To kick off the 2023 edition of the Mobile World Congress, which is held from February 27 to Thursday March 2 in Barcelona (Spain), Xiaomi has decided to formalize the global launch of its new Xiaomi 13 range. Launched at the end of 2022 in China, it was still far behind in the old continent.
Now it is done with three high-end models to attack the iPhone 14/iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23/S23 Ultra. The Xiaomi 13 Pro promises to be the spearhead of the brand and incorporates everything that the latest demands. As a bonus, the device benefits from a partnership with storied photography brand Leica, which worked with Huawei before its smartphones disappeared from the French market.
Find the Leica experience
Here we find a stylish smartphone equipped with a 6.73-inch 2K curved AMOLED display with an adaptive image refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz (for further battery savings). It promises to be one of the brightest on the market (announced peak at 1900 nits).
On the back, there is a triple photo module placed in a square with the flash. Everything is quite elegant and far from unsightly, albeit imposing. The ultra-large (1-inch) 50 Mpx main sensor is signed by the photography specialist Leica, as is the telephoto lens (50 Mpx), which will also be used for portrait mode and close-ups. The 50MP ultra-wide angle with a 115° field of view completes the package. It also offers the possibility of filming in 8K.
Xiaomi promises versatility in photography, with more light captured for better shots in low light conditions in particular, an improved night mode and more assertive contrasts.
Added to this are two integrated photographic styles (Leica Authentic Look and Leica Vibrant Look) to bring a true aesthetic touch to the shots, based on the Leica know-how that has contributed both in the hardware and in the photographic software.
The Chinese manufacturer has also integrated focusing technology close to that of digital SLRs for increased speed. After a few tries, photo capture is actually faster by pressing the button, with autofocus on moving subjects very effective.
Rendered quite artificial
However, when we started, we were relatively unimpressed with these new Leica filters, especially in portrait mode, which result in less-sharp shots and, above all, extremely artificial rendering.
The copy is best during more classic shots, even in low light, where the rendering is much more pleasing to the eye.
To expand your photographic proposal, but also to position your smartphone among the best on the market, such as the Samsung Galaxy S23, the Xiaomi 13 Pro incorporates Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the most powerful at the moment for Android. The device will gain autonomy, power and performance. It also caters for gamers with an integrated mode that helps improve in-game performance.
To perfect your copy, the Xiaomi 13 Pro is IP68 certified to resist immersion and dust. And it’s equipped with a Gorilla Glass Victus glass front to stand up to bumps and other tough scratches. Dual SIM, the 5G smartphone runs on MIUI 14 based on Android 13 and will be offered with either 256 or 512 GB of storage (12 GB of RAM).
The Xiaomi 13, an effective compromise
If the Xiaomi 13 retains the square photographic module on the back, its design flirts more with that of the iPhone 14. There are straight metal edges and a somewhat less slim appearance. Its screen promises to be as qualitative, bright and contrasting as its older brother.
In the photographic section, it also has three sensors designed with Leica, less ambitious (50 Mpx wide angle, 10 Mpx telephoto, 12 Mpx 120° ultra-wide angle), but taking advantage of the same software processing developed with the manufacturer German. . Like its companion, it benefits from a 32 MP selfie camera.
Finally, the Xiaomi 13 series also includes the Xiaomi 13 Lite which is aimed at a younger audience. No Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 here, but a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor. It has a 6.55-inch 120Hz Amoled display with dual selfie cameras on the front (32 + 8 Mpx) and three sensors on the rear in a completely different format. (50 Mpx main sensor, 8 Mpx ultra-wide angle and 2 Mpx macro sensor).
Xiaomi 13 series prices and availability
HE xiaomi 13 Pro It will be available in ceramic white and ceramic black and its price shoots up to 1,299.90 euros for 256 GB of storage (12 GB of RAM).
HE Xiaomi 13 It is offered in white, green and black at 899.90 euros with 256 GB of storage (8 GB of RAM).
Available in black, blue or pink, the xiaomi 13lite It will be available at 499 euros (128 GB of storage and 8 GB of RAM).
The Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro are already in pre-sale and will go on sale on March 8, just like the Xiaomi 13 Lite.
Source: BFM TV
