Last year, I hailed the Redmi 12 as the best phone to buy in its price range, and with the release of its successor, the Redmi 13, I was eager to see what improvements and changes Xiaomi had made. However, after extensive use and comparison with its predecessor and other devices in the same price bracket, I must say that things are different.

In this review, we’ll delve into the design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and overall value of the Redmi 13 to determine if it retains the crown as the best budget smartphone. Check out the latest price here: Xiaomi Redmi 13.

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Design and Build

One aspect I was particularly interested in was the design. I was hoping for a departure from the iPhone-esque aesthetics that many phone brands have been adopting. Unfortunately, the Redmi 13 still resembles an iPhone, similar to its predecessor, the Redmi 12. This design choice is a bit disappointing for those craving originality. However, there are some noteworthy changes and aspects to consider.

The Redmi 13 sports a slightly modified camera area with two cameras and a flash, down from the three cameras on the Redmi 12. While this change is minor, it does affect the overall look of the device. Despite my reservations about the design, I must admit that the gold color variant is quite attractive, perhaps the nicest looking one available.

Another unchanged feature is the glossy glass finish on the rear. This design element continues to evoke a love-hate relationship: it looks premium but is prone to fingerprints and smudges. The Redmi 13 also retains its IP53 rating, making it dust and splash resistant, which is always a welcome feature in budget phones.

The fingerprint sensor is conveniently located on the power button, and there’s a hybrid SIM tray on the left side, allowing users to choose between one SIM and an SD card or two SIMs without an SD card. This design decision might push users with dual SIM needs to opt for the higher storage variant. The phone also includes a single speaker, a headphone jack at the top, and an IR blaster, which can be used as a universal remote for various electronic appliances.

Display

The similarities between the Redmi 12 and Redmi 13 continue with the display. Both phones feature almost identical screens: a nearly 7-inch display with the same type, resolution, refresh rate, screen-to-body ratio, and brightness levels. This consistency means that users can expect a similar viewing experience when watching videos or browsing content.

One minor difference I noticed is that YouTube videos seem slightly oversharpened on the Redmi 13. While this isn’t a deal-breaker, it’s something to be aware of. The screen supports a 90Hz refresh rate, but by default, it is set to auto-switch in the settings app. For the smoothest experience, I recommend changing this setting manually. Overall, the screen is as smooth as 90Hz allows, but there are occasional hiccups in some apps. Check out the latest price here: Xiaomi Redmi 13.

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Performance

Performance is a critical area where the Redmi 13 shows both improvements and disappointments. The Redmi 12 was powered by the Helio G88 processor, a popular choice among budget smartphones. It stood out as the cheapest phone with that processor, offering excellent value for its price. The Redmi 13 upgrades to the Helio G91 Ultra processor, which promises slightly better CPU scores on paper.

However, when compared to the competition, the G91 Ultra falls short. I recently reviewed the Tecno Prov 6 Neo and the Itel RS4, both of which are priced similarly to the Redmi 13 and come equipped with the more powerful Helio G99 processor. In benchmark tests, the RS4 outperformed the Redmi 13, revealing the latter’s limitations.

Upon first unboxing and using the Redmi 13, I experienced noticeable sluggishness. Navigating the UI and performing basic tasks felt slow and cumbersome. Fortunately, a software update improved the performance slightly, but it was far from perfect. Budget phones often have minor performance issues due to less powerful processors, but the competition in this price range felt faster and more responsive.

The Redmi 13 runs Xiaomi’s new HyperOS on top of Android 14. While this new operating system brings some improvements, it hasn’t eradicated the bugs that Xiaomi phones are known for. The phone comes pre-installed with numerous apps, which I recommend deleting to free up resources. Additionally, opting for the variant with the most RAM and storage can help mitigate performance issues.

One commendable upgrade is the increase in base RAM from 4GB to 6GB. While this is a step in the right direction, it’s still behind competitors who start at 8GB in this price range. Hopefully, Xiaomi will consider an 8GB base variant in future models.

Camera

The camera department is one area where the Redmi 13 could have an edge over its competition. Many phones in this price range feature 50MP main sensors, but the Redmi 13 boasts a 108MP main sensor. However, the secondary camera is a 2MP macro camera, and the ultrawide camera has been removed. On the front, there’s a 13MP selfie camera.

After experimenting with the camera, I found that it can produce good-quality photos, provided you stay stable while taking shots. The absence of optical image stabilization (OIS) means that shaky hands can result in blurry images. Under good lighting conditions, both the main and selfie cameras perform well, delivering detailed and vibrant photos. However, in low-light situations, the lack of OIS becomes more apparent.

For those seeking extremely detailed photos, switching to the 108MP mode is recommended. Additionally, the selfie camera has a beauty filter enabled by default, which softens the images. Turning this off can result in more natural-looking selfies. Overall, I would rate the camera’s photo quality as a solid B+.

Video recording, on the other hand, is less impressive. The lack of OIS results in shaky footage when shooting handheld. Additionally, the video quality has an oversharpened look, which isn’t very appealing. Using a tripod can help improve the stability of your videos, but overall, I’d rate the video quality as a C-.

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Battery Life and Charging

Battery performance is straightforward with the Redmi 13. It features a 5,300mAh battery, which provides decent longevity. With light use, the phone can last a full day without needing a recharge. Heavy users might need to carry a charger or power bank, as the screen-on time ranges from 5 to 6 hours with intense usage and up to 8 hours with lighter use. This is comparable to the battery life of the Redmi 12.

One notable improvement is the charging speed. The Redmi 12 supported 18W wired charging, while the Redmi 13 upgrades to 33W wired charging. Xiaomi includes a charging adapter in the box, which is a nice touch. This faster charging capability allows the Redmi 13 to juice up more quickly, a significant convenience for users on the go.

Conclusion

Xiaomi Redmi 13 presents a mixed bag of improvements and shortcomings. On the positive side, it offers a faster charging rate, a better main camera, and a slightly improved processor compared to the Redmi 12. However, when stacked against the competition, its performance is underwhelming.

At a starting price of $120, the Redmi 13 seems like a logical upgrade from the Redmi 12. However, considering its performance issues and the stronger offerings from competitors like the Tecno Prov 6 Neo and the Itel RS4, it doesn’t stand out as the best choice in its price range. Xiaomi needs to address the performance bottlenecks and continue to innovate in design and functionality to reclaim its crown in the budget smartphone market.

In summary, the Redmi 13 is a decent phone with some notable strengths, particularly in camera quality and charging speed. However, its lackluster performance and continued adherence to an unoriginal design leave room for improvement. For those looking for a reliable budget phone, the Redmi 13 is a viable option, but there are better-performing alternatives available. Check out the latest Xiaomi Redmi 13 here.

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