Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G review

Introduction

Yes, it is another Redmi Note 13 review, and no, we haven't reviewed this one just yet. The Redmi Note 13 5G, even though its name might suggest an upgrade over the 4G model, is in fact the most basic of them all.

The Redmi Note 13 5G looks a lot like the rest of the Redmi Note 13 models, and that is to be expected. It is a mostly flat smartphone available in various colors and offering IP54-rated ingress protection.

The device uses a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel, the same size as the rest of the Notes. The resolution here is 1080p, and there is a 120Hz refresh rate. In some markets, this panel would also offer 10-bit color depth.

The Redmi Note 13 5G is powered by the MediaTek 6080 5G chipset and is available in two widespread versions - 6GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage, both featuring microSD expansion.

There are three cameras on the back of the Note 13 5G - a 108MP primary, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP depth sensor. There is no macro camera here, unlike the 4G version.

And while we are at this comparison, there are no stereo speakers or under-display fingerprint scanner either. This is why we consider this Note 13 as the most basic model, even if it is not the cheapest.

Finally, the Redmi Note 13 5G sports a 5,000mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging. And it runs on Android 13 with MIUI 14.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G specs at a glance:

• Body: 161.1x75.0x7.6mm, 174g; Gorilla Glass 5 front, plastic back, plastic frame; IP54, dust and splash resistant.
• Display: 6.67" AMOLED, 1B colors*, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak), 1080x2400px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 395ppi; *1B colors (market/region dependent).
• Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6 nm): Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G57 MC2.
• Memory: 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM; UFS 2.2; microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot).
• OS/Software: Android 13, MIUI 14.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 108 MP, f/1.7, 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF; Ultra wide angle: 8 MP, f/2.2; Depth: 2 MP, f/2.4.
• Front camera: 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide).
• Video capture: Rear camera: 1080p@30fps; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
• Battery: 5000mAh; 33W wired.
• Connectivity: 5G; Hybrid Dual SIM; Wi-Fi 5; BT 5.3; NFC; Infrared port; 3.5mm jack.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted).

The 5G Note 13 seems like a well-rounded smartphone just like the Redmi Note 13 4G. But we do miss the stereo speakers - this omission feels totally unnecessary.

Unboxing the Redmi Note 13 5G

The contents of the retail box of the Redmi Note 13 5G are trivial - there is a USB-C-to-A cable, a 33W powered adapter and a dark gray protective case. We wonder why Xiaomi chose to ship its latest models with such dark cases instead of transparent ones.

There was also a thin protective film applied on the Note 13, which serves well as a shield against scratches, but it is also a terrible smudge magnet.