Redmi 13 5G Review: Not the Budget King Anymore!

Summary

The Redmi 13 5G review discusses the phone's upgrades, including a 108 MP camera, 33W fast charging, and a 120Hz display. However, while the design is sturdy and the performance adequate for casual use, it falls short compared to competitors like the Galaxy M34 and Poco X6. The display, though smooth, lacks brightness and an AMOLED panel, and gaming performance is underwhelming. With a solid battery life and a reasonable price, the Redmi 13 5G struggles to offer the same value as its predecessor, making it hard to recommend in this price range.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Redmi 13 5G comes with notable upgrades from its predecessor, including a 108 MP camera, 33W fast charging, and a 120Hz refresh rate screen.
• 😀 The phone has a solid build with a glass back, Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and IP53 dust and splash resistance.
• 😀 Despite the improvements, the design remains basic, with thick bezels and a bulky form factor.
• 😀 The 6.67-inch IPS LCD display is decent but lacks brightness, which could make outdoor visibility challenging under direct sunlight.
• 😀 The lack of an AMOLED display and stereo speakers makes the phone less competitive compared to similarly priced alternatives like the Galaxy M34 or CMF Phone 1.
• 😀 The 108 MP primary camera produces sharp, detailed images with subtle color science but struggles with dynamic range in bright scenes.
• 😀 Nighttime photography has improved, but users should rely on Night Mode for the best results.
• 😀 Selfies are average, and videography is also just okay, without any standout features.
• 😀 The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset offers slight improvements in benchmarks but performs similarly to last year's model in real-world use, with lag in multitasking and struggles in gaming.
• 😀 Battery life is impressive with a 5300mAh battery that can last 1.5 days on moderate use, and 33W fast charging fully charges the phone in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
• 😀 Despite its good features, the Redmi 13 5G doesn't offer the same value as its predecessors, with better alternatives available for a similar price, like the Poco X6 or Galaxy M34.

Q & A

What are the main upgrades in the Redmi 13 5G compared to its predecessor?

The Redmi 13 5G comes with upgrades such as a 108MP primary camera, 33W fast charging, and a smoother 120Hz refresh rate display.

What is the price of the Redmi 13 5G in India?

The Redmi 13 5G is priced at ₹14,000 for the 6GB/128GB version and ₹15,500 for the 8GB/128GB version.

How does the design of the Redmi 13 5G compare to last year's model?

The design of the Redmi 13 5G is quite similar to the previous model, with thick bezels and a relatively bulky form factor. However, it features Gorilla Glass 3 protection and IP53 dust and splash protection.

Does the Redmi 13 5G feature an AMOLED display?

No, the Redmi 13 5G uses a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display, which lacks the brightness and color vibrancy of an AMOLED screen.

How is the camera performance on the Redmi 13 5G?

The camera performance has improved with the 108MP sensor, offering sharper and more detailed images. However, the dynamic range could be better, and night mode is recommended for low-light conditions.

What is the performance of the Redmi 13 5G like for gaming?

The performance is disappointing for gaming, as it uses the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset. Casual games like PUBG can be played at 30 FPS, but more demanding games, such as Genshin Impact, struggle even at low settings.

Does the Redmi 13 5G support stereo speakers?

No, the Redmi 13 5G only features a single speaker, which is considered average in terms of loudness and sound quality.

How is the battery life on the Redmi 13 5G?

The Redmi 13 5G has a 5300mAh battery, which provides around 1.5 days of battery life with moderate use. It also supports 33W fast charging, which takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to fully charge the phone.

What is the software experience like on the Redmi 13 5G?

The Redmi 13 5G runs on HyperOS based on Android 14 and provides a good, though not the cleanest, software experience. Xiaomi has promised 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of software updates.

Should you buy the Redmi 13 5G in 2024?

The Redmi 13 5G may not offer the same value as previous Redmi phones. Despite its upgrades, the lack of an AMOLED display, average performance, and competition from other phones in a similar price range, like the Galaxy M34 and Poco X6, make it less appealing.