Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus Review: The Shocking Truth!
Xiaomi recently launched the Note 13 series in India and the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus is the one we’re talking about today.
We’re putting this much-talked-about smartphone through its paces, exploring everything from its impressive 200MP camera to its lightning-fast charging.
So, if you’re curious about how it performs in real life and whether it’s worth your investment, you’re in the right place.
Let’s get started.
Related: Redmi Note 13 Pro Review
Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Design & Build Quality
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus isn’t just another smartphone, it’s a statement piece.
Its rear panel, especially in the Fusion Purple variant, is a work of art.
The vegan leather back, with its unique textured finish, adds a tactile dimension rarely seen in phones.
It’s not just about the look, the design ensures a comfortable, secure grip.
For those preferring a classic style, the black and white variants offer a sleek, glossy finish.
Related: Redmi Note 13 Pro vs Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus
Here are other factors that enhance the clarity of its design and build quality:
1. Premium Feel, Practical Build
Despite its premium appearance, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus doesn’t shy away from practicality.
The IP68 rating is a testament to its durability, offering protection against dust and water.
This feature, once reserved for flagship models, is a welcome addition, elevating the phone’s resilience in daily use.
Related: Poco X6 Pro Review
2. Material Choices
While the phone sports a high-end look, it balances cost and durability with its build materials.
The frame, made of plastic, might not scream ‘luxury’, but it contributes to a comfortable heft, ensuring the phone feels solid without being overly heavy.
Related: Oppo Reno 11 Pro Review
3. Screen and Protection
The front of the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus is just as impressive as the back.
The curved display not only adds an edge of sophistication but also ensures an immersive viewing experience.
Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, it’s more than capable of withstanding the rigors of daily use, providing peace of mind against scratches and drops.
4. Attention to Detail
Redmi’s attention to detail is evident in the small things.
The symmetry in design, the alignment of buttons, and the integration of the speakers and ports all contribute to a coherent, well-thought-out construction.
The phone feels like a cohesive unit, where every element has been carefully considered and executed.
Related: iQOO 12 Long Term Review
5. Practical Additions
In terms of functionality, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus checks all the right boxes.
The inclusion of stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support enhances the audio experience, while the in-display fingerprint scanner adds a layer of modern security and convenience.
Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Display
At the heart of the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus’s allure is its display – a 6.67-inch OLED panel that’s a feast for the eyes.
The high 1.5K resolution ensures that everything you view is crisp and detailed.
Whether you’re scrolling through photos, watching videos, or gaming, the vibrant colors and sharp contrasts make for an immersive experience.
Here are additional aspects that shed more light on the quality of its display:
1. Smooth and Bright
The 120Hz refresh rate is a game-changer, offering buttery smooth transitions and animations that enhance the user experience.
Coupled with a peak brightness of 1800 nits, the screen remains perfectly visible even under bright sunlight, ensuring no compromise in visibility.
Related: Pixel 8 Pro Long-Term Review
2. Advanced Color Technology
Delving deeper, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus boasts a 12-bit color depth, albeit limited to Dolby Vision encoded videos.
This feature elevates the viewing experience, especially for Dolby Vision HDR content, by producing more vibrant and true-to-life colors.
With support for Dolby Vision HDR, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus takes your multimedia experience up a notch.
The display’s ability to show more shades and depths of colors brings a cinematic quality to your content, making movies and TV shows more engaging and immersive.
3. Curves in the Right Places
The curved design of the display not only adds to the aesthetic appeal but also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience.
Redmi has skillfully managed to avoid the common pitfalls of curved screens, such as accidental touches, ensuring that the form factor doesn’t detract from functionality.
4. Tough yet Sensitive
Protecting this stunning display is the robust Gorilla Glass Victus, offering resistance against drops and scratches.
This level of protection is rare in this segment, making it a significant addition to the phone’s durability.
Related: OnePlus 12 Review
5. Fingerprint Scanner
The in-display fingerprint scanner is not just about security, it’s about seamless access.
Fast and reliable, it enhances the premium feel of the phone.
This integration of advanced security into the display ensures that there’s no compromise on design or functionality.
Related: Samsung A25 5G Review
6. Adaptive Brightness
The display’s intelligent brightness adjustment ensures optimal visibility in varying lighting conditions.
This adaptive feature enhances user comfort, reducing eye strain during prolonged use.
Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Camera
The camera system on the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus is a well-rounded package, combining high-resolution imaging with functional versatility, making it ideal for both casual snapshots and more serious photography endeavors.
To provide you with a detailed overview of the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus’s camera test, here are the specific aspects:
1. Main Camera
The standout feature of the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus’s camera setup is undoubtedly its 200MP main sensor.
This high-resolution sensor, equipped with pixel binning technology and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), ensures that the photos are not just about the high pixel count but also about capturing detailed, well-balanced shots.
The camera performs admirably across various lighting conditions, delivering crisp details and accurate exposure.
2. Ultra-Wide Camera
Complementing the main sensor is an ultra-wide camera that tries to maintain color consistency with the primary sensor.
While it may not match the sheer detail of the 200MP sensor, it’s more than capable for capturing wider scenes with decent clarity.
3. Macro Camera
The macro camera, although limited in resolution, adds versatility to the camera setup.
It allows you to capture close-up details of subjects, adding a different perspective to photography.
Related: Poco X6 Review
4. Selfie Camera
The front-facing 16MP camera is adept at capturing detailed and natural-looking selfies.
It supports video recording up to 1080p 60FPS, offering decent quality for vlogs and video calls.
5. Dynamic Range and Low Light Performance
The dynamic range is impressive, handling challenging lighting scenarios with ease.
