The recent debut of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra created quite a buzz, and rightfully so. Xiaomi has taken the concept of an ultra phone to a whole new level, surpassing other brands in their approach. Just like its predecessor, the Xiaomi 11 and 12 Ultra, which featured a rear display and three 50MP cameras, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra has arrived as the ultimate camera phone.
Featuring four 50MP main cameras and an array of photography features, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra offers an impressive photography toolbox. It also includes flagship phone features like a large and stunning display, a hefty battery, top-tier processing power, and fast charging. However, packing all these features into a single device has resulted in a rather unwieldy and likely expensive phone. Additionally, Xiaomi's representatives have confirmed that the 13 Ultra won't be available in the U.K., and it's highly unlikely to make its way to the U.S., considering Xiaomi's limited phone shipments to that country.
Although you're about to read positive aspects of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, it's important to note that you probably won't be able to purchase it, even if it perfectly suits your smartphone needs. Instead, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra sets a new standard for smartphone photography and serves as a benchmark for comparison.
SPECS
- Operating System: Android 13 with MIUI 14
- Display: 6.73-inch OLED screen with a brightness of 2,600 nits and a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels
- Refresh Rate: Variable refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Memory: Available in 12GB or 16GB RAM configurations
- Storage: Options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage capacity
- Rear Cameras: Primary camera with a 50.3MP sensor (with aperture options of f/1.9 or f/4.0), periscope telephoto camera with a 50MP sensor (f/3.0, 5x optical zoom), telephoto camera with a 50MP sensor (f/1.8, 3.2x optical zoom), and an ultrawide camera with a 50MP sensor (f/1.8)
- Front Camera: 32MP front camera with an aperture of f/2.0
- Video Recording: Capable of recording 8K video at 24 frames per second
- Battery: 5,000mAh battery capacity
- Charging: Fast charging supported with 90W wired charging and 50W wireless charging
- Dimensions: 163.2 x 74.6 x 9.1 mm or 6.43 x 2.94 x 0.36 inches
- Weight: Weighs 227 grams or 8.01 ounces
- Color Options: Available in Black, Olive Green, and White
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Based on the available information, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is priced at RMB 5,999 (approximately $870) for the base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage in China. However, it is expected that the global models of the phone will have higher prices, likely around $1,200, similar to other high-end Android flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Xiaomi has officially stated that the Xiaomi 13 Ultra will be available for purchase globally, but it will not be sold in the United Kingdom. Given that Xiaomi lacks a smartphone presence in the United States, it can be assumed that the phone will not be sold there either. This absence of availability in key markets like the U.K. and the U.S. poses a significant obstacle for the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, despite its impressive features and specifications.
DESIGN AND DISPLAY
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is equipped with a curved 6.7-inch OLED display on its front. This display boasts a QHD resolution and a fully adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth and high-quality viewing experience. With a typical brightness of 1,300 nits, the display ensures vibrant and clear visuals. The curvature of the screen is relatively subtle compared to some other curved smartphones, primarily due to the device's thickness of 0.36 inches, which necessitates full flat side rails to accommodate all the internal components. However, it's worth noting that the bottom bezel of the phone is noticeably thicker, which may be considered a minor drawback for a flagship device.
When you flip the Xiaomi 13 Ultra over, you'll notice a large circular camera array set into a raised portion of the phone's main panel. When placed flat on a table, the phone might resemble a shallow glass ski ramp due to the height of the camera block it rests on. In terms of size, this phone is one of the bulkiest I've ever tested, even when compared to foldable devices.
In terms of durability, Xiaomi has equipped the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with Gorilla Glass Victus on the front, providing robust protection. However, it's important to note that it doesn't feature the latest Victus 2 glass found on the Galaxy S23 series. The phone also boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, ensuring its resilience in various environments. As for color options, you can choose from Olive Green (pictured), Black, and White. All variants feature silicone leather back panels that not only offer a luxurious feel but also possess antibacterial properties.
CAMERAS
The primary reason to choose this phone the Xiaomi 13 Ultra series is its impressive camera selection. With a quad-camera setup, it builds upon the camera suite found in the Xiaomi 13 Pro.
Similar to the Xiaomi 13 Pro, this device features a 50.3-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 122-degree field-of-view, and a 50-megapixel telephoto camera offering 3.2x optical zoom. However, what sets it apart is the inclusion of a 1-inch main camera with a variable aperture of either f/1.9 or f/4.0. Additionally, it boasts a periscope telephoto camera providing 5x optical zoom. As someone who was already impressed by the Xiaomi 13 Pro's camera capabilities, I was eager to test this device.
Overall, it met and even exceeded my expectations. The phone captured incredibly vibrant and detailed images, and its multiple cameras offered excellent versatility. It also provides a wide range of settings to choose from or allows the phone to handle everything automatically. The variable aperture feature, which can be set to switch automatically or adjusted manually, adds another layer of control. For those unfamiliar with the concept, the wider f/1.9 aperture captures brighter images, while the narrower f/4.0 aperture offers a deeper field-of-view.
PERFORMANCE
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the same powerful processor found in the Xiaomi 13 Pro and other popular Android flagship devices. The base model offers 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, but there is an option to upgrade to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. This configuration surpasses or equals the specifications of other leading Android smartphones available today.
BATTERY AND CHARGING
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, which is a common size for a smartphone of its caliber. The exact battery life is still being tested, but Xiaomi has introduced a special "Hibernation mode" that provides an additional hour of standby time even when the battery is at 1%. When it comes to recharging, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra supports 90W wired charging. In our tests, the phone reached 48% battery in 15 minutes, 84% in 30 minutes, and a full charge in 42 minutes. While it's not as fast as the 120W charging available on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, it is still impressively quick. Additionally, the phone offers 50W wireless charging for convenient cable-free refueling.
CONCLUSION
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra stands out as one of the most feature-rich smartphones of 2023. However, its limited availability makes it difficult to recommend for potential buyers. It is unfortunate because this phone offers unique camera capabilities that are unmatched by most, if not all, other smartphones.
Moreover, the strengths of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra extend beyond its exceptional camera system. It incorporates cutting-edge display and chipset technologies, setting the standard for Android phones currently available. Additionally, it boasts fast charging capabilities, further enhancing its appeal. The only hurdle remains acquiring the phone due to its limited availability.