the same ( AMOLED and with a screen refresh rate of 120Hz and 240Hz for tactile response), but the resolution is very different in each one, being FHD+ for the Xiaomi 13 and going up to WQHD+ for the Pro model.
Beyond the technical jargon, can you tell the difference? Well, the truth is that, since the diagonal of the screen of the “normal” model is smaller, it is not something that really jumps out at first, despite the fact that we can notice something when watching videos or images.
And it is that with 120Hz dynamic on both screens , the borders are blurred. What does this mean? Well, the Xiaomi 13 are smart enough not to keep their screen at that refresh rate all the time if it is not necessary. Which contributes to a “like” experience if it’s on all the time, but actually varies from 10 to 120Hz depending on need. And this is later noticeable in battery management. But, in addition, with MIUI 14 the possibility of customizing it and limiting the screen refresh rate by applications is added, something useful and claimed by users who like to fine-tune their terminals down to the last detail.
The screens of the Xiaomi 13 are called Pro HDR Display, and faith shows the improvement that the brand indicates of 2.25X in the representation of colors, both when viewing photos and when watching videos. The only detail is that with both we can record videos without problems in 4K… but we won’t see them in their native resolution until we take them out of the mobile because none of the screens reach that resolution.
Camera: the most important point
This point would even deserve an independent analysis – which we will do calmly -. But we have sufficiently tested those that are the “last” Leica on the market . The result is simply spectacular. Although it must be said that, although the Xiaomi 13 is among the best on the market, the Xiaomi 13 Pro , with its 1-inch sensor – the first in a Xiaomi mobile phone and almost on the market – and the lenses that Leica has designed , together with the software and the ways to take advantage of them, make us, without fear of being wrong, this is the recommended phone for photographers of 2023 . And it is difficult for another to emerge that can surpass it.
And the two photos that follow are a first sample of it. Are the differences between the two “brothers” noticeable? Well, you have to say yes. And we are aware that, at this point, an online article does not really show the “real” result since we have to process the photos to adapt them for publication on the web. But at first glance, it can be seen how the “Pro” took out his much more favored brother.
We are talking about not only including the possibility of taking 50 MP photos with the aforementioned sensor, but also, if we shoot at 2X magnification , we have 12.5 MP photos without quality loss – something that does not usually happen -. And for the more “foteros”, there is a RAW of 10 bits.
We can get up to 10 cm from the objects with its “macro” (which actually what it does is skilfully use the telephoto lens without losing quality). We also have an intelligent lens change system both when we move the zoom and when the terminal itself detects the distance of the object, for photos and videos. And beware, its “macro” capabilities are also for videos since it has a Pro-Focus system to keep the object in focus even at super short distances .
But where the Xiaomi 13 Pro shines, how could it be less, is in the portraits . For the occasion, Leica has proposed 4 modes in which its most characteristic lenses are simulated: 35mm black and white, 50mm (bokeh), 75mm and 90mm (soft focus).
This makes us move at distances between 50 cm and 1 meter for simply spectacular results in portraits. For the occasion, we did not resist taking Ernst Leitz as a model, the creator of the mythical brand of cameras to which he gave his name (Leitz-Camera… Leica).
No one who has a Xiaomi 13 is going to notice that it takes “bad” photos. On the contrary, it has a very outstanding performance. But if you have both models in your hands, as has happened to us, it is clear that the Pro model’s camera is one step ahead – and we could say that of the others on the market -.
The difference with the one-inch sensor is that it is inevitable that it appears, especially when we are trying the different lenses and getting closer to the object that we are photographing more and more.
Xiaomi 13 Pro
Xiaomi 13
Light, the differential point by having a 1-inch sensor
A larger sensor means, among other things, more light that can be taken . Although both terminals perform remarkably during the day, at any distance, we can see that – and the weather especially gave us the opportunity to test this superior capacity of the Pro over normal to handle light -, once again we are facing a titan of photography with all the letters, especially when we are closing the lens by pulling the “tele” lens.
Xiaomi 13 Pro
Xiaomi 13
Obviously, the litmus test is when the power goes out and you have to take night shots. Although this already also has a part of personal appreciation. If you are one of those who want to take photos at night in which what is there is “see” well despite the darkness, the result of the Xiaomi Night mode will seem incredible. If what you are looking for is something that is close to the reality of what you are seeing, you are going to have to use the manual mode and touch many parameters since the automatic mode, although it takes clear photos, with little noise and focused, It catches much more light than the human eye. And for proof, the following snapshots.
