Chinese device manufacturers have been working with camera manufacturers for years. Oppo and OnePlus with Hasselblad, Vivo with Zeiss, and previously Huawei with Leica. Last year Leica changed direction and did a collaboration with Xiaomi which with the announcement made quite surprised the world of technology.
In this review I will share the experience of using the Xiaomi 13, which is the basic model of Xiaomi's flagship device this year. There is no 1″ Sony IMX989 camera sensor, but the lens and software are still being developed with Leica. Is this the ultimate photography flagship or just a compact flagship?
Specifications
Xiaomi 13
6.36″ AMOLED screen, FHD+ 2400×1080, ~413 ppi
120Hz AdaptiveSync, Pro HDR, Dolby Vision,
HDR10+, 1200 nits
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (4nm)
1x 3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 chip
2x 2.8 GHz Cortex-A715
2x 2.8 GHz Cortex-A710
3x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510
Adreno 740 Graphics Chip
RAM 12 GB LPDDR5X
Up to 7GB of virtual Memory
Internal Storage 256GB UFS 4.0
Main Camera 54/50 MP, f/1.8, HyperOIS, (Wide Angle)
10 MP, f/2.0, (Leica telephoto)
12 MP, f/2.2 (Leica Ultra Wide Angle)
Leica Vario-Summicron, 8K, Dolby Vision
Leica Authentic, Leica Vibrant
Portrait Master Lens 35mm, 50mm, 90mm, 75mm
Selfie Camera 32 Megapixel f/2.0
4500 mAh battery
67W wired charging
50W wireless charging
10W reverse wireless charging
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM nano / 5G
NFC Yes
Audio No audio jack
Dolby Atmos stereo speakers
Waterproof IP68
Scan System Under-screen fingerprint scanner
Sale Price RM 3499 (12/256 GB)
SCREEN
Even though I have big hands, I still love this small device. Xiaomi 13 uses a 6.36-inch AMOLED screen from an OLED E6 panel with FHD+ resolution, 120Hz AdaptiveSync refresh rate support and a Pro HDR display that can display Dolby Vision content.
Because the Xiaomi 13 does not use an LTPO panel, the 120Hz refresh rate support is optimized with software through the AdaptiveSync feature that can drop to 30Hz, 60Hz and 90Hz either automatically or force it to always run at 120Hz. As far as usage goes, the screen is always fast and smooth without a single lag issue.
The screen design is with a hole in the top center and uses a thin bezel. You'll probably notice that the screen looks all over, but despite the thin bezels it's still uneven and thick on the chin (just a little). There is also a fingerprint scanner under the screen of the fast optical type and throughout the review there was no problem with the finger failing to be scanned.
As far as reviews go, this is the most satisfying OLED FHD+ screen I've used this year. The screen is really bright as it can reach 1200 nits. MIUI 14 provides Super Resolution, AI Image Enhancement and AI HDR Enhancement features that make the user experience more satisfying. In Netflix, for example, Dolby Vision support is supported, which provides a viewing experience as if using an expensive television, only in a mini size.
Design
I'm thankful Xiaomi used a flat design around the device and on the screen. While the back is slightly curved to give grip. For Android devices I don't like using protective frames, so the design of this device looks empty and a little boring.
Don't get me wrong, Xiaomi 13 does look simple and beautiful. It's just that the glossy finish on this Floral Green color doesn't catch my attention enough. Because of its relatively small size, the device is easy to operate with one hand. But the back panel easily catches fingerprint smudges which makes it look greasy even after a short period of use.
Even so, the camera module is square with rounded and flat corners. This device can be placed on a table surface without it feeling like it's wobbly. This is also one of the reasons I don't use the silicone frame provided.
All the power and volume buttons are on the right side. While the top has two microphone holes, one hole for the speaker grille and infrared transmitter. Below there is another microphone hole, speaker grille and SIM card slot.
Overall, the Xiaomi 13 is an excellent compact device. The last time I used a good compact flagship device like this was the Sony Xperia 5 IV. So what Xiaomi did to their flagship device this time will certainly be appreciated by fans of compact size devices. However it is still not completely perfect.
