More electric scooters, more watches and wireless headphones, and mobile phones that simulate cameras from the German manufacturer Leica. These were some of the news that Xiaomi unveiled this Sunday, at a company event hours before the start of the 2023 edition of the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the great consumer electronics fair in Barcelona.
This year, the highlight of the brand for MWC are the new smartphones top of the range – the Xiaomi 13 Pro and the Xiaomi 13 –starting at 1000 euros, with lenses from the German optics brand Leica with which the technology has had a partnership since 2022. The models, launched in China in December, were developed to simulate the operation of a DSLR camera (with larger sensors and interchangeable lenses that can be exchanged), but in a compact, lighter and more practical model.
“One of the most important things about photography in smartphones is that anyone can take a great picture. You don’t need to be a professional photographer”, explained the vice president of Leica’s mobile unit, Marius Eschweiler, on stage. “Leica’s mission is to offer maximum image quality on any device.”
Both the 13 (6.36 inches) and the 13 Pro (6.73 inches) allow you to choose the lens you shoot with (there are three: main, telephoto and ultra wide angle), the amount of light captured (aperture), the focal length and the zoom – everything is done from the mobile screen. The 13 Pro sets itself apart with a triple 50-megapixel lens setup and a larger sensor that captures more light and details. Prices start at 1000 euros for the Xiaomi 13 (8GB RAM + 256GB) and 1400 for the 13 Pro (12GB RAM + 256GB).
The new devices arrive at a time when the demand for mobile phones continues to decline. Analyst’s January data IDC note that sending smartphones for retail fell 18.3% in 2022 compared to the previous year, with 68 million fewer mobile phones sold. But Xiaomi’s expectations for the Portuguese market are good.
“The mobile phone camera market has been a bit stagnant. With these devices, we offer a different experience, with more control”, summarizes to PÚBLICO Tiago Flores, director of Xiaomi Portugal, noting that medium and high-end devices “continue to grow in terms of demand in Portugal”.
With the 13 Pro and 13, Xiaomi is betting on photography fans who want the experience of a professional camera, lighter and easier to handle. Both devices are powered by the new processor Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 – Xiaomi explains that this improves the energy efficiency of devices by 49%. The top model has a larger battery (4729 mAh), a bio-ceramic body and takes just 19 minutes to charge due to HyperCharge technology that supports 120 watts. To complete the series, the brand will also launch the Xiaomi 13 Lite (550 euros), without Leica lenses and with a Snapdragon 7 processor, adapted to a younger audience that uses a dual front camera for videos It is selfies.
The 13 Pro lets you control the screen lens
DR
Commitment to sustainability
In addition to mobile phones, Xiaomi unveiled a new generation of electric scooters, with more autonomy and power. The Electric Scooter 4 Ultra (around 1000 euros), promises a top speed of 25 kilometers per hour, a power of 940 watts, wider tires (for greater stability) and autonomy of 75 kilometers.
“There is a growing concern for the environment, even in Portuguese cities that are not so conducive to mobility. We see the market growing”, explains Tiago Flores. “There are desires for easier travel and health concerns.”
Electric Scooter 4 Ultra
Xiaomi
The market for bicycles, scooters and scooters electricity is expected to reach 32.91 billion dollars (31 billion euros) by 2027, with an annual growth rate of around 6.1%. The data is from the market analysis company Business Research Company, which notes that the growing awareness of the impact of pollution is a key factor in the market.
During the event in Barcelona, Xiaomi also presented a new watch, the S1 Pro (from 329 euros), and new headphones with noise cancellation and 360º sound profile (Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro, from 249 euros). The Xiaomi 13 series hits stores on March 8. The pre-sale campaign for the 13 and 13 Pro starts this Sunday, with the offer of the Xiaomi Instant Photo Printer 1S.
PÚBLICO traveled to Barcelona at the invitation of Xiaomi