After a week of making the Xiaomi 13 Ultra my daily device, there is no denying that once again Xiaomi has come up with an almost perfect smartphone. This device offers complete features and functions for a flagship device with a focus on photography and videography. The question is is it worth spending money up to RM5199 or Xiaomi 13 which costs RM3499 is enough?
INFO Review – Xiaomi 13 Is an Amazing Little One
SPECIFICATIONS
Xiaomi 13 Ultra
6.73-inch AMOLED LTPO screen, 3200×1440,
120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 2600 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
7 GB Virtual Memory
Internal Storage 512 GB UFS 4.0
Main Camera 50 MP (Wide Angle), f/1.9-f/4.0 (variable aperture),
HyperOIS
50 MP (Ultra Wide Angle), f/1.8, 5cm macro,
50 MP (Telephoto), f/1.8, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom
50 MP (Super Telephoto), f/3.0, OIS, 5x optical zoom
Leica Authentic Look, Leica Vibrant Look
Dolby Vision, 4K 60fps, 8K 24fps, 10-bit LOG
LEICA VARIO-SUMMICRON lens
Front Camera 32 MP, f/2.0, EIS, HDR
5000 mAh battery
90W wired charging
50W wireless charging
10W reverse wireless charging
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM Nano /5G
NFC Yes
Infrared Yes
Waterproof IP68
Fingerprint Scan System under the screen
Sale Price RM5199 (12/512 GB)
SCREEN
In the many smartphones that have arrived at the our lab for review, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra in my eyes is the second best I've used after the Sony Xperia 1 IV which supports resolutions up to 4K.
The 6.73″ screen size from the LPTO AMOLED panel that supports an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz, has a WQHD+ resolution and is capable of displaying Dolby Vision content is the best feature to include on a flagship device. Enjoying video content on Netflix and YouTube provides an immersive user experience. It's a shame Apple TV+ isn't supported on Android devices to take advantage of this great screen technology.
The Sunlight mode that can ensure the screen reaches a brightness level of 2600 nits is greatly appreciated. It's no problem to use the 13 Ultra outside in the blazing sun. Every touch and display is very smooth without lag problems because the screen supports a touch rate of up to 240Hz.
There is no doubt that the curved screen design is a bit annoying to watch videos in full screen format. This forces me to watch in original format with black bars. Thankfully the quality AMOLED screen doesn't activate the black part making it dark enough and almost immersive.
BIOMETRIC
Like most Xiaomi flagship devices, the 13 Ultra also uses an under-screen fingerprint scanner that performs quite well. Even my fingers are sweaty and dirty there is no problem to detect. Even with the support of unlocking the device with the face using the selfie camera is also now faster enough to help.
DESIGN
If you follow the development of Leica cameras, the 13 Ultra uses a design that is more or less the same as their cameras, which is a giant camera hump that mimics the lens and a back panel with fake leather like the body of the Leica M11 Monochrom. Not only that, the protective frame provided in the box also has a Leica Q3-like texture that gives extra grip. This leather-like finish is the same as the one used on the Vivo X Fold2 and Oppo Find N2 that have been reviewed on this page.
On the back panel, Xiaomi also uses a slightly wavy design from the bottom of the device to the top. Xiaomi stated that the 13 Ultra uses a unique three-layer design which is the first layer of an aluminum frame 4.4x more durable than the previous model, the second panel is fake leather and the third is a giant camera bump. In addition, this device also passes IP68 waterproof and dustproof standards.
On top of the device there are two microphone holes, an infrared transmitter to make the device a remote control and a speaker grill. Below is another microphone hole, SIM card slot, USB-C port and a second speaker grille for Dolby Atmos stereo support. Behind this giant camera hump device are four sensors, two separate LED flash lights and another microphone hole.
There is nothing on the left side of the device, but on the right side there is an audio adjustment button and a power button. The front screen uses a 3D curved design with a hole in the top center for the selfie camera.
Overall, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is a device that looks beautiful because the design has its own identity that differentiates itself from competing devices. The 13 Ultra is also lighter than the iPhone 13 Pro. Even so this device still feels premium and luxurious.
At the same time this thick device is also easy to handle. The only thing I don't like is that regardless of holding the device vertically or horizontally, my fingers will easily touch the camera causing it to get dirty and need to be constantly wiped before use.
