Nio Phone vs Xiaomi 13 Pro: A Flagship Face-Off

The Nio Phone and Xiaomi 13 Pro represent distinct approaches to the Android flagship space. The Xiaomi 13 Pro is a well-rounded, established contender, while the Nio Phone is a newcomer leveraging Qualcomm's top-tier silicon and the allure of the Nio ecosystem. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi 13 Pro emerges as the more compelling choice. Its significantly faster 120W wired charging, coupled with a proven track record and excellent battery endurance (115h), outweighs the Nio Phone's ecosystem integration for the average consumer.

PHONES
Phone Names Nio Phone Xiaomi 13 Pro
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 bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2023, September 212022, December 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, September 21Available. Released 2022, December 14
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), ceramic back or silicone polymer back, aluminum frame
Dimensions165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)162.9 x 74.6 x 8.4 mm or 8.7 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight212 g or 216 g (7.48 oz)210 g or 229 g (7.41 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)
Size6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 740
OSSkyUIAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1 - 128GB UFS 4.0 - 256/512GB
Main Camera
FeaturesRing-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lens, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 65mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.8x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.4, 15mm, 110˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm50.3 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), PDAF (10cm - ∞), 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultrawide), AF
Video4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 1080p@1920fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/2.5, (wide)32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANYesWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired, PD3.0, QC4 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 19 min 50W wireless, 100% in 36 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5200 mAhLi-Po 4820 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gray, Pink, Gold, Green, Blue, Dark BlueCeramic White, Ceramic Black, Ceramic Flora Green, Mountain Blue
ModelsN23012210132G, 2210132C
PriceAbout 820 EURAbout 750 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 115h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1281666 (v9) GeekBench: 5087 (v5.1), 5323 (v6) GFXBench: 64fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Nio Phone

  • Potentially slightly faster CPU performance due to higher clock speed.
  • Integration with the Nio ecosystem for existing Nio users.
  • 50W wireless charging offers convenience.

  • Slower 66W wired charging compared to the Xiaomi 13 Pro.
  • Limited information available on camera specifications.
  • Battery life and capacity are currently unknown.

Xiaomi 13 Pro

  • Ultra-fast 120W wired charging (19 minutes to full).
  • Excellent battery endurance (115 hours).
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.

  • Slightly lower CPU clock speed compared to the Nio Phone.
  • No unique ecosystem integration beyond Xiaomi's own.
  • Potential for software bloat (typical of Xiaomi).

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 13 Pro boasts a brighter display, peaking at 1253 nits, compared to an unlisted peak brightness for the Nio Phone. While both likely utilize high-quality AMOLED panels, the Xiaomi’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. Both devices likely feature adaptive refresh rates, but the Xiaomi’s contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal), suggesting excellent black levels. The Nio Phone’s display specifications are currently incomplete, making a definitive comparison challenging.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given Xiaomi’s history, the 13 Pro likely features a sophisticated multi-camera system with a large main sensor and advanced image processing algorithms. The Nio Phone’s camera system remains a mystery, and its image quality is currently unknown. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. We can assume both will offer competitive performance in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be a key differentiator.

Performance

Both the Nio Phone and Xiaomi 13 Pro are powered by the Qualcomm SM8550-AC/AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). However, the Nio Phone’s CPU is clocked slightly higher at 3.36 GHz for the Cortex-X3 prime core versus the Xiaomi 13 Pro’s 3.2 GHz. This marginal clock speed difference may yield a small performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks, but real-world differences are likely minimal. Both utilize the same core configuration (1x Cortex-X3, 2x Cortex-A715, 2x Cortex-A710, 3x Cortex-A510). Thermal management will be crucial; the 4nm process helps, but sustained loads could induce throttling. The Xiaomi 13 Pro’s larger user base provides more data on long-term performance stability.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 13 Pro’s 120W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving a full charge in just 19 minutes. The Nio Phone’s 66W wired charging, while still fast, is considerably slower. The Xiaomi also offers 50W wireless charging (36 minutes to full) matching the Nio Phone, and both support 10W reverse wireless charging. Crucially, the Xiaomi 13 Pro achieves an endurance rating of 115 hours, indicating excellent battery life in real-world usage, while the Nio Phone’s battery capacity and endurance are currently unknown. The Xiaomi’s combination of fast charging and long endurance makes it the clear winner in this category.

Buying Guide

Buy the Nio Phone if you are deeply invested in the Nio electric vehicle ecosystem and prioritize seamless integration with your car and other Nio devices. The 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, while not class-leading, are sufficient for most, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides ample performance. Buy the Xiaomi 13 Pro if you prioritize raw charging speed, long battery life, and a mature software experience. Its 120W charging is a game-changer, and the 115-hour endurance rating ensures all-day usability.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much does the Nio Phone's integration with Nio vehicles actually improve the user experience?
The Nio Phone is designed to seamlessly integrate with Nio cars, allowing features like unlocking the car with the phone, using the phone as a digital key, and accessing vehicle data. For existing Nio car owners, this integration is a significant benefit, streamlining the ownership experience. However, for those without a Nio vehicle, this feature is largely irrelevant.
❓ Is the Xiaomi 13 Pro's 120W charging safe for long-term battery health?
Xiaomi employs multiple safety mechanisms to mitigate the potential impact of fast charging on battery health. These include optimized charging algorithms, temperature control, and battery protection circuits. While fast charging *can* contribute to battery degradation over time, the Xiaomi 13 Pro’s implementation is designed to minimize this effect. Users can also opt for slower charging speeds to further prolong battery lifespan.
❓ Does the Nio Phone offer any software features not found on other Android phones?
Beyond the Nio ecosystem integration, specific software features unique to the Nio Phone are currently limited in publicly available information. It's expected to run a customized version of Android, but the extent of customization and exclusive features remains unclear. The Xiaomi 13 Pro, on the other hand, runs MIUI, which offers a wide range of customization options and features, though it's also known for potential bloatware.