Xiaomi 13 Lite review – Tech Advisor

Final 12 months’s Xiaomi 12 Lite was a incredible mid-range cellphone. The light-weight development, combined with respectable efficiency and surprisingly good cameras, made it a straightforward system to advocate. In actual fact, it’s been my each day driver for the previous six months and it’s nonetheless going sturdy.

However, has the time come for me to swap SIMs? Xiaomi has launched the successor, which boasts a slimmer body, sooner processor and another nips and tucks. It has lots to reside as much as, so let’s see how the Xiaomi 13 Lite fares after full testing.  

Design & Construct

• Comfy, slim design
• Light-weight
• IP53 waterproof score

Whereas the Xiaomi 12 Lite seemingly took its inspiration from the iPhone 12 vary, with squared off corners and a flat show, the Chinese language firm has dug a bit additional into the previous with the 13 Lite, which bears a placing resemblance to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S9 fashions from a number of years in the past. That is no unhealthy factor, as these the place a few of the best-looking gadgets we’ve ever seen.

Martyn Casserly

By way of dimension, the 12 Lite and 13 Lite are very related with the latter’s 159.2 x 72.7 x 7.2 mm dimensions shaving off tiny quantities, and the 171g weight solely 2g lower than the mannequin it replaces. It does really feel completely different although, with the curved edges of the 6.55in show becoming a member of the same filleted again panel to make it sink into the arms and allow you to know that it is a very skinny chassis.

The metallic rim means it ought to survive a drop or two although, and the matt plastic rear panel provides you a least a modicum of grip. Xiaomi does embrace a silicon case within the field, and also you’ll want that because the handset is usually a little slippery.

The skinny flanks are simply vast sufficient to accommodate quantity and energy controls, with the underside edge residence to a single speaker, USB-C charging port and the dual-SIM tray.

Xiaomi has beefed up the sturdiness of its Lite collection this time round, because the Gorilla Glass 5 for the show that appeared on the 12 Lite is joined by an IP53 water and mud proof score, which wasn’t there beforehand. This enables the 13 Lite to outlive rain showers and presumably a visit to the seashore, nevertheless it nonetheless can’t be immersed in water.

Martyn Casserly

In contrast to another producers, Xiaomi nonetheless features a charger and cable within the field, which is an effective factor because the included module kicks out 67W, giving the 13 Lite some fairly spectacular recharge instances for its 4500mAh battery. Extra on that and battery life later.

All in all, it’s a pleasant bundle. Comfy to carry, mild sufficient to not fatigue your arms and properly balanced.

Display screen & Audio system

• 6.55in AMOLED
• 120Hz refresh price
• HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos
• Single speaker

In lots of respects, the show on the 13 Lite is similar that the one which preceded it. It’s nonetheless an AMOLED Full HD+ panel, with a 20:9 facet ratio. The show helps HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient, though this time round it sports activities a barely higher 89.5% screen-to-body ratio and has these curved edges.

I’d say they’re extra sloped although, because the precise displayed content material doesn’t wrap round, which is nice since you don’t lose something or have choices bending across the edge. Xiaomi suits a display protector on the manufacturing unit, however the curved nature of the show did imply that I caught the sting a number of instances, introducing bubbles into the plastic.

These are simply pushed again out however does present the slight drawbacks you possibly can encounter if you bend glass after which attempt to use protectors.

Martyn Casserly

Xiaomi states that the utmost brightness is 1000 nits, however for on a regular basis use, you’ll hit round half that. I measured the panel at 703 nits, which is greater than sufficient for a shiny sunny day and virtually up there with the Samsung Galaxy S23. On the prime of the show is a pill-shaped punch-hole for the dual entrance cameras which seems to be much like the iPhone 14 Professional. This does imply you’ve got a bit extra obstruction when watching movies, nevertheless it’s not too unhealthy.

Xiaomi has given the 13 Lite a pleasant, shiny, vibrant show that’s responsive and cozy to make use of. The refresh price could be set at both 60- or 120Hz, however there’s additionally a Dynamic setting that may swap to probably the most helpful one in any given state of affairs, so for instance 120Hz for gaming or 60Hz when watching a video. The contact sampling price stays the identical as final 12 months, at 240Hz, for snappy responses. There’s additionally an At all times-On show that may present notifications and the time, all of which could be formatted via numerous themes obtainable on the system.

The one quirk I discovered was that the display may activate whereas I used to be on a name, with my cheek then triggering the Mute choice and leaving me questioning why the individual on the opposite finish couldn’t hear me. It occurred a number of instances, so wasn’t only a bizarre one-off. Hopefully this might be patched in a software program replace.