SOFTWARE AND USER EXPERIENCE
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra still runs MIUI 14 based on Android 13 which is the same as the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro. Throughout the use of this device I feel that Xiaomi may have heard my complaints. This is because MIUI 14 on the 13 Ultra doesn't have as many ads and fat apps as the previous MIUI. Undoubtedly still not as pure as Realme UI or stock Android, but at least there is a change.
This indirectly provides a better, smooth and quiet user experience. MIUI 14 on this device is also not much different from other Xiaomi devices except with the addition of some new features that will definitely make it easier for users.
There are three features that I like the most which is Detect Gaze which is already present on other MIUI devices. But with Apple testing distance between the screen and the eyes this feature is even more fun to use because no matter how long I set the screen to go off as long as the camera detects my eyes are looking as long as it doesn't lock up.
App vault which is now a separate application as an alternative to the Google Discover page on the main screen is an interesting concept. It's similar to what's on iOS, BBK Android devices and more. It's just that I don't like using it because many interesting features are limited to MIUI China only.
Other interesting features that I'm thankful to have on MIUI 14 are;
An under-screen fingerprint scanner that is not only fast but can also scan the pulse.
Memory Extension adds virtual memory up to 7GB making the total amount of RAM reach 19GB. This helps improve performance a bit.
Its own privacy security dashboard that is different from the stock Android version. I like when the system tells me what the next steps are to make sure my data and privacy are protected.
PERFORMANCE AND BENCHMARKS
Xiaomi 13 Ultra comes with LiquidCool Loop cooling system. This system is not just a gimmick but really works because the device does not heat up when playing first for a long time. I play a lot of COD Mobile, Marvel SNAP and Asphalt 9 every day. Around two hours of playing the device can still be held well. Visible heating only occurs when using the camera for three minutes and above.
13 Ultra also has no problem handling daily tasks. I can still write articles through the web browser, using social media is also smooth, no serious lag issues and running a lot of apps in the background with each one locked so the system can't stop them still keeps the device fast and smooth.
In the Geekbench benchmark test the 6 posted the highest score of any Android device we've ever tested. In fact, so far only the iPhone 14 Pro Max recorded the highest score and finally this fruit-branded device has a fierce competitor. For AnTuTu 3D also has the highest score of over 1.5 million which was previously recorded by Xiaomi 13 Pro.
The benchmark test scores I'm comparing are with Android devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Except for the Galaxy 23 Ultra with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy and the iPhone 14 Pro Max with the A16 Bionic. It is quite interesting to see that the 13 Ultra which uses the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 version scores higher than the S23 Ultra which has a faster CPU (3.2GHz vs 3.36GHz) and GPU (680MHz vs 719MHz).
Geekbench 6
Xiaomi 13 Ultra – 2015/5457
Honor Magic5 Pro – 1925/4852
Xiaomi 13 Pro – 1868/5272
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – 1922/5017
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max – 2524/6317
AnTuTu 3D
Xiaomi 13 Ultra – 1,527,588
Honor Magic5 Pro – 1,090,731
Xiaomi 13 Pro – 1,252,296
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra – 1,171,384
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max – 974,941
In addition to the processing chip, LPDRR5X memory for RAM and UFS 4.0 storage also play a role for consistent performance. Not forgetting that software optimization helps make the device comfortable for anyone to use.
TELEPHONY And GPS
Lately when I use MIUI devices, I no longer experience network problems. On the 13 Ultra WiFi connection, mobile data and phone calls are all stable and smooth. Even in areas where my iPhone 13 Pro can only get 1 bar of 4G network, the 13 Ultra can connect up to almost a full bar. In fact, the antenna system for the Xiaomi 13 Ultra cellular network is more powerful than the iPhone 13 Pro.
No problem during phone calls because the microphone is of good quality and very clear and loud. The GPS is also smooth and accurate when locking the location and following the intricacies of the instructions regardless of using Google Maps or Waze.
CAMERA
Ever since a few Android smartphones with 1″ camera sensors arrived at the our lab I can't get over how great this kind of camera system is. Imagine without AI on, any smart mode is used and only the 50MP manual mode results in a portrait-like image. Natural bokeh, beautiful colors, preserved details and good focus.
For the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the system is more or less the same with some additions in terms of software to make the camera application more powerful. The HyperOIS feature combines physical and software OIS for night and video modes that are more pleasing to the eye.
