Xiaomi 13T Pro review

Xiaomi is likely one of the hottest smartphone makers on the planet, however do you really want one in every of its flagship telephones? 

As spectacular because the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Professional are, they’re additionally very costly. You won’t even want all their premium options, so it’s value contemplating a number of the Chinese language firm’s cheaper telephones. 

And whereas the Xiaomi 13T Professional is considerably extra reasonably priced, you wouldn’t comprehend it from a lot of the specs. The MediaTak Dimensity 9200+ chipset used right here is highly effective sufficient to rival the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and there aren’t any actual weaknesses from a {hardware} perspective. 

However after utilizing the Xiaomi 13T Professional as my primary telephone for per week, just a few acquainted shortcomings got here to the fore. Right here’s my full overview. 

Design & Construct 

• Premium however polarising design
• Sturdy but light-weight
• IP68 score 

The Xiaomi 13T Professional seems to be lots just like the dearer 13 Professional that got here earlier than it. Whereas that’d usually be factor, I nonetheless can’t get on board with the best way it seems to be. 

To be clear, that is solely a touch upon the Black model I examined – it’s not prone to be as dangerous on Meadow Inexperienced or Alpine Blue fashions.  

However the ceramic again right here is extremely reflective, to the extent that it might simply be used as a mirror. I don’t learn about you, however I’d choose to not be watching myself each time I look behind my telephone. 

It’s additionally very vulnerable to selecting up fingerprint smudges and different dust, each of that are far more noticeable than on a non-reflective again. A few of it even will get into the grooves of the rear digital camera module, which aren’t fairly as giant because the Xiaomi 13 Professional however nonetheless fairly ugly, whatever the mannequin you select. 

That is much less of a problem in case you apply the silicone case within the field, but it surely makes the telephone look low cost and has no impact on the mirror drawback. As an alternative, I’d advocate getting a case which is completely opaque, although that slightly defeats the purpose of a ceramic design. 

It’s an actual disgrace, as ceramic is a superb alternative for the again of a telephone in lots of different methods. It seems to be and feels very premium, but is each much less fragile and lighter than glass.  

I used to be very impressed with how sturdy the 13T Professional felt, and it survived completely unscathed from a few drops on a desk. The display is supplied with robust Gorilla Glass 5, which has been examined to outlive a fall of as much as 1.2m onto a tough, tough floor. 

You additionally get an IP68 score, that means it’s totally protected in opposition to mud and might survive in as much as 1.5m of contemporary water for as much as half-hour. I’d be assured in it wanting a lot the identical for a few years. 

All fashions weigh 206g, besides Alpine Blue, which is even lighter at 200g. That’s very respectable for a telephone with a big 6.67in show. I simply want Xiaomi had tried one thing completely different aesthetically. 

Swapping the 12T Professional’s plastic body for aluminium is a pleasant contact, although. The ability and quantity buttons you discover there are in a pure place on the aspect of the telephone and are satisfyingly clicky. 

The tray on the underside of the system helps as much as two SIM playing cards, however not microSD to increase the on-device storage. It’s joined by the same old USB-C port, although it’s no shock to see the lacking 3.5mm audio jack on a 2023 telephone. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Display screen & Audio system 

• Wonderful 6.67in Full HD+ AMOLED display
• Dynamic 144Hz refresh charge
• Spectacular twin audio system 

There aren’t any compromises in any way with regards to the 13T Professional’s display. It’s nonetheless a 6.67in AMOLED panel, and stays the most effective shows on any smartphone. 

Like many OLEDs, you may count on wealthy, vibrant colors and deep blacks. A decision of 2712×1220 isn’t the best, however nonetheless ensures a superb stage of readability and element. However whereas the 20:9 side ratio is pretty typical for contemporary handsets, full one-handed utilization is just about out of the query. 

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However there’s one notable improve in comparison with the 12T Professional right here: a 144Hz refresh charge. That’s greater than even the top-end Xiaomi 13 Extremely, and crushed solely by devoted gaming telephones. 

Will you discover a distinction in comparison with 120Hz? Nearly definitely not. However that’s partly because of the dynamic refresh charge possibility that’s utilized by default.  

LTPO tech means the display can routinely transfer between 30-, 60-, 90-, 120- and 144Hz relying on what you’re doing, serving to to save lots of battery life. The choice for a set 60- or 144Hz is there, however the dynamic model means you get the very best of each worlds. 

I additionally recorded a powerful most brightness of 500 nits. It means utilizing the telephone outside isn’t a problem, even on shiny sunny days. 

Inside the show, you’ll discover an optical fingerprint sensor. Whereas easy to arrange, I discovered it to be fairly temperamental, with such a small goal space making it laborious to get the correct angle at instances. 

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Utilizing the punch-hole selfie digital camera for face unlock is far simpler, and it unlocks the telephone quickly. Nevertheless, it’s value emphasising that this isn’t almost as safe as one thing like Apple’s Face ID. 

The 13T boasts audio system on the prime and backside for a twin stereo setup. It’s good to see the normally tinny earpiece isn’t relied on for audio – you get impressively punchy music and clear vocals as an alternative. 

