The Xiaomi 13 is running the company's latest MIUI 14 on top of Android 13. This new OS combo promises, among other things, major performance improvements and optimizations. This is all wrapped up in what Xiaomi calls "Project Razor". The team behind MIUI 14 updated the system architecture on the Android Kernel level with CPU, GPU and memory resource scheduling, lighter system firmware size and decreased memory usage. Apparently, the result is 60% smoother operation of MIUI 14 on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra compared to MIUI 13.
Let's quickly go over the new things we found in MIUI 14 running on our Xiaomi 13 unit. Only eight system apps cannot be uninstalled, which is a major leap from past MIUI releases. Other neat optimizations include automatic compression for apps that are not actively used and a toggle to turn off permanent notifications. These ones seem to stem from the Android 13 core rather than the MIUI shell. Privacy is also overhauled with end-to-end encryption and local on-device processing of user data.
Going over the list of expected new additions to MIUI 14 from its official release, we oddly found a lot is not yet present on out Xiaomi 13 unit. Perhaps some of the new features will be delivered later with updates. Our unit lacks the new animated character widgets, for one, but it does have the new style of enlarged folders.
We also didn't find the duplicate file merger, Xiaomi wireless accessory cross-device switching controls, or the new family account features. However, the improved text recognition and extraction from images in the gallery are present.
Other than these few changes, MIUI hasn't morphed in any major way, and users will feel right at home.
The split between a notification shade and Control Center is enabled by default this time, and that's probably a good thing. We found it to be quite convenient, and it's a way to educate users about MIUI's unique approach to the UI. And in case you are not a fan, you can always revert back to the standard notification shade with quick toggles in one place.
Home screen, notification shade, Control center
The home screen, recent apps and the general settings menu are business as usual. The app drawer is also enabled by default, and we like that Xiaomi has placed the search bar at the bottom of the screen for easier reach. There are custom and preset app categories for faster navigation.
Unlike the standard recent apps menu, the MIUI task switcher lists the apps vertically and provides several useful shortcuts. That's where you can open up apps in floating windows. However, you can have only one floating app open at a time. In case you want a faster shortcut to apps that support free-form windows, just enable the Sidebar.
Notably, the Sidebar is different depending on the scenario. In games, the Sidebar provides a couple of gaming-related features, while in video apps, the Sidebar becomes a Video toolbox. It lets you launch video apps in pop-up windows, Screenshot, Record screen, Cast, and Play Video with the screen off, including on YouTube without a Premium subscription. The only caveat is that the apps where you want the feature enabled need to be whitelisted in advance.
Customization is, as always, a big part of MIUI. The system lets you choose the style of the Always-on display or the theme of the UI. Aside from the ones pre-installed on the device, a theme store gives you a wide selection. The themes themselves change not only the general appearance but also ringtones and system icons.
Moving on to privacy and security, MIUI comes with a pre-installed system Security app. Aside from the additional malware protection layer it provides, the app holds many of the app settings and privacy features in one place. It can manage your blacklist, manage or restrict your data usage, configure battery behavior, and free up some RAM. It can also manage the permissions of your installed apps, define the battery behavior of selected apps, and apply restrictions only to certain apps.
Speaking of security, the fingerprint reader is fast and reliable. We had no issues even when outside on a bright sunny day. There's extended functionality for the fingerprint reader, allowing you to open up an app or initiate action as soon as you unlock the device - just keep your finger on the scanner when it unlocks. It's a lot like OnePlus' OxygenOS/Oppo's ColorOS/Realme's Realme UI feature, but this one doesn't allow customization. We didn't find a way to add shortcut apps, so you are stuck with the Search and QR Code scanner.
Fingerprint reader and shortcuts
There is also an experimental feature that lets you use the fingerprint reader to measure heart rate. It is a bit wonky, but still an interesting little addition.
Heart rate monitoring with the fingerprint reader
All in all, MIUI 14 changed a little over the 13th iteration. At least on our Xiaomi 13 unit, that is. It's just as snappy and customizable as ever. Xiaomi has paid special attention to the haptics on this unit, and we found the motor to be crisp, strong and accurate. There's even haptic feedback intensity adjustment if you find it obtrusive or not strong enough.
The Xiaomi 13 packs the latest and greatest flagship chipset Qualcomm has to offer - the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It has an octa-core CPU configuration with one primary Cortex-X3 core, clocked at up to 3.2 GHz, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. Its GPU is a very capable Adreno 740.
The Xiaomi 13 pair said chipset with up to 12GB od RAM and up to 512GB of non-expandable storage in the following configurations: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM. Though international markets allegedly just get a choice between 8/256GB and 12/256GB. It is also worth noting that the 128GB variant of the Xiaomi 13 uses older and slower UFS 3.1 storage, while the 256GB and 512GB tiers have UFS 4.0 chips.
Xiaomi claims that the new CPU brings a 37% improvement in performance and 47% in efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. And the GPU is apparently 42% more powerful and 49% more efficient.
We can see that the Xiaomi 13 manages excellent results in the CPU department through GeekBench.
Higher is better
Higher is better
The same goes for the more compound testing on AnTuTu, which also includes graphical tests. The Xiaomi 13 is chart-topping and makes perfect use of the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip it is equipped with and doesn't hold it back in any way.
Higher is better
The Adreno 740 GPU can really stretch its legs inside the Xiaomi 13 with its FullHD+ native resolution display. It expectedly tops the charts in off-screen tests as well, though.
Higher is better
Higher is better
Higher is better
Higher is better
The Xiaomi 13 makes excellent use of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. We can clearly see that it is not being held back and is performing at its maximum potential here.
Higher is better
Higher is better
As the test difficulty gets lower and lower, the Adreno 740 starts to shine and fully saturate the 120Hz display refresh rate of the Xiaomi 13 in on-screen tests. All the while posting ridiculous three-digit fps numbers in off-screen tests.
Higher is better
Higher is better
Higher is better
Higher is better
The phone is also perfectly snappy and fluent to use in practice. Animations are fluid and fast, and the Xiaomi 13 chews through each and every task you throw at it. Gaming is a joy as well, as long as you remember the refresh rate caveats and lock the refresh rate manually to 120Hz in supported games for the smoothest possible experience.
Xiaomi also paid a lot of attention to cooling the Xiaomi 13 and equipped it with a huge 4,642 mm2 vapor chamber. We ran our standard hour-long torture test on the Xiaomi 13 and found it to be able to sustain its performance very well. However, it did get really hot during the test. Definitely uncomfortable to the touch.
The Adreno 740 GPU sustained its performance very well, too, under a prolonged stress load.
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