Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Announced April 18, 2023
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra functions more as a dedicated camera system than a standard smartphone, delivering professional-grade imaging with its versatile quad-lens array. That said, the device is hindered by cluttered software, a subpar selfie camera, and a high price point that may deter casual users.
Weighted from 22 reviewer scores
Pros
- Versatile quad-camera system with consistent image quality and variable aperture
- High-performance hardware and display
- Premium, durable build with a comfortable grip
- Fast wired and wireless charging capabilities
- Strong audio output and speakers
Cons
- Underwhelming selfie camera with 1080p resolution limits
- High price and limited regional availability
- Heavy and top-heavy physical design
- Cluttered and confusing software experience
- Thermal management issues during intensive use
- Launch price $1,645 (USD)
- Main camera 50MP f/1.9 + 50MP Ultrawide + 50MP 3x Telephoto
- Video 8K 24p
- Display 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED 120Hz
- Chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 12GB
What the Reviewers Say
All 22 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 9/10
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is less a phone with a camera, and more a camera with a phone.
- WIRED 8/10
I was willing to overlook software issues that bugged me with the Poco F5 Pro because everything else about the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is so good. The screen is near perfect, the performance is flawless, and the camera is outstanding.
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The 13 Ultra does a lot though and the camera hardware is some of the finest I have seen on any phone to date.
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Without buying the lede too much, the 13 Ultra is not only Xiaomi's best phone to date, but is also the most versatile camera phone you can buy in 2023.
- PhoneArena 7.2/10
[T]he Xiaomi 13 Ultra is an impressive flagship that we recommend you check out, we're just not sure many people will be able to stomach that price.
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The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is one of the best smartphones for photography, no doubt about it.
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There's a smartphone strapped to that Leica-co-engineered marvel of a camera system, and it's a proper high-end one too.
- XDA 8.5/10
This year's 13 Ultra is about refinement, and it succeeded.
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The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is arguably unnecessary given how strong this year’s Xiaomi 13 Pro is, but it does make a couple of meaningful improvements if photography is your priority.
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The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is an exceptional phone in almost every sense, a comprehensive, well-rounded hardware proposition that only risks being let down by Xiaomi’s unsophisticated software.
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Aloysius Low is an ex-CNET editor with more than 15 years of experience in tech and esports.
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As a flagship phone, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is an average performer. It's not much an upgrade over the 12S Ultra, but perhaps the more unique design is its biggest upgrade.
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I know I'm starting to sound like a bit of a broken record player, but this is for sure the new king of all smartphone camera systems, and this time by quite a large margin.
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If it wasn't for Galactus 2.0, this would be the best phone out right now.
- Geek Culture 8.4/10
The competent mix of photography and hardware prowess makes the Xiaomi 13 Ultra an attractive all-rounder, but it doesn’t run for as long as one would expect.
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I posted over on my channel as well as my Instagram and different areas where there, but at the end of the day the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is truly a representation of perfection from Xiaomi.
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It's a well-rounded and robust content creation machine.
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It's an excellent phone from Xiaomi, but clearly it's not going to be for everyone.
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Bottom line, with exception for the selfie camera, in terms of raw performance, Xiaomi 13 Ultra camera is spectacular.
- GBAtemp.net 8.8/10
Despite some of the minor hiccups mentioned, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is an all-rounder of a phone. It’s a great daily driver that delivers professional-grade shots in a compact form factor.
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So to wrap it all up for you guys, if you're looking to step up your photography game and you don't want to spend money on a mirrorless camera and a bunch of lenses and filters, this is the way to go.
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[T]he Xiaomi 13 Ultra is a very, very big, very serious contender to be the best phone for photography in 2023.
