Just a couple of years ago, the standard smartphone battery was 5000 mAh, and that seemed like the norm. Today, the same form factor fits 7000 mAh, with some models approaching 8000 mAh and even 10,000 mAh. All of this became possible thanks to silicon-carbon technology. If in short: the same physical battery form, but 30-50% more capacity in the same dimensions. And while most manufacturers simply offer you to buy a smartphone with a new battery, Xiaomi did something unexpected: they launched a program that allows you to install a higher-capacity battery in an older smartphone. Let me break down how it works and who it can help.

Xiaomi actually allows you to increase battery capacity. Image: Xiaomi

Can You Increase a Smartphone’s Battery

Physically increasing an Android battery inside an already assembled smartphone is impossible: you can’t stretch the case. But you can replace the old battery with a new one of the same shape and size, which holds more energy inside thanks to silicon-carbon technology.

A silicon-carbon battery of the same form but with greater capacity.

Previously, official service centers only offered standard replacement: the same capacity, just a new battery. This is also useful, since old smartphones do discharge faster than new ones. But now Xiaomi has gone further. The company launched an official replacement program for silicon-carbon batteries with increased capacity. Xiaomi battery replacement in this format is no longer just restoration but a full-fledged upgrade.

Which Xiaomi Smartphones Support Battery Upgrade

At the time of publication, the program covers three models from the Xiaomi 13 series. First, in April 2026, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra was included in the program, then it was expanded to the remaining models in the lineup:

  • Xiaomi 13;
  • Xiaomi 13 Pro;
  • Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

The Xiaomi 14 series, REDMI smartphones, and other models are not yet included in the program. Xiaomi promises to expand the list, but hasn’t named specific dates or the next devices.

How Much Can You Increase the Xiaomi Battery

For owners of Xiaomi 13 series smartphones, the upgrade will be noticeable. Image: Xiaomi

Specific capacity increase figures for each model:

  • Xiaomi 13 battery: from 4500 to 4850 mAh (increase of 350 mAh);
  • Xiaomi 13 Pro battery: from 4820 to 5360 mAh (increase of 540 mAh);
  • Xiaomi 13 Ultra battery: from 5000 to 5500 mAh (increase of 500 mAh).

At first glance, 350-540 mAh sounds modest. But in practice, it’s about 10% additional battery life on top of the current capacity. For a smartphone with a degraded battery, the combined effect (new battery plus increased capacity) will be noticeable.

10% capacity increase plus a new battery instead of a worn-out one — the difference is noticeable.

At the same time, let’s be honest: the Xiaomi 13 series battery even after the upgrade doesn’t reach 2026 standards. It’s important to know that the Xiaomi 13 after the upgrade won’t become a modern flagship in terms of battery life, but the period of comfortable use will be significantly extended.

How to Increase the Xiaomi Battery

The procedure is simple, but with an important caveat that I’ll mention at the end:

  1. Make sure your smartphone is on the list of supported models: Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Pro, or Xiaomi 13 Ultra.
  2. Visit an official authorized Xiaomi service center.
  3. Tell the staff that you want to use the battery replacement program for a silicon-carbon battery with increased capacity.
  4. Leave your smartphone for service and pick it up with an upgraded battery.

You can also submit a request on the official Xiaomi website in China

Now the main caveat: for now, the program is available exclusively in China. It is currently not possible to use it at authorized service centers in Russia. If you are in China or planning a trip, upgrading the Xiaomi battery through this program costs 149 yuan (approximately $20 at the current exchange rate). For that price, getting a capacity increase and a new battery instead of a worn-out one is a fair deal. Xiaomi has not announced when or if the program will appear in other countries.

What to Do If Your Xiaomi Drains Quickly

If the program is unavailable and your Xiaomi battery no longer delivers satisfying battery life, there are several ways to improve the situation without physically replacing the battery. Here’s what actually works:

  • Enable adaptive screen refresh rate instead of a fixed 120 Hz (the smartphone will automatically lower the frequency in static scenarios);
  • Limit background activity of power-hungry apps through “Settings — Battery — Battery usage”;
  • Disable Always-On Display or set it to work on a schedule;
  • Enable dark theme if your smartphone has an AMOLED screen;
  • Switch photo and email sync to manual mode or on a schedule;
  • Disable keyboard haptic feedback (a small thing you don’t notice, but it causes noticeable drain over the course of a day).

If your smartphone is several years old and Xiaomi battery life has noticeably decreased, it’s worth visiting a service center for a standard battery replacement with an identical one. This won’t increase the smartphone’s battery, but it will restore the original battery life. On a device that’s 2-3 years old with a degraded battery, such a replacement sometimes feels like getting a new phone.