REDMI NOTE 13 5G – Finally the return of a true BEST BUY (as soon as it drops in price)
I want to be honest with you as I have always been: If I were a novice user with the Xiaomi/Redmi brand I would be safe in recommending this smartphone, the Redmi Note 13 5G, which in my opinion is the most focused of the entire new series, offering optimized and easy software also for those who are not inclined towards technology, but above all a focused price which once again decrees the philosophy (at least that of the past) of the brand, attentive to the needs of users who do not want to spend a fortune but find themselves in the hands of a product with 'high quality/price ratio. So make yourself comfortable and discover it with us Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G in our full review.
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![Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G - Smartphone 6GB RAM 128GB ROM, 6.67" Display 120Hz FHD+, 108MP Professional Camera, 5000Mah, Black [Global Version]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41PdyBAbVeL._SL160_.jpg)
Redmi Note 13 5G – Packaging
Let's start from the sales package, which as per tradition is complete and well made, the only negative aspect of which we could associate with the fact that plastic is still used. We find one inside renewed protective cover in soft silicone in smoky color and which also reports the presence of a flap to protect the charging input from splashes of water and dust. The rest of the content is made up of the usual manuals, USB-A/USB-C charging and data transfer cable, SIM tray removal pin e charger from 33W. Naturally, there is also a plastic film already pre-applied on the display, which however boasts protection for the Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Redmi Note 13 5G – Design
With dimensions equal to 161,11 x 74,95 x 7,6 mm and a weight of 174,5 grams, in terms of design we certainly cannot say that Xiaomi has brought innovation to its Redmi Note 13 5G. In fact the company's mid range is similar to the many recent devices of the brand but with slight improvements, such as an elongated shape that helps the grip and the profiles contrasting with the color of the body, although I admit that single-handed use is difficult as you have to do wrist work to reach the most extreme corners of the panel. I'll tell you straight away that it is no notification LED being able to benefit from AOD function, which however will have to be modified from the Developer Options to make it always present, but super excellent news is that the proximity sensor is physical and not virtual, eliminating the problems seen for example on POCO X6 regarding calls and listening to voice notes.
Do not miss the according to microphone for the reduction of environmental noise and the IR transmitter but we also have the entrance included jack from 3,5 mm, main microphone, Type-C input with OTG support (no video output) and the mono system speaker. As per tradition, the on/off button and volume rocker are placed on the right profile of the device as the left one houses the hybrid type SIM tray, therefore we could insert two SIMs in nano format or a SIM in nano and one format micro SD card to expand memory internal as long as you give up the Dual SIM Dual Standby function. Also absent is e-SIM support the biometric sensor is inserted inside the power button, whose positioning is easily accessible for both the right and left hand but above all the unlocking always occurs quickly and precisely, in short a guarantee.
It is on the back of the Redmi Note 13 5G that we find a particular surprise. First of all, here the texture used for the back cover does not retain dirt and fingerprints as seen on POCO X6 but above all we find a triple optics photographic module, whose primary sensor is 108 MP.
Redmi Note 13 5G – Performance
Another novelty is found under the body as a processor is adopted MediaTek Dimensity 6080 at 6nm clocked at 2,4 GHz which is joined by the Mali-G57 GPU, a 6/8GB LPDDR4X RAM (up to an additional 8 GB available via virtual RAM function) e 128/256 GB of internal UFS 2.2 storage expandable up to 1 TB via micro SD. The new processor and good RAM capacity they don't make you think you have a top of the range product in your hands, but in every situation I benefited from the fluidity and stability of the system, but above all I never noticed any overheating even after considerable stress caused by games that require enormous effort from the CPU and GPU.
Redmi Note 13 5G – Display and Entertainment
Furthermore the 20:9 aspect ratio of the 6,67-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution 2400x 1080 pixels and 5.000.000:1 contrast, it offers strong emotions not only in shooter games but also with the classic use of multimedia content. Definitely good brightness (500 nits) and width, which makes the screen clearly visible even in direct sunlight, although the brightness sensor at times proves to be a little lazy, but nothing that can't be resolved with a software update . Flat display, small frames and colors with good rendering even at extreme angles (3% DCI-P100 color profile), fast to the touch, good resolution: perhaps not the best panel around but there is no shortage of gems like a 120 Hz refresh rate, 1920 Hz PWM dimming and triple TÜV Rheinland certification against eye strain.
For a mid-range it is perhaps the best solution you can find. Moreover the size of the 6,67 inches also allows to exploit in an excellent way the split screen function. There is also no lack of the possibility of wake up the display with a double tap, modify the color temperature and calibration parameters but also activate the reading mode, useful at night. Also present Widevine L1 recognized on all streaming platforms, while the fact that although the display has 10 bit HDR support is unusual, compatibility does not appear on YouTube for example.
