Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi is aiming to shake up the market with two new flagship models, leaning heavily on German technology in the process.
On Sunday, Xiaomi introduced its new flagship model, the Xiaomi 13, along with a premium version, the Xiaomi 13 Pro. Both devices feature camera technology developed in collaboration with the German company Leica, known for its expertise in high-quality imaging.
Alongside these new phone models, Xiaomi also unveiled a new version of its in-house operating interface, MIUI, which is based on Google Android. For now, the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro have been announced exclusively for China, but a European release is expected next year.
Xiaomi 13: The Standard Version
The Xiaomi 13 is equipped with a 6.4-inch AMOLED display, offering a resolution of 2,400 x 1,080 pixels. The screen also supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ for enhanced visual performance.
For processing power, Xiaomi has chosen the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which was unveiled in November and is expected to be the leading chipset for Android smartphones in 2023.
The camera system, developed in collaboration with Leica, includes a 50-megapixel wide-angle, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle, and a 10-megapixel telephoto sensor.
The Xiaomi 13 will be available in a range of colours including black, grey, white, green, light green, red, and yellow. The light blue variant features a faux leather back.
Xiaomi 13 Pro: The Premium Version
The Xiaomi 13 Pro comes with a larger 6.7-inch AMOLED display, offering a higher resolution of 3,200 x 1,440 pixels, along with 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor also powers this model, ensuring substantial computing capability.
Unlike the standard version, the Pro model boasts a triple 50-megapixel camera system (wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, and telephoto). One standout feature is its ability to focus on objects as close as 10 centimetres.
The Xiaomi 13 Pro comes in fewer colour options but is available in light blue, green, black, and white. Like the standard version, the light blue variant features a special back.
Key Features of Both Models
- Dolby Atmos support with built-in stereo speakers and head tracking
- IP68 certification, making the phones dust and water-resistant
- Prices in China start at around €550 for the standard version (with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage) and approximately €680 for the Pro model with similar storage.
It remains to be seen how much higher the prices will be when the models launch in the European market.