In contrast to with Apple’s gadgets, there’s an under-display fingerprint sensor on the 13 Lite, as there was with the 12 Lite. Once more it’s located fairly low down on the panel, though I admit I discover this to be a great spot and one which solely takes a short while to get used to. It really works properly and unlocks the cellphone rapidly and effectively more often than not.

There’s solely a single speaker on the 13 Lite, nevertheless it does a great job of placing out some quantity. Tones are fairly respectable contemplating the bodily limitations of a solitary speaker, however there’s not a lot low-end obtainable. For podcasts and audiobooks or watching YouTube movies, its adequate, however for those who’re hoping to play music you then would possibly discover the sound too skinny. In fact, through the Bluetooth 5.2 connection you will get all of the frequencies despatched to headphones, the place you’ll additionally be capable of hear Dolby Atmos in case your gear is appropriate.

Specs & Efficiency

• Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
• Adreno 644 GPU
• 8GB of reminiscence
• 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2 storage

As it is a mid-range system, you received’t be shocked to see that there isn’t a Snapdragon 8 collection processor beneath the hood. That’s to not knock the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 that Xiaomi has gone for, because it’s a really succesful performer and may cope admirably with most issues folks wish to do on a cellphone.

Martyn Casserly

Opening and switching between apps is easy, instructions are executed with out hesitation, and customarily, it’s a pleasing expertise utilizing the 13 Lite. Gaming is nice, with Asphalt 9 and the opposite graphically demanding titles I examined all fortunately taking part in together with no lag. Xiaomi additionally equips the 13 Lite with a customized stainless-steel vacuum chamber to enhance the dissipation of warmth that may construct up when the system is put beneath pressure.

It appears to work, as I by no means felt the handset get too scorching whereas gaming. Keep in mind that for those who’re a severe gamer then this system may not fairly be the one for you. As a substitute, you’ll need one thing just like the Nubia Redmagic 8 Professional, which excels on this space.  

8GB of RAM is the place the 13 Lite tops in and out the UK this comes with 128GB of storage, whereas Europeans can go for a extra capacious 256GB choice if they want. It’s UFS 2.2 storage too, which helps with the rapidity of the system.

Right here’s how the Xiaomi 13 Lite in contrast with different related gadgets in our benchmark exams:

Cameras

• 50Mp f/1.8 wide-angle Sony IMX766 sensor
• 8Mp f/2.2 ultra-wide angle
• 2Mp f/2.4 macro
• 32Mp f/2.4 ultra-wide angle selfie digicam

Xiaomi has moved from the 108Mp f/1.9 essential shooter within the 12 Lite to a 50Mp f/1.8 on the brand new mannequin. It does function a Sony IMX766 sensor, however whereas the cameras on the earlier era actually impressed, the 13 Lite appears to have rather less prowess. You may actually get some good pictures on the principle lens, with vibrant colours and stable focusing, nevertheless it does endure a bit from overprocessing, with pictures over sharpened by the software program. Colours can even get both too flat or oversaturated actually simply.

When it will get it proper, you could be rewarded with nice outcomes, however I did discover that too usually I may discover the digital corrections within the picture, plus as quickly as you crop in there’s loads of noise. Portrait mode is an effective instance, with a pleasant bokeh impact making the background blurry, however on a number of events the digicam would resolve that part of the foreground was truly within the background, blurring that a part of the shot. Costlier cameras wrestle with this, so I received’t be too harsh on the Xiaomi 13 Lite, however should be aware that you simply would possibly wish to examine your picture earlier than you progress on, as it might want a retake.

Night time mode is much like final 12 months, with the software program aggressively interfering once more. To be sincere, I discovered that leaning the cellphone on a flat floor whereas capturing with the principle digicam in regular mode returned richer and extra satisfying pictures than making an attempt the identical factor in Night time mode.

The ultra-wide is an 8Mp f/2.2 digicam that may give you a wider subject of view, albeit at the price of element and shade. I didn’t count on an excessive amount of from the 2Mp Macro (we by no means do) as they’re invariably poor throughout the board, however in good mild, you will get some respectable pictures to share on social media.

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The twin entrance dealing with cameras (32Mp f/2.4 and 8Mp f/2.28 depth digicam) can return some good selfies and video, plus there are numerous modes to make your TikTok creations, such because the Xaomi Selfie Glow that activates two lights when recording to raised illuminate your face.

Video maxes out at 4K/30fps on the principle rear digicam and does look pleasingly when good mild is accessible. Transferring from lighter to darker doesn’t appear to trouble the focussing, which holds regular, however there’s a tendency to try to overexpose the setting in seek for mild, which invariably provides noise.

EIS (digital picture stabilisation) retains the footage steady although, and as with the picture high quality, you’ll most likely be pleased with the footage and stills for those who’re solely sharing on Instagram or different social media platforms.

