With the two smartphones made with Leica, Xiaomi also launched new earphones, a smartwatch and an electric scooter
Xiaomi MWC 2023: Power on the one hand, expansion of the ecosystem on the other. These are the two focal points of Xiaomi’s evolution. After a difficult end to the year aims to regain ground in the smartphone segment, expanding the list of AIoT devices to offer an exclusive and comprehensive service proposition, such as smartwatches, earphones and an electric scooter. As is natural for the world’s third-largest smartphone manufacturer, the collection’s highlight remains the latest range of phones, Xiaomi 13, launched on the eve of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. During the event held at the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona, the Chinese brand unveiled the two versions of the flagship phone with a clear change from the past.
Sales count, of course, but now it is essential to show how Xiaomi no longer has to chase others. The example comes with the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the ultimate in strength for the company founded in Beijing in 2010, made in partnership with Leica and described by the Chinese as “our masterpiece”. “It is a smartphone for the few, with which we are not chasing commercial success but technical completeness for those who want the maximum to stand out in style,” says Davide Lunardelli, Head of Marketing Xiaomi Italy.
Smartphones for quality photography
In analysing what the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro have to offer, we have to start with the photos because it is here that the four-handed work with Leica marks the difference from the competitors. They are pursued with a common vision between Xiaomi and Leica in developing lenses, user interfaces and software. The alliance aims to redefine smartphone photography, moving between two basic concepts: image quality and optimisation of the user experience.
Hence the triple rear camera that the two smartphones feature, although the Xiaomi 13 Pro stands out in the field thanks to the Leica Vario-Summicron 1:19-2.2/14-75 ASPH system, which uses a 1-inch IMX989 sensor on the 23mm main camera, the largest ever incorporated in a phone. This is joined by a 14mm ultra-wide-angle camera and a 75mm floating telephoto lens inspired by the Leica M series, all three with 50 megapixels.
The Xiaomi 13, on the other hand, has a 0.6x to 3.2x optical zoom and shares the master-lens system, which facilitates signature portraits by combining a large focal length with a depth of field. Another distinguishing feature of the two phones is the possibility of using two different photographic styles, Leica Authentic Look and Leica Vibrant Look, with which to obtain images defined by a process close to the German company’s typical style (not only in terms of aesthetics with the classic watermark and the sound of the Leica shutter). The difference between the two styles lies in the greater adherence to the reality of the former and the more vibrant colours of the latter.
Also new to consider is ProFocus for the automatic focusing of moving subjects and an improved image capture speed compared to the past. For those more accustomed to the medium, there is the ability to manually adjust parameters and support for the 10-bit RAW DNG camera and colour profiles created by Adobe, with post-editing in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom to fine-tune details.
As for the video, both the Xiaomi 13 Pro and Xiaomi 13 record in Dolby Vision and allow 4K Ultra Night videos to be filmed, with HyperOIS stabilisation to improve stability and quality. An exceptional testimonial for the Xiaomi top of the range was Steve McCurry, the famous photographer who is part of the International Photography Hall of Fame and a Leica ambassador, who has shot videos and signed shots in different parts of the world with the smartphone, explaining that he found himself “a real game changer“.
Display, battery and services
Featuring a 3D-curved ceramic body weighing 229 grams, a 6.73-inch WQHD+ AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and 1900 nits peak brightness, with HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos support ensuring a high level of audiovisual experience, the Xiaomi 13 Pro counts on IP68 certification to resist dust and water. The latter is shared with the Xiaomi 13, which features a 93.3 per cent screen-to-body ratio and 1.61mm bezels, with a 6.36-inch FHQ+ AMOLED display. Both are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform and feature Wi-Fi 7 support with the Qualcomm FastConnectTM 7800 mobile connectivity system. At the same time, the top of the range also offers High Band Simultaneous Multi-Link technology for multiple, simultaneous 5GHz and 6GHz connections at high speeds of up to 5.8Gbps and reduced latency.
Battery performance is excellent, with the Xiaomi 13 Pro featuring a 4820 mAh module that recharges from 0 to 100 per cent in 19 minutes via 120W HyperCharge. Autonomy to get through the night thanks to the 4500 mAh battery for the Xiaomi 13, with 67W fast charging and 50W wireless charging.
Xiaomi guarantees 3 OS updates and five years of security patch updates for the two smartphones. Those who buy it get 2TB Google One cloud storage free for six months and the same time window to use YouTube Premium without ads. With the digital key function for Android auto, the two smartphones will also allow users to share their car’s digital key with partners and relatives to lock, unlock and start the car. Also included in the package is an out-of-warranty and labour-free repair within one year of purchasing the device.
Price
Available in two colours, Ceramic White and Ceramic Black, the Xiaomi 13 Pro is on sale in the 12GB + 256GB version for €1299, while those who want the Xiaomi 13 will be able to choose between the Black, White and Flora Green models and between versions with 8GB or 12GB of ram and 256GB of storage, priced at €999 and €1099.
Xiaomi 13 Lite
With the two new top-of-the-range devices offering themselves as alternatives at the top end of the market, the Xiaomi 13 Lite, a model aimed at the youngest users and equipped with a dual front-facing camera, will provide volume. The first 32-megapixel one takes quality selfies, and the second 8-megapixel one is dedicated to depth for a natural blur effect during selfies. Facilitating shots for social media are useful features such as Dynamic Framing, which automatically adjusts the field of view and reduces distortion in selfies. Available in Blue, Pink and Black colours, with a 6.55-inch AMOLED display, the Xiaomi 13 Lite weighs 171 grams, has a 4500 mAh battery and is 7.23 millimetres thick, making it with its triple rear camera (50+8+2 megapixels) and a price of €499 for the 8GB+128GB version, an excellent mid-range alternative.
The ecosystem expands: earphones, smartwatches and electric scooters
There are not only phones in the present and future of Xiaomi, which continues to expand an ecosystem already teeming with devices, to which it now adds Buds 4 Pro, Watch S1 Pro and Electric Scooter 4 Ultra. With Hi-Res Wireless Audio support and Sony’s built-in LDAC technology for data transfer rates of up to 990kbps and up to 32-bit depth, the earphones rely on active noise cancellation and detect the wearer’s head movements to adjust the sound. The battery life is nine hours, which becomes 38 hours with the charging case. Available in Star Gold and Space Black, the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro is on sale from €249.
The Watch S1 Pro features a 1.47-inch AMOLED display with a rotating crown and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass. Capable of tracking more than 100 sports activities, it monitors heart rate and sleep quality. The battery lasts an average of 14 days, and 10 minutes of recharging gives the watch 48 hours of life. Coming in Black and Silver versions, with a silver case and brown leather strap, or a black case and black rubber strap, the Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro starts at €299.
The Electric Scooter 4 Ultra is the Chinese company’s first scooter with a dual suspension system, which improves its stability and grip on rough terrain, resulting in a safer ride. This includes the 10-inch tyres that incorporate Xiaomi DuraGel to reduce the risk of punctures, avoiding nasty surprises and wasted time for vehicle owners. Available from 20 April, the Electric Scooter 4 Ultra will arrive in France, Spain and Portugal at the cost of €999.
