Redmi Note 13 Pro+ Goes Big on Features

Despite being the most expensive Redmi Note smartphone ever (beginning at Rs 31,999 in India), there are a few features of the new Redmi Note 13 Pro+ that I enjoy. With a 3D curved display and vegan leather back, it has a more contemporary and cheerful look. The smartphone may be fully charged in less than 30 minutes thanks to the 120W charging support and the same output charger that comes in the box. Furthermore, given its price range, the phone is assured to receive three years’ worth of Android updates, which is noteworthy.

An improved 200MP primary camera with OIS (optical image stabilization), MediaTek’s 4nm-based Dimensity 7200 Ultra SoC, an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage are some of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+’s other highlights.

However, as previously stated, there is no escaping the fact that this is the priciest Redmi Note phone to date. Additionally, it means that the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ will now be up against some of the most well-known competitors in the market, including the OnePlus Nord 3 (review), Motorola Edge 40 (review), and even the somewhat more costly Google Pixel 7a (review). If so, is it anything to think about? This is my assessment after using it for a long period.

Price when reviewed: €362.00 | Check price at Amazon

Redmi Note 13 Pro+ KEY FEATURES

By providing flagship-caliber features, such as Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and 512GB of storage, for less than Rs 36K, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ pushes the envelope. For the first time in the Redmi Note series, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is the only Note 13 model to have full IP68 ingress protection. It also impresses with its powerful Dimensity 7200 Ultra chipset, quick UFS 3.1 storage, and 120W rapid charging.

With a curved glass design, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ features the same 6.67-inch AMOLED screen as the Redmi Note 13 Pro, which is a great panel with 1220p resolution, 12-bit color depth, 120Hz refresh rate, and support for Dolby Vision. The Dimensity 7200 Ultra chipset, which includes UFS3.1 storage chips and contemporary CPU and GPU cores, powers the Plus variant. The 200MP OIS primary camera with up to 4x lossless zoom, the 8MP ultrawide, the 2MP macro, and the 16MP selfie sensors are all part of the same camera technology as the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G.

The battery may seem ordinary at 5,000 mAh, however, it can be charged at 120 W quickly. Xiaomi claims that it should only take 19 minutes to charge the device from 0% to 100% with the included 120W power adapter.

REDMI NOTE 13 PRO+ UNBOXING

Everything you could need to get started is included in the substantial white box that the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ ships in. You don’t need to buy anything because there is a 120W fast charger and a 6A-rated USB cable.

Better yet, a dark gray protective case with a sizable cutout for the camera housing is also included in the set. Additionally, there is a small folio protecting the screen from scratches.

CAMERA

• 200-megapixel primary sensor.
• mediocre 8-megapixel ultrawide with no telephoto.
• reliable 16-megapixel selfie lens

Although Xiaomi’s mid-range model does not currently have a Leica cooperation, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ does have an improved 200MP primary camera. For example, instead of using the ISOCELL HPX sensor, which captured more light and better details, it now uses the ISOCELL HP3 sensor. Consequently, images taken in 200MP mode have sharper details, reduced noise, and easier-to-read text when enlarging. Of course, clicking pictures in this mode also results in larger files.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ typically outperforms the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and a few of its direct competitors when operating in standard mode. Improved dynamic range, color balance, and noise reduction are visible under various lighting scenarios.

The phone balances colors satisfactorily in bright light, although occasionally you may detect overexposed areas that the program is unable to reduce in intensity. Though typically in a positive way, the saturation can occasionally be a little high. Portrait photos have superb edge detection and seem quite natural. The primary camera can record videos at up to 4K30 frames per second. Furthermore, there has been a noticeable improvement in stabilization as compared to the Redmi Note 12 Pro+.

While details are still not the best, the 8MP ultra-wide camera also shows some progress. Many of the images in my tests have a strong contrast, which accentuates the drama of the shadows. This also conceals background details. The 2MP camera is still largely disappointing because it cannot identify the target in dim or bright lighting. Usually, when it’s dark outside, you’ll also see some color discrepancies from the other two camera sensors.

