Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra vs Xiaomi 13 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown

Xiaomi consistently delivers impressive flagship phones, and the Mi 11 Ultra and 13 Ultra are prime examples. Both boast stunning cameras and powerful performance, but significant upgrades separate the newer 13 Ultra. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is the clear winner, offering a brighter display, significantly improved performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and a refined camera system. While the Mi 11 Ultra remains a capable device, the 13 Ultra's advancements make it the superior choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - ChinaCDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2021, March 292023, April 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 02Available. Released 2023, April 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), ceramic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), eco leather back, aluminum frame
Dimensions164.3 x 74.6 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.94 x 0.33 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
Weight234 g (8.25 oz)227 g (8.01 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)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 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 900 nits (HBM), 1700 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1300 nits (HBM), 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 740
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, 1.1” AMOLED selfie displayLaser 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)
Single20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm-
Triple50 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/1.12", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP, f/4.1, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 128˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF-
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960/1920fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec.8K@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
Single20 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), 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 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
 Virtual proximity sensingVirtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 36 min 67W wireless, 100% in 39 min 10W reverse wireless90W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 35 min 50W wireless, 100% in 49 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCeramic White (Cosmic White), Ceramic Black (Cosmic Black)Black, Olive Green, White, Orange, Yellow, Blue
ModelsM2102K1G, M2102K1C2304FPN6DC, 2304FPN6DG
PriceAbout 1500 EUR€ 797.98 / $ 389.69
SAR1.08 W/kg (head)     0.81 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.55 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 95h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -24.3 LUFS (Very good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 688720 (v8) GeekBench: 3191 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra

  • Excellent camera system
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Fast charging
  • Premium design

  • Older chipset
  • Can get warm under load
  • Software updates may be less frequent

Xiaomi 13 Ultra

  • Significantly improved performance
  • Brighter display
  • Enhanced camera system with Leica tuning
  • Faster charging
  • Improved battery efficiency

  • Higher price
  • Potentially larger size/weight

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra's display shines brighter, literally. With a measured peak brightness of 1207 nits compared to the Mi 11 Ultra's 943 nits, the 13 Ultra offers better visibility in direct sunlight. Both have excellent contrast ratios (effectively infinite for the Mi 11 Ultra), but the 13 Ultra's higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz, though not explicitly stated) contributes to a smoother visual experience. The 13 Ultra also likely has improved color accuracy and calibration.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature impressive camera systems, but the 13 Ultra takes the lead. While the Mi 11 Ultra has a 108MP main sensor, the 13 Ultra's larger sensor, improved image processing algorithms, and likely enhanced lens optics deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The 13 Ultra also benefits from Leica tuning, resulting in a more refined and professional look to its photos. The 13 Ultra's zoom capabilities are also likely superior.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xiaomi 13 Ultra provides a substantial performance boost over the Snapdragon 888 in the Mi 11 Ultra. The newer chipset's improved architecture and manufacturing process (4nm vs 5nm) result in faster processing speeds, better power efficiency, and enhanced graphics performance. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the 13 Ultra.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra demonstrates improved battery efficiency. While the Mi 11 Ultra boasts an impressive endurance rating of 95h, the 13 Ultra achieves 108h. Active use scores also favor the 13 Ultra (10:09h vs unspecified for Mi 11 Ultra). The 13 Ultra's 90W wired charging is also faster than the Mi 11 Ultra's 67W, though both offer 67W wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra is a great option for budget-conscious buyers seeking a flagship experience with a fantastic camera. It's ideal for those who don't need the absolute latest technology. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is for photography enthusiasts and power users who demand the best possible performance, camera capabilities, and a premium experience, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xiaomi 13 Ultra worth the upgrade from the Mi 11 Ultra?
Yes, if you prioritize performance, camera quality, and a brighter display. The 13 Ultra offers significant improvements across the board.
❓ Which phone has better low-light camera performance?
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra, thanks to its larger sensor and improved image processing, delivers noticeably better low-light photos.