high-end smartphones designed to compete with the Galaxy S23

Xiaomi has just renewed its flagship series of high-end smartphones with three new models, the Xiaomi 13, 13 Lite and 13 Pro. As always, they offer excellent value for money.

Originally scheduled for December 1, Xiaomi had to postpone the launch of its 13 and 13 Pro due to national mourning. After several days of waiting, the smartphones first arrived on the Chinese market, then finally on French territory on February 26, 2023. Like the previous generation, the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro adopt two different formats, which will be perfect to undermine Samsung’s Galaxy S23.

Read more: Xiaomi 13 Pro review – great improvements that come at a high price

The Xiaomi 13 is entitled to a brand new design

The Xiaomi 13 is not just a new iteration for the series. The smartphone benefits this year from a brand new design with a flat frame. The 6.36-inch screen is this time flat, and benefits from the thinnest edges on the market (1.61 mm). Despite its slightly larger screen, we remain on this compact format appreciated by users. This does not prevent the device from displaying an honorable size-to-screen ratio of 93.3%.

The panel is signed Samsung, it is a AMOLED E6 FHD+ (2400 x 1800 px) 120 Hz with up to 1900 nits of brightness, a record for an Android smartphone. Note that HDR 10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG formats are also supported.

The smartphone is obviously powered by the new chip Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 from Qualcomm engraved in 4nm. On the RAM and storage side, there is LPDDR5X RAM and next-generation UFS 4.0. In addition, the Xiaomi is based on the MIUI 14 house overlay based on Android 13.

The Xiaomi 13 is powered by a 4500mAh battery with new silicon-oxygen anode technology. According to Xiaomi, it will allow the smartphone to be more enduring than an iPhone 14 Pro Max. Thus, according to the manufacturer, the Xiaomi 13 displays an autonomy of exactly 1.35 days with a full charge. Let’s add that the smartphone is compatible with the 67W wired, 50W wireless and 10W reverse fast charging. Notably, the 67W charger is included in the box.

It is especially at the level of the photo that the Xiaomi 13 wants to be different. This time we find a 54 MP IMX800 main sensor 1/1.49 f/1.8 HyperOIS which will be limited to 50 MP. It is accompanied by a 12 MP ultra-wide angleas well as a 10 MP telephoto lens with OIS offering 3.2X optical zoom (up to 30X). Xiaomi thus abandons the macro sensor, the usefulness of which was often questioned. Selfies are provided by a 32 MP front sensor.

Since the Xiaomi 12S, the photo part is mainly signed Leica, which allows smartphones to take advantage of its Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant lenses and photo modes. This is therefore the most versatile photo configuration for years on this model. We can also add that the smartphone is IP68 certified for water and dust resistance, and stereo speakers support Dolby Atmos.

On the connectivity side, the rumors were right since the Xiaomi 13 will indeed be the first smartphones on the market to be Wi-Fi 7 compatible. Thanks to the Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 mobile connectivity system, the brand promises speeds of up to 3.6 Gbps. Then there is support for Dual 5G, Bluetooth 5.3 and NFC.

The Xiaomi 13 Pro wants to become the new king of photography

During his conference, Xiaomi insisted a lot on the fact that his new Xiaomi 13 Pro could be similar to an Ultra model. Indeed, this last fact very few concessions. Like its little brother, the Xiaomi 13 Pro is also powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, accompanied by 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256 GB of UFS 4.0 storage.

We then find on this model a 6.73-inch curved screen. Signed Samsung, this AMOLED E6 1900 nits panel this time offers a definition QHD+ (3200 x 1440px)as well as technology LTPO 3.0 which allows it to dynamically vary its frequency of 1Hz to 120Hz. Again, HDR10, HDR 10+, Dolby Vision and HLG formats are supported.

On the battery side, the smartphone benefits from a larger accumulator of 4820 mAhand this one is compatible with the 120W wired, 50W wireless and 10W reverse fast charging. And yes, the 120W charger is present in the box. According to Xiaomi, the 120W fast charge allows you to perform 0 to 100% in 19 minutes only.

In the photo, the smartphone is thinking big. It is equipped with a Giant 1-inch Sony IMX989 50 MP sensor f/1.9. It is accompanied by a ultra wide-angle 50 MP JN1as well as a 50 MP JN1 telephoto lens offering 3.2X optical zoom.

However, unlike the Xiaomi 13, the Xiaomi 13 Pro’s 75mm telephoto lens is able to capture macro shots thanks to a new lens design which allows you to vary the focal length on the fly. An unprecedented technology on the market. On the connectivity side, we find the same offer as on the Xiaomi 13.

The Xiaomi 13 Lite, the ambitious entry-level

But that’s not all since Xiaomi presented a model absent from its Chinese conference. And yes, the manufacturer has added a 3rd model to its 13 range, namely the Xiaomi 13 Lite.

This smartphone intends to establish itself as the entry-level of this generation, with a price set at €499. However, it displays a rather attractive technical sheet since we find under the hood a processor that was still found on premium devices, namely the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1accompanied by 8 GB of LPDDRX4 RAM and 128 GB of USF 2.2 storage. The 13 Lite runs on MIUI 14this time based on Android 12.

Despite compact dimensions (159.2 mm x 72.7 mm x 7.23 mm), the Xiaomi 13 Lite houses a beautiful AMOLED panel in FHD+ (2400 x 1800px) by 6.55″ (up to 1000 nits) with a refresh rate of 120Hz. This screen also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 + formats, while it is protected by a glass Gorilla Glass 5.

Regarding the photo component, it is ensured by a triple sensor composed of a 50 MP IMX766 1″ wide main lens. We then find a goal 8 MP ultra-wide angle (f/1.8 and 86° angle of view) and a 2 MP macro lens. As for the selfies, it will be necessary to rely on a double front sensor of 32MP and 8MPthe latter being used for depth of field.

On the battery side, the Xiaomi 13 Lite has an accumulator of 4500mAhwired fast charging compatible 67W (0 to 100% in 40 minutes according to the manufacturer’s estimates). Note here that Xiaomi does not specify whether the charger is supplied or not. Finally in terms of connectivity, the Xiaomi 13 Lite will offer Dual SIM, NFC, Bluetooth 5.2 and WI-FI 6 only, unlike the other two models in the range. 5G is nevertheless in the game.

Price and availability

A few weeks ago, many leakers announced an overall price increase for this generation. Eventually, this increase will only apply to the Xiaomi 13.

Indeed, the Xiaomi 13 will be displayed at 100 € more than the Xiaomi 12, namely €999.99 (instead of €899.99) in its version equipped with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space. It will be available in three colors, namely the classic Black and White and the new Forest Green.

As for the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the invoice will amount to € 1299.99 in its variant equipped with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory. The Premium model of the range will be available in two colors only: Black and white. Note that for the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro, pre-orders are open from February 26, 2023 and a trade-in offer for your old smartphone for €150 will be valid from March 8, 2023.

Let’s conclude with the Xiaomi 13 Lite, which is displayed at the price of €499.99 in its version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage capacity. Here, the choice of colors is wider with blue, pink and black. In its case, the Xiaomi 13 Lite will arrive with a bit of a delay, namely March 8, 2023, and there will be no pre-order period.

In addition, note that those who choose to pre-order a Xiaomi 13 or a Xiaomi 13 Pro will be able to benefit from a nice gift. And yes, the manufacturer will offer a Xiaomi TV P1E 43″ 4K television. This TV, which runs Android TV, supports Dolby Audio and DTS, HDL and HDR 10+, while MEMC technology ensures smooth images at all times.