Most particulars are retained at greater volumes, although bass is the plain weak point in comparison with the very best sounding telephones on the market. These are normally devoted gaming handsets, although. 

Specs & Efficiency 

• MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ chipset
• Wonderful all-round efficiency
• Inner storage from 256GB to 1TB

Most Android smartphones use Qualcomm chipsets, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on nearly all of flagships. It would sound like a downgrade to see Xiaomi go for MediaTek on the 13T Professional as an alternative, however that’s definitely not the case. 

The Dimensity 9200+ is MediaTek’s strongest chip up to now, and is taken into account on a par with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Alongside 12GB of RAM on the mannequin I examined (16GB can also be obtainable), efficiency is really wonderful.  

I used the 13T Professional as my primary telephone for per week, throughout which era I incessantly browsed the net, composed messages and emails and scrolled social media. There was no hesitation or slowdown in any way (even when rapidly switching between them), indicating it was able to far more. 

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And so it proved. Whereas definitely not constructed for gaming, the 13T Professional can comfortably deal with a number of the most demanding video games on the Google Play Retailer with ease. I totally loved taking part in Asphalt 9: Legends and Name of Obligation: Cell, each of which had been {smooth} and lag-free. That top refresh charge show definitely makes a distinction, even when neither can go as much as 144Hz. 

Whereas the telephone will get barely heat to the contact whereas gaming, that solely turns into a problem in case you plan to play for at the least an hour, through which case a devoted gaming telephone is a better option. However even for the likes of picture/video modifying or split-screen multitasking, the 13T Professional is lots succesful sufficient. 

Nevertheless, the Geekbench 6 rating under definitely doesn’t replicate that, whereas our typical GFXBench exams wouldn’t run on the telephone. 

Xiaomi 13T Professional benchmarks

In comparison with the 12T Professional, Xiaomi is extra beneficiant with regards to inner storage. The bottom mannequin is now 256GB, whereas there’s additionally a brand new 1TB model. However I imagine the 512GB mannequin I examined might be lots for most individuals, even with out the choice for microSD growth. 

The 13T Professional can also be impressively future-proofed by way of connectivity. Alongside the anticipated 5G and NFC assist, you get the very newest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 requirements. You virtually definitely received’t discover a distinction, but it surely’s good to have. 

Cameras & Video

• Spectacular 50Mp primary and 20Mp selfie cameras
• Respectable 50Mp telephoto
• Not the very best 12Mp ultrawide

Like its predecessor, the Xiaomi 13T Professional has three rear cameras. However there are lots of adjustments in comparison with final 12 months. 

Firstly, the headline-making 200Mp primary sensor has been changed with a way more ordinary-sounding 50Mp one. However most 12T Professional homeowners weren’t taking 200Mp pictures, which take up lots of space for storing (50-70MB) and a number of other seconds to take. 

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The default mode used a course of referred to as pixel binning to mix 4 pixels into one and produce a 12.5Mp picture, which stays the case on the 13T Professional. And all these additional megapixels didn’t ship any noticeable enhancements to the standard of pictures, until you wish to zoom in lots. 

For most individuals, this new digital camera system is extra versatile. The primary sensor continues to be able to some nice pictures in good lighting, providing spectacular dynamic vary and dealing with publicity properly. It’s significantly adept at panorama pictures and I significantly love the best way the primary lens captured some dramatic skies in my take a look at pictures. 

In fact, it’s possible you’ll be tempted to make use of the ultrawide lens for these. It’s now 12Mp, although there’s nonetheless a giant drop-off in high quality when switching to it. In comparison with the primary sensor, pictures are noticeably softer and missing intimately.

Whereas nonetheless very usable, I’d be reluctant to make use of the ultrawide lens in case you’re critical about getting an important picture. However for private use or posting on social media, it’s superb. 

Nevertheless, the largest step ahead is the 50Mp telephoto lens. It’s a brand new addition on the 13T Professional, and means zoom pictures are dramatically improved. Optical zoom solely goes to 2x, however the high quality stays very respectable till you get to 5x. I wouldn’t advocate something close to the utmost 20x, although textual content from a distance should be readable. 

When utilizing all three lenses, you may select between ‘Leica Vibrant’ and ‘Leica Genuine’. I used the latter throughout most of my digital camera testing, which affords pictures which are true to life and usually practical colors. However the vibrant mode does job of creating pictures look saturated and contrasty, usually avoiding the necessity for any modifying in case you like that look. 

There’s no alternative with the 20Mp selfie digital camera, but it surely’s very spectacular. You’ll be able to count on detailed, well-exposed selfies, with a portrait mode providing respectable background blur. The latter can also be obtainable on the primary rear lens, although it struggles with edge detection at instances. 

The evening mode depends on software program too, but it surely does job of brightening low-light pictures with out sacrificing element. 

On the video aspect, you may shoot in as much as 8K at 24fps, however the default 1080p at 30fps is ok for most individuals. It’s nonetheless lots detailed sufficient for informal utilization, whereas OIS (optical picture stabilisation) on the primary lens means footage stays comparatively regular whereas on the transfer. 

