Huawei Mate 60 vs Xiaomi 13 Ultra: A Head-to-Head Flagship Battle

The Huawei Mate 60 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra represent distinct approaches to the premium smartphone market. The Mate 60, born from technological constraints, showcases Huawei’s self-reliance, while the Xiaomi 13 Ultra doubles down on established hardware and a refined camera experience. This comparison dissects their core strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best overall package.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing camera versatility and consistently high performance, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and exceptional camera system offer a more polished and reliable experience. However, the Mate 60’s Kirin 9000S presents a compelling alternative for those seeking a unique, domestically-produced flagship.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 60 Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, August 292023, April 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, September 10Available. Released 2023, April 21
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions161.4 x 76 x 8 mm (6.35 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)163.2 x 74.6 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight209 g (7.37 oz)227 g (8.01 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionHuawei Kunlun Glass 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1216 x 2688 pixels (~441 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)
Size6.69 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~88.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120HzLTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1300 nits (HBM), 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.62 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.53GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetKirin 9000S (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 910 MP4Adreno 740
OSHarmonyOS 4.0Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lenses, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, 67mm filter ring holder (optional)
Quad-50 MP, f/1.9 or f/4.0, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/1.8, 75mm (telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.0, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.8, 12mm, 122˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps, 720p@960fps, 720p@3840fps, HDR Vivid, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480/960/1920fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR 10-bit rec. (4K@60fps, 1080p)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide)32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, HDR Vivid1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port 1.2USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging66W wired, 100% in 30 min 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless90W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 35 min 50W wireless, 100% in 49 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4750 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Green, PurpleBlack, Olive Green, White, Orange, Yellow, Blue
ModelsALN-AL00, BRA-AL002304FPN6DC, 2304FPN6DG
PriceAbout 750 EUR€ 797.98 / $ 389.69
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)

Huawei Mate 60

  • Fast 66W wired charging
  • Domestically produced chipset (Kirin 9000S)
  • Potential for unique software features

  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Limited global availability and software support
  • Camera system details are unknown

Xiaomi 13 Ultra

  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Exceptional camera system
  • Long battery life and fast charging

  • Slightly slower wireless charging than Mate 60
  • Higher price point
  • Larger size and weight

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1207 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the Mate 60. While the Mate 60’s display specifics are unknown, the 13 Ultra’s high brightness ensures excellent visibility in direct sunlight. Both are likely to feature high refresh rate panels, but the 13 Ultra’s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor usability. The 13 Ultra’s panel is also likely LTPO, offering variable refresh rates for improved efficiency.

Camera Comparison

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is positioned as a photography powerhouse, and its camera system is expected to reflect that. While specific details are missing, Xiaomi’s Ultra series is known for large sensors and advanced image processing. The Mate 60’s camera capabilities are less defined, but Huawei has a strong track record in computational photography. The 13 Ultra’s likely larger sensor size and more sophisticated optics will provide superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The absence of details on the Mate 60’s camera system makes a direct comparison difficult, but the 13 Ultra is the clear frontrunner based on brand reputation and market positioning.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is built on a more advanced process node than the Huawei Mate 60’s Kirin 9000S (7nm). This translates to superior thermal efficiency and sustained performance for the Xiaomi device, particularly during demanding tasks like gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s CPU configuration – 1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 – offers a performance edge over the Mate 60’s Octa-core (1x2.62 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.53GHz Cortex-A510). While the Kirin 9000S is a remarkable achievement given the constraints Huawei faces, it cannot match the raw power of the Snapdragon.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra delivers a solid 10:09h active use score, translating to an endurance rating of 108 hours. The Mate 60 offers 66W wired charging, reaching 100% in 30 minutes, and 50W wireless charging. The 13 Ultra counters with 90W wired charging (35 minutes to 100%) and 50W wireless charging (49 minutes). While the Mate 60 charges slightly faster via wired connection, the 13 Ultra’s overall battery endurance and efficient charging ecosystem provide a more balanced experience. The 10W reverse wireless charging on both devices is a minor convenience feature.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 60 if you need a phone that represents technological independence and are comfortable with potential software limitations, and value fast charging. Buy the Xiaomi 13 Ultra if you prioritize a top-tier camera system, consistently smooth performance, and a mature software experience with extensive global support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9000S chipset in the Mate 60 suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node and the complexity of the Kirin 9000S, some thermal throttling is likely during prolonged, demanding gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, built on a 4nm process, is expected to manage heat more effectively, resulting in more consistent performance over extended periods.
❓ How does the camera processing differ between the Huawei Mate 60 and the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, and which one produces more natural-looking images?
Huawei traditionally favors a more vibrant and contrast-boosted image processing style, while Xiaomi generally aims for more natural color reproduction. The 13 Ultra’s camera system, coupled with Xiaomi’s image processing algorithms, is likely to deliver images that are closer to real-life colors and details. However, individual preferences vary, and Huawei’s processing can be appealing to some users.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Huawei Mate 60 fully functional, or are there limitations due to ongoing restrictions?
The Huawei Mate 60 utilizes a workaround for 5G connectivity, reportedly achieving speeds comparable to 4G+ due to limitations imposed by US sanctions. While it can access 5G networks, it doesn't operate on standard 5G frequencies and may experience inconsistencies in speed and coverage compared to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which has full 5G support.