Xiaomi 13 Pro

This Android phone takes photography rather seriously with Leica cameras at the rear

- SUJITH GOPINATH

A red dot of vermillion on the forehead assumes great significance in the Indian culture, but apart from that, a camera’s head plate is probably the most coveted position where a humble red dot can assume iconic status. This mark of a legend now adorns Xiaomi’s 13 Pro smartphone, as it sports cameras codeveloped with the opto-mechanical precision of German camera maker Leica.

The Xiaomi 13 Pro has a design that matches the camera brand—a premium look with glossy finish, curved front and rear surfaces with rounded corners, flat base and top, and a nicely finished square camera bump housing the triple cameras. The volume control and power buttons are at the right side, while the base accommodates the SIM tray, USB type-C port, main speaker grille and microphone hole. A Corning Gorilla Glass Victus panel shields the front. The slippery glossy surface attracts fingerprints and smudges, but Xiaomi provides a silicon back cover if you are ready to swap the looks for protection. The phone measures 162.9 x 74.6 x 8.38 mm and the 13 Pro is a heavy device weighing 229 g. The fingerprint and face unlock are quick, and the display is quite responsive. The interface looks clean with only a handful of proprietary apps. Most of these apps can be uninstalled.