Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 review
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that brings 5G connectivity to the masses. With its flat plastic back panel and metallic matte finish, this device offers a solid enough experience without breaking the bank. Powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 6080 chipset, it delivers decent performance for daily tasks and some light gaming. However, it falls short in battery life and camera capabilities compared to other mid-range options available today.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G boasts a compact and lightweight design that is both durable and comfortable to hold. The flat plastic back panel features a metallic matte finish, which provides a pleasant tactile experience. A rectangular camera island sits proudly at the top of the device, while the frame, also made of plastic, forms a sharp edge where it meets the back. The build quality is impressive, with a nice grip that makes it easy to hold and maneuver. The IP54 rating ensures protection against dust and splashes, making it suitable for daily use without worrying about damage from accidental exposure to the elements. This is an improvement over last year's model, which only had an IP53 rating. The front of the device features a 6.67-inch OLED screen with a 1080p resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The display is decent enough, with great contrast thanks to the OLED technology. However, unlike other Redmi phones, there's no HDR video support. The inclusion of a headphone jack is a welcome feature, and the single speaker produces good loudness and Dolby Atmos support. Sound quality is average, focusing on vocals and highs, but not outstanding in any way. The fingerprint reader is side-mounted, fast, and reliable, which is an improvement over some other Redmi models that have an under-display sensor. Overall, the build quality and design of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G are solid, with a nice finish and decent display. However, there's no outstanding feature that sets it apart from its competitors in this price bracket.
Battery Life
Battery life is an area where the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 disappoints. Despite its large 5,000mAh battery, the phone's performance in this department is unimpressive. In our active use tests, the device managed to last for just 9 hours and 49 minutes before running out of juice. Compared to other devices in its class, the Redmi Note 13's battery life is quite lackluster. Gaming and video playback times were particularly affected, with the phone struggling to sustain a smooth experience over extended periods. One would expect fast charging to be a solution to this issue, but unfortunately, the Redmi Note 13 only supports 33Watt charging. While the bundled adapter was able to charge the phone from 0 to 50% in half an hour, the full charge took a relatively long time of 76 minutes. This is particularly disappointing considering the phone's large battery capacity. In today's market, it's expected that devices with high-capacity batteries should also have fast charging capabilities to make up for any potential power consumption issues. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13's battery life is a major letdown, making it less ideal for heavy users who need a phone that can last them through the day. While the device still offers decent value in other areas, its battery performance is a notable exception.
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G's display is one of its standout features. The phone boasts a 6.67-inch OLED screen with a 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. This results in a smooth and seamless visual experience, making it ideal for gaming and scrolling through social media. The display's contrast is excellent, thanks to the use of OLED technology, which provides deeper blacks and more vivid colors. In some markets, like Spain, the phone even supports 10-bit color depth, further enhancing its visuals. One notable omission from this otherwise impressive display is HDR video support. However, in our testing, we found that the display's brightness was adequate, reaching up to 490 nits at maximum with a manual slider. The ambient light sensor, however, was not as responsive as we've seen on other phones, particularly under bright lighting conditions. The phone's adaptive refresh rate is another plus point, switching seamlessly from 120Hz to 60Hz while idling to conserve power. This feature helps prolong battery life and makes the phone more efficient. While overall, the display is decent enough for everyday use, it may not be as impressive as some other mid-range smartphones on the market. Nevertheless, it's a solid offering that complements the phone's features nicely. The only real drawback to the display is its lack of HDR support, which might disappoint those looking for an immersive cinematic experience. However, for general use and casual viewing, the Redmi Note 13 5G's display should suffice.
