Back in December 2022, Xiaomi announced a new smartphone, shortly after which it appeared on the domestic Chinese market. Now the Xiaomi 13 series is coming to Germany with the normal model as well as a Pro and a Lite version, as the manufacturer announced at the MWC 2023. TECHBOOK was there.
Under the motto “Behind the masterpiece”, Xiaomi presented its Xiaomi 13 Series internationally on February 26, 2023 at the MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona. The focus is clearly on the two flagship models, the popular Xiaomi 13 and the Xiaomi 13 Pro. With the Xiaomi 13 Lite, the Chinese manufacturer is again offering a slimmed-down version. However, unlike last year, the company did not have a new X model in its luggage.
This is what the new Xiaomi 13 series offers
The Xiaomi 13 itself has a 6.36-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,080 pixels and a maximum frame rate of 120 Hz. The Pro version, on the other hand, has a 6.73-inch AMOLED display (3,200 x 1,440 pixels). Qualcomm’s high-end chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is also used in the Samsung Galaxy S23 series, works inside the smartphones. Otherwise, the new smartphone model offers several premieres. Not only is it, together with the Pro version, the first Xiaomi phone with a Leica camera. The long-established German company previously worked with Huawei, among others. It is also the first Xiaomi smartphone to finally have an IP 68 certification. Because while protection against dust and water is now standard with other manufacturers, you had to do without it with the devices from the company based in Beijing.
The extremely narrow edge of the devices is also striking at 1.61 millimeters. With a battery life of 4,500mAh or 4,820mAh (Pro), sufficient juice is also provided.
The Lite version also has a 6.55-inch (2,400 x 1,080 pixels) AMOLED display and, in contrast to the 256 GB of internal memory in the flagship models, only has 126 GB. On the other hand, the Xiaomi 13 Lite costs comparatively little at 499 euros. The two larger siblings are namely 999 and 1299 euros
In cooperation with Leica, the camera is the star
Since a lot of information about the Xiaomi 13 Series was already known due to the earlier start in China, there were hardly any major surprises at the presentation in Barcelona. Camera fans in particular should be happy that the models are now also available in this country. In the arms race between smartphone manufacturers when it comes to cameras, Xiaomi is in common with Leica.
This is particularly noticeable with the normal and the Pro model of the Xiaomi 13. Both variants come with a triple camera with optical lenses from Leica. The Xiaomi 13 has an optical zoom range of 0.6 to 3.2, a wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle camera and a telephoto lens. The Xiaomi 13 Pro also offers wide and ultra wide angles, plus the so-called floating telephoto camera.
While most lenses only have one movable lens group, the Xiaomi 13 Pro camera has a second lens group that can be moved independently of the focus element. In general, you need these lens groups to focus the image accordingly. The new system brought by Leica makes it possible to focus on objects that are only 10 centimeters away from the lens. The Pro version also offers a 50 MP sensor on the main camera, which allows high-quality pictures even at night.
Xiaomi has also upgraded the camera’s software again. Among other things, the 13 (Pro) allows you to switch between two modes or styles: the Leica Authentic Look and Leica Vibrant Look. There are also other Leica-specific features such as a corresponding watermark or the sound of a Leica camera shutter release.
The Xiaomi ProFocus Engine also improves the recording speed and allows users and smartphones alike to automatically focus on specific moving subjects.
Xiaomi 13, Pro and Lite – equipment comparison
Prices and availability of the Xiaomi 13
From March 8th, the products presented will also be available for purchase in Germany. The pre-sale phase, on the other hand, starts on February 26 and runs until March 12, 2023. During this period, customers will receive the Instant Photo Printer 1S set from Xiaomi with their purchase.
The regular Xiaomi 13 is available in the colors black, white and flora green with the storage variants 8 GB + 256 GB for 999.90 euros. The Xiaomi 13 Pro, on the other hand, costs a whopping 1299.90 euros with 12 GB + 256 GB in the colors Ceramic Black and Ceramic White. The price of the slimmed-down Lite version of the Xiaomi 13 is 499.90 euros. Blue, pink and black are available in color with 8 GB + 128 GB each.
At the same event, the Chinese manufacturer also has the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro and Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro, as well as the Electronic Scooter 4 Ultra.