Xiaomi 13T Pro

Review

Today we have the review of Xiaomi 13T Pro, one of the latest Xiaomi models. For me, it's a bit more of a camera than a smartphone. Why? Because as a smartphone, it is simply ordinary. You could say it's a pretty well-equipped semi-flagship. The real star here is the camera.

Nice box content

Before I talk about it in more detail, let me start by saying a few words about what I always enjoy when it comes to Xiaomi, i.e. the contents of the box. Of course, we have a power cable and a 120 W fast charging power supply, which is a big advantage at the start. It also comes with a simple silicone cover.

Leather back and attractive frame

When it comes to the design of the smartphone, I have no objections. I had the opportunity to test the fanciest, although somewhat limited edition. This model is available in blue with a leatherette covering in limited quantity and distribution. It's easier to get in green and black, but I'd personally go for the leather option. Firstly, there are no fingerprints visible on it, secondly, it will not break easily, thanks to the plastic casing, just like the frame. A metal frame would certainly add weight to the device, so this design has its advantages in terms of drop resistance.

It is worth noting that the Xiaomi 13T Pro camera frame looks very attractive. It has interesting, bevelled edges, which is a departure from the standard. The screen of this smartphone is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, and there is a factory-applied protective foil that, unfortunately, wears out quickly. It is worth noting that the entire housing is water and dust resistant according to the IP68 standard, which is a big advantage, although such protection should be standard in this class of phone.

Unusual display

The front has a flat display, which seems to be preferred by many potential buyers, according to comments. Xiaomi 13T Pro has a screen that deserves attention. It is AMOLED with high refresh rate up to 144 Hz. Of course, the user can adjust them to a rigid 60 Hz, which allows you to save the battery or rely on automation. The screen has an unusual resolution of 2712x1220 pixels. It provides high brightness, which works well on sunny days. Even when the brightness is reduced, it does not strain the eyes, which is an advantage, especially at night.

Acceptable wording

As for the sound, the stereo speakers look good, are powerful and offer decent sound. However, it is worth noting one detail - the speakers do not create symmetrical stereo. The second speaker is located in the "earpiece", it only has additional holes. This can lead to a somewhat uncomfortable conversation situation, especially in public places where sound easily leaks out, disturbing the discreet nature of the conversation. This is a minor downside, but worth considering. On the other hand, an interesting addition is the infrared remote control, which supports a variety of devices, which can be convenient in everyday use.

Communication without any shortcomings

Moving on to communication capabilities, the Xiaomi smartphone does not disappoint. Cooperation with Bluetooth networks and Wi-Fi access points runs smoothly. The GPS module works precisely, which makes navigation easier. Overall, the smartphone maintains coverage without any problems and all communication functions work as they should. The phone supports eSIM cards, which provides additional flexibility in using telecommunications services.

Typical performance for Xiaomi

Inside the Xiaomi 13T Pro there is a MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ processor, supported by fast LPDDR5x and UFS 4.0 memories. Although it may not be as good as the top Snapdragons in terms of raw data, it looks very good in everyday use. The performance of this phone remains at an acceptable level, although benchmark tests show that at some point there is a drop in performance. However, once a certain level is reached, the decline is kept relatively stable.

It is worth noting that the phone can heat up, especially in the area of the back wall, where the processor cooling system is located. However, this heat is not yet bothersome to the user and does not significantly affect the performance of the smartphone. Additionally, you have to really try to get the phone to heat up so much. Of course, it's not like he warms up at the first opportunity. When it comes to internal storage, the phone offers various variants to choose from, up to 512 GB. It is worth noting that due to the lack of memory expansion options, choosing the appropriate variant is important because users must adapt to the available space.

Crowded but feature-rich interface

The smartphone presents the brand's characteristic, quite generously packaged interface, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. This interface is characterized by the presence of many additional applications, which may be burdensome for those who prefer simplicity. I don't fully understand why there are three web browsers. One browser from Xiaomi, another from Google in the package, and also Opera.

It is also worth mentioning the company's own store, which is based on Android but independent of Google. Final decisions on this matter may vary depending on the market, but rumors suggest an evolution of Xiaomi's software strategy.

The Xiaomi 13T Pro system overlay looks quite nice, offering a full package of functions, including dark mode, gestures and the ability to work with the tray or in flat mode. Although rich in options, it can be considered a bit overloaded, but at the same time mature and well refined. It is worth noting that Xiaomi promises a long period of support for this model, providing Android system updates for five years. With the purchase of the phone, we receive 100 GB of free Google cloud storage for half a year and access to YouTube Premium for three months. Additionally, the manufacturer offers free screen replacement for the first six months in the event of breakage.

