Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Review: 4G-only Budget Phone

Value When Reviewed

Unavailable within the US

Xiaomi’s technique in relation to the aggressive reasonably priced smartphone market appears to be to flood it with sheer numbers.

For additional proof take into account the Redmi Observe 13, a variant on the already-reviewed Xiaomi Redmi Observe 5G that omits – you guessed it – 5G connectivity.

That’s not the one distinction to this mannequin, nonetheless, which is why it warrants a very separate evaluate. Divergences in chipset, design, and maybe most significantly pricing imply that it’s value contemplating by itself phrases.

One factor’s for certain: when you’re after the perfect display doable for beneath £200, the Xiaomi Redmi Observe 13 ought to be in your record of candidates. Sadly, nonetheless, some acquainted criticisms hold it from being a simple advice.

Design & Construct

• Flat design, however chunkier than 5G model
• IP54 water and dirt resistance
• Gorilla Glass 3, not Gorilla Glass 5 like 5G mannequin

The Redmi Observe 13 broadly subscribes the identical design language as its 5G brother, but it surely’s removed from an identical.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

You get the identical sort of blandly flat-edged look, with a well-recognized plastic body and shiny plastic rear panel. The essential digital camera structure is similar too, although the elevated plastic mounting plate of the Redmi Observe 13 5G is nowhere to be seen.

There’s one clear motive for the latter distinction, so far as I can see. The Redmi Observe 13 is an altogether thicker cellphone at 8mm (vs 7.6mm). With a weight of 188.5g, it’s additionally 14g heavier, although there’s no clear motive for this.

Maintain the 2 telephones facet by facet and also you’ll discover that this 4G-only mannequin is a millimetre taller and half-a-millimetre wider. The explanation for that appears to be thicker bezels, with a noticeably thicker chin making it look much less premium than the Redmi Observe 13 5G.

One other rollback in comparison with its better-connected brother is using the older and weaker Gorilla Glass 3 fairly than Gorilla Glass 5. You continue to get IP54 water and dirt certification, although, which is a step up from earlier fashions.

Surprisingly, the fingerprint sensor right here is an in-display resolution fairly than the 5G mannequin’s energy button various. This feels like an improve, however in my expertise it very a lot represents a backwards step.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Even after a few pairing makes an attempt, I discovered that the cellphone constantly didn’t learn my proper thumb. Weirdly, my left thumb registered comparatively reliably. It’s value noting that I’ve been utilizing two different telephones with in-display fingerprint sensors concurrently with the Redmi Observe 13 with out concern, so there evidently isn’t an issue with my thumb.

Just like the 5G mannequin, you get a 3.5mm headphone jack and an IR blaster on the highest fringe of the cellphone. The latter helps you to management your TV and Hello-fi gear utilizing the Mi Distant app, which is probably a reasonably useful characteristic – particularly when you’re rocking plenty of older audiovisual gear.

Display screen & audio system

• Wonderful 6.67-inch Full HD+ OLED
• 120Hz refresh charge
• Stereo audio system

The Redmi Observe 13 is a subtly totally different beast to the Redmi Observe 13 5G, however one of many elements Xiaomi seems to have left roughly alone is the show. There’s an excellent motive for that: that is undoubtedly a wonderful show.

This 6.67-inch OLED was arguably the perfect factor in regards to the 5G mannequin, and so it proves right here. It encompasses a stable FHD+ (2400 x 1080) decision, clean 120Hz refresh charge and measured prime brightness of 454 nits with auto-brightness turned off.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

That’s a tad dimmer than the 5G mannequin, which I recorded as hitting 480 nits, but it surely’s not a vastly vital distinction. It makes for snug indoors viewing, whereas activating auto-brightness will convey the excessive brightness mode (HBM) into play while outside. Visibility is nice in nearly all environments.

You don’t appear to get 5G mannequin’s identical degree (1920Hz) of PWM dimming, nor its 10-bit color help. However these are comparatively minor concessions, particularly within the title of getting that value beneath £200.

The primary attraction of Xiaomi’s display is how color correct it’s. Much like the 5G mannequin, utilizing the extra natural-looking Customary color scheme, I recorded a 100% sRGB gamut protection and a median Delta E of 0.87 (near 1 being the perfect).

One criticism I had of the Redmi Observe 13 5G was its lack of stereo audio system. Bizarrely, the cheaper Observe 13 does pack this characteristic. Go determine.

