I’ve already talked about the flagship of the 13th lineup, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G. I compared the mid-range models, the Redmi Note 13 Pro and the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G. Today, I want to introduce you to the youngest models in the series – the Redmi Note 13 and the Redmi Note 13 5G. As you might guess, these are more simplified and more affordable devices. Like the older models, they have a large AMOLED display, sound with Dolby Atmos support, decent RAM and storage capacity. Simplifications affected the processor, cameras, charging power, and some design aspects. However, the smartphones differ from each other in processors, 5G support, and design. There are some minor differences as well, but I’ll tell you more about them as we proceed. In this review, I suggest taking a closer look at and comparing both models, running performance tests, checking camera performance, and battery life. So, let’s not delay and get started with the review.
Technical specifications and comparison
Let’s start the review, as tradition dictates, with a brief overview of the technical specifications and a comparison of the devices. From the technical specifications, you can immediately highlight the key differences: peak brightness, color depth, protective glass, processor, 5G support, Bluetooth version, presence of stereo speakers, fingerprint scanner, design, and placement of some elements. Below are the technical specifications themselves.
- Display:
- Redmi Note 13: AMOLED; 6.67 inches; resolution 2400×1080; aspect ratio 20:9; 395 PPI; refresh rate up to 120 Hz; peak brightness 1800 nits; DCI-P3 100% color gamut; 8-bit color depth; contrast ratio 5000000:1; DC Dimming support 1920 Hz; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protective glass
- Redmi Note 13 5G: AMOLED; 6.67 inches; resolution 2400×1080; aspect ratio 20:9; 395 PPI; refresh rate up to 120 Hz; peak brightness 1000 nits; DCI-P3 100% color gamut; 10-bit color depth; contrast ratio 5000000:1; DC Dimming support 1920 Hz; Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protective glass
- Processor:
- Redmi Note 13: Qualcomm Snapdragon 685; 8 cores (4×1.9 GHz Cortex-A53 + 4×2.8 GHz Cortex-A73); 6nm process; Adreno 610 graphics
- Redmi Note 13 5G: MediaTek Dimensity 6080; 8 cores (6×2 GHz Cortex-A55 + 2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A76); 6nm process; Mali-G57 MC2 graphics
- RAM and storage:
- Redmi Note 13: 6+128 GB, 8+128 GB, 8+256 GB; LPDDR4X; UFS 2.2 storage type
- Redmi Note 13 5G: 6+128 GB, 8+256 GB; LPDDR4X storage type; UFS 2.2 storage type
- Memory card support: microSD до 1 ТБ
- Rear camera: 3 lenses (main, wide-angle, macro). Main lens – 108 megapixels; f/1.7; 0.64μm, 9-in-1 1.92μm. Wide-angle lens – 8 megapixels; f/2.2; 120˚. Macro – 2 megapixels; f/2.4. Video recording 1080P@30FPS, 720P@30FPS
- Front camera: island-type; 16 megapixels; f/2.4; 1080P@30FPS, 720P@30FPS video recording
- Audio:
- Redmi Note 13: stereo speakers; Dolby Atmos support; 3.5 mm headset jack
- Redmi Note 13 5G: 1 speaker; Dolby Atmos support; 3.5 mm headset jack
- Battery: 5000 mAh; maximum charging power 33W
- Operating system: Android 13
- Shell: MIUI 14
- Communication standards:
- Redmi Note 13: 2G, 3G, 4G
- Redmi Note 13 5G: 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G
- eSIM support: no
- Wireless technologies:
- Redmi Note 13: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac); Bluetooth 5.1
- Redmi Note 13 5G: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac); Bluetooth 5.3
- Geolocation services: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou
- SIM card slot: hybrid (2×Nano-SIM or 1×Nano-SIM + 1×microSD)
- Sensors and gauges: proximity sensor, light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, electronic compass, IR port, fingerprint scanner (in the display of Redmi Note 13; in the lock button of Redmi Note 13 5G)
- Protection: dust, moisture, splashes (IP54)
- Dimensions and weight:
- Redmi Note 13: dimensions 162.24 × 75.55 × 7.97 mm; weight 188.5 g
- Redmi Note 13 5G: dimensions 161.11 × 74.95 × 7.60 mm; weight 174.5 g
- Package contents: smartphone, 33W charger, USB-A to USB-C cable, SIM card tray clip, quick start guide, warranty documentation
Positioning and price
As I mentioned, these are the youngest and most affordable smartphones in the Redmi Note 13 lineup. The prices of the models vary depending on the installed RAM and storage capacity.:
- Redmi Note 13 6/128 ГБ — $230 / €212
- Redmi Note 13 8/256 ГБ — $256 / €236
- Redmi Note 13 5G 6/128 ГБ — $269 / €248
- Redmi Note 13 5G 8/256 ГБ — $295 / €271
Based on the information on the official website, there is also a version of the Redmi Note 13 with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. However, I couldn’t find it available for sale, so I can’t comment on its price. Considering the prices and specifications, these smartphones can be classified as entry-level to mid-range devices. By the way, the smartphones that were sent to me for review are in the top configuration, 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, so we will be reviewing and testing them in this configuration.