Software
For years I complained to Xiaomi Malaysia representatives why the global version of MIUI is not the same as the Chinese version. One of the most common complaints is the display of advertisements and fat applications. The notification problem is no longer on this device because it has been fixed since the Xiaomi 12 Lite and for advertisements, I realized since the Poco X5 Pro a few weeks ago it no longer happens. So does it mean that Xiaomi listens to my complaints and grievances?
Of course I'm not the only one. Because if you are active on the official Xiaomi forum, there are indeed many users who complain and I am very grateful that Xiaomi listens and solves these problems. Back to the Xiaomi 13 running the latest MIUI 14, this operating system is built on Android 13 and this is the best MIUI I've used so far.
Once the device is turned on no ads are displayed. The device is working smoothly and till today it's my third week of using this device no issues compared to repeat. Netflix continues to support Dolby Vision. This is in contrast to the Nothing Phone (1) which has already received the Netflix stable update but still no HDR. The OnePlus 11 that I reviewed recently also still has no update to activate the Dolby Vision feature.
MIUI 14 comes with many interesting features and functions that make my usage experience satisfying. The screen supports the Detect Gaze feature, where the device will not be locked if the camera detects eyes looking at the screen. Heart Rate to check heartbeat with fingerprint and Memory Extension to add up to 7GB of virtual memory to improve performance can be used on this device.
Native Android 13 features are also plentiful, especially on security such as displaying what has been copied to the clipboard and from which source something is pasted such as text or images.
Even so, MIUI 14 is still not perfect. First since MIUI 12 I feel that the interface design still looks more or less the same, so there are not many surprising changes except for small elements.
This device also does not support the Material You theme for adaptive colors following the background image or for changing icons properly, because MIUI 14 still uses its own theme system. What I don't like the most is that dark mode still uses what Google provides which is adaptive, making many apps (except Xiaomi's own apps) not display text well.
Performance And Benchmarks
Xiaomi 13 is powered by the most powerful chip for Android devices on the market today, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 paired with the fastest and latest memory, LPDDR5X 12GB RAM and 256GB UFS 4.0 internal storage. Both of these help the device to work well and have the fastest performance for Xiaomi devices.
What is surprising is that when running many games like COD Mobile, Marvel Snap and Asphalt 9 the device does not heat up even after almost an hour of playing. The device also does not experience any serious time lag. I'm excited that a device this small has amazing capabilities that even the OnePlus 11 can't achieve.
The benchmark tests I did were using AnTuTu 3D and Geekbench 6. Unfortunately, Xiaomi does not allow any tests to be done with 3DMark. All of the benchmark tests and previews I played were using Game Turbo to receive the most optimal performance.
Geekbench 6
Xiaomi 13 – 1903/5437
Redmi 8 Pro – 1689/5301
OnePlus 11 – 1495/4805
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max – 2524/6317
AnTuTu 3D
Xiaomi 13 – 1,272,181
Redmi 8 Pro – 1,293,501
OnePlus 11 – 1,104,135
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max – 974,941
The single-core and multi-core scores on Geekbench 6 are the highest I've personally tested so far. This is roughly the same score as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra which costs thousands of ringgit more which is 1922/5017. AnTuTu is close to the RedMagic 8 Pro which has a real fan cooling system and for Xiaomi which is small in size without a fan this is an amazing score.
Camera
The Xiaomi 13 is their first device to use a Leica camera that is marketed globally. But it doesn't use the 1-inch sensor used on the Vivo X90 Pro or Xiaomi 12S Ultra or the rumored upcoming Oppo Find X6 Pro. Instead this device only uses a Leica Vario-Summicron 23mm lens on a 50MP IMX800 sensor.
There is HyperOIS support, Dolby Vision video recording support and is paired with a 10MP Leica 3.2x optical zoom telephoto lens sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide angle Leica lens sensor. The uniqueness of the camera application is the presence of Leica Vibrant or Leica Authentic color profiles as well as the Master-lens portrait mode that mimics the 35mm black-and-white lens, 50mm rotating bokeh, 90mm soft focus and 75mm normal portrait.
