Xiaomi and Leica collaborate launch 13 Ultra smartphone

Next-level advancement in mobile imaging offering professional camera experience with quad camera setup and all-new variable aperture

At the Xiaomi 13 Ultra Launch Event, the newest product of the partnership between Xiaomi and Leica in advancing mobile photography technology was introduced – the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. This smartphone features a quad-camera setup with a primary camera that has a 1-inch sensor and variable aperture, an ultra-grade WQHD+ display with exceptional color accuracy, top-notch Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 performance, and a classic design. All of these features combined make the Xiaomi 13 Ultra the ultimate choice for smartphone users who desire a professional camera experience with outstanding capabilities.

Leica optics, to build the perfect Summicron Lens of Leica in mobile imaging

Xiaomi and Leica continue to push the boundaries of mobile imaging technology through their strategic partnership, with the latest milestone being the upgraded Summicron lens for mobile imaging. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra, featuring the Leica optical system, offers users a professional-grade camera experience with its compact size, large aperture, high imaging performance, reliability, and durability. The ultra-high-order polynomial design of the lens allows for nanometer-level precision, while the multi-layer coating reduces glare and ghosting.

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra boasts a quad camera system with Leica optical lens, covering a range of focal lengths from 12mm to 240mm through the In-Sensor-Zoom. It also offers variable aperture and three cameras feature an aperture wider than ƒ/2.0, allowing for lighter and shallower depth of field and quicker capturing of natural moments. The main camera has a large 1-inch IMX989 sensor and a two-stop physical aperture, offering more exposure customization for different scenarios.

Additionally, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra introduces a new Fast Shot mode inspired by the “hyperfocal distance” shooting method, allowing users to take focus-free snapshots by manually setting the focus point and capturing the moment in just 0.8 seconds. With all these features packed into a classic design, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is a powerful tool for content creators and anyone seeking a professional camera experience on their smartphone.

Pro color restoration capability powered end-to-end from capture to presentation

Xiaomi and Leica’s collaboration has resulted in a significant enhancement of the RAW workflow in the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. The smartphone now includes more algorithms that are migrated to the RAW domain to maximize the dynamic range, details, and texture of the image. This means that the imaging quality of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra has been significantly improved, and the main camera can now support 50MP RAW. Furthermore, multi-frame 14-bit UltraRAW has been added, which takes the data directly from the computing pipeline, providing better resolution and high dynamic range. To facilitate post-production, Adobe will create camera profiles, which will serve as a better starting point for editing.

Regarding the display, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra boasts a 6.73″ pro-grade WQHD+ display that offers exceptional color accuracy and up to 2600 nits peak brightness. The display is calibrated according to the new CIE 2015 colorimetry, which ensures accurate and consistent color presentation across different displays from recently released Xiaomi devices. In addition, Xiaomi 13 Ultra supports Dolby Vision®, which captures vivid colors, astonishing contrast and brightness, and a panoramic view of rich details in dark and bright areas. Users can share their creative content in UGC communities that support Dolby Vision®.

Ultra-fast experience with self-developed heat dissipation technology and Xiaomi Surge Battery Management System

Xiaomi 13 Ultra represents the pinnacle of the Xiaomi Ultra product line, boasting a powerful hardware configuration and a suite of innovative technologies for a flagship experience.

Drawing inspiration from Leica’s M camera series, Xiaomi 13 Ultra features a circular camera module, a unibody metal frame, and a leather texture finish. Weighing 227g¹ and with the unibody metal frame providing greater resilience against bending than the previous generation, the smartphone design provides a secure grip and a foundation for the entire structure. The back panel of Xiaomi 13 Ultra is wrapped in second-generation antibacterial nanotech silicone leather, which resists fingerprints and smudges, while also being antibacterial and anti-yellowing, with a bacterial inhibition rate of up to 99%.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra is powered by the latest Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 flagship processor, which utilizes 4nm process technology to deliver superior performance and energy efficiency. The smartphone supports up to 16GB LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of UFS4.0 storage, as well as FBO (File Based Optimization) and USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, which enables DisplayPort video output up to 4K 60Hz.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra features Xiaomi’s self-developed Loop LiquidCool technology, which utilizes an aerospace-grade large toroidal cooling system to achieve “one-way conduction” of the internal circulation through the “vapor-liquid separation” structure. This results in thermal conductivity more than three times that of traditional VCs and heat dissipation capacity exceeding 10W. This technology allows Xiaomi 13 Ultra to support stable 4K 60fps video recording without frame rate drops due to temperature.

With the pairing of a Xiaomi Surge P2 Charging Chip and Xiaomi Surge G1 Battery Management Chip, and a 5,000mAh battery, Xiaomi 13 Ultra features a series of battery health functions and is capable of estimating battery life at granular levels. The smartphone also adds a new Hibernation mode, which is automatically triggered when the battery is low and limits background activities, providing up to 60 minutes of additional standby time.

Pricing and availability

Xiaomi 13 Ultra will first be available in Mainland China on April 21, 2023, and in the next few months will be launched in various international markets. The device will be available in three colors: Black, White, and Olive Green. 12GB+256GB is priced at RMB 5999, 16GB+512GB is priced at RMB 6499, and 16G+1TB is priced at RMB 7299.

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