Redmi Note 13 Review: A Stylish Budget Phone with Impressive Upgrades and a Few Familiar Flaws
The Redmi Note series has consistently stood out as a reliable option in the budget smartphone space, balancing performance, design, and affordability. With each iteration, Xiaomi aims to push the boundaries of what a budget phone can offer. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 4G is no exception.
After using it for a little over a week, I’ve discovered some pleasant surprises and one notable downside. In this detailed review, we’ll dive into every aspect of the Redmi Note 13, from design and build quality to performance and battery life, to help you decide if this is the right phone for you. Check out the latest price here: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13.
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Design & Build Quality
The Redmi Note 13 introduces a fresh design that deviates from its predecessor, the Note 12. Gone is the generic triple-camera layout that many budget phones adopt. Instead, the Note 13 offers a unique aesthetic, especially in the striking green color variant I tested. The back of the phone, while giving the illusion of glass, is actually glossy plastic. This choice might not appeal to everyone, but the matte sides provide a nice contrast and improve grip.
One of the first things that caught my attention was the placement of the fingerprint sensor. Unlike the side-mounted sensor on the Note 12, the Note 13 features an optical under-display fingerprint sensor. This choice has its pros and cons. On the one hand, it looks more futuristic and sleek. On the other hand, under-display sensors are generally less secure, slower, and less accurate than their side-mounted counterparts. During setup, a warning indicated that some screen protectors might interfere with its performance. Although I couldn’t test this extensively, I suspect most screen protectors should be fine.
Another pleasant surprise is the addition of a second speaker, giving the Note 13 a stereo speaker setup. The speakers sound good, and having a headphone jack next to the top speaker is a bonus. However, the phone does not come with wired earphones in the box. The IR blaster and a microphone are also located at the top.
The SIM tray has been moved to the bottom, leaving the left side of the phone free. The hybrid SIM tray means you have to choose between using two SIM cards without an SD card or one SIM card with an SD card. This might be inconvenient for those who use two SIMs, making the higher storage variant more attractive. The USB-C port, colored white on the inside, and the main speaker are at the bottom. The IP rating has been upgraded from IP53 to IP54, offering slightly better protection.
Display
The improvements continue with the display. The bezels around the display, especially the chin, have been reduced, increasing the screen-to-body ratio to 87.5%. This isn’t a drastic change (about 4% more than last year), but it’s noticeable and appreciated. The display resolution remains at 1080p with a 120Hz refresh rate and AMOLED technology, just like the Note 12. The peak brightness has been bumped up to 1,800 nits, ensuring visibility outdoors.
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Camera
The camera setup has seen significant improvements. The main camera now boasts a 108-megapixel sensor, up from 50 megapixels in the Note 12. While initially impressive, it’s worth noting that other budget phones like the Tecno Spark 20 Pro and Infinix Hot 40 Pro also feature 108-megapixel sensors. Nonetheless, the main camera’s performance is solid, though not drastically better than the Note 12.
To take full advantage of the 108-megapixel mode, you need to select it manually in the camera app, and the process requires a steady hand and a brief pause to capture detailed photos. Most users might stick to the default mode, but photography enthusiasts will appreciate the high-resolution option. The other cameras include an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 2-megapixel macro lens. The ultra-wide camera produces decent images with enough light, but the macro lens is less useful.
The selfie camera has been upgraded from 13 megapixels to 16 megapixels. Personally, I wasn’t impressed with the selfies, but this might vary based on individual preferences. By default, there is some smoothing applied to selfies, which can be adjusted in the settings.
In terms of video recording, the Note 13 maxes out at 1080p, limited by the Snapdragon 685 processor. While 4K would have been preferable, 1080p is still acceptable. The video stabilization works well, especially in well-lit conditions. Check out the latest price here: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13.
Performance
Now, for the not-so-good surprise: the performance. The Note 13 uses the same Snapdragon 685 processor as the Note 12. Reusing the same processor can be disappointing for tech enthusiasts who expect yearly upgrades. The China variant of the Note 13, also known as the Note 13 5G, features the Dimensity 6080 processor, but the global variant sticks with the Snapdragon 685.
My unit, with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, handled everyday tasks like app switching, social media scrolling, and gaming smoothly. For its price, the performance is top-notch, though I’d recommend at least 6GB of RAM for a better experience. The phone handles most games well, though heavier titles may require medium graphic settings for optimal performance.
Battery
Despite the thicker body, the battery capacity remains unchanged at 5,000mAh. With average use, the battery lasts all day, but heavy use, such as gaming for extended periods, will require a recharge before the day ends. Charging speeds are also unchanged at 33W, and the charger is included in the box. Charging from 0 to 100% takes about an hour and ten minutes.
Software
The Note 13 runs on Android 13 with MIUI 14, which is a bit of a letdown since Android 14 has been out for a while. However, Redmi has promised an update to Android 14 and the new HyperOS soon, though no specific dates have been provided.
Conclusion
The Redmi Note 13 is undoubtedly an upgrade from the Note 12, offering a better design, improved hardware, enhanced cameras, and a brighter display. However, the performance and battery life remain the same, which might not justify an upgrade for current Note 12 users unless the 108-megapixel camera is a significant draw.
In comparison to its competition, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 holds its own as a solid contender in the budget phone segment. Its unique design, stereo speakers, under-display fingerprint sensor, and high-resolution camera make it a strong choice, though the lack of significant performance improvements might make some buyers hesitate. Stay tuned for more in-depth comparisons to see how it stacks up against other budget phones.
Overall, the Redmi Note 13 is a compelling option for new buyers seeking a feature-rich budget smartphone, but not necessarily a must-have upgrade for existing Note 12 users. Check out the latest price here: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13.
