Redmi Note 13 5G Review: Good Value For Money
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (Review) is the focus for this year's refreshed Redmi Note series, but the standard Note 13 5G may be the consumer favorite. In fact, the Redmi Note series is generally synonymous with captivating features combined with an attractive price.
The story of this year's Redmi Note 13 5G continues the same. Priced unchanged from the base variant of Rs 17,999, the Redmi Note 13 5G offers a refined design inspired by the flat edges of the iPhone 14. The rear camera system now includes an updated 108MP primary camera and a chip under the hood. It has also been upgraded to MediaTek's Dimensity 6080 SoC. Additionally, the base variant offers higher memory bandwidth of 6GB RAM. Together, the right components for a promising smartphone in the segment.
However, one aspect that doesn't change in 2024 and is hard to ignore is the lack of stereo speakers on the Redmi Note 13 5G, which I think is important for all smartphones at different price points. The out-of-the-box MIUI 14 custom skin is still based on Android 13, while Android 14 is on the horizon. So is it worth considering the Redmi Note 13 5G? know
the verdict
The Redmi Note 13 5G offers some upgrades over the Redmi Note 12 (review), making it a good value option for many consumers. Its long AMOLED display remains one of the best in the segment. The new MediaTek Dimensity 6080 SoC offers better gaming performance, however, Xiaomi needs to work on improving the Android experience. Its cameras (daytime) are decent if not the best.
Design and exhibition
Traditionally, Redmi Note phones are known for their vibrant colors and bright accents. On the other hand, the black and white color options of the Redmi Note 13 5G have a minimalist approach. The Arctic White model I'm reviewing offers a marble-like finish, which I really like. The white surface also hides scratches and fingerprints well. If you prefer a shiny design, there is always a gold variant.
As part of a refined design, the Note 13 adopts a flatter construction. The result is a reduction in weight and thickness: 173.5 grams and 7.6 mm respectively. The grip is also refined thanks to the overall weight distribution.
Other ports and buttons remain standard, including USB-C and the power button. The power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner, that is, if your thumb is clean and dry. The stand includes a 3.5mm audio jack and the old Note phone's favorite IR camera for controlling home appliances like TVs and air conditioners.
The standard Note 13 still has a flat 6.67-inch screen, while the Note 13 Pro+ has a curved screen. Xiaomi continues to use a Super AMOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution (2,400 x 1,080 pixels) and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The company claims that the phone's screen can reach a maximum brightness of 1,800 nits. While this claim is difficult to verify without proper equipment, it remains a comfortable viewing experience in full sun.
Color calibration is also top-notch, allowing you to enjoy media content in your favorite apps. HDR is supported, but please note that the Netflix app requires server optimization to take advantage of this viewing feature. However, watching movies without headphones can be a little unsatisfying due to the single speaker on the bottom. If you have headphones that support Dolby Atmos, you can enjoy immersive sound.
The reading experience on the Redmi Note 13 5G remains pleasant, thanks to the long screen and integrated reading mode. A 120Hz refresh rate offers a smooth scrolling experience.
to the camera
The standard Note 13 now has a 108MP main sensor, a first for a phone other than the Redmi Note Pro. The rear camera module, also a new design, features an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera and a macro camera 2 MP.
Performance-wise, there's a lot to like about the 108MP main camera. Photos maintain balanced contrast and saturation in daylight or good lighting conditions. Detail is also decent, but there is some refinement to reduce grain in photos. If you want to preserve details, the 108MP camera's native mode does a great job. However, increasing the detail level of the image will result in larger files.
The 8MP ultra-wide camera handles the scene just as well as the main camera, although grain may be more noticeable in photos. Grain becomes more visible in low light conditions. The macro camera now detects subjects well, a significant improvement over the Note 12. However, it still lacks detail despite being dedicated to macro photography.
Redmi Note 13 5G also has an improved 16MP front camera that takes clear photos (normal and portrait) in daylight. But skin detection remains an issue, as the Note 13 brightens up colors. While some users appreciate it, I prefer detailed skin detailing. In low light conditions, the selfie camera is harder to find.
For video there is no OIS, but the EIS does a good job of stabilization. Both the front and rear cameras support Full HD recording at 30 fps. Xiaomi might consider adding 60fps support to gain an advantage.
performance
As mentioned, the Redmi Note 13 5G is powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 6080 SoC and comes with 6GB of LPPDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.0 storage. The variant I'm reviewing offers 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, priced at Rs 19,999. There is also a 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant priced at Rs 21,999.
Compared to last year's Redmi Note 12 with Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoC, the Note 13 showed improvements in almost all benchmarks. Its AnTutu score increased by about 24%, and battery consumption remained the same throughout testing. In Geekbench's single-core test, the Note 13 showed a promising improvement, while the multi-core score remained largely stable. Fortunately, these advantages have no limitations as the Dimension 6080 SoC shows stable performance even under heavy load.
Even in real life, the Redmi Note 13 5G showed reliable performance. I didn't encounter any app crashes, although MIUI 14 showed some glitches in the animations, which is normal for most smartphones, even expensive ones. Popular apps like Instagram and WhatsApp also performed well.
I would be even happier if the Redmi Note 13 5G came with HyperOS based on Android 14, which the phone is expected to receive soon. Otherwise, MIUI offers plenty of customizations that users will appreciate. There's also the issue of additional pre-installed apps. In this case, kudos to brands like Infinix for reducing unnecessary apps on their devices. Indian smartphone maker Lava also does a great job of offering a pure Android experience.
In terms of gaming, the Redmi Note 13 5G can run popular games including Candy Crush and Subway Surfers without any slowdown. Even games with moderate graphics intensity, like Asphalt 9, run at 50-60 fps. The Redmi Note 13 5G can handle heavy titles like 5G BGMI, Call of Duty, and Genshin Impact, although the phone does get hot during extended use. In some cases, stuttering may be more noticeable.
There is also 5G support. With an Airtel 5G Plus SIM card, the Redmi Note 13 5G achieved 5G speeds of 200 Mbps in my home in south Delhi. Please note that speed varies based on location.
Battery and charging
The Redmi Note 13 5G will pack a 5,000mAh battery with 33W charging. The phone performed well in the PCMark battery test, lasting more than 12 hours with Airplane Mode enabled. In daily use, the Note 13 has a battery life of around 10 hours. Please note that this is enabled at maximum settings. You can extend the power reserve with medium settings.
With the integrated 33W charger, the Redmi Note 13 5G reached 28% charge in 30 minutes. A full charge takes just over an hour.
final decision
The Redmi Note 13 5G offers modest improvements without any limitations. It has little competition in its segment. If you prefer a pure Android experience, for example, Motorola's Moto G54 (review) and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite (review) seem like better options. Camera-wise, there are areas where the Redmi Note 13 delivers reliable performance, but the Realme 11 5G (review) can deliver pretty good results.
All in all, the Redmi Note 13 5G is a good choice if you value a long-lasting battery, a long display, reliable performance (including gaming), and reasonably fast charging. Although the design choices are subjective, I also find them to my liking.
Editor's rating: 7.5/10
Reason for purchase
- The black and white variant of the Redmi Note 13 5G 5G offers a minimalist design, ideal for office users.
- Its 5,000 mAh battery provides powerful battery backup.
- The large 6.67-inch AMOLED screen is ideal for reading and watching movies.
- The 108MP camera works very well in daylight.
Reasons not to buy
The camera tries to work reliably in low light conditions.
Redmi Note 13 5G 5G does not have stereo speakers.
It still runs on MIUI based on Android 13.