Package contents
The smartphones come in signature cardboard boxes with a design typical for this lineup. The contents of both models are the same:
- Smartphone
- 33W charger
- USB-A to USB-C cable
- SIM card tray ejector pin
- Quick start guide
- Warranty documentation
Like the older models, there is a protective film on the display out of the box, and cool branded cases are included. I praised the included cases in previous reviews. Here they are just as good: original, high-quality, with a pleasant soft-touch coating. I particularly liked the case for the 4G version: there are no huge cutouts, and it covers the camera module well. The case for the 5G version is very similar to the one for the 13 Pro 5G. But here they added some kind of plug to the Type-C port.
Design, ergonomics, build quality
The design of the smartphones is the same as in the Pro versions: bezel-less displays, flat edges, rounded corners, glossy back panels (in some variants). The Redmi Note 13 model is available in 4 colors: Midnight Black, Mint Green, Ice Blue, and Ocean Sunset. For the Redmi Note 13 5G model, there are only 3 colors: Graphite Black, Arctic White, Ocean Teal. The 4G version came to me in the Ice Blue variant, while the 5G version came in Graphite Black.
From the front, the smartphones are indistinguishable. The entire front panel is occupied by a 6.67-inch AMOLED display. The bezels are thin. The front camera is of the punch-hole type. A protective film is applied to the display from the factory. Different protective glasses are used. The 4G version is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, while the 5G version uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
The rear panel of the 4G version in Ice Blue color is glossy. Yes, it collects fingerprints very easily. The 5G version comes in Graphite Black color — it’s matte, so it practically has no fingerprint issues. Why practically? Because the camera module block is glossy and it tends to collect not only fingerprints but also dust, which is hard to wipe off. The camera module itself consists of three modules (main, wide-angle, macro) and a flash.
The side edges are perfectly straight, with rounded corners. Both smartphones are quite thin.
There are some differences in the arrangement of elements. On the left edge of the 4G version, there is nothing, while on the 5G version, there is a SIM card tray.
On the right edge, the volume controls and the power button are typically located. By the way, the power button of the 5G version integrates a fingerprint scanner. In the 4G version, the scanner is located directly in the display.
On the top edge, you can see the standard 3.5mm headphone jack, IR port, and microphone. In the 4G version, there are also openings for the top speaker. In the 5G version, there is only one speaker located at the bottom. IR ports in smartphones are not for data transmission. With them, you can turn smartphones into remote controls and operate various devices. For example, audio systems or TVs.
On the bottom edge, there are speaker openings, a USB-C port, and a SIM card tray in the 4G version.
The SIM card trays not only differ in location but also in design. The 4G version uses a double-sided tray, while the 5G version uses a standard one. Both trays are hybrid, meaning they can accommodate either 2 Nano-SIM cards or 1 SIM card and 1 microSD memory card up to 1TB in size.
The dimensions and weight of both smartphones are almost identical. The dimensions of the 4G version are 162.24 × 75.55 × 7.97 mm, and it weighs 188.5 g. The dimensions of the 5G version are 161.11 × 74.95 × 7.60 mm, and it weighs 174.5 g.
Both smartphones are protected against dust, moisture, and splashes, with an IP54 protection rating. The build quality of both devices is excellent. In terms of ergonomics, there are no significant complaints – the smartphones are comfortable and pleasant to use. While the glossy finishes on the body may not be the most practical, the included cases address this issue, making it less critical.
Read also:
- Redmi Note 13 Pro and Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G: Review and Comparison
- Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G Review: True Flagship
Redmi Note 13 and Note 13 5G displays
Like the older models, the display is one of the strongest aspects of these smartphones. Both devices feature 6.67-inch AMOLED displays. The displays differ only in peak brightness, color depth, and protective glass.
