Smartphones

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 test/review

Published on: 07-03-2024 / Modified: 07-03-2024
I test fewer phones than I used to because I've diversified the products I test but there's at least one range of phones that I systematically test every year and that's the Redmi Note range. Today it's the Redmi Note 13's turn to go through my testing protocol. I'm testing the Redmi Note 13 Pro at the same time, so I'll be able to compare the two models

The Redmi Note 13 is an entry-level phone from Redmi, but by entry-level it shouldn't be confused with those low-priced Chinese smartphones that you can find in large numbers on Aliexpress. The Redmi brand has managed to establish itself as a key player alongside major brands such as Apple and Samsung. In some European countries, Redmi even occupies the third position. Redmi's strategy is very simple: it broadly adopts what other manufacturers are doing but at a lower price. So there's no need to look for major innovations as this is not the brand's objective.

I've tested more than a dozen of this brand's phones, and even if it sometimes smacks of recycling, the value for money has always been there. Will this still be the case with the Redmi Note 13? Let's find out in this test.

Manufacturer web site:

https://www.mi.com

Structure of my tests

I test the phones according to a pre-established structure (see below) to provide you with as much information as possible. Unfortunately, this takes a long time. Some tests like network performance tests take several days and for photo tests I sometimes have to wait until the weather is suitable to take pictures in good conditions. I am therefore obliged to publish the tests step by step, so I invite you to come back if the test is not complete at the time of your visit.

Price Redmi Note 13

The list below shows the prices for the Redmi Note 13 from more than 50 sites around the world. If you are not satisfied with any price, you can subscribe to a price alert to be the first to be notified when the price drops.

The above links are affiliate links from companies such as Amazon, Gearbest, Aliexpress,... If you appreciate my work, I would be grateful if you could purchase these products through these links. It costs you absolutely nothing but I get a small commission that allows me to buy the material I test. Thank you very much!

Timeline

February 25, 2024: order of the Redmi Note 13 on vandenborre.be

March 5, 2024: delivery of the phone, well done to vandenborre.be for the incredible speed of delivery! The test can now begin, but with a delay of more than a week on my schedule.

Why this phone?

Since I can't test all the phones, I have to make choices, and to make the right choice, I have to evaluate many criteria, except for the Redmi range. I tested my first Redmi with the Redmi Note 5 and since then I've tested each new generation, sometimes with several models per generation. So there's nothing rational about my choice anymore, it's almost become a tradition. Of course, I'm not obliged to do so, and I'm not emotionally attached to the brand, but these phones are becoming increasingly popular, and I think I still have some interesting things to say about them.

There are 2 versions of this phone, a 4G version and a 5G version. The 4G version is less powerful than the 5G version, but it's also less expensive. The camera is the same in both versions. I must not have been wide awake when I ordered this phone, because I have the 4G version. Those who want to buy the 5G version will therefore have to disregard my comments on performance, for the rest, it'll be the same

Unpacking

There's nothing more standardized than a Redmi/Xiaomi smartphone box, the boxes have all been the same for a few years now. The box contains the phone, a 33-watt charger, a USB cable, a needle to open the sim drawer, a soft silicone shell and a user manual

First configuration

The configuration of the Redmi Note 13 follows exactly the same path as other phones using MIUI 14 and, as usual, I'd advise you to skip the wallpaper step as it's designed to capture data for advertising monetization

I've been testing Redmi phones for quite a long time but I'm always surprised by the number of pre-installed applications. It doesn't interfere with the phone's operation, but the first screen gives the impression that the phone is cluttered.

Finish

The Redmi Note 13 is an entry-level phone, but its level of finish is excellent for this price range. Redmi has gradually distanced itself from the outlandish formats and colors of the past, and the Redmi Note 13 now looks very serious. The phone is mainly made of plastic, but at no point does it deform in the hand or squeak when squeezed

The back of the phone is almost uniform. The two main sensors stand out quite strongly from the phone, as is also the case with the Redmi Note 13 Pro, but as they are not integrated into a rectangular block, I find that the sensors look less massive than on the pro version. The surface is matte, whereas the pro version uses a mirror-effect surface, so fingerprints are still visible, but much less so than on the Redmi Note 13 Pro

The power and volume buttons are arranged in the same way as on most phones, but if I remember correctly, this is the first time that the fingerprint sensor is not associated with the power button.

