Redmi Note 13 Pro+ review: Bold new design, same old problems

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note portfolio was synonymous with worth; that is the collection that arrange the model as a serious international participant. Although earlier fashions within the collection have been aimed on the funds phase, Xiaomi modified course final yr, pushing the collection as much as the mid-range. In my Redmi Note 12 Pro+ assessment, I stated Xiaomi’s priorities have been misguided; as a substitute of attempting to give attention to the worth, Xiaomi chased after the likes of the Galaxy A54 and Pixel 6a, in the end leading to a tool that wasn’t nearly as good an all-rounder as both of these telephones. A yr on, not a lot has modified. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has a variety of similarities to its predecessor, and software program annoyances proceed to stay — the machine is launching in January 2024 with Android 13 out of the field, and whereas Xiaomi launched an overhauled HyperOS, you continue to get MIUI 14 right here. Annoyingly, the identical auxiliary cameras are again for one more yr, they usually’re simply as meaningless this time round.That stated, there are a number of respectable adjustments — the telephone will get an in-screen sensor, a curved AMOLED display at a time when different manufacturers are switching to flat panels, and IP68 mud and water resistance. Predictably, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ prices greater than final yr, so that you’re getting even much less worth. The entire level of the Redmi Note collection during the last decade was to ship the perfect worth within the funds phase, however that is a distant reminiscence now; Xiaomi is as a substitute chasing loftier objectives with the machine, so let’s examine if it may possibly maintain its personal in opposition to the perfect mid-range telephones.Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Price and launch date(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Xiaomi unveiled the Redmi Note 13 collection in its house market on the finish of 2023, with the gadgets making their international debut in India on January 4, 2024. Like final yr, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is the marquee providing, and also you get a 200MP predominant digital camera, MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra, and a 5000mAh battery with 120W charging.The Note 13 Pro+ begins off at ₹31,999 ($385) for the 8GB/256GB model, and there is a 12GB/256GB mannequin that prices ₹33,999 ($409) and a 12GB/512GB version that is ₹35,999 ($433). To put issues into context, the Note 13 Pro+ prices ₹2,000 greater than its predecessor, placing the machine firmly within the mid-range phase.There’s additionally a Redmi Note 13 Pro that is powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, and this yr, it has the identical 200MP digital camera on the again. You additionally get a barely bigger 5100mAh battery with 67W charging, and the machine prices ₹25,999 ($313) for the 8GB/128GB verison. The 8GB/256GB mannequin retails at ₹27,999 ($337), and the 12GB/256GB version is ₹29,999 ($361). The Note 13 Pro is ₹1,000 greater than final yr, however contemplating you get higher {hardware}, it’s the greatest providing within the collection, and the one I’d suggest if you wish to swap.And we come to the usual Redmi Note 13. Xiaomi actually must department this machine out into its personal collection, as a result of it does not have a variety of similarities to the opposite two fashions apart from the design. It has a Dimensity 6080, a 120Hz AMOLED panel that is not as vivid as the opposite two variations, and a 108MP digital camera on the again together with a 5000mAh battery with 33W charging. The Redmi Note 13 is ₹17,999 ($217) for the 6GB/128GB model, and it prices the identical as final yr whereas providing extra reminiscence. The 8GB/256GB mannequin is ₹19,999 ($241), and the 12GB/256GB model is ₹21,999 ($265).Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Design(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)At this level, I’d be astonished if Xiaomi did not change the design of its telephones on a yearly foundation. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has a unique design on the again the place you get massive rings across the particular person digital camera modules, and there is not any island this time. This makes the machine look just a little cleaner, and the white model appears elegant.The telephone is on the market in white and black shade choices, and each fashions have a glass again with a window that covers the digital camera part and a frosted glass design on the again. While I might have preferred a two-tone texture to higher illustrate the design, you simply get the identical satin texture all through.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)There’s additionally a leather-based variant that appears rather more fascinating, and for those who’re eyeing the machine, I’d recommend getting that mannequin. An enormous distinction this yr is a 3D curved display up entrance, and in consequence you get symmetric curves at the back and front. More than the rest, this makes the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ look much more upmarket than its predecessors, and this design is unique to the Pro+ mannequin — the Note 13 Pro has a flat panel.