Redmi Note 13 Pro+ first impressions: Looks promising

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 4, 2024 17:25 IST

We have just entered 2024 and Xiaomi has begun launching phones. The Redmi Note 13 series is finally here a few weeks after making its debut in China. It seems that the company doesn't want to waste any time in offering its latest mid-range 5G phone to consumers who are looking for a phone under Rs 35,000. I got the chance to experience the device beforehand and here are my first impressions of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

Redmi Note 13 Pro+: First impressions

I'm impressed with the design of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and I appreciate Xiaomi for offering a new look with each product release. There are companies in the market that have been offering their signature design for most of their products as this helps them get better brand recognition and save money. But, brands like Xiaomi keep changing designs to woo consumers, with great attention given to aesthetics.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has a glass body with metal frames that make the phone feel great in hand. A few people even asked me which phone is this after looking at it. Yes, the glass back panel is a little slippery, but you also have a leather finish option that can offer a better grip on the device. The upper side of the back has a coating that works almost like a mirror. I mean the person whose photo you are taking will get some idea of how they are looking while taking a picture.

The device is also by no means bulky and I was able to use it with one hand easily. The button placement is perfect for me and those who love big vibrant displays will love using the Redmi Note 13 Pro+. The device has slightly curved edges and the bezels are minimal around the screen, which makes the display look bigger. The colours are rich and I liked that Xiaomi has added a coating of high-end Gorilla Glass Victus for better durability. Oh, and there is also support for an IP68 water-resistant rating at a lower price range, something that we have started seeing on a few phones. It is great as the device won't get damaged during the rainy season. Okay now, enough about the design part.

For the brief period that I have used the device, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ felt super smooth - thanks to its usage of MediaTek Dimensity 7200-Ultra chipset. The games like Genshin Impact ran fine at default settings. Since I'm still testing it, we will talk about the performance part in our detailed review. I can say that the speakers sounded good too. People can enjoy Dolby Atmos sound only if they use supported services like Apple Music app.

The smooth performance is also complemented by Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s software. The device comes with HyperOS instead of MIUI custom skin, which looks neat and less cluttered compared to what we have seen on older models. Also, the notification panel looks similar to iOS, but experience is something that matters the most and the UI is seemingly more convenient and fluid.

It is important to keep in mind that Xiaomi says HyperOS is not a revamped version of MIUI, but instead, a lightweight system designed to help Xiaomi users connect seamlessly with personal devices, cars, and smart home products. It is basically to unify all Xiaomi devices into a single integrated system.

We are still testing the camera performance of the smartphone and so we can't talk much about it. I can just say that the performance looks promising and the 200-megapixel camera mode can take some good detailed shots.

The battery is expected to last long because there is a 5,000mAh unit under the hood. The good thing is, Xiaomi is bundling a fast charger in the box. The company claims that the 120W charger can top up the battery from zero to 100 percent in about 19 minutes, a claim that we will test.

Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Conclusion

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ looks promising and seems like a good overall package on paper, considering the features that it offers. With the new iteration, the company has crossed the Rs 30,000 mark, which is something that some Redmi Note series fans may find a little hard to digest. But, Redmi has also ensured that its new mid-range phone packs some punch. You get most of the features with the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ that you might expect to have in its range. The only thing we need to see here is whether this translates to good performance in the real-world scenario. The device will likely be competing against popular phones like OnePlus Nord 3 and iQOO Neo 7 Pro that are priced under Rs 35,000. You can stay tuned to India Today Tech as the detailed review of the latest Redmi phone will be out soon.