Listed here are a number of samples of the photographs you will get with the Xiaomi 13 Lite:

Battery Life & Charging

• 4500mAh battery
• 67W Turbo Charging (Charger included)
• Xiaomi AdaptiveCharge

The 13 Lite comes with a 4500mAh capability battery, which does a positive job of getting you thru the day. I often discovered that there was nonetheless round 15-20% of energy left within the tank on the finish of the night.

My routine usually entails utilizing the cellphone lots for social media, listening to podcasts, making calls and common internet shopping. So, if that’s the way in which you employ a cellphone, you then received’t be trying round for a charging place when out with this system.

Martyn Casserly

If you happen to do discover you’re operating low, properly that’s not going to be a lot of an issue as Xiaomi features a 67W Turbo Charger within the field and this managed to revive 42% after solely quarter-hour, 80% in half an hour and 100% in simply over 40 minutes.

Placing the Xiaomi 13 Lite via our customary PCMark battery take a look at, it returned a really wholesome 9 hours and 14 minutes, though curiously that is lower than the mannequin that got here earlier than which additionally had a smaller battery.

Software program & Apps

• Android 12
• MIUI 14
• Some bloatware

Android 12 (not the newer Android 13) is the underlying working system for the 13 Lite, with Xiaomi’s personal MIUI 14 on prime. As skins go, it’s not that egregious, with loads of customisation choices and it behaves itself on most events.

Foundry

If you happen to’re used to the ‘inventory’ Android implementation discovered on one thing just like the Google Pixel 7, then it is going to take a little bit of adjusting as there are extra menu choices in settings and a few issues seem in other places. You have to be whizzing round very quickly although as, for me, MIUI is a really serviceable interface when you get used to it.

You’ll have to eliminate some bloat although, as Xiaomi features a few video games and different ‘helpful’ apps. Fortunately these can all be deleted, so you possibly can clear up the system if you first arrange the cellphone, then by no means want to fret about it once more.

As Xiaomi now guarantees three main Android model updates plus 4 years of safety updates throughout the lifespan of its gadgets, you understand that you simply’ll at the very least get a number of years out of the system earlier than you’ll must improve.

Value & Availability

Xiaomi affords the 13 Lite in two configurations: 8/128GB and eight/256GB. The previous is the one variant obtainable within the UK and prices £449 ($550 approx.).

Mainland European clients get to decide on between each, with the costs being €499.99 (8GB/128GB) or €549.99 (8GB/256GB). As standard, as a result of American authorities’s commerce embargos and common beef with Chinese language tech corporations, Xiaomi received’t be formally releasing the 13 Lite or any of its present vary in the USA.

The pricing of the Xiaomi 13 Lite brings it into competitors with the Poco X5 Professional which prices $299/€299 for the 6/128GB configuration or $349/£369/€349 for those who desire 8GB/256GB as a substitute. The Nothing Telephone (1) is one other enticing choice, particularly because it’s now obtainable within the US because of the launch of the Beta program, and prices 8/128GB: $299/£399/€469/₹33,999.

In fact the apparent alternative on this value class is the Google Pixel 6a, which has higher cameras and all the opposite Pixel benefits for a really affordable $449/£399/€459, though there are sturdy rumours that the Google Pixel 7a may launch quickly, so it may be value ready for that.

Verdict

Following up on success is all the time tough and Xiaomi has delivered a hit-and-miss mannequin with the 13 Lite.

The design and construct is gorgeous, with a light-weight body that’s good to make use of all day, and the respectable battery life with fast recharging means you received’t have to fret about energy.

Nevertheless, the cameras are a bit underwhelming this time round, which is a shock after the superb high quality of the 12 Lite. Though they’re certainly not unhealthy. There are additionally some construct points surrounding the curved edges of the show.

Nonetheless, there’s loads of efficiency and appeal on supply, plus the digicam high quality can probably be improved by updates to the software program, so the Xiaomi 13 Lite is a stable choice for those who don’t need the heavier and bulkier Google Pixel 6a or Nothing Telephone (1).

Specs

• 6.55in AMOLED FULL HD+ show, 120Hz, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos
• Android 12
• MIUI 14
• Snapdragon 7 Gen 1
• Adreno 644 GPU
• 8GB of reminiscence
• 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2 storage
• 50MP f/1.8 wide-angle with Sony IMX766 sensor
• 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide angle
• 2MP f/2.4 macro
• 32MP f/2.4 ultra-wide angle selfie digicam
• 4,500mAh battery
• 67W Turbo Charging (Charger included)
• Xiaomi AdaptiveCharge
• USB-C
• Single speaker
• 5G
• Wi-Fi 6
• GPS
• NFC
• Bluetooth 5.2
• 159.2 x 72.7 x 7.2mm
• 171g