This time, we are looking for the answer in the Redmi Note 13 Pro. Some distributors add ‘5G’ to the name, but to avoid complicating the already long four-word title, I will skip that in the review. While this model isn’t brand new, it’s certainly a solid offering in the lower end of the mid-range category (around $280). It’s worth noting that Redmi is a sub-brand of Xiaomi, so the formula is quite familiar—impressive hardware at an affordable price, though the software can be unpredictable. This raises the question: will the Note 13 Pro be the jackpot for the lower mid-range market? And if the Redmi Note 13 Pro seems strangely familiar, it’s because the POCO X6 is based on the same platform.
Redmi Note 13 Pro Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
| Operating System | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Display | 6.67-inch AMOLED, 1220 x 2712 resolution, 20:9 ratio, ~446 ppi, ~89.7% screen-to-body ratio, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, 1800 nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm), Octa-core (4×2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.95 GHz Cortex-A55), Adreno 710 GPU |
| RAM | 8*/12/16 GB |
| Storage | 128/256*/512 GB, UFS 2.2 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, 3.5 mm headphone jack, USB Type-C 2.0, 3G/4G/5G |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO, QZSS |
| Additional Features | Under-display optical fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res & wireless audio, IP54 dust and splash resistance, gyroscope, compass, infrared transmitter |
| Rear Cameras | 200 MP main camera (f/1.7, 23mm, 1/1.4″, OIS), 8 MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 118˚, 1/4.0″), 2 MP macro, LED flash, HDR, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Front Camera | 16 MP (f/2.5) selfie camera, HDR, 1080p@30/60fps video |
| Dimensions & Weight | 161.2 x 74.2 x 8 mm, 187 g |
| Battery | 5100 mAh, 67W fast wired charging |
| Price | Around $280 |
Familiar Design
Xiaomi is one of those manufacturers that creates a model, changes a small element, and rebrands it. That’s why I will frequently mention the POCO X6 in this review. Both devices look almost identical, with only microscopic differences – the logo is placed differently, and the camera island has fine lines, which slightly resemble the camera island on the Xiaomi 12 Pro. The most significant difference is that the back of the POCO model is made of plastic, while Redmi uses glass. Neither option is perfect in the glossy versions.
The back of the Redmi Note 13 Pro is glossy, making it slippery and a magnet for fingerprints and other smudges. Moreover, it is nearly impossible to clean the dust around the edges of the camera. After a thorough attempt, I gave up, so I apologize for the dirty back in the review photos this time. This demonstrates that the back of the Note 13 Pro is designed in a way that keeping it clean is an impossible task. However, visually, it is elegant and crafted to make the Note 13 Pro look much more expensive than it actually is. The manufacturer has indeed mastered a design language that feels refined, sleek, and quite appealing. This is achieved by the boxy body, which is a trend this year.
It’s nice that the side frame is made from thick, matte plastic. This improves grip and makes it less slippery. The right side has firm buttons, and the bottom features a card tray, microphone, and speaker around the USB port. The second speaker is located at the top of the frame, where you’ll also find another microphone, an infrared transmitter, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Excellent Display
Starting from $250, you rarely find poor-quality screens anymore. Even in the budget category, good AMOLED screens with fast refresh rates are increasingly available. The Redmi Note 13 Pro is no exception. In fact, this screen outperforms the more expensive Samsung Galaxy A55 in certain specifications. For example, the Note 13 Pro has a brighter display and a higher resolution. The 1220 x 2712 resolution is the new standard, replacing the older FHD+ resolution. However, you need exceptional eyesight to notice the difference. In simpler terms, it has a sharp screen where you can’t see the pixels. The maximum brightness of 1800 nits also seems sufficient. Just keep in mind that this brightness is used for specific HDR content playback. The screen is easily visible in bright sunlight, but the coating does pick up more reflections, which can be distracting in direct sunlight.
The screen looks sleek because the bezel around it is quite thin. The bezel is much thinner than the old-fashioned thick bezel of the Samsung Galaxy A55, although it isn’t uniform in thickness on all sides, unlike the Nothing Phone (2). However, this doesn’t ruin the sleek feel. As always, the software allows for customization to individual preferences. Overall, it’s great to see that no resources were spared on the screen quality.
Familiar Unlocking
The Redmi Note 13 Pro features classic unlocking methods, including a biometric optical fingerprint reader under the screen and facial recognition via the selfie camera. The effectiveness of the latter depends on the surrounding light conditions. The fingerprint reader is fast and accurate, although it would be more convenient if it were positioned slightly higher. Interestingly, Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO is the only manufacturer that has enabled the optical reader to measure heart rate. However, these measurements should not be considered highly accurate, and they are not exportable.
Good Speakers, Subtle Vibration
Two speakers are always better than one, and the Note 13 Pro has received this upgrade. Typically, the bottom speaker handles the main volume while the top speaker serves as an assistant, enhancing higher frequencies. However, since the Note 13 Pro’s top frame has a separate output, the sound feels well-balanced. It’s true that the overall volume is louder on other models, but the quality is where it excels.
The highs are clear, and there are even some noticeable bass tones, which are often not present in devices at this price range. Additionally, the phone includes a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a feature that is becoming rare in smartphones. I want to commend the vibration motor, which is finely tuned to handle subtle clicks in the interface while also providing a stronger, noticeable vibration when in your pocket.