Although the front camera performs satisfactorily, it is not always reliable in low light. The enhanced skin tone detection has my satisfaction.

DESIGN AND SCREEN

• Attractive two-tone design
• Premium build quality
• Excellent 6.67-inch AMOLED
• In-display fingerprint sensor

Xiaomi’s initial release this year established a new standard in terms of design. Yes, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is what I’m referring to. I have only chosen to use it—as the only smartphone released in recent years—without a case. For me, and most likely for the individuals who saw the phone during my review, the entire fusion design worked, especially the color-blocked pattern design. There will be a lot of phones this year with a similar back design, as seen by the announcement of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with vegan leather.

Fusion White, Fusion Black, and Fusion Purple are the available colors for the phone. Out of the three, I choose the one with the nicest appearance. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has benefited from its curved display design and vegan leather back. It is simpler for one-handed jobs. This is the first Note series gadget from Xiaomi to feature a 3D curved display. They may have arrived late to the party, but they did a fantastic job providing the ideal one-handed grip. It is comfortable to grasp because of the bend towards the back.

Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, a great addition to this gadget in this price range, protects the front of the device. Xiaomi is poised to establish a higher standard for other manufacturers with this. During a conference, the company asserted that the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has a reinforced aluminum corner and a thicker motherboard, making it one of the strongest Redmis to date. Amazingly, the Leather Vegan model weighs less than 200 grams despite all of these changes, even though I’m no JerryRig to test durability. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has a good body-to-weight ratio, and I never felt that it was too heavy to use one-handedly during the testing. The actual buttons are easily accessible and haptic. Overall, Xiaomi’s design of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is largely flawless.

leaping to the screen. The phone has a 6.67-inch 3D Curved AMOLED display (1220×2712 pixels) with an adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz and a pixel density of 446PPI. The phone’s notable feature is its impressive 93.35 percent screen-to-body ratio. For the majority of multimedia requirements, the display is outstanding and supports Dolby Vision. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is fantastic for everything from gaming to photo browsing to Netflix viewing. On the display, the text is clear and the photos are sharp. Additionally, the sunlight legibility is really good. There is the instantaneous and faultless in-display fingerprint scanner. One of the greatest screens we have ever used on a Redmi Note device is found on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

HOW’S THE PERFORMANCE?

As we approach 2024, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ becomes the proper standard for smartphone memory configurations. 256GB of storage is now available in the base model. The top model, which costs Rs 35,999, comes with 12GB of LPPDR5 RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The one I’m examining costs Rs 33,999 and features 256GB of storage along with 12GB of RAM.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ performed dependably throughout my assessment; there were no unexpected app crashes or overheating symptoms. There are rare occasions when certain programs take an abnormally long time to launch or when you experience stutters when switching between apps, although these problems are minor. The quantity of pre-installed apps that slightly clog the software experience may irritate you. Xiaomi’s mid-range handsets have been slow to receive the Android 14 upgrade, which is a problem that has to be fixed right away.

Three years of Android updates—the next one being the new HyperOS Android skin—are at least guaranteed for the Redmi Note 13 Pro+. Moreover, NFC capability is provided for easy digital payments. Also, the well-liked IR blaster allows smartphone control of household appliances like TVs and air conditioners. At home in Delhi, I was getting around 200Mbps with an Airtel 5G Plus SIM card. But coverage determines different internet speeds.

Pure benchmark performance-wise, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra SoC outperforms the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, achieving respectable scores on Geekbench 6 and AnTuTu (screenshots below). But, based on numbers at least, the OnePlus Nord 3, powered by the Dimensity 9000 SoC, is superior.

Buy it if...

• If you don’t like basic colors, try a trendy colorway.
• Brilliant display with stereo speaker support.
• Reliable battery backup with 120W charging capabilities.
• Gorilla Glass Victus and an IP68 rating are among the premium features available for less than Rs 36,000.

Don't buy it if…

• The program came with various pre-installed apps.
• Low-light photography can be uneven and requires improvement.