Redmi Note 13 Review | Geek Lifestyle
Attending the global launch of the Redmi Note 13 series in Bangkok was an eye-opener for me. Not only because we were able to see Redmi models and accessories on site before anyone else, but also because we learned more about the brand and its origins.
Xiaomi shook up the smartphone industry with its launch because the price was incredibly competitive. This was achieved because the brand sold products primarily online without spending too much on marketing, physical infrastructure and celebrity endorsements. Over the years, this has changed with the opening of new physical concept stores and the appearance of celebrities and KOLs in Xiaomi products. However, the brand's price-performance philosophy is still relevant today and has been perfectly implemented in the Redmi sub-brand.
As a brand, Redmi aims to bring flagship features and experiences to a wider audience at a fraction of the cost of its flagship and subsequent competitors. We can clearly see this across the entire Redmi Note 13 series as the smartphones at some point announced and released all the sharing features that were only available on premium mid-range phones and even flagship phones.
Even at PHP 9,999, the base model of the Redmi Note 13 (4G) series manages to retain some of these features.
Geek aesthetic
Firstly, the Redmi Note 13 looks great with its unibody design. The flat sides provide a firmer grip, and despite being a sub-$10,000 phone, the device itself has a relatively thin bezel, which is rare for this price. The caseback is free of unnecessary markings and ensures a clean aesthetic. The fact that the rear camera module also works properly on the back adds to the mood of the Samsung Galaxy S24.
Although it's not the slimmest phone in the range, the slightly raised edges give the impression that the back is wrapped around a reinforced glass frame. And maybe it's just me, but this makes it feel more premium than what you're actually paying for.
The Redmi Note 13 is available in three different colors: midnight black, mint green and ice blue. Of the three colors, mint green is our favorite and will add a soft, natural feel to your wardrobe.
The Overwatch factor
Surprisingly, all Redmi Note 13 series come with AMOLED displays, and yes, even the entry-level model of the series. The Redmi Note 13 has a fairly large 6.67-inch AMOLED FHD+ (2400 x 1080) screen, which really surprised us considering the price of the device. And while most phones in this price range have a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz (roughly 60Hz), Xiaomi has managed to increase the refresh rate to 120Hz (with a touch sample rate of 240Hz). The screen is bright enough to see well in all lighting conditions, considering the phone can have a brightness of up to 1,800 nits. It already reaches the shiny upper mid-range of the flagship category.
In addition, Redmi has managed to integrate two speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack into the device. WHAT?! Yes, in a world where 3.5mm jacks are becoming obsolete, Redmi still manages to keep this feature alive for those who like to use wired headphones. To complete the entertainment immersion, the audio is also supported (and enhanced) by Dolby Atmos.
We don't know how Xiaomi managed to keep the price so low.
Mastery of the game
The Redmi Note 13 is powered by a 6nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 processor and comes with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. There was a time when 8/256GB configurations were reserved for upper mid-range models, and we're happy to see that the base model Redmi Note 13 offers just that.
We tested it on our favorite games and the phone performed surprisingly well, especially on mobile games that don't require a lot of graphics. For MLBB, the Redmi Note 13 unlocks high graphics and high frame rates by default, but you can sync it to Ultra if needed. Note that the Ultra setting uses more resources and drains the battery faster. And as far as frame rates go, while we didn't notice any slowdown in gameplay, there will be a slight lag in menu/UI transitions. Even if you keep the default settings, you can still enjoy gaming thanks to the Redmi Note 13's flat screen.
For resource-intensive games like Genshin Impact, the phone defaults to low graphics. Don't try to increase the value if you want a decent frame rate. Keep the graphics as low as possible if you want the best framerate, otherwise you can stick with the standard 30fps with half-decent graphics.
Master skills for photo sessions
For photography enthusiasts, Xiaomi has equipped the Redmi Note 13 with a quite powerful rear camera system. The rear camera module consists of a 108 MP wide-angle camera (f/1.75), an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera (f/2.2) and a 2 MP macro camera (f/2.4). On paper, this setting should meet the needs of everyday photography, especially in good light. The problem occurs at night because the cameras do not have OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). You have to be steadfast when taking night photos.
And since his hands are shaking a lot, it's definitely difficult. However, if you stay a few seconds longer, you'll get decent, at best usable night photos, although you'll have to deal with noise and grain.
We tried to push the phone's visual capabilities even further by attempting to use the Redmi Note 13 entirely on our trip to Bangkok. And while it's not as simple and straightforward as we wanted, it still captured a lot. great moments
Since the phone doesn't have much stabilization technology, you'll want to keep it still as much as possible or connect it to a third-party mobile device.
However, the Redmi Note 13 isn't really intended for videos. At best, the 108MP primary shooter will take center stage. This allows the phone to capture more detailed images, but you also need enough light for this.
Here are some examples.
Having already said that the phone struggles with videos, we particularly like that the Redmi Note 13 has a wide aspect ratio mode if you want to make your shots a little more cinematic. I mean, not many phones have this option. And while this particular device isn't actually marketed for video, the option reinforces the brand's desire to offer a similar experience to more people.
To top it all off, the Redmi Note 13 is equipped with a 16 MP (f/2.5) front camera. And while it may not be the best selfie camera on the market, it takes good pictures too.
For a phone under 10,000 pesos, we really expected less from the phone's photo and video features. Despite the limitations, we are quite happy with the performance considering the price.
Reliability in everyday life
As expected, the 5000mAh battery will become the norm for smartphones this year and the Redmi Note 13 also has a large capacity battery. It also comes with a 33W fast charger, which is often missing from phones in this price range. In that regard, we're pretty happy with how Redmi handles its customer base and gives us technology that lasts all day (and beyond).
While the phone currently runs Android 13 based on MIUI 14, we can expect security and software updates for at least the next few years.
Finally, the Redmi Note 13 (4G) is designed for those who have not yet thought about 5G services (especially if you live in a region where 5G is not yet available). While I personally think a 5G phone is a bit more future-proof, 4G speeds aren't that bad.
The ultimate verdict on the geek lifestyle
Overall, the Redmi Note 13 (4G) impressed us with its capabilities considering its price. For less than 10,000 pesos, it's hard to find a stylish phone with a decent internals, a camera good enough for photography, a large battery with fast charging, and decent storage.
The Redmi Note 13 (4G) starts at PHP 7,999 for the 6GB/128GB variant and goes up to PHP 9,999 for the 8GB/256GB variant. If you are looking for a really good 4G phone that won't break your budget, your best bet is to visit the Xiaomi concept stores and partner retailers near you and give the phone a try.
Redmi Note 13 Specifications:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 processor (6nm)
- 6GB/8GB RAM
- 128/256GB storage, expandable up to 1TB
- 6.67-inch AMOLED FHD+ display (2400 × 1080), 120 Hz refresh rate, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
- Triple rear camera 108MP f/1.75 primary + 8MP F/2.2 ultra wide angle + 2MP F/2.4 macro triple
- Front camera 16 MP f/2.5
- 3G, LTE, hybrid SIM+SIM slot, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC
- WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, integrated fingerprint sensor, facial recognition
- USB Type C, 3.5mm combo jack
- Two speakers, Dolby Atmos
- 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging support
- MIUI 14 based on Android 13
- Northern black, mint green, ice blue
- Price: PHP 7,999 (6GB/128GB variant) and PHP 9,999 (8GB/245GB variant)