Xiaomi 13
xiaomi 13 Pro
Performance and autonomy
In this, the two “brothers” of the new Xiaomi 13 Series are almost exactly the same. Both have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and while the Pro always has 12GB of RAM, the “regular” reaches that figure in its 256GB model (which is the one we’ve tested). The sensations with both in this sense are similar and, like good flagships of a brand, there is no “but” to put on them. It does not matter what test you submit them to: games, videos, intense use of applications, social networks, etc. They can with absolutely everything , including a good number of applications open in the background until you need to clean up resources.
Another aspect that has caught our attention is that they heat up much less . When we have been able to discuss it with the brand, they have confirmed that it is true that a new intelligent control is incorporated into these terminals – in addition to the fact that they are quite excessive at the moment -. But the objective is to keep them below 40º C at most all the time when before that figure rose to 43-44º C. It seems like a minor reduction but it is not.
The presence of the latest Qualcomm chip is also noticeable in the connectivity. Not because they have 5G, that is almost starting to be a “must-have” for any phone in almost any category. But it is not so normal to have things like Wi-Fi 7. up to 5.8 Gbps , the new wireless technology that also consumes 30% less energy. It is also true that to take advantage of it you have to have a router or devices that also incorporate it and now there are not many.
Ultra-fast upload for very slow download
We make a particular section for autonomy within this heading because on paper, none seems to have a great battery. In fact, none exceeds 5,000 mAh, not even the most voluminous model, which is what brands tend to boast about in these sections.
But really… it’s that they don’t need more. The two terminals are real beasts when it comes to optimizing energy and consumption. They are within the select group of those who can go more than 2 days without charging – which in these times is saying a lot -. Even on the trip to the Leica headquarters, which were days of much use of the camera, they lasted more than a day without problem and, when they woke up the next day, both marked more than 30% in the battery, which represents more than 7 hours of operation.
This is also combined with the fast and ultra-fast charging systems that they incorporate. It is another difference between these two brothers since although the Pro model can reach 120W – which means that in about 20 minutes we have the charge ready to last more than a whole day -, the Xiaomi 13 stays at 67W (like the Lite model that we haven’t been able to test yet). Now, it has less mAh to fill, so the charging time at the end, being less than that of its older brother, is similar and for a day of use it barely takes half an hour.
By the way, as you can see in the image, in addition to the chargers to take advantage of this feature, included in the pack of each terminal – which there are brands like Apple that charge you separately – transparent polymer TPU cases are included in case you are from those who want to protect the terminal from the first moment. Although in the Xiaomi 13 Pro we see it more than recommended because the terminal is more slippery due to its design, for the Xiaomi 13 we can classify it as “optional” because it is much less prone to slipping out of our hand.
Operating system: MIUI 14
Another of the novelties of these terminals is MIUI 14 for Android 13. It is not exclusive and will reach a good list of terminals of the brand, but it is deployed in the new Xiaomi 13 Series with all its power.
Those familiar with this software are going to notice a smoother and more streamlined system. But really, changes compared to the previous version, beyond some tweaks here, a new effect there, deep changes we will not find beyond some like the one we have already mentioned – choose the apps that will use a frequency rate screen or other -. Although almost all of the advertising that was typical has disappeared, we still have several pages of pre-installed applications as standard, which is perhaps its biggest flaw.
The best that can be said is that what is not seen gives the feeling that it will help terminals with less powerful hardware than these Xiaomi 13 Series that are capable of moving everything with supreme agility.
Latest considerations and conclusions
Xiaomi with its new terminals – and we insist, the Xiaomi 13 Lite is still missing from the party with its peculiarities such as the double front camera with double flash or the multifocus for selfies – it has changed its strategy. We are not facing more or less complete versions of a “star” model. Each one has its personality and its user. If you are someone practical, who wants a comfortable terminal, easy to use and with a top-of-the-line camera, you have the Xiaomi 13. But if you want the best camera on the market, don’t hesitate, there is only one phone in that position right now and it is the Xiaomi 13 Pro thanks to the collaboration with Leica.