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)There’s an aluminum mid-frame with a matte end, and there is sufficient thickness on the edges to carry the machine with none points. Xiaomi says it bolstered the perimeters of the mid-frame to permit the machine higher resistance in opposition to tumbles, and I wasn’t in a position to check its efficacy within the week I used the machine. On that notice, the display is protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus this time, so it ought to have higher shatter resistance.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)What’s notably nice is that the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ will get IP68 mud and water resistance as normal — just like different gadgets within the mid-range phase. Xiaomi added IP53 score final yr, so it is good to see the model provide full-fledged IP68 with the Note 13 Pro+, and it makes the machine resilient to the weather.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The change that I like probably the most is the inclusion of an in-display fingerprint module; Xiaomi supplied a side-mounted reader baked into the facility button final yr, so to have an optical fingerprint module that is constructed into the panel is an effective transfer. The sensor itself is quick to authenticate and dependable, and I did not run into any points on this space. The solely annoyance is that it sits low on the display — identical to the Vivo X100 Pro and iQOO 12 — so you need to awkwardly transfer your thumb when attempting to unlock the telephone one-handed.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The solely draw back to the design is that it’s liable to smudging, so you may ideally want to make use of the telephone with a case. Another level for getting an excellent case is that the telephone wobbles so much when used on a desk because of the digital camera modules that jut out of the chassis. Otherwise, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ ticks all the correct containers; it has a premium design that appears nice, and it is without doubt one of the best-looking mid-range telephones obtainable immediately.Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Display(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Xiaomi made a variety of adjustments on this space, and whilst you nonetheless get the identical 6.67-inch measurement, that is the one similarity to final yr’s machine. The panel is considerably brighter — going as much as 1,800 nits in HDR content material — and it does a significantly better job open air as nicely. You additionally get a better decision, with the panel now providing 2712 x 1220 and a pixel density of 446ppi.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)But the largest change is the best way the display is designed; you now get a twin curved panel with a 25-degree curvature, and that makes issues very fascinating. I like utilizing telephones with curved screens, so I did not thoughts the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ in any respect; there’s nonetheless greater than sufficient room to carry the machine, and the curved sides make navigating the interface simpler.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Color vibrancy is nice, and also you get the flexibility to tweak the colour stability to your liking. You get the same old set of options, together with an always-on mode that permits you to arrange distinctive types, and a devoted studying mode. Like each different Xiaomi telephone, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is about to 60Hz out of the field, so you may have to enter the settings to change to 120Hz.Streaming content material appears notably good on the Note 13 Pro+ (it has Widevine L1), and also you get respectable stereo sound. The bezels are thinner than final yr, and the curved panel makes the Note 13 Pro+ that rather more immersive when enjoying video games or streaming content material on the machine. The display is less complicated on the eyes as nicely because of 1,920Hz PWM dimming, and that is an space the place Xiaomi and different Chinese manufacturers generally are doing all the correct issues.Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Performance and battery(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Recent Redmi Note gadgets weren’t precisely nice at gaming, with Xiaomi as a substitute prioritizing day by day use. That was to do with the outdated {hardware}; the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ got here with a Dimensity 1080, which was a rebadged model of the Dimensity 920 that was on the Note 11 Pro+.Clearly, an overhaul was needed, and fortunately, Xiaomi is providing {hardware} upgrades this time round. The Note 13 Pro+ is powered by the Dimensity 7200 Ultra, and it’s constructed on a 4nm node, delivering significantly better effectivity figures. It additionally has a mixture of the Arm v9 Cortex A715 and A510 cores, and a Mali-G610 with 4 shader cores.The distinction is straight away noticeable, and the Note 13 Pro+ is significantly better at dealing with intensive video games. It’s additionally nice at multi-tasking, and I did not see any slowdowns within the week I used the machine. Xiaomi does not permit 3DMark and CrossMark to run on its gadgets, so I’m not in a position to share stability scores, however in real-world testing, I observed the Dimensity 7200 throttling after about 15 minutes of use, however it nonetheless supplied playable framerates. The telephone will get heat throughout gaming classes, however not uncomfortably so.After utilizing outdated storage modules within the final two releases, Xiaomi is providing UFS 3.1 storage modules on the Note 13 Pro+, and that is good to see. There’s Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC, and also you get a good vibration motor that delivers good suggestions. It is not anyplace as detailed because the one on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, however that is comprehensible.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has the identical 5000mAh battery as final yr, and also you get the identical 120W charging tech. Thanks to the extra environment friendly Dimensity 7200, the telephone manages to final just a little longer in day by day use, and also you simply recover from a day’s value of energy out of a full cost. Even with heavy use, you do not have to fret concerning the battery working out earlier than the tip of the day.The bundled 120W charger takes simply over 24 minutes to cost the battery, and like earlier years, you may want to enter the telephone settings to allow Boost charging mode to unlock the machine’s potential. The telephone hits 50% after charging for simply eight minutes, going as much as 80% on the 15-minute mark.Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Cameras(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Xiaomi is utilizing a 200MP digital camera on the again of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, and this time, we get Samsung’s HP3 module with an f/1.65 lens and 1/1.4-inch sensor measurement. The largest annoyance is what Xiaomi hasn’t modified on this space; the identical points that plagued the Note 12 Pro+ are again right here. There’s no capacity to shoot 4K video at 60fps, and that is ridiculous on a tool that prices this a lot.The auxiliary cameras are the identical as nicely, and also you get a 8MP wide-angle lens that is adequate in daylight conditions, and a 2MP macro that is nearly probably the most ineffectual sensor ever used on a telephone. The indisputable fact that Xiaomi continues to supply this module yr after yr ought to let you know volumes about how a lot suggestions it truly listens to as of late.The digital camera interface itself hasn’t modified shortly, and also you get all of the capturing modes in a ribbon on the backside. There’s no zoom lens right here, however you stand up to 4x digital zoom, however that is not definitely worth the trouble more often than not.Image 1 of 7(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Daylight photographs look actually good, and the telephone delivers nice dynamic vary and correct colours that do not look too saturated. Like different gadgets that use the 200MP digital camera, photos are binned to 12.5MP, and also you get the flexibility to shoot 50MP photographs, which have noticeably higher element. The telephone does a good job in low-light conditions as nicely, providing good shade rendition.However, there are points whereas focusing in on a topic, and there is seen noise — the Night mode delivers cleaner photographs in difficult situations, however you may must put in just a little effort. Honestly, not a lot has modified from final yr, and whilst you get barely higher colours, the digital camera does not come near the brilliance of the Pixel 7a and even the Nothing Phone (2).The 8MP wide-angle module takes respectable photographs supplied the lighting is nice, however you’ll be able to simply make out inconsistencies while you zoom in, and the colour stability is just a little off. It does not measure up in low-light conditions, and the telephone would have been higher served by a higher-quality module.Xiaomi ought to have centered its consideration on this space, as a result of because it stands, you will not be shopping for the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ due to its cameras.Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Software(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)I’m going to maintain this part comparatively quick, as a result of there is not a lot to speak about on the software program aspect of issues. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ runs Android 13 out of the field, and also you get the identical MIUI 14 that is obtainable on most Xiaomi gadgets immediately. Although Xiaomi unveiled HyperOS on the finish of final yr, you aren’t getting the software program on the model’s newest gadgets.I simply do not see why Xiaomi did not provide HyperOS out of the field as a substitute of MIUI. The official line is that HyperOS remains to be being examined, and Xiaomi wished to work out the kinks, however that logic doesn’t make sense when there are different gadgets within the Xiaomi portfolio launching with the brand new UI.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The greatest rationalization is that Xiaomi doesn’t need to provide Android 14 out of the field, as that might imply the model wants to supply a further yr of software program updates. This has been a longstanding level of rivalry, and whereas it was considerably excusable up to now as these gadgets have been aimed on the funds phase, there is not any cause to take action now — notably after they price a lot.Because of Xiaomi’s asinine insurance policies, you get the identical MIUI 14 construct that you’re going to be accustomed to for those who’ve used a Xiaomi or POCO telephone within the final 12 months. It has the identical quantity of bloatware out of the field, the identical annoying reminiscence administration points, and the identical overt customization that makes it annoying to make use of.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)MIUI was in want of an overhaul for a number of years now, and I used to be intrigued to see what Xiaomi would do with HyperOS. Not with the ability to use it right here undermines Xiaomi’s credibility within the collection; even the model does not assume these gadgets are worthy of the improve. Heck, even the POCO X6 Pro is launching globally with HyperOS, and that ought to let you know how a lot Xiaomi values the Note 13 collection.Coming to software program updates, Xiaomi says it would roll out three assured Android OS updates to the Note 13 Pro+ — yet another than final yr. That’s good to listen to, and it means the machine will make the swap to Android 15 when that turns into obtainable. The draw back is that you will have a prolonged wait; there is not any telling when the machine will decide up the replace.Redmi Note 13 Pro+: The competitors(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Obviously, any dialog across the mid-range phase has to contain Google’s Pixel 7a. The telephone continues to be my go-to advice on this class, and whilst you do not essentially get the perfect {hardware}, it has the perfect software program of any mid-range machine, and the cameras are in a league of their very own. It is smaller and lighter than the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, and also you solely get 128GB of storage and a 4385mAh battery with 18W charging, however all of those do not actually matter when you think about the cameras on provide and the clear software program.The Nothing Phone (2) can be a fantastic selection, and it equally has a bloat-free software program with a variety of helpful extras. It additionally has highly effective {hardware}, comes with nice cameras, and ha a 4500mAh battery with 45W charging. The better part is the design, with the distinctive see-through aesthetic standing out in a sea of similar-looking gadgets.Both the Pixel 7a and Phone (2) can be found for ₹39,999 ($481), and that is an excellent chunk costlier than what you may find yourself paying for Xiaomi’s mid-range telephone. That stated, you’re getting gadgets which are objectively higher.Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)You should purchase this if:You desire a handsome mid-range telephoneYou want respectable {hardware}You desire a vibrant AMOLED panelYou want IP68 ingress safetyYou need good battery life and ultra-fast chargingYou should not purchase this if:You need latest software program and well timed updatesYou want a telephone that takes good moviesYou desire a telephone with an excellent worthYou want versatile camerasThe Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has the identical software program foibles that plagued its predecessor; the telephone is launching with MIUI, and it runs Android 13 out of the field. There’s no telling when Android 14 will roll out to the machine, and whereas Xiaomi says it would ship the construct in Q1 2024, I’m undecided it may possibly truly make good on that promise — the Note 12 Pro+ did not swap to Android 13 till Q2 2023.Yes, the {hardware} issues fairly a bit, and the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has so much to love in that space. The curved AMOLED panel is nice to make use of, the machine is rather more highly effective, and also you get an in-screen sensor and IP68 ingress safety. But it is the software program that dictates how lengthy you’ll be able to truly use a telephone, and Xiaomi’s underhanded ways in the end means you may be looking for a brand new telephone in two years’ time.The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is not a foul telephone as such, however it’s going up in opposition to extremely sturdy rivals that supply significantly better software program and excellent cameras. There actually is not a single trait that differentiates the machine, and in the end, that is its largest disadvantage.