Xiaomi 13 Pro review: fantastic camera phone rivals iPhone and Samsung

If you're a camera fan, your next dream phone could be the Xiaomi 13 Pro...

The rear of a Xiaomi 13 Pro sitting on a table
(Image: © Future / Erlingur Einarsson)

Our Verdict

Don't let the understated exterior fool you: the Xiaomi 13 Pro is a true flagship camera phone contender. With a fantastic Leica-engineered camera, the Xiaomi 13 Pro takes the fight to the Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14, and with a more sophisticated finish and user experience than before, along with a big, sharp screen and great sound, there's no reason why you shouldn't go for the Xiaomi over its more famous rivals.

For

  • Amazing camera performance
  • Powerful speakers
  • Bright, sharp screen

Against

  • Slip city
  • App clutter
  • Battery life could be better

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The Xiaomi 13 Pro follows up on last year's impressive 12 Pro, and continues its 'co-engineering' partnership with respected lensmaker Leica to bring what it intends to be market-leading camera performance. 

It's a battle royale environment right now among the best camera phones. Samsung and Apple tend to dominate the headlines, with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 14 Pro leading the charge in the pixel wars, but with a 50MP camera, a 1-inch Leica-developed lens and professional internal photography specs, Xiaomi aims to crash the party.

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The Verdict
9.5

out of 10

Xiaomi 13 Pro

Don't let the understated exterior fool you: the Xiaomi 13 Pro is a true flagship camera phone contender. With a fantastic Leica-engineered camera, the Xiaomi 13 Pro takes the fight to the Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14, and with a more sophisticated finish and user experience than before, along with a big, sharp screen and great sound, there's no reason why you shouldn't go for the Xiaomi over its more famous rivals.

Erlingur Einarsson
Tech Reviews Editor

Erlingur is the Tech Reviews Editor on Creative Bloq. Having worked on magazines devoted to Photoshop, films, history, and science for over 15 years, as well as working on Digital Camera World and Top Ten Reviews in more recent times, Erlingur has developed a passion for finding tech that helps people do their job, whatever it may be. He loves putting things to the test and seeing if they're all hyped up to be, to make sure people are getting what they're promised. Still can't get his wifi-only printer to connect to his computer. 

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