Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G offers good value for money

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is the highlight of this year’s updated Redmi Note series, but the basic Note 13 5G is likely to be the most popular smartphone among users. That’s because the Redmi Note series is known for its eye-catching features and affordable prices.

The story for this year’s Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G remains almost unchanged. The Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, which retains the base variant’s price of Rs 17,999, features a new design inspired by the iPhone 14’s flat corners. The back camera system now features an enhanced 108MP primary camera, and the chipset underneath has been upgraded to MediaTek’s Dimensity 6080 SoC. Furthermore, the base edition has an improved memory bandwidth of 6GB RAM. All the right ingredients for a promising smartphone in the segment.

However, one element that remains intact and difficult to miss in 2024 is the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G’s lack of dual speakers, which I believe is crucial for all smartphones at various price tiers. The custom MIUI 14 skin is still based on Android 13, although Android 14 is on the horizon. In that situation, is the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G worth considering? Let us find out.

Price when reviewed: €359.00 | Check price at Amazon

Redmi Note 13 Pro KEY FEATURES

Finally, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 features a new look and higher performance thanks to its Dimensity 4nm CPU and increased RAM. The minor advancements may not justify switching from the Redmi Note 12, especially given the significant expenditure required for the higher RAM variants.

The tablet features a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel, which is the same size as the rest of the Notes. The resolution here is 1080p, with a refresh rate of 120Hz. In some markets, this panel would also support 10-bit color depths. The Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G is powered by the MediaTek 6080 5G processor and comes in two popular variants: 6GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage, both with microSD expansion. The back of the Note 13 5G features three cameras: a 108MP main, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP depth sensor. There is no macro camera here, unlike in the 4G version.

In this comparison, there are also no stereo speakers or an under-display fingerprint scanner. This is why we consider the Note 13 to be the most basic model, even though it is not the cheapest. Finally, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G features a 5,000mAh battery with 33W rapid charging. It also operates on Android 13 with MIUI 14. The 5G Note 13 appears to be a well-rounded smartphone, much like the Redmi Note 13 4G. But we do miss the stereo speakers; this exclusion seems completely superfluous.

REDMI NOTE 13 PRO UNBOXING

The Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G retail packaging contains only a USB-C-to-A cable, a 33W powered adapter, and a dark grey protective case. We’re curious why Xiaomi chose to sell its latest models with such black casings instead of transparent ones.

The Note 13 also has a thin protective film added, which works well as a scratch shield but is also a dreadful smudge magnet.

CAMERA

• Dual Camera (108MP + 2MP)
• 16 MP (Front Camera)
• 1080p Recording

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13’s camera configuration combines advancements and restrictions, making it a notable but not satisfying component of the device. The primary sensor has been increased to 108MP with an f/1.7 aperture, indicating improved detail and low-light performance. While the color rendition and sharpness in photographs are commendable, a tiny distortion becomes visible when zooming, indicating some limitations in digital zoom capabilities.

Xiaomi’s pledge to improve zoom capabilities through updates is impressive, but it falls short of the optical zoom experience. The introduction of HDR for the main sensor and AI features, such as an AI watermark, help to boost photo quality, but it’s evident that much of the magic comes from software optimization rather than hardware innovation.

The inclusion of a 2-megapixel depth camera, effectively a macro lens, appeals to macro photography fans. Close-up images of flowers and objects exhibit brilliant colors, though the background blur may be a little excessive.

The new Redmi Note 13 appears to have decent night photography, but nothing remarkable. You receive a similar “Super Night Scene” feature to last year, which captures excellent images of low-light scenarios but lacks the elegance seen in higher-end models.

However, video capabilities remain relatively limited, with only 1080p at 30fps available rather than the sought 4K option seen on the Redmi Note 12.

The front camera features a 16MP sensor. It’s a little improvement over last year’s 13MP, but it still suffers in low-light circumstances. Although photographing in broad daylight with natural lighting yields better selfies, it’s important to remember that strong external lighting is essential for maximum results. AI beauty mode and HDR provide a touch of improvement, but the results may appear artificial.