In the 4G version, the maximum claimed brightness is 1800 nits, while in the 5G version, it is lower at 1000 nits. The color depth is 8-bit in the 4G version and higher at 10-bit in the 5G version. The 4G version uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for protection, while the 5G version uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
The displays are the same otherwise. Both smartphones have a resolution of 2400×1080 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. The aspect ratio is 20:9. The pixel density is 395 PPI. They both cover 100% of the DCI-P3 color space. The contrast ratio is 5000000:1. Both models also support DC Dimming (1920 Hz).
Despite the displays being practically identical, there are some differences in the settings. For instance, the refresh rate. The refresh rate settings for the 5G version are exactly the same as in the higher-end models (13 Pro, 13 Pro 5G, 13 Pro+ 5G). There are two options available: standard dynamic and customizable (60 or 120 Hz). As mentioned before, it’s safe to stick to the standard mode as most of the time the refresh rate will be higher than 60 Hz.
The refresh rate settings for the 4G version are different. Here, there are two modes: simply 60 or 120 Hz. It should be noted that after trying out the smartphone in 120 Hz mode, you won’t want to go back to 60 under any circumstances. The difference in refresh rates is very noticeable in this model.
The touchscreen recognizes up to 10 simultaneous touches, which is more than enough for any tasks a smartphone may face. The displays themselves are fast, smooth, with good responsiveness, reacting sharply to all actions — in this regard, there are no complaints whatsoever.
The color gamut coverage in both models is 100% DCI-P3. There is no information in the official specifications about HDR support. However, judging from the data from AnTuTu and Device Info HW, it is still supported.
The color reproduction in both smartphones is excellent, featuring vibrant and saturated colors, as well as deep black tones. The color depth is greater in the 5G version (10-bit compared to 8-bit). However, to be honest, the difference is not very noticeable to the naked eye. Both displays deliver a vivid and juicy picture with no issues regarding contrast; everything looks very impressive.
The color settings are straightforward, offering three color scheme modes: vivid, saturated, and standard. The color temperature settings are standard: default, warm, cold, custom. There are no advanced settings (as in the 13 Pro 5G and 13 Pro+ 5G) where you can additionally change the color palette, manually adjust the color space, or tweak the tone, saturation, and contrast.
The viewing angles on both smartphones are exceptionally wide. The display remains visible and clear from almost any angle, without any noticeable dimming or color shifts.
Smartphones have no problems with brightness. It is enough for comfortable use of devices on the street. The 4G version boasts higher peak brightness: 1800 vs. 1000 nits.
Another interesting feature worth mentioning is the reading mode, where the smartphone screen resembles an electronic book. This function can be useful for those who enjoy reading books on their smartphone.
Just like in the older models, the 4G version has a fingerprint scanner built into the display, and it can read pulses. In the 5G version, the scanner is located in the lock button. As you probably guessed, it can’t read pulses.
In conclusion, I can say that the displays on the Redmi Note 13 and Redmi Note 13 5G are excellent. They offer great color reproduction, sharp imagery, and swift responsiveness. I can also add that they don’t lag far behind the higher-end models (13 Pro, 13 Pro 5G). Both smartphones deserve a big thumbs up for their displays, and we can move on to the next aspect.
Hardware and performance
The Redmi Note 13 operates on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 processor. This is an 8-core mobile chipset from 2023, commonly used in budget segment devices. It features a CPU architecture with 4 Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.9 GHz and 4 Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.8 GHz. The chipset is built on a 6nm process and handles graphics with the Adreno 610 GPU.
Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 13 5G is equipped with a more powerful SoC, the MediaTek Dimensity 6080. It’s an 8-core chipset from 2023 in the mid-range class. Its CPU architecture comprises 6 Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2 GHz and 2 Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz. The chipset is also built on a 6nm process and features the Mali-G57 MС2 GPU for graphics processing.
Both smartphones are equipped with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. The Redmi Note 13 comes in three versions: 6/128 GB, 8/128 GB, and 8/256 GB. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 13 5G is available in two variants: 6/128 GB and 8/256 GB. As mentioned earlier, the smartphones I received are in the top configuration — 8/256 GB. Below, I’ll provide screenshots of storage tests from AnTuTu and PCMark. As you can see, the storage of the 5G version is faster due to the more powerful processor.
Like many modern Android smartphones, there is a feature here for expanding RAM through virtual means. Available options include 4, 6, and 8 GB.