Camera
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13's camera system is one of its standout features, despite some minor shortcomings. The phone boasts a triple-camera setup, consisting of a 108MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. The 108MP primary sensor takes impressive photos during the day, with good detail and natural colors. The camera also does well in capturing grass and foliage details up close. However, it's worth noting that uniform surfaces can appear soft, and contrast could be improved. Zooming in on the main camera results in slightly softened images, especially at 2x zoom. Surprisingly, 3x zoom shots look much sharper and cleaner than their 2x counterparts. The Redmi Note 13 uses automatic night mode processing for low-light photography, which produces decent results with good exposure and detail. However, highlights and light sources can appear overexposed in some cases, and there's a minor amount of noise on surfaces. Overall, the primary sensor is capable of taking impressive stills, but could benefit from improved dynamic range and contrast. The 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens takes photos with decent colors and dynamic range, but struggles to deliver good detail, especially when zoomed in. Low-light shots are also soft with dark shadows and blown-out highlights, and lack night mode support. Additionally, the ultra-wide camera's 1080p video quality is average at best, similar to what competitors have managed. The lack of electronic stabilization on this camera is also a disappointment. The 16MP front-facing camera takes good selfies with great detail and natural colors. Skin textures are well-represented, making it an excellent option for social media enthusiasts. While the Redmi Note 13's camera system has its strengths, there are some areas where improvement is needed. The lack of a dedicated macro sensor, poor ultra-wide-angle performance, and limited video capabilities hold this phone back from being a true camera powerhouse. Nonetheless, the primary sensor delivers impressive results, making it a solid choice for those who value good still photography.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G is a more basic offering from this year's Redmi Note lineup, aiming to provide 5G connectivity on a budget. While it's not the most impressive phone in its price segment, it still manages to deliver a solid smartphone experience. Priced around $250, the Redmi Note 13 5G seems like a decent value for those looking for an affordable mid-ranger with 5G capabilities. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that there are some shortcomings that might not justify the price tag. Firstly, while the phone's display is decent enough, its battery life is quite unimpressive, scoring only 9 hours and 49 minutes in our active use tests. This is particularly disappointing considering the phone's large 5,000mAh battery. Furthermore, the Redmi Note 13 5G's cameras are competent but not spectacular. While the main camera can take good photos during the day, its low-light performance and dynamic range leave much to be desired. The ultra-wide camera, on the other hand, is somewhat of a letdown, with poor detail and softness. In terms of value, I'd say that while the Redmi Note 13 5G is not a bad phone by any means, it's hard to recommend it at this price point. There are mid-range phones from competitors like Poco and Samsung that offer better performance, camera capabilities, and battery life at similar prices. Ultimately, if you're looking for an affordable 5G smartphone with decent specs, the Redmi Note 13 5G might be worth considering. However, if you're willing to spend a bit more, there are definitely better options available in this price segment.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G is a budget-friendly smartphone that promises to deliver a solid smartphone experience with the added bonus of 5G connectivity. In this review, we'll take a closer look at its performance. Under the hood lies a Mediatek Dimensity 6080 chipset, which is essentially a rebranded Dimensity 810 from 2021. While it holds its own in the budget segment, there are competitors that offer better performance both in terms of CPU and GPU. In practical usage, the Redmi Note 13 5G performs relatively smoothly without noticeable stutters or slowdowns. It's able to handle daily tasks with ease, including some light gaming. However, it falls short when it comes to more demanding apps or multitasking. The phone's battery life is also a disappointment, scoring only 9 hours and 49 minutes in our active use tests. This is the lowest score among its Redmi counterparts, making it less than ideal for users who rely on their phone throughout the day. Furthermore, instead of fast charging, the Redmi Note 13 5G comes with support for 33W charging, which takes a considerable 76 minutes to fully charge from zero to 100%. In terms of gaming performance, the phone is able to handle basic tasks without too much hassle. However, more demanding games like Fortnite or PUBG may struggle to run smoothly on this device. Overall, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G's performance is decent for its price point, it's not outstanding in any particular way. There are better options available that offer improved performance and battery life at a similar price, making this phone less of a standout in the budget segment.
Pros
1. The phone has a solid display with a 6.67-inch OLED screen, 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
2. The phone's performance is decent, with the Mediatek Dimensity 6080 chipset holding its own within this price bracket.
3. The main camera takes competent photos during the day, with good detail and natural colors.
4. Selfies from the 16-megapixel front-facing cam are good, with great detail and natural colors.
5. The phone has a nice design, with a flat plastic back panel and metallic matte finish.
Cons
1. The battery life is unimpressive, scoring only 9 hours and 49 minutes in active use tests.
2. There's no support for stereo speakers or electronic image stabilization.
3. The ultra-wide camera takes just okay photos, with poor detail and soft images when zooming in.
4. Low-light shots from the ultra-wide camera are soft, with dark shadows and blown-out highlights.
5. The phone lacks a fast charging solution, with only 33W charging support.