Extremely fast charging

As for the battery, the device is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, which ensures a rather standard operating time. What is unusual, however, is the addition of 120W fast charging, which allows the battery to be fully charged in less than 20 minutes. While the lack of inductive charging may be disappointing for some, the charging speed means the phone is ready to use in no time, eliminating the need for overnight charging. Heat during charging is typical but not a problem. I ended the day with a solid reserve of energy, which allows me to use the phone freely without having to worry about the need to charge it. In the morning, after briefly connecting to the charger, I am ready for another stress-free day of use. I'm really happy about it.

Brilliant main cameras

As I announced, Xiaomi 13T Pro focuses more on cameras than on the smartphone function itself. When it comes to the camera, it is worth paying attention to the two main cameras, clearly highlighted in the frame. They are equipped with 50-megapixel matrices. The main camera has an f/1.9 aperture lens and optical image stabilization. The second camera is a 2x telephoto lens, ideal for portraits, also with an f/1.9 aperture. The third camera is a wide-angle lens with a 12-megapixel matrix and f/2.2 aperture. On the front, the whole thing is complemented by a 20 Mpx selfie camera.

The manufacturer's efforts are visible in the camera system itself, especially in the case of the main lens. What is most important is the note Leica. They participated in the construction of the main camera and probably the telephoto camera as well. The latest Xiaomi offers two shooting modes, i.e. slightly emphasized colours in the Leica Vibrant mode and more natural colors in the Leica Authentic mode. The camera also has many filters and effects, allowing you to be creative in your photography.

Extensive palette of colors, effects and simulations

Portrait modes are extensive, offering various effects and lens simulations with different focal lengths, which will surely please portrait lovers. It is worth noting that the Pro phone focuses on various aspects of photography, providing the user with many tools to experiment and create interesting photos.

I like that there is not much difference between photos taken with the main lens and with the telephoto lens. The photos are similar in quality, colours and detail, both in day and night conditions. Sometimes I was irritated by the fact that in automatic mode, the night mode turned on when there was too little light, and the telephoto lens did not turn on when there was too little light.

However, I am glad that the phone ensures that the photo always comes out as good as possible, even if the user tries to do something wrong "by force". This is a rather desirable feature, especially since smartphone cameras are mainly used to take quick and spontaneous photos without unnecessary fuss. Additionally, lovers of experiments have a digital negative for further processing at their disposal.

The camera can also save photos up to 10x zoom, while offering quite decent effects. Next, there is only digital zoom, which I recommend avoiding, especially in poor lighting conditions. The lack of optical image stabilization in the telephoto lens is a bit troublesome when taking photos, but unfortunately you can't have everything.

Average wide-angle camera

The wide-angle lens is just there. Nothing great can be said about it. The effects of its operation differ from the other two, where worse reproduction of colours and details can be seen. However, we know that it will always come in handy at some point. It also usually helps with macro photos. Unfortunately, it doesn't help here and this camera is probably not suitable for this purpose. The selfie camera fully meets its expectations, blurring the background very well.

Great videos!

When it comes to filming, the phone maintains a high level, offering the ability to record in resolution up to 8K. However, the inability to smoothly switch between lenses while recording is a drawback. Overall, however, the quality of the videos is good, although there have been cases of dropped frames, which can only be accidental.

Xiaomi 13T or 13T Pro?

Is it worth considering this model? The manufacturer wants EUR 800 for the 12/256 GB version, but I suggest adding EUR 100 for the version with 512 GB of user memory. If you like to have fun with photography and experiment with cameras, this model may be a great choice. It has advanced photographic functions, and as a smartphone it also offers fast charging, efficient processor, high-quality screen, stereo speakers, water resistance and infrared remote control.

However, if you don't care about advanced photography features and still want to save some money, the entry-level Xiaomi 13T model may also be a good choice . It offers similar cameras, although with some differences, and slightly less advanced features compared to the Pro version.

To sum up, Xiaomi 13T Pro is a great option for photography enthusiasts, and the entry-level model Xiaomi 13T may be attractive to those who want to benefit from the Xiaomi brand, but do not necessarily need all the advanced features available in the Pro version. The final decision is of course up to you.