Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G: Detailed Review

Price note: Overseas prices have been converted to approximate pound equivalents using the reference exchange rate current when this page was updated. UK prices and availability may differ.

With the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, Xiaomi presents an affordable, large-format smartphone. Its 6.7-inch OLED display showcases very sharp, colourful, and exceptionally bright images. A significant highlight is the 120 Hertz refresh rate. Additionally, the triple-camera setup captures beautiful, realistic photos. Zoom and night photo capabilities are impressive for its price range. However, the phone's performance in testing is somewhat underwhelming. It's adequate for everyday applications and various social media apps, but gaming demands a scaling down of expectations. The battery life is also only mediocre. We had hoped for features like wireless charging and a more modern Wi-Fi standard than Wi-Fi 5. Positively, it supports eSIM, includes a dedicated headphone jack, and has an ergonomic body. The phone remains recommendable despite these shortcomings.

Pros

• Beautiful, large OLED display
• Effective triple-camera
• Good stereo speakers
• eSIM, jack, and an infrared sensor

Cons

• Relatively short battery life
• No wireless charging
• Outdated Wi-Fi standard

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Despite its significant 6.7-inch size, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G (not to be confused with the non-5G version lacking eSIM and 4K video) is comfortable to hold. This comfort is due to its well-crafted build, ergonomic edge design, and a light weight of just 187 grams. The metallic frame, however, hints at its budget mid-range smartphone status. The glass back, prone to fingerprints, could double as a mirror. Fortunately, an aesthetically pleasing and tactile plastic case is included. On its large screen, the Redmi Note 13 boasts a beautiful OLED display. The high resolution offers a pixel density of 444 ppi, comparable to pricier flagships. The sharp images are enhanced by beautiful colour representation, good contrasts, and a very high maximum brightness of 1,534 cd/m². Those who wish can activate the smooth 120 Hertz display, but this comes with a two-hour reduction in battery life.

In testing, the battery life is not entirely convincing, even in 60-Hertz mode. The Redmi Note 13 was used for just 11:38 hours in the LTE network. Switching to the 120-Hertz display, the phone needs recharging after 09:14 hours. However, it only takes 49 minutes to fully charge, with 30 minutes of charging enabling 08:43 hours of usage. Unfortunately, the Note 13 does not support wireless charging. While the Plus model features a slightly faster Dimensity processor, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G uses a second-generation Snapdragon 7s. Along with 8 GB of RAM, it allows for smooth navigation through the Android system. For fluid gameplay in demanding 3D games, however, graphics settings need to be reduced. Titles like "Genshin Impact" or "Minecraft" only achieve smooth frame rates at lower settings or with short viewing distances. Consistently reaching 60 FPS remains a distant dream. Yet, for those primarily using online services and social media apps, the Redmi is well-equipped. Xiaomi promises full Android updates for three years – until 2027, with security updates available for a year longer. This is typical for this price range. However, in an era where Samsung supports its S24 flagship (test) for seven years, one might hope for more.

The major weaknesses of mid-range smartphones often lie in their cameras, but this is not the case with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G. While the triple-camera system can't directly compete with current flagships, it comes much closer in quality than expected for its price. The 200-megapixel main camera is accompanied by an ultra-wide sensor and a macro lens. Together, they capture beautiful and detailed photos, even in low light. The colour representation is realistic, and distant structures are sharply displayed on the screen. Background details and fine ground textures, however, often appear slightly blurred, as if painted rather than photographed. This is only noticeable in comparison and upon closer inspection. At night and in macro shots, the differences from higher-priced competitors become more apparent. The darkness is not sufficiently illuminated, and the sharp area of macro photos is comparatively small. Long exposure times, a Pro mode, and slow motion up to 240 frames per second ("FPS") are meant to compensate. Videos can be recorded in Full HD at 60 FPS, but in 4K, it is limited to 30 FPS.

In terms of features, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G offers a mix of modern standards and outdated technology. For wireless communication, it supports 5G, including Dual-SIM and eSIM, but Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2 are not quite up-to-date. However, this doesn't cause any limitations in daily use. The Poco X6 Pro, however, offers more contemporary features. Xiaomi's reluctance to fully adapt to modern habits has its advantages: the Redmi has a traditional headphone jack on the top of the phone. In contrast, the body is not completely waterproof. According to its official IP54 certification, the Redmi Note 13 Pro is at least splash-proof. USB-C is integrated as the main interface, but in the older and slower 2.0 standard. Besides traditional PIN entry, the Redmi also offers an under-display fingerprint sensor. It lights up brightly during scaing but works reliably in testing. A two-dimensional, superficial face recognition feature is also included. An infrared sensor on the top of the Note 13 Pro 5G allows control of devices like TVs with the appropriate app.

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