On the upper edge we find a jack-type audio output, an audio output (speaker), an infrared port and a sound sensor. You can also see here that the screen is protected by a plastic film

On the lower edge we find a USB type C port, an audio output (speaker), a sound sensor and a sim drawer. The sim drawer can hold two sim cards in duplex mode, but the slot at the back can also be used for a micro SD memory card. You can thus combine the use of a sim card with a memory card

The screen is surrounded by medium-thick borders, which I feel are a little thinner than the previous generation, but it's still not a full-screen experience. The top of the screen is interrupted only by the selfie sensor positioned in the center with a medium-sized punch

This smartphone therefore has a good level of finish and I think that if the logo were removed, the lambda consumer might mistake it for a Samsung or another brand better known than Redmi.

Specifications

The information below comes from the Device Info HW application. The application provides detailed technical information about the tested phone. I've tested the 4G version of this phone, but there's also a 5G version that uses a different architecture.
The 4G version runs on an "old" Snapdragon architecture that's been around for a few years now, and I think it's aged badly. For the few euros that separate the 4G version from the 5G version, I'd recommend the 5G version, as it offers a better level of everyday comfort. I really felt this slowness or lack of responsiveness in the 4G version because of the technical choice and although it doesn't prevent using the phone, the wait is sometimes really too long (e.g. at start-up)

CPU / GPU Performance

The Redmi Note 13 4G is based on a Snapdragon 685 CPU, and this CPU has already been around for a few years. In itself, the power of the CPU might not be a problem if you're not looking for performance, but the problem is that everything else in the architecture also dates from the same era. The software layer has evolved, it's heavier and therefore requires a little more power, and that's where the lack of power is felt. The 5G version uses a more recent architecture with a Mediatek Dimensity 6080. It's clearly not a thunderbolt, but it offers far greater user comfort than the Snapdragon of the 4G version

As for the GPU, it's the same thing, it's an "old" Adreno 610 that was already used on the ... Redmi Note 8! It's just unthinkable that Redmi would do something like this just to save a few euros on the price, because in the end they risk discouraging a future purchase following this bad experience.

Benchmark Antutu/3DMark

I obtained a score of 250,496 points with Antutu v8, a fairly low score but quite normal with the type of CPU/GPU used. The 5G version is more powerful and should exceed 300,000 points. So this phone in its 4G version isn't a performance brute, but even if you're not gaming, day-to-day comfort is also affected by this lack of performance. Switching from one screen to another is slower, and applications are slower too. If you've never had a faster phone, you may not notice it, but for me the slowdown was clearly visible

Gaming

To test the performance in game, I download the mobile PUBG game and evaluate the in-game experience, graphics level and depth of vision. This game is quite demanding and should help you evaluating the performance of a phone.

I often test mid-range phones, and they generally do a good job of running PUBG Mobile under the right conditions. When I launched PUBG Mobile on this phone I immediately saw the difference with the mid-range. Textures are kept to a minimum to enable good gaming conditions. With this phone's low power, the game adapts to favor fluidity at the expense of graphical finesse.

Network performance

This phone offers sufficient 3G/4G frequency coverage for use throughout Europe. The 5G version is compatible with 14 5G frequencies and will therefore also be usable throughout Europe.

Signal 4G (from December 2020)

I decided to change the methodology for measuring the network because I noticed that the configuration of the mobile network changes over time. This makes it more difficult to compare phones because the conditions are no longer exactly the same.

To overcome this problem, I set up a device that captures 24 hours a day about ten parameters from the mobile network (ex: cell id, rssi, rsrq, snr, frequency,...). I then place the phone next to the device for 24 to 48 hours taking the same measurements so that I can compare them.

Overview of the phones tested with this methodology

I took 1,286 measurements to assess the mobile network sensitivity of this phone and obtained an average signal of -97.02 dBm where I obtained an average signal of -92.32 dBm with my probe. This puts the Redmi Note 13 in the lower mid-range. If you live in an area with good mobile network coverage, you probably won't notice any difference from another phone. If, on the other hand, the network coverage where you live is not strong enough, this phone is probably not for you.

Download/Upload speed

To test the download speed, I have identified some 4G cells offering good performance where I test all my devices several times to see what download and upload speed they can achieve.

Wifi performance

To test a phone's ability to receive the network properly, I take measurements near my router and then remotely (and always at the same place). This gives me an average in dBm where a value of -90 dBm indicates poorer performance than a value at -30 dBm.

Wifi signal

I measured an average signal of -16 dBm close to the router and -63 dBm at a distance, which are good average values. The wifi sensitivity of the Redmi Note 13 is therefore good and shouldn't pose any problems.

Download/Upload speed

To test the speed in Wifi, I connect to my router in 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz (if available) and use the Ookla application to measure the speed.