The selfie camera is 32MP which is very clear and of good quality. Xiaomi managed to preserve the details very well. It's just a pity that the cliché problem of Xiaomi's camera is still visible on this device, which is the artificial intelligence feature that sets an inconsistent color profile. The portrait mode is not able to give a neat blur effect and the Xiaomi 13 is still not capable of zooming as well as the Samsung.
Portrait Gallery
1 / 6
Night Mode Gallery
There is no doubt that the Xiaomi camera this time is amazing. Many details are well preserved and the majority of the colors produced are sharp and really pop up to catch the eye. Even our photographers and videographers also agree that Xiaomi is serious about photography, but this device still has focus issues. Fast focus, but after post-processing there is a part where the focus runs away in the direction it is aimed.
Zoom Gallery
Other Galleries
1 / 12
What surprised me was the video recording quality of this tiny device. Beautiful colors, terrible focus, satisfactory stabilization. However, there is a serious problem when the recorded video is to be edited in Adobe Premiere Pro, the rendering process becomes a little problematic and the quality of the final video does not receive the same details as seen on the phone screen.
Telephony & GPS
The device supports 5G Yes well, as well as LTE with VoWiFi and VoLTE support for clear and loud phone calls and fast data usage. But I noticed that Xiaomi 13 does not have a balanced signal connection like last year's Xiaomi 12 or 12T. In the same location, SIM card with the same plan, LTE on the Xiaomi 13 only has 3 bars compared to the full bar before. The WiFi support however is great and the GPS is also very fast and so far I have never gotten lost again.
Audio
The stereo speakers on the Xiaomi 13 are loud. At first it seemed to be satisfactory, but my ears trained to listen to other frequencies and deeper details found the speaker of this device not so great. Xiaomi this time focused on the highs, which are too high so that the audio produced is a bit sharp. But listening to songs or watching videos that focus on bass and vocals with a volume level below 60% is fine. The device also delivers fairly balanced audio.
Battery
Xiaomi 13 is a small device, so the battery size is also small at 4500mAh. Compared to other flagship devices that are already towards 5000mAh or 6000mAh. Charging support is only 67W unlike its brother 13 Pro up to 120W or competitors such as OnePlus 11 which reaches 100W.
Even so, the battery life of this device for extreme use with video streaming, music, active use of the camera, playing games and being active on social media with a total usage of 17 hours 27 minutes can reach up to 6 hours SOT. This means lighter usage, this compact device has no problem reaching up to 7 to 8 hours SOT.
The bonus on the Xiaomi 13 is that this device supports 50W fast wireless charging and can also charge the Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro behind the device that supports reverse wireless charging up to 10W. This is a very useful feature for me who owns many TWS and smartphones.
What's in the box?
Here is what was included in the box we received.
1x Xiaomi 13
1x 67W three pin charger.
1x USB-A to USB-C charging cable.
1x SIM Pin.
1x Silicone frame.
1x set of manual and safety book.
Conclusion
It seems that this year there are many flagship devices vying for the Best Device 2023 category of flagship devices or photography devices. The Xiaomi 13 is undeniably a fierce competitor and I won't take my word for it that out of the many Xiaomi devices I've tested, the Xiaomi 13 is by far the most perfect. The device is complete with IP68 protection support, powerful chip, quality screen, Leica camera, and more.
But after I tested the OnePlus 11, Vivo X90 Pro and RedMagic 8 Pro, the Xiaomi 13 will be my flagship device – maybe? I was confused and stuck in the direction I wanted to go!
Okay! i will really make this device my daily device as i already brought it to MWC Barcelona 2023. It's because of its easy to carry size, durable battery, pretty good camera and great performance without heating issues. The selling price of Xiaomi 13 in Malaysia is RM3499 for the 12/256 GB model (one model only) and I feel this is a flagship device that challenges other brands.
Pro
Beautiful screen, fast, flat and satisfying.
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support.
Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip with no heating issues.
Long-lasting battery even though the capacity is not large.
There is IP68 and wireless charging.
A good Leica camera.
The best version of MIUI so far.
Cons
The camera, although good, is still inconsistent.
No Material You theme support.
A design that may seem boring to some people.
Unsatisfactory audio.
The mobile data connection signal is not as strong as the previous model.