In 2023, Xiaomi introduces the Xiaomi 13 Pro as its flagship offering, aiming to deliver excellence in every aspect. With its impressive display, top-notch cameras, and outstanding performance, it seems to have it all—at least on paper. Despite some minor flaws, this device holds a lot of appeal and manages to stand out as something truly remarkable.
Design
– 162.9 x 74.6 x 8.38mm
– 229g Ceramic Back
– Gorilla Glass Victus Front IP68 Water/Dust Resistance
– Ceramic Black or Ceramic White Colors
When it comes to smartphone materials, ceramics are renowned for their time-consuming and durable nature, making them an ultimate high-end choice. Xiaomi recognizes this and has incorporated bio-ceramic into the design of the 13 Pro.
The bio-ceramic back of the Xiaomi 13 Pro bears a striking resemblance to glass, emitting a smoky chromed appearance, especially on the black variant. However, those concerned about fingerprints and grease smudges may opt for the Ceramic White version. It seems that even the mere thought of touching it leaves a greasy mark.
Despite this, the device boasts a luxurious finish that grows on you over time. The camera module blends seamlessly into the rear panel, with minimal lines separating the three lenses. Additionally, the subtle presence of Leica branding confirms Xiaomi’s collaboration with the renowned camera company for the device’s optics—a classy touch.
As expected from a premium flagship, the Xiaomi 13 Pro is not a compact device and carries the weight commonly associated with high-end models. It may feel noticeably heavier, crossing the 200-gram mark. For some users, this might make the standard Xiaomi 13 more appealing.
In terms of design, everything aligns with flagship standards. The display curves towards the edges on both the front and back, enhancing the device’s ergonomics and ensuring a more comfortable grip than a flat, angular device like the iPhone 14 series.
Xiaomi has also prioritized durability by obtaining IP68 certification for the 13 Pro, guaranteeing water and dust resistance. This rating ensures protection against dust ingress and enables the device to survive submersion in shallow water for up to 30 minutes. Whether you want to use it in the shower or during a rainstorm, the Xiaomi 13 Pro can handle it without any issues.
Display, Media, and Software
6.73-inch AMOLED Display – 3200 x 1440 WQHD+ – 551ppi 120Hz Adaptive Refresh – 240Hz Touch Response Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG Support – 10-bit Color – 1200nits Typical – 1900 nits Peak Brightness Dolby Atmos Dual Speakers
Xiaomi’s ‘Pro’ models have consistently offered some of the finest displays in recent years, and the Xiaomi 13 Pro continues this tradition. Its 6.73-inch AMOLED display boasts an impressive combination of high resolution, dynamic range, refresh rates, and brightness. It truly excels in every aspect.
The WQHD+ resolution ensures stunningly sharp details, with a pixel density of 551 pixels per inch. It’s worth noting that this feature isn’t enabled by default, so users will need to navigate to the settings to experience the crispest details and text.
As a modern flagship device, the Xiaomi 13 Pro delivers not only fast refresh rates but also adaptive refresh rates. The display can reach a peak refresh rate of 120Hz and drop as low as 1Hz when necessary, optimizing battery usage during less demanding tasks. With a responsive touch rate of 240Hz, the on-screen content reacts swiftly to user interaction.
Moreover, the display shines with its typical brightness of 1200 nits, reaching peaks of up to 1900 nits. It supports over a billion colors and embraces popular HDR formats like Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG. This combination results in a display that is exceptionally dynamic, vibrant, and bright. Simply put, it’s a brilliant display.
To enhance the media experience, the Xiaomi 13 Pro features stereo speakers. One speaker is positioned above the display on the front, while the other is located on the bottom edge of the phone near the USB-C port. With the support of Dolby Atmos, the device delivers immersive and dynamic audio.
In terms of software, the Xiaomi 13 Pro runs on MIUI 14, Xiaomi’s latest user interface based on Android 13. However, MIUI 14 differs significantly from the clean and intuitive Pixel software. It incorporates design and functional choices that can be frustrating at times, requiring some effort to customize it according to one’s preferences.
MIUI has been a topic of frustration in previous Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco phone reviews, and the same applies here. Recent changes have made the interface even more counter-intuitive and cumbersome. Simple tasks like selecting a wallpaper or ringtone force users to navigate through Xiaomi’s Theme Store app, eliminating the convenience of choosing from a list of options.
This is just one of the grievances. The software constantly promotes the Wallpaper Carousel feature, and even if users disable the notifications, the lock screen contains a shortcut to the feature by default, positioned near the curved edge of the display. Accidental taps are common when picking up the phone.
Another annoyance is the split layout of the Control Center and notifications upon initial setup, where they are separated on the right and left sides of the screen. This can be uncomfortable for right-handed users when accessing notifications. Thankfully, there is an option to switch to the ‘Old Mode’ in settings, which reunites the quick settings toggles and notifications.