DESIGN AND SCREEN

Historically, Redmi Note smartphones have been recognized for their vibrant colors and showy accents. In contrast, the Redmi Note 13 5G’s white and black color options take a minimalist approach. The white model (Arctic White) that I’m reviewing has a marble-like finish, which I enjoy. The white surface also effectively hides scratch marks and fingerprint smudges. If you want a flamboyant look, there is still a gold model available.

As part of the redesign, the Note 13 has a flatter build. The result is a lower weight and thickness of 173.5 grams and 7.6mm, respectively. The total weight distribution improves the in-hand grip as well.

Other ports and buttons, such as USB-C and the power button, remain standard. The power button also functions as a fingerprint scanner, which is responsive if your thumb is clean and dry. Rests include a 3.5mm audio jack on top, as well as the famous IR blaster used on older Note phones to control home gadgets such as televisions and air conditioners.

The basic Note 13 retains its flat 6.67-inch display, however, the Note 13 Pro+ now has a curved screen. Xiaomi continues to use a Super AMOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution (2,400 x 1,080 pixels) and a refresh rate of 120Hz. According to the company, the phone’s display has a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits. While it is difficult to verify the claim without the right equipment, the viewing experience under harsh sunlight is nevertheless pleasant.

The color calibration is also excellent in the class, allowing you to enjoy media material on your preferred app. There is support for HDR, although it should be noted that the Netflix app requires server-side optimization to fully utilize this display feature. However, watching movies without headphones can be disappointing due to the single speaker at the bottom. If you have Dolby Atmos-compatible headphones, you can enjoy immersive audio.

The Redmi Note 13 5G’s large display and built-in reading mode continue to make reading enjoyable. The 120Hz refresh rate also ensures a smooth scroll experience.

HOW’S THE PERFORMANCE?

As previously stated, the Redmi Note 13 5G is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 6080 SoC, which pairs with 6GB of LPPDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The device I’m examining has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage and costs Rs 19,999. There is also a model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage priced at Rs 21,999.

Compared to last year’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoC-powered Redmi Note 12, the Note 13 outperformed in nearly every benchmark. Its AnTutu score grew by almost 24 percent, yet its battery usage remained constant throughout the test. The Note 13 performed well in Geekbench’s single-core test, while its multi-core score stayed almost unchanged. Fortunately, these advancements do not result in throttling, as the Dimensity 6080 SoC maintained constant performance even under severe load.

Even in real life, the Redmi Note 13 5G delivered dependable performance. I did not see any app crashes, although MIUI 14 did show a few animation flaws, which is common for most smartphones, including high-end models. Popular apps such as Instagram and WhatsApp also ran flawlessly.

I would have preferred if the Redmi Note 13 5G came preloaded with Android 14-based HyperOS, which the smartphone is expected to receive soon. Otherwise, MIUI has numerous customization options, which users will love. The issue of additional pre-installed programs is also ongoing. In such a situation, credit businesses such as Infinix for removing unneeded apps from their handsets. Indian smartphone manufacturer Lava is also doing an excellent job of providing a clean Android experience.

In terms of gaming, the Redmi Note 13 5G can handle popular games like Candy Crush and Subway Surfers without any stutters. Moderately graphically intensive titles, such as Asphalt 9, ran nicely at 50-60 fps. The Redmi Note 13 5G 5G can handle heavy titles such as BGMI, Call of Duty, and Genshin Impact, however, it gets hot when used for an extended period. In some cases, you may suffer more perceptible stutters.

There is also support for 5G. With an Airtel 5G Plus SIM, the Redmi Note 13 5G delivered 200Mbps 5G speeds in my South Delhi home. Take notice that speeds vary depending on location.

Buy it if...

• The Redmi Note 13 5G 5G’s white and black variants feature a minimalist style that is suited for office workers.
• Its 5,000mAh battery gives a reliable power backup.
• The big 6.67-inch AMOLED display is ideal for reading and watching movies.
• The 108MP camera works quite well in the daytime.

Don't buy it if…

• The cameras struggle to work consistently in low light.
• The Redmi Note 13 5G 5G doesn’t have stereo speakers.
• It still runs MIUI, which is based on Android 13.

FULL SPECIFICATION