Xiaomi has frequently faced criticism for drawing inspiration from Apple. However, the roles may soon reverse. The Chinese tech giant has extended its paid battery upgrade initiative in China to include the Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro, and Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
In contrast to standard battery replacements that merely swap depleted cells for identical ones, Xiaomi is providing larger-capacity batteries to enhance the longevity of older devices.
Hold On… A Battery Boost Years After Launch?
Xiaomi 13 Ultra Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsAccording to information provided by Xiaomi President Lu Weibing on Weibo, the base Xiaomi 13 will see its battery capacity increase from 4,500mAh to 4,850mAh. The Xiaomi 13 Pro will experience a more substantial upgrade, jumping from 4,820mAh to 5,361mAh, while the Xiaomi 13 Ultra will move from 5,000mAh to 5,500mAh. While these increments are smaller than those seen in its latest flagship devices, they represent a significant enhancement for phones that are nearly four years old.
Furthermore, the cost is remarkably low.
The service is priced at 189 Yuan (approximately $27), which covers both parts and labor. Xiaomi cautions that availability might be restricted, indicating this is not yet a globally accessible program. Nevertheless, the concept is compelling. As smartphone manufacturers increasingly promote extended software support and longer device lifecycles, an official higher-capacity battery swap aligns perfectly with this trend. It not only restores but enhances battery performance, much like an OTA update improves software functionality.
Parilov / ShutterstockApple Should Take Note
Apple already provides battery replacements for older iPhones, which is commendable. However, Xiaomi’s strategy is more innovative because it transforms a repair into an upgrade. Picture bringing an older iPhone in for service and receiving a certified, higher-capacity battery crafted by Apple, optimized through iOS, and backed by official support. This would make battery replacement more attractive than merely restoring the device to its original battery performance.