Regardless of the reasoning behind this inclusion, it makes the Redmi Observe 13 a greater all spherical media participant than its brother. Sound output is good and clear, and positively advantages from the stereo separation, although as we’ve come to count on of cheaper telephones it lacks any nice sense of depth or low-end rumble.

Specs & Efficiency

• Gradual Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 chip
• 6 or 8GB of RAM
• 128 or 256GB of expandable storage

One other elementary approach by which the Redmi Observe 13 differs from its 5G brother is the processor that’s been chosen to energy it. There’s a Snapdragon 685 working the present right here, versus the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 on the 5G model.

This can be a extra mainstream selection for the 4G mannequin, however not essentially a superior one. In truth, our benchmark exams reveal that the Redmi Observe 13 5G is a a lot stronger performer in each CPU and GPU phrases.

After all, the 5G mannequin prices a minimum of £50 extra. Nevertheless, each the £199 Samsung Galaxy A15 5G and the £169 Samsung Galaxy A15 additionally beat the Redmi Observe 13 fairly handily in every benchmark, as does the £180 Moto G84 5G. The Redmi Observe 13 4G is admittedly not a very robust performer, even inside its value bracket.

Xiaomi Redmi Observe 13 benchmarks

Positive sufficient, it may really feel a bit sluggish within the palms. Leaping into the settings menu or opening up a brand new app takes a beat longer than I would love, whereas hopping between open apps within the app switcher results in a second or two of stuttering.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Common navigation is enough, with slick scrolling that makes essentially the most of that 120Hz refresh charge, and the fingerprint sensor unlocks moderately snappily too – when it really works. However cracks begin to seem when pushing the cellphone past these super-basic duties.

Just like the 5G mannequin, console racer Wreckfest will run, however you’ll wish to drop all of the settings right down to Low if you would like something resembling a constant body charge.

You do get both 6- or 8GB of RAM backing that Snapdragon 685 chip up, which is a stable quantity for the cash. Storage choices, in the meantime, are 128- or 256GB choices, with Micro-SD card growth potential additionally added in.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

One vital spec that’s lacking right here, after all, is 5G connectivity. Opposite to what your community operator would possibly inform you, although, this nonetheless shouldn’t be an enormous deal for most individuals. Whereas 5G entry has improved, it’s nonetheless removed from ubiquitous, and getting the total pace and latency profit isn’t a given, even when it’s out there.

Digicam

• 108Mp essential sensor
• Affordable ends in good lighting, horrible evening pictures
• Respectable selfie digital camera

It appears Xiaomi has put in precisely the identical digital camera system within the Redmi Observe 13 because it has within the 5G mannequin, so all of my feedback from that earlier evaluate apply right here, even with the change in processor.

This set-up is led by the identical 108Mp 1/1.67″ essential sensor, which appears to be the trusty outdated Samsung Isocell HM6. It yields predictably stable pictures with respectable depth and dynamic vary. The colors is perhaps a bit punchy for some, however publicity and element are on level.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

That’s the case in perfect lighting, a minimum of. As quickly as the sunshine drops, the Redmi Observe 13’s photographic efficiency drops off a cliff. With out OIS (optical picture stablisation) to maintain issues regular and prolong shutter occasions, ‘Evening mode’ pictures are a grainy, noisy mess.

In my Observe 13 5G evaluate I floated the chance that the MediaTek chip might need some picture processing limitations, however these Snapdragon 685-driven pictures are not any higher.

As soon as once more, regardless of the dearth of a devoted telephoto digital camera, Xiaomi encourages you to zoom at 2x and even 3x, successfully utilizing all these additional pixels to crop in. Any additional will actually spotlight the drop intimately, however I used to be fairly proud of the outcomes at these decrease zoom ranges.

The place you’ll actually discover the drop-off in high quality through the day is while you change to the devoted 8Mp ultrawide, which brings with it a giant lack of each element and publicity. There’s additionally a devoted 2Mp macro sensor on the again, which is nearly as pointless because it ever is.

Feed the 16Mp front-facing digital camera loads of gentle, and it’s able to producing stable selfies. On a barely drab day, it did wash the colors out considerably, but it surely does an affordable job.

The video providing from that essential sensor could be very restricted to a mere 1080p and 30fps. In the meantime, the dearth of OIS signifies that you received’t be getting significantly regular pictures.

Battery Life & Charging

• 5000mAh battery
• Barely higher battery life than 5G mannequin
• Stable 33W charging

Xiaomi has caught with a well-recognized battery and charging setup right here. As soon as once more there’s an ample 5000mAh cell, which can energy you thru a full day of average to heavy utilization.