GPS performance

To test the accuracy of the GPS signal, I use two positioning applications to evaluate the difference between the actual position and the position indicated by the phone. This test is done outdoors with nothing to obstruct the signal. An accuracy level of up to 3 meters can easily be corrected by an application (e.g. Google Maps).

I measured the GPS signal and compared it with my actual position to assess the level of accuracy. The GPS test applications give me an accuracy level of 3 meters and good signal quality. The reality is very close to this measurement, as I actually find myself within a 3-meter radius of the position detected by the GPS. This is an average level of accuracy that can easily be corrected by your navigation application.

Battery range

To test battery life I developed an application that measures the battery level minute by minute until the battery is empty. This application consumes about ten percent of the phone's resources and I do a test with 100 brightness. This test aims to reproduce a contemplative use of a phone (e.g. surfing the internet, reading articles, spending time on social networks). These results are not valid for intensive gaming/streaming use.

Charging speed

It took me 74 minutes to charge the Redmi Note 13's battery with a UGREEN 100W charger. It takes 12 minutes to exceed 20%, 24 to reach 40%, 37 for 60%, 51 to reach 80% and 74 to reach 100%. As usual, the charging speed is highest at the beginning and gradually slows down, slowing down sharply on the last 20 percent

Battery life

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I obtained a battery life of 668 minutes with brightness at 50% and 1501 minutes with brightness at 100%. Screen consumption is therefore not linear. Battery life at full brightness is quite similar to what I obtained on the Redmi Note 13 Pro, which is a fairly good level of autonomy. On the other hand, autonomy is more important at 50% brightness, and this is where the benefit of having a less powerful phone comes into play. With the screen at 100%, it consumes more than the other components, which is not the case with the screen at 50%. By lowering the brightness, you can therefore increase battery life much faster than on a more power-hungry phone.

Energy efficiency

The load test allows you to push the phones to the limit for more than 5 minutes and measure the influence of each component (CPU, GPU, FPU) on energy consumption and battery temperature. As this is pure computing, raw performance can also be more easily compared with other phones

What I noticed:

- the weak CPU performance is confirmed, the Redmi Note 13 offers a CPU performance comparable to the Honor 90 Lite or even the POCO X5 5G

- it's the same for the GPU

- CPU consumption when pushed to max is 4.14 watts

- GPU consumption when pushed to max is 1.92 watts

Battery temperature didn't increase much during the test, rising from 35°C to 38°C. Total consumption never really exceeded 5 watts, whereas the sum of CPU and GPU consumption should exceed this threshold. Why is this? It's a sign of throttling: the phone doesn't know how to handle components at full throttle, so there's a loss of performance that doesn't allow all components to be used to their full potential at the same time

Nothing extraodinary here, these measurements just confirm the phone's poor raw performance. This probably doesn't matter if you just want a simple phone, but if you want to play games or use heavier applications, you'll have to go for another phone.

Photo camera test

To test the quality of photos produced by a phone, I do a technical test (resolution, sharpness, chromatic aberration,...) in studio (identical conditions) to evaluate the technical part objectively. From the second half of 2020, I built my own laboratory to take completely objective technical measurements. I then take pictures in real conditions to see how the camera performs. I then evaluate these photos according to my criteria but I publish the photos so that you can evaluate the result according to your criteria.

Hardware

The Redmi Note 13 is equipped with a 108-megapixel Samsung sensor as its main camera. This isn't the first time Redmi has used a 108-megapixel sensor in its phones, but I think it's the first time the non-pro version has received such a sensor. This sensor is also of a different version, it's the HM6 where the Redmi Note 11 Pro used the HM2.

Even if the number of pixels is the same, these are two different cameras. I see that one of the first phones to use it was the Xiaomi 12T, which cost considerably more than the Redmi Note 13 when it was launched. This could mean one of two things. Either the HM6 wasn't good enough for the price of the Xiaomi 12T, or it could mean that the Redmi Note 13 gets a camera that's far superior to what you'd find in the entry-level range...you'll find the answer in the next few paragraphs

The secondary sensor is an 8-megapixel Samsung S5k4h7 ultra-wide-angle sensor. I've already tested this sensor twice with the Poco X4 GT and the Redmi Note 12 Pro.

Photo quality

Photo quality (indoor/studio)

The studio test is carried out under the same conditions so that the results can be compared on an equal basis. I calibrate my lighting for each test to obtain the same brightness and colour temperature. This test is a preliminary analysis of the technical qualities of a camera. Most phones fail this test, so you should also read the results of the other tests in the following paragraphs.

