Hey what's up guys, Will here for Xiaomi recently came out with two camera phones. The first is the Xiaomi 13T, a mid-ranger which provides many premium features like advanced Leica branded cameras. But then there's the pricier Xiaomi 13T Pro, which has the same cameras, but a better chipset and faster charging, and goodies like WiFi 7 support. So which one is the better deal?
Design and Build
Both the Xiaomi 13T and 13T Pro sport a similar design language. The prominent square camera bump serves as the centerpiece, while the back curves gently into a plastic frame. Variants include a glass back for the 13T and an eco-leather backing for the 13T Pro, although both options are available for both models. Notably, both phones boast IP68-rated protection against dust and water.
Display
Both of these phones have the same premium display, a 6.67 inch OLED with a 1220p resolution, Gorilla Glass 5 protection, and a 144Hz refresh rate. These screens are a bit sharper than average, and support 12-bit color depth, as well as HDR10 plus video and Dolby Vision. They provide accurate color calibration too. They also have very similar brightness capabilities, achieving a maximum of around 500 nits with manual controls, and boosting up to 1100 or 1200 nits in auto mode when exposed to bright light. One thing worth mentioning is that the highest 144Hz refresh rate is reserved for games and compatible apps. In general, the phones use 120Hz when you're swiping and scrolling, 60Hz when idling, and 30Hz for the always-on display.
Audio
Both phones are equipped with stereo speakers, with the Xiaomi 13T offering slightly louder sound. However, both deliver decent audio quality with good vocals and a fair amount of bass.
Storage
Differences in storage options are evident between the two models. The 13T comes with 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, while the 13T Pro offers up to a terabyte of UFS 4.0 storage, boasting a 50-80% faster speed.
Software
Both phones operate on Xiaomi's MIUI 14 layered on top of Android 13, ensuring a familiar user experience. Notably, the 13T and 13T Pro promise robust software support with 4 years of major Android updates and 5 years of security patches.
Chipset and Performance
A significant distinction lies in the chipset department. The Xiaomi 13T runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultra, while the 13T Pro features a MediaTek Dimensity 9200 Plus, rivaling the performance of Snapdragon 8th Gen 2 found in other 2023 flagship phones. The Pro model outperforms the 13T, boasting a 30-40% faster CPU and 2x faster GPU, making it a superior choice for heavy gaming.
Battery Life and Charging
Both phones are powered by 5000mAh batteries, offering similar battery life. However, the non-Pro model edges slightly ahead in active use scores. The most significant discrepancy comes in charging speed: the Xiaomi 13T supports 67W charging, while the 13T Pro supports 120W, resulting in significantly faster charging times for the Pro variant.
Camera
The camera setup remains identical between the Xiaomi 13T and 13T Pro, featuring a 50MP main cam, a 50MP 2x telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. Video recording capabilities vary, with the 13T Pro supporting 8K at 24fps and 4K at 60fps, whereas the 13T maxes out at 4K at 30fps due to chipset limitations.
Photo Quality
Photo quality is consistent across both phones, with minor differences in color temperature. Both capture detailed, balanced, and natural-looking photos with vibrant yet not over-the-top colors and wide dynamic range.
Selfie Cameras
Both models feature 20MP selfie cameras, producing photos with good exposure, lively colors, and decent dynamic range but lacking in fine detail.
Feature | Xiaomi 13T | Xiaomi 13T Pro |
---|---|---|
Display | 6.67" OLED, 1220p, 144Hz refresh rate | 6.67" OLED, 1220p, 144Hz refresh rate |
Storage | 256GB UFS 3.1 | Up to 1TB UFS 4.0 |
Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultra | MediaTek Dimensity 9200 Plus |
Battery | 5000mAh | 5000mAh |
Charging Speed | 67W | 120W |
Camera | 50MP main, 50MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide | 50MP main, 50MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide |
Video Recording | 4K at 30fps | 8K at 24fps, 4K at 60fps |
Software Support | 4 years of major updates, 5 years of security | 4 years of major updates, 5 years of security |
Conclusion
Ultimately, choosing between the Xiaomi 13T and 13T Pro depends on your priorities. The 13T offers similar build, display, and camera quality at a more affordable price point, along with slightly better battery life. On the other hand, the 13T Pro presents a more future-proof option with a more powerful chipset, larger and faster storage, significantly faster charging, enhanced video recording capabilities, and support for WiFi 7.