Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G review

Introduction

Every year, millions flock online and in stores to buy the next Redmi Note smartphone. This year, we imagine it will be no different with the latest Redmi Note 13 Pro as it is once again looking like one of the best "bang for the buck" phones on the market.

In a typical Xiaomi fashion, the maker made the series somewhat confusing and over-crowded. There are non-Pro 4G and 5G versions, Pro 5G and 4G models, and there is also a 5G Pro+ as well. Today, we will be exploring the phone that is shaping as the most popular among those - the Redmi Note 13 Pro (5G).

The latest Redmi Note 13 Pro introduces good upgrades over the Redmi Note 12 Pro - an improved display with higher resolution, higher brightness, and more colors; there is also a faster chipset, more storage options, and a better primary camera.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro specs at a glance:

• Body: 161.2x74.2x8.0mm, 187g; Gorilla Glass Victus front, glass back, plastic frame; IP54, dust and splash resistant.
• Display: 6.67" AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 500 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak), 1220x2712px resolution, 20.01:9 aspect ratio, 446ppi; Always-on display.
• Chipset: Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm): Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55); Adreno 710.
• Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM; UFS 2.2.
• OS/Software: Android 13, MIUI 14.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm, 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS; Ultra wide angle: 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚; Macro: 2 MP, f/2.4.
• Front camera: 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide).
• Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS; Front camera: 1080p@30/60fps.
• Battery: 5100mAh; 67W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 44 min (advertised).
• Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Dual SIM; Wi-Fi 5; BT 5.2; NFC; Infrared port; 3.5mm jack.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); stereo speakers; Virtual proximity sensing.

Indeed, the Redmi Note 13 Pro is IP54-rated and offers a 6.67-inch OLED of 1220p resolution, with 12-bit color depth, up to 1,800nits of peak brightness and 120Hz refresh rate. It's a panel that supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ content, and it is protected by a Gorilla Glass Victus sheet.

The new chipset in charge of everything is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, and you can get it paired with up to 12GB RAM and up to 512GB storage.

The primary camera is now using a 200MP Samsung sensor with OIS, and it should deliver improved photos and videos over the previous generation. The 8MP ultrawide, the 2MP macro, and the 16MP selfie images remain unchanged.

Another upgrade is the under-display fingerprint scanner - a first for the global Redmi series - until now, those were placed on the power/lock key. Still, we would like to see it further away from the bottom edge of the screen.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro also comes with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, a 5,100mAh battery with 67W fast charging and boots Android 13 with MIUI 14. It will get HyperOS later on.

Well, it would have been nice to have an IP68-rated design as the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, but even at IP54, the phone should be protected well enough to survive the rain or even some accidental water dip.

Unboxing the Redmi Note 13 Pro

The Redmi Note 13 Pro arrives inside a thick white paper box. It contains the phone, a 67W power adapter, and a 6A-rated USB-A-to-C cable. A protective case is also part of the bundle.

The Note 13 Pro came with a thin film applied on its screen, which will offer enough protection against scratches at the expense of being a huge smudge magnet.