Furthermore, when initially set up, the home screens are cluttered with all the installed apps instead of organizing them in the app drawer. This can be overwhelming and requires additional effort to ensure intuitive functionality. It seems that Xiaomi’s design team has overlooked the aspects that make Android 13 great, such as missing wallpaper color theming, while introducing features that contribute little to the phone’s usability and attempt to enforce their usage
Hardware, Battery, and Performance
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
– 12GB/256GB or 12GB/512GB
– Wi-Fi 7 4820mAh Battery
– 120W HyperCharge (1-100% in 19 minutes)
– 50W Wireless Charging
The Xiaomi 13 Pro continues its commitment to top-of-the-line performance with its impressive hardware and battery capabilities. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which has consistently delivered exceptional performance in various devices, including the OnePlus 11 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the Xiaomi 13 Pro does not disappoint. Paired with the latest LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the device offers lightning-fast read and write speeds. It even stands out as one of the first phones to support Wi-Fi 7, ensuring future-proof connectivity.
No matter the task at hand, the Xiaomi 13 Pro rises to the occasion. App launches are swift, and the combination of top-notch hardware components results in a responsive user experience. Lag and stutter are virtually non-existent, even during intensive gaming sessions that demand quick reactions. The device operates smoothly, quickly, and effortlessly handles every challenge it encounters.
The emphasis on speed extends to the battery charging technology as well. Xiaomi includes a 120W HyperCharge adapter with the Xiaomi 13 Pro, an astonishing feature that enables a remarkable charging experience. With just 19 minutes of charging, the battery can go from empty to 100%. This incredible capability proves immensely useful in everyday usage, especially for those who often forget to charge their phones overnight. Even wireless charging is impressively fast, reaching speeds of 50W. However, to take advantage of this feature, users will need to purchase Xiaomi’s dedicated charging stand.
The convenience of not having to remember to charge the phone overnight is liberating, and in our testing, it was never necessary. Whenever the battery level dropped below 20%, a quick 10-15-minute charging session was sufficient to bring it back to full capacity. As a result, battery life is never a concern. Even with heavy usage, including extensive camera usage, gaming, and video watching, we couldn’t manage to drain the battery within a 24-hour period. The Xiaomi 13 Pro boasts excellent standby performance and effortlessly handles battery-intensive tasks with ease.
Camera Specifications
50MP f/1.9 Leica Main Camera – IMX989 1-Inch Sensor – HyperOIS 50MP f/2.0 Floating Telephoto Camera – OIS 50MP f/2.2 115-Degree Ultrawide Camera Dolby Vision 4K/60 Video Recording – Portrait Night Mode – 8K Video
The Xiaomi 13 Pro takes center stage with its impressive camera system, and for good reason. First and foremost, it boasts a triple camera setup, with each camera featuring a remarkable 50-megapixel sensor. What sets the primary camera apart is its large 1-inch type sensor, previously introduced in the 12S Ultra launched in China in 2022. This sensor is larger than the typical smartphone sensors, resulting in larger individual pixels. For photography enthusiasts, this translates to enhanced low-light performance and reduced noise in images.
When comparing the performance of the three lenses, it becomes evident that the main camera stands out in terms of overall image quality. The captured images exude authenticity, with clean details and textures that avoid the excessive over-sharpening often observed in recent smartphones. Xiaomi’s collaboration with Leica and the utilization of their lenses undoubtedly contribute to this exceptional outcome. In low-light situations, the main camera excels in capturing light and delivering images with minimal distracting noise in the shadows.
In conclusion, the Xiaomi 13 Pro stands as a true flagship device, offering a combination of top-of-the-line features and impressive performance. From its sleek and luxurious design with a ceramic back to its stunning AMOLED display with high resolution and adaptive refresh rate, the device exudes elegance and functionality.
The Xiaomi 13 Pro’s camera system is a standout feature, boasting a triple-camera setup with 50-megapixel sensors and a large 1-inch sensor for the main camera. This results in exceptional image quality, especially in low-light conditions, thanks to better light capture and reduced noise.
When it comes to hardware and performance, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, coupled with generous RAM and storage options, ensures seamless multitasking, fast app launches, and smooth gameplay. Additionally, the battery life is impressive, and the 120W HyperCharge technology allows for incredibly fast charging, making it convenient for users on the go.
While the MIUI 14 software may have its quirks and some frustrating aspects, it doesn’t overshadow the overall experience and performance of the Xiaomi 13 Pro. The device also offers water and dust resistance, further enhancing its durability.
Overall, the Xiaomi 13 Pro delivers on its promise of being a top-tier flagship device, providing users with an exceptional all-round experience. With its high-quality camera system, stunning display, powerful hardware, and fast charging capabilities, it stands as a worthy contender in the smartphone market, catering to those who seek the best of the best.
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