Xiaomi's Redmi Note series has long been a top contender in the mid-range smartphone market, although recent pricing shifts have stirred some discussion. Formerly available under ₹15,000, the standard Redmi Note models have now crossed the ₹20,000 threshold, with the Redmi Note Pro models hitting ₹35,000. Xiaomi attributes this change to inflation and rising component costs, emphasising the growing consumer willingness to invest in advanced features.
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+, the subject of this review, sits at a price point of Rs 31,999, surpassing the ₹30,000 mark for the Plus model. The pivotal question remains: Does the elevated cost justify the Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s features and performance? Let's find out.
Design and Build
Xiaomi continues its trend of introducing fresh designs with each product release. Dubbed Fusion Design, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ comes in three colour variants — white, black, and purple. The latter comes in a vegan leather finish, while the others are protected — front and back — by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The smartphone boasts a sleek design—its glass body with metal frames has a premium feel. The curved display and back, with the flat side rails, make it very comfortable in the hand. The device is robust yet not overly bulky, and the well-thought-out button placement enhances the overall user experience. The glass back panel, though slightly slippery, adds a touch of uniqueness, and the coating on the upper part offers a mirror-like effect. Including an IP68 rating at this price range is a commendable feature.
Display
For those who appreciate large, vibrant displays, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ delivers. The device offers sharper visuals with a 6.67-inch 1.5K display compared to its predecessor. The 12-bit panel ensures lively colours with deep contrast, and support for Dolby Vision and HDR10 enhances the viewing experience. The increased peak brightness of 1800 nits improves visibility, although some issues with the ambient light mode were noted. The device maintains a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth navigation and scrolling.
General performance
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra chipset, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ provides a satisfactory experience within its price range. The inclusion of faster LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage contributes to smooth app handling and multitasking. The device exhibits good thermal management, remaining relatively cool even during extended gaming sessions. However, the presence of bloatware and unnecessary notifications from native apps might be a drawback. The in-display sensor offers fast fingerprint unlocking, while face unlock works almost instantaneously. .
Battery
Equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ delivers typical daily usage. While small photography sessions and binge-watching activities pose no significant drain, gaming for 30 minutes results in an 8-9% battery drop. The device strikes a balance between performance and battery life. If you do find yourself running out of charge, the included 120W power brick and HyperCharge support are capable of taking it from 0-100% in just 19 minutes.
Camera
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ retains a 200-megapixel primary camera with a new Samsung HP3 image sensor. The 200MP mode captures detailed scenes, albeit with some noise upon zooming in. Daylight photos exhibit sharpness and dynamic range, though the HDR mode could see improvement. Portrait mode impresses with accurate edge detection and background blur. Low-light photos, supported by night mode, maintain colours and details, offering a satisfactory camera performance for well-lit scenarios.
Verdict
With a ₹2,000 price increase compared to the previous model, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ justifies its cost with notable upgrades. A solid display, commendable battery life, IP68 water resistance, and decent camera performance position it as a competitive 5G mid-range phone. While there are alternatives with better cameras, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ remains a compelling choice for those seeking an overall balanced smartphone in this price range.
(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
First Published: Jan 12, 2024 5:27 PM IST
Check out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go!
BJP is planning to ban RSS, says Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray
May 18, 2024 8:01 PM
Punjab Lok Sabha elections: Complete list of Congress candidates
May 18, 2024 4:08 PM
Punjab Lok Sabha elections: Check full list of AAP candidates and constituencies
May 18, 2024 12:59 PM
PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi election rallies in Delhi today: Here are the routes to avoid
May 18, 2024 11:28 AM