Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G review: Redmi, Xiaom’s sub-brand is known for its affordable yet very powerful handsets. Over the years, Redmi devices have become very popular among users in Kenya and Xiaomi has always made an effort to bring all the devices under this sub-brand in the country, with the latest being the Redmi Note 13 series.
Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi Note 13 Series in Kenya towards the end of February comprising the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, Redmi Note 13 Pro and Redmi Note 13. The series succeeds the Redmi Note 12 Series.
We loved the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G (Review) because, for the first time, we saw a Xiaomi mid-range phone feature flagship specifications. For example, the phone came with a 200MP camera, which we have seen in flagship smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Xiaomi has done the same thing with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, going hard on both software and hardware.
We got our hands on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G and being the top-of-the-line in this series, the phone comes with very nice hardware and some interesting specs.
For Ksh.73,999, the phone has positioned itself as the first and probably the best option for anyone shopping for a mid-range smartphone in Kenya. With significant upgrades to the camera system, design, display and processor, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G closes the gap between mid-range and flagship-level smartphones, delivering durability, fantastic experience, and impressive imaging capability – all at a reasonable price.
Based on the specs, the phone is a great value for money, but how does it perform for everyday use? We spent about a week and a half with the phone to find out.
Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G Design, Build and Display
There is no 3.5mm audio port and the speaker, SIM card tray, and USB-C port are all at the bottom. The power and volume buttons are on the right.
The phone comes equipped with a curved 6.67-inch AMOLED panel that looks very nice with flagship performance. Clarity and detail are excellent and the display also offers vibrant, punchy colours, good for content consumption and playing your favourite games. The 120Hz refresh adds a good touch to this display and makes scrolling, switching through apps and transitions very responsive.
We are also getting 1,800 nits peaking brightness on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G. What this means is you won’t have to struggle using this phone under this Nairobi sunlight.
I am a big fan of curved displays and I love how Xiaomi has implemented it on this phone. The bezels are really thin and well, making the phone all screen. The punch-hole selfie camera does not interfere with the viewing experience of the phone.
The phone comes in Fusion White, Fusion Black, and Fusion Purple colour options. Our review unit was …
Software and Performance
Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G comes preinstalled with MIUI 14 based on Android 13. Of course, I was hoping to see HyperOS, the new name for MIUI 15 but well, this is me asking for too much LOL. HyperOS is still fairly new and we’re yet to see it breaking new ground in smartphones. My Xiaomi Pad 6 got a HyperOS update recently though and let’s just say I love it.
I am disappointed that the phone comes running Android 13 rather than the latest Android 14. Xiaomi does also not say when the phone will be updated to Android 14-based HyperOS.
I also found the sheer amount of bloatware, that comes with the phone quite frustrating. There are some annoying extra games, and shopping apps that come pre-installed on the phone. The good thing is, that most of these apps can be uninstalled or disabled. There are also Xiaomi’s versions of many stock Google apps that come with the phone.
The interface is almost very similar to all Redmi devices so if you have used any before navigating through it will require very little familiarisation. I also like how the edge display lights up when you notification. If you like multitasking, the floating windows also really come in handy.
Powering the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is a Dimensity 7200 Ultra, which is an upper mid-range chipset released in September 2023. The chipset boasts an 8-core processor based on TSMC’s 4nm process, which was previously reserved for flagship-tier chips like the Dimensity 9200+.
It’s not quite MediaTek’s most powerful chipset but it gets things done. It handles regular tasks like web browsing, taking lots of photos, and switching between apps quite easily without experiencing any lags or hesitations. Xiaomi couples it with a generous 12GB of RAM, an extra 6G virtual RAM and 512GB of onboard storage making the performance even better.
Cameras
I love the main camera, it’s one of the biggest strengths of this phone. It packs OIS and EIS and comes loaded with a bunch of features that include Portrait Mode with Beautify, Depth Control and Filters support, Night Mode, AI Camera, AI Beautify, Pro Mode, HDR, Macro, Assist cam, Long Exposure, Procut, AI SkyScraping, Magic cutout, Smart Beautify and among others.
The camera performs well in good lighting. Images are quite detailed with good color reproduction and less noise. The exposure levels and dynamic range are pretty good. I also love how quick the autofocus is. Check sample shots below.
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G supports 4K videos at 30fps and we are also getting a slow-motion mode as well. Video performance, again is also really good in well-lit conditions, but in low light, they get a bit blurry.
The 16MP does also not disappoint. In well-lit conditions, you get some pretty decent and natural selfies to give you a more natural look. See sample selfies below.
Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G Battery
When it comes to the battery, Xiaomi has added a 5000mAh battery, which is actually standard for the Redmi Note series the company has launched in the market. The juicy park here is the addition of a 120W HyperCharge, for fast charging which is included in the box. When the phone was at 10% for example, I plugged it in and in about 20-25 minutes I was at 75%, that’s quite impressive.
Overall, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is a solid phone when it comes to battery performance.
Should you buy the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G?
I however feel Xiaomi could have done better with the software because the phones come with lots of pre-loaded apps which I had mentioned you can get rid of.
Overall, I am a big fan of Redmi devices as they always offer great value propositions. If design, an impressive display, and long battery life are among the top things you look out for in a smartphone then the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G is worth considering.
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