Hardware examination complete, now it’s time to run some benchmarks. For testing, we’ll use the standard set including: Geekbench 6, PCMark, 3DMark, AnTuTu Benchmark, AiTuTu Benchmark, and CPU Throttling Test.
As we can see, the tests show quite typical results, and as expected, the 5G version performs better in terms of productivity.
Speaking of productivity levels, it’s worth mentioning a few words about mobile games as well. While these devices are not primarily gaming-oriented, they are perfectly capable of handling gaming sessions. For instance, simple and undemanding games like Asphalt 9: Legends or Free Fire run smoothly on the smartphones at maximum graphics settings without any issues. For more resource-intensive games like Diablo Immortal, you may need to slightly lower the graphics settings to medium-high. The most demanding games, such as Genshin Impact, can be comfortably played on low or minimum graphics settings.
As for my personal experience, I can say that both smartphones perform quite well. I didn’t notice any significant lags, stutters, or freezes during their use. Yes, they’re not as snappy as the Pro versions (13 Pro, 13 Pro 5G), but they’re perfectly usable. And of course, the 5G version feels faster than the 4G, but that was expected.
Redmi Note 13 and Note 13 5G cameras
The cameras in both smartphones are the same. The rear camera consists of three lenses: a primary, a wide-angle, and a macro lens. The primary lens is 108 MP with an aperture of f/1.7. The wide-angle lens is 8 MP with an aperture of f/2.2 and a 120˚ field of view. The macro lens is 2 MP with an aperture of f/2.4. The rear camera can record video in 1080p and 720p at 30 frames per second..
The front camera comes with a resolution of 16 MP and an aperture of f/2.4. The front camera can also record video in 1080p and 720p at 30 frames per second, similar to the main camera.
Camera app
The camera app is the same as in the higher versions of the Redmi Note 13. I’ve covered it briefly in a previous review, so let’s go over it quickly.
Available photo modes include: regular photo, maximum resolution photo (108 MP), portrait, night mode, documents, pro mode, panorama, burst mode, and macro. Unlike the Pro versions, there is no long exposure mode here. Also, in the 4G version, there are no additional filters for the portrait mode. Otherwise, everything else remains the same.
Available video modes include: regular video, short video, slow motion, timelapse, and macro. Unlike the Pro versions, there is no “Cinematic” mode here. However, it is partially replaced by the “Short Video” mode, where you can immediately add music to the video and apply simple effects like filters. Another difference is the absence of video stabilization. In the Pro versions, video stabilization was only available for 1080P@30FPS. In the Redmi Note 13 / 13 5G, there is no option for stabilization in the settings.
Like in the older versions, there is HDR support here as well. And just like in the older versions, it works quite oddly—it turns on when it wants to. In the same frame (under identical conditions), HDR can either activate or not activate. It cannot be manually forced to turn on, only turned off or left in automatic mode.
Another difference worth noting is the absence of the additional camera mode that was present in the Pro versions. In this mode, it was possible to synchronize two devices and capture with identical previews.
The modes and settings for the front camera largely mirror those of the main camera. Available photo modes include regular photo, portrait mode, and burst mode. In the 5G version, there is an additional panorama mode. For video, there are regular video and short video modes. Time lapses with the front camera can only be captured in the 5G version. HDR is also supported for the front camera, operating similarly to the main camera—activating as it chooses.
The global settings for the cameras are standard. Everything that is available is shown in the screenshots.
Overall, the camera app is good: intuitive, convenient, and works without glitches. Although there’s one point worth mentioning. Photos taken in night mode are not saved immediately. After taking a shot, it takes a few seconds for it to be fully saved. And regarding performance — it feels like the camera app works slightly faster in the 5G version.
Photos and videos on the rear camera
In terms of technical camera parameters, they are the same. The camera apps, except for a few minor details, are also identical. However, the smartphones do not capture images exactly the same. In my opinion, the camera of the 5G version captures slightly better photos. Specifically, there is slightly better object detailing, especially noticeable in evening shots and portrait mode. Of course, the difference is not that significant and only noticeable upon closer inspection of the photos. I can’t say that the 4G version takes bad photos. However, personally, I lean more towards the Redmi Note 13 5G.
For clarity, I’ll show a few photos comparing the 4G and 5G versions. In some photos, it’s evident that the 5G version has better detailing. Although in some photos, the 4G version handles brightness slightly better. Overall, if not nitpicking, both smartphones take decent photos.
