News

Xiaomi 13 Ultra finally makes its much-awaited global debut

Four 50MP cameras plus a 1-inch sensor with variable aperture

Published

April 18, 2023

Vincenz

Xiaomi first launched their very first smartphone with a 1-inch sensor through last year’s Xiaomi 12S Ultra. But unlike its predecessor, the Mi 11 Ultra, the 12S Ultra was only available in China.

After numerous speculations from leakers and much anticipation from fans, the company has revealed their latest and greatest flagship smartphone yet.

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra isn’t limited to their home turf anymore as it simultaneously made its much-awaited global debut.

The Ultra-fication of the Pro

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra isn’t that different from its “Pro” sibling. You still get that already great flagship-grade experience with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset plus Adreno 740 graphics.

However, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra has better configurations up in its sleeve. The base model starts at 12+256GB (versus 8+128/256 on the Pro). Getting a 512GB or a 1TB UFS 4.0 storage automatically gives you a whopping 16GB of LPDDR5X memory (instead of just 12GB). What a smartphone overkill!

While both are equipped with the same 6.73-inch 120Hz 2K (or WQHD+) display, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra boasts the LTPO3 technology while the Pro variant relies on first-generation LTPO. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is also 100 nits brighter (at 1300 nits) when in HBM (High Brightness Mode). Meanwhile, its peak brightness maxes out at 2600 nits (versus 1900 nits on the 13 Pro).

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra also features a bigger 5000mAh battery (compared to 4820mAh) but uses the less speedy 90W proprietary charging support over Xiaomi 13 Pro’s 120W HyperCharge. However, the Ultra keeps the Pro’s 50W wireless charging + 10W reverse wireless charging support.

Other premium features still remain such as the Gorilla Glass Victus glass protection as well as being IP68-rated.

Lastly, instead of relying on a silicone polymer or a smudgy ceramic glass back, all Xiaomi 13 Ultra colorways have an eco-leather back. Not only it features a better design, it also adds more grip thanks to that leather texture backing that will truly remind you of professional Leica cameras.

Quad-boggling 50MP cameras

Xiaomi has already marketed the Xiaomi 13 Pro as an ultimate mobile photography companion with its triple 50MP camera setup. But the Xiaomi 13 Ultra takes everything on a whole new level.

The headlining (and the biggest, literally) feature of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra is none other than its ultra-massive Leica-branded circular camera bump that houses not just one, but four massive 50-megapixel cameras beneath.

While both of these Xiaomi phones sport a similar 50MP 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra has an extra handy feature — its dual-variable aperture that lets the user choose between f/1.9 or f/4.0 depending on the photography subject being taken. This rivals the Huawei P60 Pro as well as the Mate 50 Pro.

The rest of Xiaomi 13 Ultra’s 50MP cameras are then based from Sony’s IMX858 sensor (versus Samsung JN1). But aside from the existing 3.2x telephoto lens, they’ve added an extra f/3.0 5x periscope zoom lens (or a 120mm-based “Super Telephoto lens” according to Xiaomi) with EIS for blurry-free zoomed shots.

It seems like Xiaomi is trying to hit two birds with one stone as the newly-added periscope lens directly hits the 10x lens of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Looking further at the nitty-gritty camera differences, the ultra-wide and 3.2x telephoto lenses of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra vs Pro are also different (in particular order):

122 versus 115 degree UWA FoV (Ultra-Wide Angle Field of View)
f/1.8 on both lenses versus f/2.2 (UWA) / f/2.0 (3.2x telephoto)
OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is present on Xiaomi 13 Ultra’s telephoto and periscope lenses; Xiaomi 13 Pro only relies on PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus)

These cameras also have Leica’s color modes and Summicron optics. A ToF 3D depth sensor is also present that the Pro model lacks.

Pricing and availability

The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is available in three colors: black, white, and the signature olive green.

Even though the smartphone will be available globally, Xiaomi only revealed Chinese pricing in three configurations:

12GB + 256GB = CNY 5999 (US$ 873 / EUR 795 / GBP 701 / SG$ 1162 / PhP 49,090 / INR 71,568)
16GB + 512GB = CNY 6499 (US$ 945 / EUR 862 / GBP 759 / SG$ 1259 / PhP 53,182 / INR 77,533)
16GB + 1TB = CNY 7299 (US$ 1062 / EUR 968 / GBP 853 / SG$ 1414 / PhP 59,729 / INR 87,077)

Xiaomi also offers the Professional Photography Kit for CNY 799 (US$ 116 / EUR 106 / GBP 93 / SG$ 155 / PhP 6538 / INR 9532). This includes a 67mm filter ring adapter, lens cap, nano skin protective case, and a wireless camera handle with lanyard/strap for that added grip.

