Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus
The Redmi Note series has been the most favored smartphone series for many years. Amongst them is the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G, specifically designed for the Indian market, setting it apart with notable distinctions. While the variances between the Chinese variant and this one may not be extensive, there are noteworthy differences that warrant attention. Priced under Rs 30K, this phone offers a compelling and distinctive experience, making it a highly intriguing device.
I anticipate its price to fall within the range of Rs 25-30K. Starting with the packaging, it comes in an eye-catching red and white box. On the box, you'll find the simple yet impactful label stating "Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G."
The phone comes with a decent-quality case, but let's talk about the camera module first – it's noticeably large, reflecting a trend of ever-expanding camera designs. Inside the package, you'll find a 120W charger and a USB Type A to Type C charging cable. Moving on to the phone, it's not your typical Note series device; it boasts a unique vegan leather finish with various color options. The combination of light blue, dark, and light green creates an appealing aesthetic, complemented by Redmi's branding.
Despite the unconventional appearance, the phone looks impressive, especially when housed in the provided case. The large opening in the case aligns with the camera, making for a sleek design. The vegan leather back is a standout feature, but it's advised to use it with the case to prevent potential dirt accumulation.
In terms of build, the phone offers Gorilla Glass Victus protection, adding a touch of premium quality to this mid-range device. Priced between Rs 25-30K, it falls into the upper mid-range category.
Weighing in at around 205g, the phone strikes a balance between being lightweight and substantial. The vegan leather back contributes to a comfortable grip, providing a satisfying feel in the hands. Overall, the phone's design, protection features, and ergonomic feel make it a noteworthy contender in its price range.
When it comes to the ports and buttons, at the bottom, you'll find a SIM card tray, a microphone, a USB Type-C port, and a speaker grill. On the right side, there's a power on/off button and a volume rocker. Additionally, there's an air blaster, a noise-canceling microphone, another speaker grill, and a pressure release valve. The phone boasts an IP68 certification, making it a noteworthy feature that we wanted to highlight for you.
Before we dive into the details, it's worth noting that the Note series, which used to have biannual launches, has now shifted to an annual release schedule. The Redmi Note 12 series was introduced in the early months of the previous year, and now, the Note 13 series is following a similar timeline.
Let's talk about the display – it's truly stunning! Sporting a 6.7-inch screen with a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz AMOLED display, it's a notable upgrade from the Note 12 Pro Plus, which had an FHD+ resolution. The display features an impressive 1800 nits peak brightness and achieves a 93% screen-to-body ratio. Notably, the side bezels are virtually non-existent, and both the chin and upper bezels are remarkably thin.
The display quality is outstanding, with vibrant colors and a high level of detail. It's a top-notch 1.5K display that supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, ensuring an immersive viewing experience, especially for HDR content on platforms like Netflix.
For multimedia enthusiasts, the phone comes equipped with stereo speakers, delivering excellent audio quality to complement the stunning display. Altogether, it makes for an exceptional device that excels in both visual and audio aspects, providing an enjoyable experience for multimedia consumption.
The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra, serving as the base variant with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Notably, it features LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, enhancing its performance capabilities.
Speaking of performance, the AnTuTu score for this device is approximately 7.5L, indicating a robust and capable performance level. The phone is equipped with a substantial 5000mAh battery, complemented by impressive 120W charging capability. Incredibly, it achieves a full charge from 1% in just 19 minutes, falling under the 20-minute mark, which is an impressive feat. Additionally, the device supports virtual RAM, contributing to its overall efficiency and multitasking capabilities.
When it comes to gaming, the device supports HDR gameplay at 60FPS and offers the capability to play games like BGMI and COD Mobile at 90FPS. While the HDR performance is decent, overall gaming performance is commendable.
In terms of connectivity, the device features a Type C 2.0 USB port.
The phone runs on MIUI 14, built upon Android 13. Xiaomi has committed to providing 3-4 years of security updates. MIUI 14, although based on Android 13, is HyperOS ready, ensuring prompt updates. Expect two major updates (15 and 16) with HyperOS and continuous security updates for four years.
During the setup process, some dark patterns were observed, and the phone comes with 7-8 pre-installed games. While these can be uninstalled, it's essential to mention their presence.
In terms of connectivity, the phone supports 5G with compatibility for all bands in India. It features dual 4G VoLTE, WiFi calling, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC, providing comprehensive connectivity options. However, FM radio is not available. Both MIUI and Google dialers are present, allowing users to record calls if needed.
Now, let's talk about the cameras. Compared to the 12 Pro+, there's a significant upgrade. The device boasts a 200MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and an HP3 sensor replacing the HPX sensor. For selfies, there's a 16MP front camera, marking a notable improvement over its predecessor.
We're on the quest for the best camera and smartphone under Rs 30K, and while the 200MP sensor offers lossless zoom capabilities at 2x or 4x, the overall camera performance falls short of expectations. Although the 200MP benefit is notable, delivering impressive zoom, other aspects disappoint.
The macro shots and videos exhibit a soft quality, and there's a slight color shift from the ultrawide to the main sensor. On the positive side, video recording with the rear camera supports 4K at 30FPS, while the front camera can shoot in FHD at 60FPS.
Exploring the camera features, there's a multitude of options, including document scanning, a dedicated 200MP native mode, portrait mode, video mode, night mode, time-lapse, slow-motion mode, AI watermark, short film mode, panorama, and numerous filters. The camera app is feature-packed, offering a diverse range of functionalities.
A noteworthy feature is the ability to capture photos at 200MP resolution.
Complete Specifications
General
Brand | Xiaomi |
Model | Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G |
Price in India | ₹31,999 |
Release date | 4th January 2024 |
Launched in India | Yes |
Form factor | Touchscreen |
Dimensions (mm) | 161.40 x 74.20 x 8.90 |
Weight (g) | 204.5 |
IP rating | IP68 |
Battery capacity (mAh) | 5000 |
Removable battery | No |
Fast charging | 120W HyperCharge |
Wireless charging | No |
Colours | Black, Silver, White |
Display
Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
Resolution Standard | HD+ |
Screen size (inches) | 6.67 |
Touchscreen | Yes |
Hardware
Processor make | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra |
RAM | 8GB, 12GB |
Internal storage | 256GB, 512GB |
Camera | |
Rear camera | 200-megapixel + 8-megapixel + 2-megapixel |
No. of Rear Cameras | 3 |
Front camera | 16-megapixel |
No. of Front Cameras | 1 |
Pop-Up Camera | No |
Software
Operating system | Android 13 |
Connectivity
Wi-Fi | Yes |
GPS | Yes |
Bluetooth | Yes |
USB Type-C | Yes |
Number of SIMs | 2 |
Sensors
Fingerprint sensor | Yes |
Compass/ Magnetometer | Yes |
Proximity sensor | Yes |
Accelerometer | Yes |
Ambient light sensor | Yes |
Gyroscope | Yes |
Conclusion
In my assessment of the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus, priced at Rs 32K but effectively under Rs 30K with offers, it stands out with its IP68 rating. The display is impressive, and the unique aesthetics give it a distinctive look. Regarding performance, it falls in the decent category, and the camera performance can be considered satisfactory.
Feel free to share your thoughts on the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus. If you have any questions or specific areas you'd like detailed reviews on, such as the camera or performance, please let us know in the comments. The Note series holds a prominent place in popularity, and we are here to address any queries or provide additional information based on your interests.
Xiaomi Redmi Note