In the 108 MP mode, the resolution and detailing are enhanced. You probably won’t notice this in the previews (it might even seem the opposite). However, upon closer inspection and scaling of the original frames, the difference becomes evident. The 108 MP mode itself is quite specific. Firstly, it requires sufficient lighting, as indicated in the application itself. Secondly, as you can see from the examples, we lose a bit of brightness in this mode. Also, stabilization should be good — you need to try to keep the smartphone as still as possible, which is not always achievable. Ideally, shooting in this mode should be done with a tripod.
A couple of cropped frames for a visual example. The left frame was taken in the regular photo mode, while the one on the right was captured in 108 MP mode.
During shooting in wide-angle mode, there is a noticeable loss of detail. However, if you don’t scrutinize too much, it’s still usable for capturing images, but only under good lighting conditions.
The zoom has a fairly decent appearance. At maximum zoom, of course, there is a loss of detail. However, at moderate levels, the images look quite decent.
The macro mode lacks detail. This was to be expected, given the 2 MP module, which doesn’t promise anything extraordinary. In principle, macro shots are possible, but it’s better to do so in good lighting conditions.
In portrait mode, both smartphones perform well. Although personally, it seemed to me that photos taken on the 5G version still look slightly better.
Both smartphones handle evening and night shooting without any major issues. Of course, there is a decrease in detail, but overall, this is a typical phenomenon for many smartphones in this segment.
For evening shooting, there is a special night mode that makes photos brighter. Night mode works fine on the 5G version—photos come out fine. However, on the 4G version, this mode may add noise to the photos (noticeable in the sky), which isn’t great. In principle, on the 4G version, you can do without it or try playing with additional brightness settings.
Video quality is decent in good lighting conditions. Both smartphones capture video more or less equally during the day. In the evening, you can still shoot, but there’s a decrease in detail, and it becomes more challenging for the smartphones to focus. It’s worth noting that the 5G version handles evening video shooting better, as you can see in the examples below. There’s no video stabilization, but personally, I find it manageable even without it.
Redmi Note 13, rear camera, day, 1080P@30FPS
Redmi Note 13 5G, rear camera, day, 1080P@30FPS
Redmi Note 13, rear camera, evening, 1080P@30FPS
Redmi Note 13 5G, rear camera, evening, 1080P@30FPS
Photos and videos on the front camera
The front cameras on both smartphones are decent. However, shots taken with the 5G version appear sharper. This difference is most noticeable in evening shots.
The situation with videos is the same as with photos – the 5G version captures slightly better footage.
Redmi Note 13, front camera, day, 1080P@30FPS
Redmi Note 13, front camera, evening, 1080P@30FPS
Redmi Note 13 5G, front camera, day, 1080P@30FPS
Redmi Note 13 5G, front camera, evening, 1080P@30FPS
Read also:
- realme 12 Pro Review: All About the Cameras
- POCO X6 Pro smartphone review: It came to conquer… a niche
Sound
In the Redmi Note 13, like in the higher-end models, there are two speakers — one at the top and one at the bottom. Together, they provide decent stereo sound. The Redmi Note 13 5G differs from all other smartphones in the lineup in this regard. It has only one speaker, located at the bottom. Both smartphones sound quite good, even the 5G version with just one speaker. The sound is not harsh on the ears. You can comfortably watch a movie or play games with the speaker sound. In principle, you can even listen to music, but not at maximum volume. The devices themselves are quite loud. Both smartphones, like the higher-end models, support Dolby Atmos. There are no changes in the sound settings — everything is the same as what we’ve seen in the Pro versions.
Both smartphones have standard 3.5mm audio jacks for wired headsets. For wireless headsets, there is support for LDAC codecs. The sound quality with both wired and wireless headsets is excellent.
There are no complaints about the quality of the earpiece speaker and microphone. During phone calls, I could hear the other party clearly, and they could hear me well. This applies to both smartphones.