News

Lenovo introduces the immersive Referee View for the World Cup

Keep up with the action.

Published

June 17, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The traditional way of watching a football match is a wide view of the pitch. Given how quick action can get, this is still the quintessential way to watch the sport. But what if you can watch from a different angle? This World Cup season, Lenovo introduced Referee View, an AI-powered feed that brings the action right to your screen.

As the name suggests, the new view will take you to the point of view of a referee during a match. Since referees have the best view of the action, your World Cup experience won’t get as immersive as this.

Plus, with Referee View AI Stabilizer, the view reduces jitter by up to 50 percent so the image stays steady even while on the move. Lenovo says that it even caught goal from Mexico’s Julian Quinones, the very first goal of the World Cup this year.

With Lenovo as the technology partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026, fans can get in the action with every match using Referee View.

News

TECNO’s SPARK 50 Pro is the latest budget smartphone battery beast

Just two months after the SPARK 50 5G

Published

June 16, 2026

Vincenz

One after another, TECNO launches the SPARK 50 Pro with a beastly battery within. That’s just days after the grand launch of the POVA 8 5G in India.

Built to last

The icing of the cake has got to be the battery of the SPARK 50 Pro. However, the battery capacity will differ depending on where you live.

There’s a 5600mAh dual-cell version and a slightly larger single-cell model hitting the 6000mAh mark.

Still, despite that battery capacity, it measures just 7.8mm thin.

If you’re worried about battery longevity, the SPARK 50 Pro can still last more than 80% of their original battery capacity — even after 1900+ charging cycles in six years.

Charging support is faster at 60W, better than what TECNO’s 45W speeds in their most recent smartphones.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Beneath that battery lies MediaTek’s Helio G100 Ultimate SoC. When it comes to memory, it allows up to 24GB extended thanks to Memory Fusion 4.0.

Up front, there’s a 6.78-inch 120Hz display paired with DTS-supported dual stereo speakers.

Finally, the SPARK 50 Pro also boasts SGS Five-Star durability certification alongside IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance — making it one of the budget-friendly devices to have such durability rating.

More than meets the eye

Unlike the base SPARK 50 5G, the SPARK 50 Pro is powered by a 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 (or LYT-600) main camera. The said sensor promises improved low-light performance compared to typical cameras in its category.

The company is also bringing its TECNO’s very-own FlashSnap capabilities found in higher CAMON series. This feature offers shutter speeds of up to 1/10,000 of a second to better capture fast-moving subjects like pets, sports, or action shots.

Speaking of, TECNO’s Universal Tone technology also returns, aiming to produce more natural-looking skin tones across different environments.

Several AI-powered editing tools are included as well. That includes AI Eraser 2.0 and AI Extender for photos, AI Noise Cancellation for clearer calls, as well as AI Health Assistant. Even Ella as your AI Assistant was not left behind.

For off the grid communication, FreeLink 2.0 exists when needed.

Pricing and Availability

The TECNO SPARK 50 Pro comes in five color choices: Ink Black, Titanium Grey, Midnight Blue, Dynamic Orange, and Cloud White.

TECNO has yet to announce official pricing and regional availability.

News

Nothing is coming to over 500 Best Buy stores in the United States

Also available online

Published

June 15, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

As the newest kid on the block, Nothing hasn’t made it terribly easy to grab one of their phones. But that’s all part of the allure. After all, fashion shouldn’t be easy.

Thankfully, all that difficulty isn’t forever. Nothing, together with all its phones and accessories, are coming to over 500 Best Buys across the United States.

It’s been a long time coming. Last year, Nothing expanded first in Canada as part of its push to spread across the North American continent. Now, after all the wait, the brand is finally available in one of the other North American country’s biggest retailers for tech.

From coast to coast, fans of the fashionable brand can grab the Phone (4a) Pro, the Headphone (a), the Phone (3), and the Ear (3) at their nearest Best Buy branch. Alternatively, they can also order any of these devices online through BestBuy.com.

It’s been a quiet year for Nothing. Though the brand successfully launched the Phone (4a) Pro series earlier this year, it has no plans to launch a follow-up to last year’s Phone (3) yet, leaving the flagship market hanging by another year. That said, there’s still much to love about the brand this year, from its heavily notable designs to its capable specs.