Variable aperture : f/4.0 preserves the background, f/1.9 as portrait mode with bokeh effect
Auto mode with film filter
Auto mode with classic filters
Auto night mode
In the our lab, the best zoom camera so far is still held by Samsung because of the Space Zoom algorithm that has been trained since the Galaxy S20 Ultra. 13 Ultra tries to offer more or less the same features with digital zoom reaching 120x but unfortunately the results are bland. What was surprising in my eyes was the 30x zoom capability which was quite impressive.
3.2x optical zoom vs 5x optical zoom – Daytime
30x zoom vs 120x zoom – Night
The last camera on the back also uses the same 50MP sensor matched to an ultra-wide angle lens and also a 5 cm macro, but it is not equipped with OIS. This mode also still preserves good details and has a color profile more or less the same as the other sensors. The transition between each sensor is also smooth, making the experience of using the camera less awkward.
Ultra-wide angle
Macro mode
The 32MP selfie camera is about the same as what I've tested on the Xiaomi 13 and Effi on the Xiaomi 13 Pro. Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant color profiles can also be selected before taking any photo according to individual taste. Likewise with the Master Lens portrait mode that mimics different Leica camera lenses such as 35mm, 50mm, 90mm and 75mm which is still maintained as before. I will test this mod more in the review to see if there is a difference with the 13 and 13 Pro.
Master Lens 35mm – Documentary
Master Lens 50mm – Swirly Bokeh
VIDEOS
Xiaomi 13 Ultra also supports 8K 24fps video recording, 4K Dolby Vision, 10-bit LOG format recording and can connect the device to four cameras and four monitors for the purpose of monitoring by professional users wirelessly. But using this professional feature is a bit confusing.
Even so it didn't stop me from testing the videography capabilities of this device which is almost comparable to Samsung and iPhone. The video above is a sample of LOG format that has been post-processed by our video team along with 8K video that has been compressed to 4K. The next video is Dolby Vision or HDR mode recorded directly from the device.
BATTERY
The included battery is 5000 mAh which now seems to be standard on Android flagship devices 2023. The device supports 90W wired fast charging which can fully charge the device in 34 minutes. In addition to also supporting 50W fast wireless charging and can also charge accessories such as TWS through 10W reverse wireless charging.
In my use, the 13 Ultra had no problem reaching up to 14 hours of use with 7 hours of SOT if only doing light tasks and around 5 hours of SOT if using the camera frequently and gaming.
Since last year any flagship device I've tested, I don't really care about battery life because of the fast charging support. The 13 Ultra also has a hibernation mode that allows the device to last for an additional 1 hour when the battery reaches 1%. This is a very helpful feature when I don't have access to a charger or powerbank because it is suitable for emergency use.
AUDIO
Xiaomi collaborated with Dolby not only for the screen but also on the speakers for the Dolby Atmos system. There is no doubt that the speaker of this device is one of the best for a flagship device. It is quite strong, loud, deep bass, has good treble and satisfactory clarity.
By supporting Immersive sound the device can also make stereo audio wider and sound like spatial audio features without using additional accessories. This makes me often rely on the device's speakers alone and not use any audio accessories.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
Here is a list of what comes in the box with every Xiaomi 13 Ultra purchase;
1x Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
1x Hard plastic protective frame.
1x 90W Charger.
1x USB-A to USB-C Cable.
1x SIM Pin.
1x Set of manual and safety book.
CONCLUSION
Xiaomi 13 Ultra in my opinion is a nearly perfect Xiaomi device. This is similar to my and Effi's experience with Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro before. The 13 Ultra offers slightly better camera capabilities than the previous two devices but still maintains roughly the same color profile. Smooth performance, a beautiful and ultra-bright screen, a long-lasting battery with hibernation mode and a design that makes this device unique and different from competitors.
But the selling price of RM5199 for a non-Samsung flagship Android device is quite expensive. If you want a device with the best 1″ camera sensor the 13 Ultra is much better than the Vivo X90 Pro. What if you don't have a budget of RM5K? My recommendation is the compact Xiaomi 13 because the camera capabilities are more or less the same, only there is no 1″ sensor and variable aperture and you save almost RM2000.
Pro
Beautiful screen, fast and very bright.
Fast, smooth and exciting performance.
Camera capabilities that turn ordinary users into professional cameramen.
Beautiful and premium design and build of the device.
Large battery capacity with fast charging support.
Cons
The camera color profile is more or less the same as the cheaper Xiaomi 13.
Many camera features are confusing.
MIUI 14 which is still not on par with the Chinese version.