Low light photography is also a strong suit of the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus’s main camera, with images appearing sharp and well-exposed, minimizing noise and preserving details in darker areas.
6. Steady and Clear Video Recording
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus supports video recording up to 4K 30FPS.
The OIS aids in capturing steady footage, although some jitter may be noticeable in more demanding scenarios like walking while recording.
The overall video quality is good, with proper detail and exposure management.
7. Feature-Rich Camera App
The camera app is intuitive and packed with features.
The inclusion of a 2X and 4X zoom option, leveraging the high-resolution sensor, is a welcome addition for capturing distant subjects without significant loss in detail.
Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Performance
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra chipset, a choice that balances power and efficiency.
While it may not be the absolute leader in raw performance in its segment, it holds its own with a commendable Antutu score of around 750K and solid Geekbench results.
This chipset ensures that the phone handles everyday tasks with ease, from browsing and app navigation to more demanding applications.
Here are the crucial aspects that showcase its real-world performance:
1. Gaming and Graphics
For gamers, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus delivers a satisfying experience.
Popular titles like Asphalt and BGMI run smoothly, largely free of stutters and lags.
Although it doesn’t support 90FPS gameplay, the performance on Smooth Extreme or HDR Ultra settings is impressive, providing an enjoyable gaming experience.
2. Heat Management
One of the standout features of this phone’s performance is its heat management.
The device remains cool even during intensive tasks, a testament to its well-designed thermal system.
This aspect is crucial for prolonged gaming sessions and ensures consistent performance over time.
Related: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review
3. Ample RAM and Fast Storage
The phone comes with generous RAM and storage options, even in its base variant.
The faster LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage contribute significantly to the overall snappy performance, ensuring quick app launches and smooth multitasking.
Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Software and UI
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus runs on MIUI 14, based on Android 13, bringing a blend of customization, functionality, and aesthetic appeal.
MIUI, known for its rich feature set, offers a range of options for personalizing the user experience, from theme changes to intricate control over app permissions.
For a better understanding of the Software and UI, please check out these specific aspects:
1. User Experience
MIUI’s interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly.
The animations are smooth, contributing to a fluid experience whether you’re navigating through menus or switching between apps.
This smoothness in transitions and interactions makes the software feel responsive and quick.
2. The Challenge of Bloatware
One area where MIUI has often received criticism is its inclusion of bloatware.
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus, like many other MIUI devices, comes with a number of pre-installed apps and games.
While some users may find value in these additions, others might see them as unnecessary clutter.
The good news is that most of these can be uninstalled or disabled.
3. Advertisements in the UI
Another aspect that has been a point of discussion among MIUI users is the presence of advertisements in the UI.
This has been a balancing act for Xiaomi, as they work to provide a cost-effective device while maintaining profitability.
The level of intrusiveness of these ads varies, and it’s something you might want to consider as a potential user.
4. Commitment to Updates
Xiaomi has promised regular updates for the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus, ensuring that the software stays current and secure.
With the promise of three OS updates and four years of security patches, you can be confident that your device will remain up-to-date in the years to come.
5. Transition to HyperOS
An exciting development for the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus is the anticipated update to HyperOS, based on Android 14.
This upcoming software update is expected to bring additional optimizations and features, enhancing the overall user experience.
Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Battery Life & Charging
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus is equipped with a robust 5,000mAh battery, a capacity that promises to easily last through a full day of mixed usage.
This endurance is further enhanced by the efficiency of the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra chipset, which ensures that the battery consumption is optimized without compromising performance.
Whether it’s for daily tasks, extended browsing sessions, or gaming marathons, the battery is built to keep up with your lifestyle.
Here are additional points regarding the battery and charging:
1. Fast Charging
Complementing the impressive battery life is the inclusion of a 120W fast charger, a feature that stands out in the mid-range segment.
This ultra-fast charging capability means you can power up the phone from 0 to 100% in approximately 20 minutes.
It’s a game-changer for you if you’re often on the go and need a quick power boost to get through the day.
2. Adaptive Charging
To counteract the potential downsides of fast charging, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus may incorporate adaptive charging technology.
This feature optimizes charging speed based on usage patterns, which can help in prolonging the overall lifespan of the battery.
Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Key Specs
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Display | 6.67” OLED, 1.5K resolution, 120Hz, 1800 nits, Dolby Vision HDR, 12-bit color depth |
Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra |
RAM | 8GB, 12GB, 16GB (LPDDR5) |
Storage | 256GB, 512GB (UFS 3.1) |
Rear Camera | 200MP main sensor with OIS, 8MP Ultra-wide, 2MP Macro |
Front Camera | 16MP |
Battery | 5000mAh |
Charging | 120W fast charging |
Operating System | MIUI 14 based on Android 13, with promise of 3 OS updates and 4 years of security patches |
Build | Vegan leather back in Fusion Purple, Glass back in black and white, Plastic frame |
IP Rating | IP68 dust and water resistance |
Fingerprint Scanner | In-display |
Other Features | Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, Gorilla Glass Victus, IR blaster |
Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Stunning OLED display
- Powerful camera
- Ultra-fast charging
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Bloatware issues
- Limited video stabilization
Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus: Is It Worth Buying?
The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus stands out with its stunning OLED display, powerful 200MP camera, and incredibly fast charging, making it a compelling choice in the mid-range segment.
While the plastic frame and bloatware are minor drawbacks, its overall performance, battery life, and build quality offer significant value.
If you prioritize a high-quality display, excellent photography, and rapid charging in a reasonably priced package, the Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus is definitely worth considering.