Soon to join the recently launched Xiaomi 13 smartphones will be the much anticipated Ultra variant, which was missing from the series’ launch in late February. This was recently revealed by both Leica and Xiaomi via a joint announcement on Twitter, confirming that the top-end model will make its global debut later this month.
Of course, both companies are saving the best for the upcoming launch, so details of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra’s specifications are vague at best. According to the announcement, the variant will boast “the latest optical system solution for mobile imaging” as well as “the most perfect Summicron lens” created for this category. In regards to the latter, it is said to feature “a large aperture, a compact size, and a high imaging performance over the entire focal length range.”
See you this month!#Leica @Xiaomi pic.twitter.com/lerxq3Nxas
— Leica Camera AG (@leica_camera) April 6, 2023
Bold claims by both companies, but such that may be warranted if the recent leaks regarding the phone’s imaging system are to be believed. Based on tips provided by tech insiders such as Yogesh Brar and Ice Universe, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra could feature a quad 50 MP setup, consisting of a Sony IMX 989 1-inch 50.3 MP primary, and three IMX 858 50 MP sensors for its ultra-wide and two telephoto cameras. If true, this would make the model the first smartphone to be equipped with this particular arrangement in the market.
In terms of design, we only have the allegedly leaked depictions of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra to refer to for now. So far, numerous unofficial images featuring the device suggests that it will sport a large circular camera island on its back that’s reminiscent of its predecessor, as well as a rear case that features an elevated upper half. Another detail that’s consistent across all leaks is the arrangement of the cameras and other sensors that are housed within the aforementioned island.
As to how the Ultra will look in front is still not known, but it is very likely that this variant will feature a curved display with a selfie camera cutout (or even cutouts). According to Brar, the screen is a 6.7-inch AMOLED LTPO panel with QHD+ resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate, while housed within the cutout is a 32 MP sensor. Besides that, he also tipped that the phone would come with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, up to 16 GB of RAM, up to 512 GB of storage, Android 13 via MIUI 14, Leica-tuned camera app, and a 4,900 mAh battery with 90 W and 50 W fast charging support for wired and wireless respectively.
Unfortunately, even though Leica and Xiaomi said that the Ultra variant will be launching this month, neither company provided a date for the event. It is expected that the latter company will only announce this in the coming days or even weeks.
(Source: Leica / Xiaomi, via Twitter)