Fast Charging, Generous Package, But Battery Could Be Better
A 5100 mAh battery sounds good, as it has 100 mAh more than its competitors. However, I didn’t quite understand what processes were happening in the background, as the battery performance seems slightly weaker compared to others. During the testing period, I was quite busy at work, which meant I had to put the Note 13 Pro under heavy use. There were times when I had to charge it twice a day. I’m sure it can last a full day under moderate usage, but I couldn’t figure out why the battery percentage dropped faster than with competitors. Fortunately, this shouldn’t be a major issue since the smartphone supports 67W fast charging. This means it takes about 40 minutes to fully charge the battery from zero. So, if you forget to charge it overnight, a quick morning shower will be enough to get the battery back to full. Additionally, Redmi includes this fast charger in the box, which is a nice touch.
The package is very generous. Along with the Note 13 Pro and a fast charger, it also includes a silicone case. This is a typical package for Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO, but it’s worth noting that the case is actually usable this time. Instead of a clear silicone that turns yellow after two months, it’s an opaque case that addresses the hygiene issues of the glossy back.
Performance Does Not Disappoint, But No Records Set
Like the POCO X6 (Here you can read our review of POCO X6), the cousin Redmi Note 13 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. I have to be honest—the processor performs well as long as your expectations aren’t too high. Synthetic performance tests place it according to its price, below the Samsung Galaxy A55 and roughly on par with the Nothing Phone (2a).
HyperOS
At first, I felt a bit disappointed when unboxing the smartphone and seeing it still running MIUI 14. However, it quickly updated to HyperOS. This year, I’ve reviewed this interface quite a bit, so I’m aware that it comes with a thick layer of features and quite a lot of ads in the apps.
That being said, there are also a lot of fine-tuned settings, so there’s nothing to complain about in terms of functionality. I’m not a fan of how the notification panel is separated from the control panel, but that’s a reminder that the interface is built on a Chinese philosophy (read: why reinvent something when you can just push a button?).
200 MP Camera and the Other 26 MP
It’s not that I haven’t seen 200 MP cameras in mid-range phones before, but the Redmi Note 13 Pro is a clear example of marketing hype that can still catch people’s attention. In the mid-range smartphones we’ve tested so far, the 200 MP camera has been featured in models like the Honor 90 and Infinix ZERO ULTRA 5G. Of course, you shouldn’t be fooled, as mega pixels don’t automatically mean better quality. However, compared to its direct competitor, the POCO X6, the main camera quality has significantly improved this time around. That said, the gap between the main camera and the other cameras is becoming more noticeable. So, while such an extra feature is now quite accessible, Samsung will need to come up with new tricks for their next S series.
The Redmi Note 13 Pro is equipped with the following cameras:
- A 200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm, 1/1.4″, 0.56µm main camera with multi-directional PDAF and OIS
- An 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm ultra-wide-angle camera
- A 2 MP, f/2.4 macro camera
- A 16 MP, f/2.5 front (selfie) camera
Those who have used any of Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO devices before know what to expect from the camera app: simple and easy to navigate. The good news is that users of other brands will also find this interface comfortable. Switching between modes is smooth, and the app is responsive.
The Redmi Note 13 Pro operates within the standard mid-range camera features, offering a range from 0.6x ultra-wide to 10x digital zoom. However, instead of the usual three zoom levels, the app offers four, thanks to the high pixel count of the 200MP camera. This theoretically allows for a lossless 2x and 4x zoom. In theory, because while the quality does degrade a bit, on a sunny day, all zoom levels remain acceptable. This helps compensate for the lack of a dedicated zoom lens, making the choice of this camera reasonable.
In bright daylight, I recommend relying on the four zoom levels offered in the app, which should satisfy most needs in various scenarios. This is a rare advantage in this price range – the ability to use pixel density to mimic a zoom camera.
The main camera captures detailed images and even performs well indoors, which is uncommon in this price range. The images are sharp, detailed, and feature a wide dynamic range. However, compared to the enhanced main sensor, the ultra-wide-angle camera looks quite weak (as seen in the sample photo below). You can notice a difference in color interpretation, and there is a significant drop in detail.
In summary, the main camera is excellent, but the other cameras fall far behind – not to mention the useless macro lens. However, considering the price of the Redmi Note 13 Pro, the overall camera performance is acceptable.
Competition
• POCO X6 – is built on the same foundation as the Redmi Note 13 Pro. The POCO is slightly cheaper, comes in some interesting color options, and offers a larger base memory. However, Redmi has replaced the plastic back with glass and significantly improved the main camera.
• Nothing Phone (2a) – is an example of how a clever design strategy can attract attention. The Nothing phone has a much more interesting design compared to the Redmi and offers better battery life with a cleaner, more organized interface. The Note 13 Pro, on the other hand, counters with a more generous package, much faster wired charging, and a better main camera.
• Honor Magic6 Lite – is a relatively cheap alternative. The Redmi Note 13 Pro features a more powerful processor, resulting in smoother performance. Redmi offers a more generous package with larger memory, stereo speakers, an optically stabilized main camera, and much faster charging. The only advantage Honor has is a larger battery capacity.
Conclusion – Great Hardware at the Desired Price
It’s impressive how Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO manage to package good hardware and offer it at an attractive price. Why did I mention three brands? Because the Redmi Note 13 Pro is a rebranded POCO X6 with very few differences. The Note 13 Pro offers an excellent display with powerful speakers, making content consumption a delight. It has a very good main camera, a generous set of features, incredibly fast charging, and a reasonable price. Yes, the performance occasionally lags, the other cameras fall behind the main one, and the battery life could be better. However, this doesn’t change the fact that Redmi has created an excellent value-for-money example, which is perfect for both students and others who don’t want to drain their wallets.