Software program & Apps

• MIUI 14 over Android 13
• Nonetheless irritating to make use of
• 5 years of safety updates

The 13T Professional runs Android 13, however with Xiaomi’s MIUI 14 pores and skin excessive. 

And in case you haven’t used a Xiaomi telephone earlier than, it’ll come as fairly a shock. Regardless of retaining all Google apps and core options such because the Uncover feed, MIUI has a really completely different feel and look to Pixel and even Samsung telephones. 

The truth is, it has extra in widespread with Apple’s iOS. Identical to on the iPhone, a swipe down wherever on the correct of the display offers you fast entry to a variety of widespread settings. From the left aspect, you’ll get your notifications.  

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Splitting the 2 makes every little thing really feel much less cluttered. I want I might say the identical for the remainder of MIUI.

Sadly, Xiaomi has determined to pre-install dozens of apps you won’t need, comparable to Amazon, Fb, Spotify, LinkedIn, Netflix and Reserving.com. Whereas irritating, you may at the least uninstall them simply.  

However the identical can’t be stated for a lot of of Xiaomi’s personal apps, comparable to Cleaner, Themes and Safety. One of the best you are able to do is disguise them and attempt to overlook they’re there. 

Alongside a garish color scheme and complicated Settings menu, the additional apps is MIUI’s largest frustration. However the software program isn’t essentially the dealbreaker than it as soon as was. 

An enormous a part of that’s Xiaomi’s improved dedication to updates: the 13T Professional will get 4 years of Android model updates and 5 years of safety updates. 

It means you’ll be capable to safely proceed utilizing the telephone till 2028, which could be very spectacular. 

Battery Life & Charging

• 5000mAh battery
• Mediocre battery life
• Tremendous-fast 120W charging

Xiaomi has geared up the 13T Professional with a 5000mAh battery. That’s a good if unremarkable capability lately, and the identical will be stated for battery life. 

To be clear, most individuals can count on at the least a day’s utilization on a full cost. But when my expertise is something to go by, you’ll be getting the low battery warnings in the direction of the top of a extra demanding day. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

It’s simple in charge the 144Hz refresh charge or Dimensity 9200+ chip, however battery life wasn’t significantly spectacular on the 120Hz, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1-powered Xiaomi 12T Professional, both. Perhaps the cell simply must be greater on such a big, highly effective telephone however that will enhance the load. 

A time of eight hours and quarter-hour within the PCMark battery take a look at (which simulates real-world utilization at 200 nits of brightness) shouldn’t be trigger for concern, however there are many telephones with higher battery life. 

Nevertheless, few mid-range telephones can match the 13T Professional on charging speeds. It helps 120W wired, and the mandatory charger is included within the field (which isn’t a given lately). From off, I recorded 59% in quarter-hour and a full cost by the half-hour mark. 

That’s extraordinarily spectacular, although it’s value noting that there’s no wi-fi charging. I didn’t miss it, however some folks may. 

Worth & Availability 

The Xiaomi 13T Professional begins at £649/€649 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Stepping as much as the 12/512GB mannequin I examined prices £699/€699, whereas the 16GB/1TB model will set you again £799/€799.

You should buy all three from the Xiaomi UK web site, the place an early chicken provide will embrace a free Xiaomi Pad 6 with all purchases of the 12/512GB mannequin. 

That’s a particularly reasonable value, and also you’re not paying a lot of a premium in comparison with the £549 common Xiaomi 13T. But it surely’s laborious to advocate over the Google Pixel 7, whereas the OnePlus 11 is value contemplating.

Additionally, it’s possible you’ll discover {that a} cheaper mid-range telephone affords every little thing you’re in search of. 

Must you purchase the Xiaomi 13T Professional? 

Not like many telephones, the Xiaomi 13T Professional is a major improve on its predecessor. 

The brand new flagship MediaTek chipset delivers top-tier efficiency, particularly alongside a super-smooth 144Hz OLED show. 

Swapping macro for telephoto makes the cameras far more versatile and well-rounded, and also you now get an IP68 score for water and dirt resistance. 

However regardless of the excellent 120W quick charging, battery life is barely underwhelming. You’ll additionally should put up with the quirks of MIUI, even when Xiaomi’s dedication to updates is now very spectacular. 

The Xiaomi 13T Professional has arguably the very best {hardware} of any telephone at this value, however that doesn’t imply it’s the correct system for you. 

Specs 

• Android 13 w/ MIUI 14 
• 6.67in, 1220×2712 OLED show, Gorilla Glass 5 
• Adaptive 144Hz refresh charge, 480Hz contact sampling 
• In-display fingerprint sensor 
• MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ chipset 
• 12/16GB RAM 
• 256GB/512GB/1TB non-expandable UFS 4.0 storage 
• 5000mAh battery 
• 120W wired charging 
• 50Mp f/1.9 primary digital camera 
• 50Mp f/2.9 telephoto digital camera 
• 12Mp f/2.4 ultrawide 
• 20Mp f/2.2 entrance digital camera 
• 5G 
• Wi-Fi 7 
• Bluetooth 5.4 
• Twin audio system 
• From 162.2mm x 75.7mm x 8.49mm 
• From 200g