Communications and wireless technologies
The smartphones support the standard set of network bands: 2G, 3G, 4G. Redmi Note 13 5G additionally supports 5G networks. eSIM is not supported in these smartphones. If eSIM support is required, it is available in Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G and 13 Pro+ 5G. As for the supported frequency bands, here’s the breakdown:
Redmi Note 13:
- 2G GSM: 850 900 1800 1900 MHz
- 3G WCDMA: 1/5/8
- 4G LTE FDD: 1/3/5/7/8/20/28
- 4G LTE TDD: 38/40/41
Redmi Note 13 5G:
- 2G GSM: 850 900 1800 1900 MHz
- 3G WCDMA: 1/2/4/5/6/8/19
- 4G LTE FDD: B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/18/19/20/26/28/32/66
- 4G LTE TDD: 38/40/41
- 5G: n1/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/40/41/66/77/78
The connectivity on both smartphones works well. I tested both devices with two different operators, and I didn’t encounter any problems throughout the testing period. The signal was good, and mobile internet worked as usual, delivering the typical connection speed.
Both smartphones support wireless connections such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Wi-Fi is of the 5th version, supporting 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac standards. However, Bluetooth versions differ: Redmi Note 13 uses Bluetooth 5.1, while Redmi Note 13 5G uses Bluetooth 5.3. Both smartphones also feature NFC for contactless payment. Supported location services include GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou.
Software
Both smartphones run on Android 13 with their proprietary MIUI 14 interface. At the time of writing the review, the latest versions were: 14.0.6.0. TNHEUXM for Redmi Note 13 and 14.0.2.0. TNQEUXM for Redmi Note 13 5G.
In the previous review, I already talked about MIUI 14. There are no changes in the OS here. It’s all the same as what we saw in the Redmi Note 13 Pro / 13 Pro 5G / 13 Pro+ 5G.
The same set of pre-installed applications, both necessary and unnecessary, is present. Built-in app ads and recommendations are also included. The intrusive notifications from some of the proprietary applications have not disappeared.
And despite all this, I can’t say anything bad about the OS. It’s fast, convenient, intuitive, easily customizable, visually appealing, and most importantly—updates are not a concern. Moreover, the aforementioned drawbacks can be easily addressed through simple settings. Essentially, you just need to go through it once and customize everything to your liking: mute unnecessary notifications, remove unwanted apps, and so on.
The navigation within the system is standard (3 buttons or gestures). The range of security methods (unlocking) is also conventional: PIN code, password, pattern, Bluetooth, fingerprint, face unlock.
Redmi Note 13 and Note 13 5G battery life
The smartphones are equipped with 5000 mAh batteries, which is a standard capacity by today’s standards. The package includes chargers with a maximum power of 33 watts.
With the included charger, the smartphones charge from 5% to 50% in 26 minutes. A full charge takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.
The battery settings here are practically the same as in other smartphones in this series. There are 3 modes: balanced, power-saving, and ultra-power saving. There is no high-performance mode (like in the 13 Pro 5G, 13 Pro+ 5G). Also, there is a fast charging feature, which helps quickly charge the device when it is fully discharged. There is also a sort of battery protection – the ability to reduce the charging power at night. However, for some reason, it’s not available in the 5G version.
To test the battery life, we used the standard Work 3.0 Battery Life stress test from PCMark. It showed a result of 10 hours 48 minutes for Redmi Note 13 and 9 hours 18 minutes for Redmi Note 13 5G.
The battery life tests were conducted under the following settings on the smartphones:
- Battery mode – balanced (default)
- Display brightness – 75% (manual adjustment, auto-brightness disabled)
- Screen refresh rate – dynamic (standard) on the 5G version, 120 Hz on the 4G version
With typical daily usage, a full battery charge lasts on average for 1-2 days, depending on the intensity of usage. By typical daily usage, we mean calls, internet browsing, messaging, some music playback, occasional video watching, a few photos/videos taken with the camera, and casual gaming on the go.
Conclusions
Summing up, it can be said that the Redmi Note 13 and Redmi Note 13 5G are quite decent smartphones for their segment. Among the advantages, we can highlight the excellent AMOLED display, stylish exterior design, decent level of performance, and battery life. The cameras are also good for this price range. As for the drawbacks, the glossy material of the body stands out. It’s a bit of a mixed bag – it looks beautiful and stylish, but from a practical standpoint, it’s not ideal, as fingerprints, dust, and smudges tend to accumulate on the body (or its individual parts).
If choosing between the Redmi Note 13 and the Redmi Note 13 5G, I would prefer the latter. Because for a price difference of $38 / €35, you get higher performance, 5G support, and, as practice has shown, slightly better camera quality.
Read alsо:
- ASUS ROG Phone 8 and 8 Pro Gaming Smartphones Review: Hot and Fast!
- Motorola Moto G34 5G Review: Successful Budget Phone
- What You Need to Know Before Installing Solar Panels