Xiaomi 13: official release date, launch prices and what has changed compared to Xiaomi 12

Xiaomi’s flagship 13 smartphone has become one of the most anticipated devices of 2022-2023, continuing the company’s lineup of premium devices. Its release has caused a wave of discussions among mobile enthusiasts – and for good reason: the model received a revolutionary Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, an improved camera with a Sony IMX800 sensor and a design inspired by classic Leica cameras. But when exactly did the Xiaomi 13 appear on sale, and how did it differ from its predecessor Xiaomi 12?

In this article, we will look at the exact release dates (in China, the global market and Russia), starting prices, key improvements over the Xiaomi 12, and answer questions about the availability of the model in 2026. If you are planning to buy or just interested in the history of the development of Xiaomi flagships, here you will find the latest information – without water or marketing promises.

Xiaomi 13 release date: chronology of presentations

Xiaomi 13 was released in two stages: first, a presentation for the Chinese market, and then a global announcement, which is a typical strategy of the company, but this time the gap between events was less than a month, which accelerated the introduction of the device in other countries.

Here are the key dates:

• 📅 December 1, 2022 – Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro official presentation in China, the event was streamed online and accompanied by the announcement of the cooperation with Leica for cameras.
• 🌍 February 26, 2023 – Global presentation at the exhibition MWC 2023 in Barcelona, where prices for European and Asian markets were announced.
• 🇷🇺 March 2023 – the start of sales in Russia through official distributors and partners (for example, Svyaznoy, M.Video.

Interestingly, the Xiaomi 13 Lite (the younger model of the series) was released later in March 2023, after the global announcement. This is due to the positioning of the device as a “budget flagship” with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor.

Starting prices for Xiaomi 13: how much did the flagship cost when it was released

Pricing Xiaomi 13 has become a subject of controversy: on the one hand, the company traditionally offers flagship features at a price lower than Samsung or Apple, on the other hand, in 2023, there was a rise in electronics prices due to logistics problems and inflation.

For comparison: Xiaomi 12 start-up 2022 year was worth from Russia 59 990 ₽ version 8/128 GB. Thus, Xiaomi 13 rose 8–10% — But with the better processor, screen and camera, it was justified. In Europe, the difference was even more pronounced: Xiaomi 12 start 899 €, Xiaomi 13 — s 999 €.

⚠️ Attention: In the first weeks after the release of Xiaomi 13 in Russia there was a shortage of many stores offering pre-orders with delivery in 2-3 weeks.

Xiaomi 13 technical specifications: what has changed compared to Xiaomi 12

The Xiaomi 13 was an evolutionary, not a revolutionary, update to the lineup, but key improvements have affected performance, camera and design.

• 🔥 Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) in Xiaomi 12. New chipset showed an increase of 20-25% in synthetic tests and better energy efficiency.
• 📸 Main camera: Sony IMX800 (50 MPP, 1/1.28") optically stabilized vs IMX766 (50 MPP, 1/1.56") Xiaomi 12. Improved detail and work in low light.
• 🖥️ Screen: AMOLED 6.36" permittingly 2400×1080 frequency 120 Hz (vs) 6.28" Xiaomi 12). The brightness grew to 1900 slurry).
• 🔋 Battery: 4500 mAh with support for 67-watt fast charging (vs 4500 mAh and 67 W in Xiaomi 12). ~10 minutes.
• 🎨 Design: The body is thinner (71.5 mm vs 69.9 mm), and the chamber module is now made in the style of Leica with metal edging.

One of the most notable disadvantages of Xiaomi 13 is the lack of a microSD card slot, as in the previous model, and users noted that IP68 water protection appeared only in the Pro version, and the base model received only IP53 (splash protection).

Where and how to buy Xiaomi 13 in 2026: current offers

At the time of the article (2026), the Xiaomi 13 is no longer a novelty, but remains a popular model due to the balance of price and characteristics.

• 🏬 Official stores: Mi Store, Svyaznoy, M. Video, El Dorado Prices range from 45,000 to 55,000 ₽ memory-dependent.
• 🌐 Marketplaces: Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex Market. here are often found discounts up to 10-15%, but be careful with sellers (check the rating!).
• 🇨🇳 Chinese sites: AliExpress, JD.com, Taobao. Prices are lower by 20-30%, but the risks are a guarantee (only if the seller is official) and possible duties.
• 🔄 Used market: Avito, Yula. You can find a device in perfect condition for 30,000-40,000. ₽, but check it out IMEI battery status.

When buying, pay attention to:

⚠️ Attention: In 2026, there are many Xiaomi 13 counterfeits (especially from China) on the market.Check the serial number on Xiaomi Verify and demand a check or warranty card.

Check it out. IMEI Xiaomi|Check the firmware version (global or Chinese)|Inspect the body for scratches and chips|Conduct a camera and screen test|Make sure you have the original scoring-->

Xiaomi 13 vs Xiaomi 14: is it worth overpaying for a new model

If you’re looking at the Xiaomi 13 in 2026, it’s logical to compare it to the successor, the Xiaomi 14, which came out in October 2023. ₽, but is she justified?

The Xiaomi 13 is still a viable choice if you don’t want maximum performance or a better performance. 2K-For most tasks (social media, photos, videos), the difference between the models is not noticeable, and the savings are 20,000. ₽ You can spend on accessories or a spare battery.

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Unless you’re a gamer and you’re shooting professional videos, the Xiaomi 13 in 2026 is a more rational purchase than the Xiaomi 14.

Xiaomi 13’s Frequent Problems: What to Look for Before Buying

Despite its premium status, the Xiaomi 13 is not without its flaws, and here are some of the most common complaints from users:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: When you use it actively (games, video), the device will run out in 4-5 hours. Solution: Turn off the background activity of the applications in Settings → Battery.
• 📶 Problems with 5G: In some regions of Russia, Xiaomi 13 does not catch the network 5G It's because of the firmware limitations. It helps with manual software updates.
• 🎵 Weak speaker: The monodynamics on the bottom edge doesn't provide surround sound.
• 📱 Overheating: When recording video in a long time 4K@60fps body heated to 45°C. This is normal for a flagship, but may be uncomfortable.

Many problems are solved software-based, for example, after upgrading to MIUI 14, power optimization improved. To check the firmware version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

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If the Xiaomi 13 is getting hot, try turning off the “Enhanced Performance” feature in the battery settings, which will reduce heat, but slightly reduce FPS in games.

Xiaomi 13 alternatives in 2026: what to choose instead

If the Xiaomi 13 doesn’t fit in price or specs, consider these alternatives:

• 📱 Redmi K60 Pro: Almost identical hardware (same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2), but cheaper by 10,000-15,000 ₽. Minus - plastic case.
• 🍎 iPhone 13: In 2026, it is comparable to Xiaomi 13 (~50 000 ₽), It offers better optimization and long-term update support.
• 🤖 Samsung Galaxy S22: Exynos 2200 is inferior to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but the screen and camera are on par.Price - from 48,000 ₽.
• 💰 POCO F5 Pro: Budget flagship with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 for 35,000 ₽. This is good if you don’t need a premium build.

When choosing, pay attention to update support: Xiaomi promises 3 years of major MIUI updates and 4 years of security patches for Xiaomi 13.

FAQ: answers to popular questions about Xiaomi 13