Samsung HM6 sensor

When I took this series of photos, I hadn't paid much attention to the rendering and moved on before looking at them on my computer later. I was quite surprised to see that these photos were quite heavily underexposed, more than I'm used to seeing. I tried to recover some luminosity with the pro mode, but the very cold coloration was still very much present. I often get an average result when shooting under artificial light, but here I ended up with a below-average result. This doesn't mean I'd get the same result outdoors, but it's a first warning about this camera's ability to take good-quality photos indoors under artificial lighting.

This photo is also darker than usual, but I'm going to concentrate on sharpness, as that's the main aim of this test. I took a photo with all the bills, then zoomed in at 194% to observe the level of detail

I always say that the number of pixels isn't really important for photo quality, but it can be an advantage when zooming in. That's what I wanted to show with these photos. The level of detail for an enlargement of this type is still really good. In the middle, with the Canadian banknote, the text and texture are perfectly legible. At the periphery, there is a slight loss of detail, but the level of detail is still quite acceptable, especially for a 194% zoom

Samsung S5k4h7 secondary sensor

This ultra-wide-angle sensor positively surprised me, as was already the case with other phones using the same sensor. The photo exposure is better than with the main sensor, and colors are much more natural. However, the photos were taken under exactly the same conditions. The contours are obviously distorted, as this type of sensor is not designed to take photos of this kind, but this first outdoor test is quite interesting

The bill test is not favorable to this type of sensor, and this is once again shown by the lack of sharpness of the small print. If I zoom in to 100% and stay in the center, I already notice a loss of detail, whereas in the center the sharpness is always better than in the periphery. Unsurprisingly, peripheral sharpness is not good. This is often the case with this type of sensor, but sharpness in the center is usually acceptable, and here it's a little below average.

Exposure and colors, on the other hand, are better than with the main sensor.

Photo: technical test

I was inspired by industrial technical tests to create my own technical test to evaluate the technical quality of a camera. This test is an objective assessment of a camera's ability to render a scene correctly.

I test the following elements:
- centre sharpness, peripheral sharpness
- colour fidelity based on 24 reference colours
- level of chromatic aberration
- dynamic range (ability to capture dark and light areas without loss)
- distortion

The technical evaluation may differ from the subjective evaluation as the feeling of a photo will be influenced by the processing provided by each manufacturer.

Samsung HM6 sensor

The Redmi Note 13 features a night mode that lets you combine several photos to improve image quality. This combination of photos produces night photos of reasonable quality for a phone in this price range. If you look at the photos on a phone, you won't see the little flaws here and there. If you look at the photos on a large screen, you'll notice a few flaws in the contours and the sharpness isn't always uniform, but I find that for an entry-level smartphone, this doesn't really matter - the Redmi Note 13 fulfils its mission very well

The ultra-wide-angle sensor doesn't fare as well, but that's always the case with this kind of sensor - they're not designed for night use. Photos are too dark, there's a lot of digital noise and sharpness isn't very good

Video quality

Stabilisation

I was surprised to find that the Redmi Note 13 was able to stabilize video at 1080 30fps. The stabilization isn't perfect, as you can see the corrections and some slowness, but it's rare enough in this price range to be worth noting. In fact, I think this is the first time that the entry-level Redmi has been able to dampen video vibrations so effectively.

Video normale conditions

The Redmi Note 13 is capable of filming at 1080p and 30fps. Video quality is good, but there are a few shortcomings, such as a delay in changing exposure and a slight delay in rapid movements. Colors are more accurate than in the photo section, and focusing is quick enough.

Video low light

The Redmi Note 13 isn't very comfortable with night-time video. The video is a little too dark, it's also noisy and you can feel that the phone needs time to find its bearings to focus. If I slow down the movement, it's easier to focus, but as soon as I speed up, the focus slips a little. Still, this is a pretty decent result for a phone in this price range.

External audio quality

This test is intended to give you an overview of the volume and sound quality during calls and when listening to music through the external speakers.

Audio/music quality

The volume of the external speakers is a little above average, and I didn't notice any distortion or distortion of the sound. High frequencies are fairly well rendered, low frequencies lack a little depth as is often the case on a large majority of phones. For an entry-level phone, this Redmi Note 13 does very well

Audio quality/calls

Call volume is above average, with no noticeable distortion or loss of quality. Sound quality is good, with just a little too much strength at high frequencies. With the loudspeaker, volume is also above average with no noticeable loss of capacity.

Audio quality (headphones)

To test the quality of the phone's audio output, I connect the device's audio output to a measuring tool, then play sounds on all frequencies and measure the differences between the original sound and the sound produced by the phone. In this way I measure the phone's ability to correctly reproduce all sounds.

