It’s been quite some time since I dived deep into the waters of smartphone reviews. Today, I’m taking a closer look at a device that has stirred quite the buzz in the international tech circles: The Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
Table of Contents
Design and Feel
Starting off with its build, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a weighty presence. Weighing in at approximately 240 grams, its heft is reminiscent of premium flagship phones from yesteryears. But don’t let that weight deter you. Its slim, long design offers an elegant feel in hand, and with a 6.73-inch display, it’s poised for immersive media consumption.
The back of the phone deviates from the now-common glass finish, opting instead for a leather imitation material. Xiaomi claims it’s antibacterial, but I’d take that with a grain of salt. The sides, made of aluminum, exude a touch of luxury that’s pleasing to the eye and touch.
Under the Hood
When it comes to performance, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is at the heart of this beast, delivering speeds of up to 3.2 GHz. The model I tested has 512 GB storage and a whopping 16 GB RAM, providing a seamless user experience. Whether you’re gaming, multitasking, or even video editing on the go, as I tried editing a video with my daughter, this phone doesn’t skip a beat.
Camera Capabilities
Now, let’s talk about what might just be its crowning glory: the camera. With a massive module on the back, all lenses, including a 50 MP telephoto one, are supported by renowned Leica lenses. While there have been murmurs about Xiaomi’s camera software not doing justice to the hardware, the raw power and quality are undeniable. The instantaneous text-reading capability was especially impressive with OCR apps.
Battery Life and Software
With a battery life that comfortably stretches over 2 days and screen times that I’ve seen cross the 10-hour mark, it’s a device that won’t leave you tethered to a charger. Xiaomi’s new HyperOS is intriguing, and while I’m yet to fully explore its nooks and crannies, the fluidity and lack of lags are promising signs.
Some Hiccups Along the Way
No device is without its cons. I didn’t particularly like the design of the phone. The camera bump is too prominent. MIUI‘s obsession with blocking features. And because of the MIUI optimizations, I couldn’t really use the advanced Braille keyboard. The prominent camera bump and the puzzling absence of a proximity sensor were notable drawbacks. A peculiar noise from the optical image stabilization sensor also raised my eyebrows.
Closing Thoughts
All in all, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is a compelling package. It’s a phone that pushes boundaries and offers a glimpse into the future of smartphone tech. While it has a few quirks, its strong suits make it a device worth considering for those who can get their hands on it.
Greetings. This is an accessibility website, so why haven’t you talked about TalkBack and access-oriented features of the device? General reviews of a phone, like what you wrote, can be found on other websites as well, so we come here for the accessibility experience. Are, for instance, Xiaomi’s apps on this phone usable with TalkBack? Is their launcher accessible? In short, I don’t call the article a proper review for this website.
The previous articles on Xiaomi phones on this website talk about accessibility and TalkBack compatibility, and the 13 Ultra has the same features you would expect from a phone running MiUI. Please have a look at the following articles we have written on miUI and accessibility. If you need more details, let me know and I’ll try to improve my review. Constructive feedback is always appreciated.
The Ultimate guide on MiUI notification and quick settings panels
How to edit Home Screen on Miui System Launcher with TalkBack
Thanks, but with all respect, an article should be inclusive in and out of itself. We shouldn’t go to other articles on a website just to find more information about what we’re reading at the moment. At least you could have mentioned these informative articles in your review. So for those who land on your article via a Google search, it’s impossible to find out what you have reviewed in the past unless links are provided in the article.