Xiaomi 13 Lite assessment: Slim chassis, skinny upgrades

Final 12 months’s Xiaomi 12 Lite was a improbable mid-range telephone. The light-weight building, blended with first rate efficiency and surprisingly good cameras, made it a simple system to suggest. The truth is, it’s been my day by day driver for the previous six months and it’s nonetheless going robust.

However, has the time come for me to swap SIMs? Xiaomi has launched the successor, which boasts a slimmer body, quicker 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 just a little additional into the previous with the 13 Lite, which bears a putting resemblance to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S9 fashions from a couple of years in the past. That is no unhealthy factor, as these the place a few of the best-looking units we’ve ever seen.

Martyn Casserly

When it comes to measurement, 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 totally 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 steel rim means it ought to survive a drop or two although, and the matt plastic rear panel offers you a least a modicum of grip. Xiaomi does embody 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 huge sufficient to accommodate quantity and energy controls, with the underside edge dwelling to a single speaker, USB-C charging port and the dual-SIM tray.

Xiaomi has beefed up the sturdiness of its Lite sequence 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 permits the 13 Lite to outlive rain showers and probably a visit to the seashore, however 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 efficient factor because the included module kicks out 67W, giving the 13 Lite some relatively 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 effectively balanced.

Display screen & Audio system

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

In lots of respects, the show on the 13 Lite is equivalent that the one which preceded it. It’s nonetheless an AMOLED Full HD+ panel, with a 20:9 side 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 matches a display protector on the manufacturing unit, however the curved nature of the show did imply that I caught the sting a couple of instances, introducing bubbles into the plastic.

These are simply pushed again out however does present the slight drawbacks you possibly can encounter while 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 nearly up there with the Samsung Galaxy S23. On the high of the show is a pill-shaped punch-hole for the dual entrance cameras which appears to be like just like the iPhone 14 Professional. This does imply you will have just a little extra obstruction when watching movies, however 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 charge might be set at both 60- or 120Hz, however there’s additionally a Dynamic setting that can change to essentially the most helpful one in any given scenario, so for instance 120Hz for gaming or 60Hz when watching a video. The contact sampling charge 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 might be formatted by way of numerous themes accessible on the system.

The one quirk I discovered was that the display might 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 will probably be patched in a software program replace.

In contrast to with Apple’s units, 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 place and one which solely takes a short while to get used to. It really works effectively and unlocks the telephone shortly and effectively more often than not.

There’s solely a single speaker on the 13 Lite, however it does a great job of placing out some quantity. Tones are fairly first rate contemplating the bodily limitations of a solitary speaker, however there’s not a lot low-end accessible. For podcasts and audiobooks or watching YouTube movies, its adequate, however in the event you’re hoping to play music then you definately would possibly discover the sound too skinny. After all, by way of the Bluetooth 5.2 connection you may get all of the frequencies despatched to headphones, the place you’ll additionally be capable to hear Dolby Atmos in case your gear is suitable.

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 stunned to see that there isn’t a Snapdragon 8 sequence processor underneath 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 might cope admirably with most issues individuals wish to do on a telephone.

Martyn Casserly

Opening and switching between apps is clean, 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 underneath pressure.

It appears to work, as I by no means felt the handset get too scorching whereas gaming. Keep in mind that in the event you’re a severe gamer then this system won’t fairly be the one for you. As an alternative, 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 need. 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 units 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 digital camera

Xiaomi has moved from the 108Mp f/1.9 primary shooter within the 12 Lite to a 50Mp f/1.8 on the brand new mannequin. It does characteristic 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, however it does endure a bit from overprocessing, with pictures over sharpened by the software program. Colours also can get both too flat or oversaturated actually simply.

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

Evening mode is just like final 12 months, with the software program aggressively interfering once more. To be sincere, I discovered that leaning the telephone on a flat floor whereas capturing with the principle digital camera in regular mode returned richer and extra satisfying pictures than attempting the identical factor in Evening mode.

The ultra-wide is an 8Mp f/2.2 digital camera that can provide you a wider area of view, albeit at the price of element and colour. I didn’t anticipate 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 may get some first rate pictures to share on social media.

Martyn Casserly

The twin entrance dealing with cameras (32Mp f/2.4 and 8Mp f/2.28 depth digital camera) 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 higher illuminate your face.

Video maxes out at 4K/30fps on the principle rear digital camera and does look pleasingly when good mild is offered. Transferring from lighter to darker doesn’t appear to trouble the focussing, which holds regular, however there’s a tendency to attempt to overexpose the surroundings 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 in the event you’re solely sharing on Instagram or different social media platforms.

Listed here are a couple of samples of the photographs you may 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 fantastic 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 includes utilizing the telephone lots for social media, listening to podcasts, making calls and common net searching. So, if that’s the best way you employ a telephone, then you definately received’t be wanting round for a charging place when out with this system.

Martyn Casserly

Should you do discover you’re operating low, effectively 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 by way of our commonplace 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 high. As skins go, it’s not that egregious, with loads of customisation choices and it behaves itself on most events.

Foundry

Should you’re used to the ‘inventory’ Android implementation discovered on one thing just like the Google Pixel 7, then it’ll take a little bit of adjusting as there are extra menu choices in settings and a few issues seem elsewhere. Try 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 while you first arrange the telephone, 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 units, you understand that you just’ll no less than get a couple of years out of the system earlier than you’ll have to improve.

Worth & Availability

Xiaomi presents the 13 Lite in two configurations: 8/128GB and eight/256GB. The previous is the one variant accessible 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 typical, as a result of American authorities’s commerce embargos and common beef with Chinese language tech firms, Xiaomi received’t be formally releasing the 13 Lite or any of its present vary in the US.

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 in the event you choose 8GB/256GB as a substitute. The Nothing Cellphone (1) is one other engaging choice, particularly because it’s now accessible within the US because of the launch of the Beta program, and prices 8/128GB: $299/£399/€469/₹33,999.

After all the plain alternative on this worth class is the Google Pixel 6a, which has higher cameras and all the opposite Pixel benefits for a really cheap $449/£399/€459, though there are robust rumours that the Google Pixel 7a might launch quickly, so it may be value ready for that.

Verdict

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

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

Nevertheless, the cameras are just a little underwhelming this time round, which is a shock after the superb high quality of the 12 Lite. Though they’re under no circumstances unhealthy. There are additionally some construct points surrounding the curved edges of the show.

Nonetheless, there’s loads of efficiency and attraction on supply, plus the digital camera high quality can probably be improved by updates to the software program, so the Xiaomi 13 Lite is a stable choice in the event you don’t need the heavier and bulkier Google Pixel 6a or Nothing Cellphone (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 digital camera
• 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