On lighter utilization days, I received to the top of a day with 50 and even 60% left within the tank. As ever, all of it comes right down to how a lot media you devour.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

One fascinating level to notice is that the Redmi Observe 13 carried out higher than the Redmi Observe 13 5G in our common PC Mark Work 3.0 battery check, lasting an excellent 50 minutes longer.

This would appear to counsel that the Snapdragon 685 processor runs extra effectively than the Mediatek Dimensity 6080, although you may by no means depend out the deleterious results of 5G connectivity.

Regardless of the case, I really feel snug in stating that the Redmi Observe 13 has barely extra reliable battery life than its 5G brother.

The charging provision is an identical, although. You get the identical 33W charger included within the field, which I recorded getting the Redmi Observe 13 from empty to 63% in half-hour. You’ll be able to count on a full cost to take a bit over an hour, which isn’t unhealthy in any respect.

Software program

• MIUI 14 over Android 14
• Extreme bloatware
• Busy notification menu

Right here’s a curiosity for you: whereas the Redmi Observe 13 5G that I reviewed used Xiaomi’s new HyperOS 1.0 UI, the plain Redmi Observe 13 makes use of the older MIUI 14.

They’re each layered on prime of Android 14, although, they usually each subscribe to Xiaomi’s fussy strategy to software program. You continue to get these huge charmless icons and an unpleasant cut up notification menu, for instance, even when just a few of the shortcut toggles have been juggled round.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Jon Mundy / Foundry

The latter sit on a horizontally scrolling carousel, fairly than all being bundled onto the principle menu like in HyperOS. The older strategy used right here is much less streamlined, but additionally much less cluttered. You additionally nonetheless get a Settings menu shortcut right here on MIUI 14, which I missed within the Observe 13 5G’s change to HyperOS.

Elsewhere, Xiaomi nonetheless insists on filling its telephones with annoying bloatware, together with a complete folder devoted to ‘Extra apps’ similar to Journey.com, LinkedIn and Amazon Music. There’s additionally one containing a bunch of horrible video games that every one appear to riff off higher, extra well-known examples.

Xiaomi appears to be providing three main Android updates and 4 years of safety patch updates throughout the Redmi Observe 13 vary, which is cheap for an inexpensive cellphone.

Value & Availability

Xiaomi is providing two fashions of the Redmi Observe 13 right here within the UK and Europe, which you should buy direct from the Xiaomi UK web site.

The entry mannequin offers you 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for a value of £199, whereas the 8/256GB mannequin sells for an RRP of £229.

Within the UK, the cellphone can be out there from Amazon, Currys and Very. However no networks are promoting it on contract, so that you’ll have to purchase outright and pair with a SIM-only deal.

And as common, there’s no availability within the US until you wish to threat importing one.

Wherever you purchase it from, the Redmi Observe 13 is significantly cheaper than the Redmi Observe 13 5G (£199). It appears to be in nearer competitors with the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G (£199) and the Moto G54 5G (£180). Each these rivals provide 5G connectivity and barely superior efficiency, however not such a formidable show.

Do you have to purchase the Redmi Observe 13?

The Redmi Observe 13 is an fascinating proposition, as regardless of the title it’s not merely a Redmi Observe 13 5G with out the superior community connectivity.

For an excellent £80 much less (at full value) you’re getting the identical wonderful show and respectable digital camera system, plus an identical 33W charging speeds. You’re even getting barely superior battery life and stereo sound, in addition to an in-display fingerprint sensor fairly than side-mounted one.

Nevertheless, you’ll have to just accept a bulkier and fewer premium design, in addition to markedly inferior efficiency alongside that apparent 4G community limitation.

On stability, the Redmi Observe 13 doesn’t actually characterize higher worth than its 5G sibling, regardless of the lower cost. It’s nonetheless a really stable low-cost cellphone with a standout OLED display, however one which’s weighed down by ugly software program and poor efficiency.

Specs

• Android 14 with MIUI 14
• 6.67in, FHD+, OLED, 120Hz, flat show
• In-display fingerprint sensor
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 685
• 6GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM
• 128GB/256GB storage
• 108Mp, f/1.8 essential digital camera
• 8Mp ultra-wide digital camera
• 2Mp macro digital camera
• As much as 1080p @ 30fps rear video
• 16Mp front-facing digital camera
• Stereo audio system
• Hybrid dual-SIM
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• Bluetooth 5.1
• 5000mAh battery
• 33W charging
• 162.2 x 75.55 x 7.97mm
• 188.5g
• Launch colors: Midnight Black, Mint Inexperienced, Ice Blue