Sound quality with headphones

The Redmi Note 13 is capable of reproducing all frequencies with a good level of fidelity. Gaps at the extremes are not a problem, and frequency reproduction is fairly close to what I measured on the pro version. The Redmi Note 13's sound quality is a little below average, and at maximum volume there's no distortion. So sound quality for a phone of this price is really good.

Screen quality

To test the screen, I use a colorimetric probe that measures the color accuracy of a screen, as well as other parameters to see if a screen is able to correctly reproduce an image. I also test the brightness level to determine if the screen will be able to display an image in full sunlight.

Colorimetry

Since Redmi has been equipping its phones with Amoled screens, the basic color settings have been forcing saturation a little to no doubt flatter the retina. With these settings, these colors deviate from their normal trajectory. There are two solutions to this problem.

You can either switch to standard mode, where colors are accurate, but this is at the expense of color coverage, where you go from DCI P3 to REC709. So it's not an ideal setting for watching HDR movies. The other option is to calibrate the screen. Unfortunately, the Redmi Note 13 offers very few calibration options, but I did find a setting to improve color rendering. Without calibration, I have a dE of 7.4 for white with a strong blue dominance. After calibration, I get a white with a dE of 1.7. As the adjustment possibilities are limited, some colors still deviate a little too much from the norm, but the final result is much better than before calibration. I end up with a dE of 2.98 for colors and 0.43 for grays

To obtain the same result, I took a screenshot of the color temperature setting to be applied

Brightness / Contrast

I obtained a brightness of around 500 cd/m² but it's undoubtedly possible to obtain more brightness by exposing the phone to strong light, but I didn't have my usual light source to hand so I wasn't able to test this point. As Redmi's screens are often the same, this phone should be able to produce a higher level of brightness and be readable in sunlight

Contrast

The Redmi Note 13's amoled panel offers infinite contrast, providing a nice depth in the blacks, the black lighting is so weak that my probe doesn't detect anything, as if the screen were switched off. I also obtained good gray fidelity with a dE of 0.43, an excellent result that will give excellent results in gray tones.

Biometry

The fingerprint sensor is on the screen this time, and I think this is the first time Redmi has equipped its entry-level phones with this type of sensor. It's a little less effective than a sensor on the power button because it reacts a little more slowly, but I didn't encounter any problems in use.

Operating system

I've been testing the Redmi for a long time, so I'm used to using MIUI. Those coming from Android shouldn't be too disoriented, because even if the graphical interface is a little different, MIUI broadly follows Android's operation. You'll no doubt find complaints from users on the Internet about the presence of advertising and unwanted applications on the phone. This is perfectly acceptable, and part of Xiaomi's business model. Some of the applications can be uninstalled, the rest just need to be put away in a drawer. As for ads, I don't have a miracle solution, I've just deactivated dynamic wallpapers and personalized ads.

Encoutered bugs

Not yet available / tested

Accessories Redmi Note 13

Compare Redmi Note 13 with the others

Test / Review conclusion

The Redmi Note 13 is intended to be the king of the entry-level segment, offering a complete phone at a competitive price. Is this once again the case with this model? Yes, but I'd like to add a few nuances to avoid disappointment. This phone comes in 2 versions, a 4G version (the one I tested) and a 5G version. Unfortunately, the difference between these two models isn't limited to 5G compatibility: these are phones using a completely different technical platform. Even if you don't need 5G, I'd still recommend this version as the phone is overall faster and more pleasant to use

The performance of this 4G version disappointed me a little because even though the phone is perfectly usable, I encountered quite a bit of latency when switching from one screen to another, opening an application, booting the phone... If you've been used to a faster phone, you'll feel it with every action.

Performance aside, I'm back to the recipe that made previous generations so successful. The level of finish is good, the screen is excellent, sound quality is good, GPS and wifi signal quality are good, photo detail is good, video stabilization is good, battery life is very good...in short, this phone has many qualities that you won't easily find with other models in the same price range

My test does, however, reveal a few weaknesses that you need to be aware of. Firstly, there's the weakness in terms of 4G network sensitivity: this phone ranks in the lower middle of my ranking, and will impact those who are often in areas where the mobile network doesn't have good coverage. I also feel that photo quality could have been better, as the colorimetry of the photos deviates a little too much towards brown. There aren't really any big names in photography in this price range, so you have to choose the most acceptable flaw. In this case, it's a colorimetry problem; in others, it's a problem of sharpness or dynamic range. The ideal camera doesn't exist in this price range

Strengths

Screen quality

Audio quality

Wifi signal

GPS signal/precision

Photo details

Video stabilization

Battery life

Weaknesses

Performance

4G network sensitivity

Photo colors

Wifi speed

Limited screen settings

Alternatives to this product

Not yet available / tested