If you’ve loved just how far smartphone camera technology has come over the last half-decade or so, the recently announced Xiaomi 13 Ultra takes things to a whole new level with one of the most significant cameras to date. Arriving with a literal bump and figurative bang (on the back of Xiaomi’s recent Daniel Arsham collaboration), the visually dominating dome on the rear of the phone is where you’ll find the cutting-edge quad camera Leica camera system.
The first two cameras within the system are a 50MP wide-angle lens with a variable aperture (f/1.9 to f/4.0), as well as a macro-capable 50MP ultra-wide angle lens (f/1.8). If that wasn’t enough, you’re also getting a 50MP telephoto lens with a 3.2x optical zoom (f/1.8) and also a 50MP “super-telephoto” lens with a 5x optical zoom (f/3.0). When you want to flip the subject, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra also features a 32MP selfie camera, cementing it as one of the most advanced smartphone camera systems out there.
The body of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is covered in antibacterial nanotech silicone leather, while the 6.73-inch AMOLED display (1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate) is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus so you’ll have to work to cause a crack through its surface. It might seem like it’s mostly a camera system, but the smartphone part of this new Xiaomi is powered by the impressive Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, completing the package.
Currently, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is only available in the Chinese market, however, there’s been no confirmation of how widely it’ll be available around the rest of the world. Prices are also yet to be confirmed out of China, but depending on the capacity prices range from RMB 5,999 (AU$1,299) and RMB 7,299 (AU$1,580).