Redmi Note 13 5G – Software
Redmi Note 13 5G currently offers the system Android 13 and security patches updated in January 2024 coated by the interface MIUI 14. This fails to excite due to the fact that we would have expected at least the new HyperOS. It's not a big problem to have MIUI 14 but we already have to digest that we don't have Android 14 and that we would have to wait who knows how long, so at least having something new at the firmware level would have been something extra. In reality what remains The presence of so much bloatware and advertising that we just can't justify anymore is highly indigestible. And if we really think about throwing it in a puddle, know that the device is certified IP54.
At any rate no problem in everyday life linked to the reception of notifications, or the classic use related to social media, web browsing, listening to music, games, benchmarks etc .. no lag, uncertainty or suffering. MIUI 14 proves to live up to the Xiaomi/Redmi name. All things considered, the hardware and software on this Redmi Note 13 5G make some top of the range uncomfortable, making it difficult to justify their expense. Among other things, the system offers the possibility of Face Unlock with a double soul, i.e. perfect in good lighting conditions while at the first dip of the same you will find yourself preferring the unlocking via the fingerprint reader.
Redmi Note 13 5G – Camera
If then we add the rear and front photographic department then I advise you to start booking the version that best suits your needs. Main lens with sensor 108 megapixel with f / 1,7 aperture assisted by the secondary module with sensor from 8 megapixel ultrawide, f/2,2 and finally a camera 2 MP macro f/2,4. The room Selfie instead it consists of a sensor from 16 megapixel f/2.4 aperture, who does his job really well and who benefits from the possibility of giving as gifts shots with bokeh effect and video recording at 1080p at 30fps. The photos are captured by the front camera and are of appreciable quality but sometimes the automatic exposure tends to burn secondary scenarios to the framed subject, but fortunately the function is present as standard Automatic HDR which completely overturns the final result of the photo.
For the rear camera, the photos and videos compared even with some more expensive devices do not disfigure at all, with the exception of the videos, which can be recorded with maximum resolution at 1080p 30 fps, which although benefit from the digital stabilization They don't shine for quality but at least the focusing is fast and precise. The photos are vivid and detailed especially in broad daylight but unfortunately in low light conditions we are not there yet, the integration of artificial intelligence and new algorithms has not been enough to improve the yield, but if we shoot at 108 MP everything has a different rendering, brighter and more detailed. Generally speaking, the photographic department of Redmi Note 13 5G amazes, at times it will leave you speechless, making you think that photos and videos come from much more expensive models while in your hands you have a smartphone that humbly ranks in the mid-range of the market and is destined only to improve with the development of new software updates.
Redmi Note 13 5G – Connectivity
Connectivity is entrusted to a good Dual band 2.4/5.0 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth 5.3 and single channel GPS from the quick fix and always present signal coverage (even Galileo), as well as the possibility of installing the FM radio, not present by default, but this aspect is also resolved via APK. There is also the NFC sensor with full support for payments and other actions.
The reception is excellent, taking advantage of the air if necessary 5G connectivity on both slots, although personally not being able to take advantage of the latest network technology, I was however always able to benefit from super-fast 4G+ browsing and then reception proved to be really good both in keeping the signal in difficult areas and in hanging up the signal. Audio in clean capsule and our interlocutor also hears us crystal clear. The speaker which also acts as a speakerphone although it is mono offers a decidedly high level listening volume which is perhaps only affected in the low frequencies. In short, we certainly couldn't be rude listening to unz-unz music on the street but with the aid of earphones this aspect is also decidedly improved also due to the Dolby ATMOS support. Also worth highlighting is the 200% Volume Booster feature, i.e. a high volume without any glitches whatsoever as well as the possibility of recording calls via Google's stock dialer.
In terms of autonomy, Redmi Note 13 5G brings all the experience acquired over time and puts it to work with a 5000 mAh with predisposition for 33W fast charging. The results are more than satisfactory: suffice it to say that on a day in which I was not able to benefit from WiFi but only from a 4G+ data connection, with active GPS for high-precision navigation and position search, social media, messaging, a few games, various downloads and many phone calls, the device performed poco more than 4 hours and 10 minutes of active screen with still poco less than 50% remaining charge, therefore it can even cover two full days.
Redmi Note 13 5G – Final opinions
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Expectations for this Redmi Note 13 5G were met and at times even exceeded. Everything analyzed convinces without any particular flaw, starting from the performance of the CPU but also to the good hardware equipment. The photos then, although we are not talking about a camera phone, convince with flying colors considering the final purchase price, all features that in daily use they really make the difference. In this regard, as soon as the device drops by at least 50 euros (around 200 euros), you absolutely must buy it, because in this case you will have brought home a real best buy.
