Redmi 13C 5G Smartphone Review: A True Value for Money Mid-Range Device

Introduction

The Redmi 13C 5G is Xiaomi’s latest budget smartphone offering 5G connectivity. Released in January 2023, this phone aims to bring 5G support to an even more affordable price point.

The Redmi 13C 5G features a large 6.71-inch LCD display, MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, dual rear cameras, and a sizable 5,000 mAh battery. It comes in two memory configurations – 4GB RAM with 128GB storage, and 6GB RAM with 256GB storage.

This Redmi phone runs MIUI 14 based on Android 12 out of the box. Key highlights of the 13C 5G include its 120Hz display refresh rate, 5G connectivity, dual SIM and microSD card support, face unlock, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.

Priced starting at just $150, the Redmi 13C 5G delivers solid specs and next-gen connectivity on an ultra budget. It competes directly against other value-focused 5G phones like the Moto G 5G and TCL 30 V 5G.

This overview covers the Redmi 13C 5G’s critical features, pricing, and competitive landscape. Read on for an in-depth look at what this budget Xiaomi phone provides.

Design

The Redmi 13C 5G sports an attractive and minimalist design. It features a plastic back panel with a matte finish that comes in Mica White, Space Blue, and Mint Green color options.

The device measures 162.9 x 76.5 x 8.15mm and weighs approximately 189 grams, making it slim, lightweight, and easy to handle. Redmi has managed to keep the weight down despite packing in a large battery, making the 13C comfortable for prolonged use.

The rear panel has a seamless matte texture that resists fingerprints and smudges. The polycarbonate unibody build feels high-quality while allowing internal antennas to function properly. The device retains a 3.5mm headphone jack at the top and a USB-C port at the bottom.

On the right side are the volume rockers and power button, while the dual SIM slot sits on the left edge. The minimal camera bump on the back blends in nicely with the rest of the design. Overall, the Redmi 13C 5G has a simple yet striking design perfect for everyday use.

Display

The Redmi 13C 5G features a 6.58-inch LCD display with full HD+ resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. The screen has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is typical for budget smartphones.

In terms of brightness, the Redmi 13C 5G has a maximum brightness of 400 nits. This should be decent for indoor use, but the screen may struggle under direct sunlight. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

Overall, the Redmi 13C 5G has a fairly standard display for its price range. The HD+ resolution and 60Hz refresh rate are expected at this budget tier. The brightness could be better, but is likely a compromise to reach the low price point. The Gorilla Glass 3 protection is a nice addition that will help guard against scratches.

Camera

The Redmi 13C 5G comes equipped with a dual rear camera setup. It has a 50MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2MP depth sensor.

For selfies and video calling, there is a 5MP front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture.

The rear camera setup allows you to capture detailed photos and portraits. The large 50MP sensor and pixel binning technology ensure bright, clear photos even in low-light conditions.

Modes like Night mode and Pro mode give you greater control over your photography. AI capabilities provide scene detection and auto-enhancements.

On the front, the 5MP camera enables decent quality selfies that are suitable for social media and video conferencing. Features like portrait mode, beautification and AI face unlock are also available.

Overall, the Redmi 13C 5G has a capable dual camera setup for the price that covers basic photography needs. The rear 50MP camera in particular can capture good looking shots. While more advanced users may want higher resolution or additional lenses, the cameras are well-rounded for casual usage.

Hardware

The Redmi 13C 5G is powered by the Dimensity 700 processor which is a mid-range 5G chip from MediaTek based on a 7nm manufacturing process. It has an octa-core CPU configuration with 2 high-performance Arm Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2GHz and 6 power-efficient Arm Cortex-A55 cores running at 2.0GHz.

For memory and storage, the Redmi 13C 5G comes with 4GB or 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB or 128GB of UFS 2.2 internal storage. The 4GB RAM variants have 64GB of storage while the 6GB RAM variants come with 128GB of storage. There is also a dedicated microSD card slot for further expansion up to 1TB.

The Redmi 13C 5G has a hybrid dual SIM slot where you can use either two Nano SIMs or a Nano SIM along with a microSD card. For connectivity, it has 5G, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS + GLONASS, NFC, USB Type-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Battery

The Redmi 13C 5G is powered by a 5000 mAh battery, which is decently large for a budget smartphone. Xiaomi claims the battery will last up to 2 days of normal use on a single charge.

For charging, the Redmi 13C 5G supports 18W fast charging. Using the included 18W charger, you can charge the 5000 mAh battery from 0 to 50% in around 35 minutes. A full charge takes about 70 minutes. This is quite fast charging considering the price of the phone.

While 18W charging is decently quick, it’s not the fastest charging out there. More expensive phones are offering upwards of 30W, 65W or even 120W charging nowadays. But considering the budget price of the Redmi 13C 5G, the charging speed is very solid and faster than what you’d typically find in this price range.

Overall, the large 5000 mAh battery combined with 18W fast charging should provide excellent battery life for the Redmi 13C 5G. Most users should have no problem getting through a full day of use, if not longer, before needing to recharge. And the fast charging support helps minimize downtime when you do need to top up during the day.

Software

The Redmi 13C 5G runs MIUI 14 based on Android 13 out of the box. MIUI 14 brings several enhancements over the previous version, including improved privacy and security features, a redesigned control center, new widgets, and additional customization options.

Some of the notable software features on the Redmi 13C 5G include:

• Second Space – Allows users to create a separate user profile on the phone with independent apps and data. Useful for separating work and personal use.

• Reading Mode – Adjusts the screen to grayscale and tweaks font and brightness for prolonged reading. Reduces eye strain.

• Game Turbo – Boosts gaming performance by optimizing touch response, network connectivity and resources. Also blocks notifications.

• Floating Window – Enables using certain apps in a small floating window for multitasking.

• Quick Replies – Smart predefined messaging responses when using full-screen apps.

• One-handed mode – Shrinks the interface to one corner of the screen for easy one-handed use.

Overall, MIUI 14 offers a highly customizable Android experience tailored for Redmi devices like the 13C 5G. Key aspects like performance improvements and battery optimizations make the software stand out in the budget segment.

Price and Availability

The Redmi Note 13 Pro launched on December 20, 2022 in China, with global availability planned for early 2023.

The phone is available in three colors: Midnight Black, Coral Green, and Ice Crystal Blue.

In China, pricing starts at:

• CNY 1,699 (roughly $245) for the base 6GB/128GB model
• CNY 1,999 (roughly $290) for 8GB/256GB
• CNY 2,199 (roughly $320) for the top-end 12GB/256GB model

Pricing will vary by region in global markets. In Europe, for example, the 6GB/128GB model is expected to retail around €249.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro offers excellent value, undercutting many mid-range 5G phones with its combination of premium features and affordable pricing. For shoppers looking for an inexpensive 5G device without sacrificing performance or camera quality, the Redmi Note 13 Pro hits a sweet spot.

Competition

The Redmi 13C 5G competes with other budget 5G smartphones in the 2022-2023 timeframe. Main competitors include:

• Realme 10 5G – The Realme 10 5G was released around the same time as the Redmi 13C 5G with a similar price point of around $200. It has a comparable MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G chipset, 90Hz display, 50MP main camera, and 5,000 mAh battery. The Realme edges out the Redmi 13C slightly in charging speed with 33W fast charging compared to 18W. However, the Redmi has a more premium design and IPS LCD display compared to the Realme’s plastic build and lower quality LCD.

• Poco M5 – Xiaomi’s sub-brand Poco also has the M5 competing in this price range. It also features a 90Hz IPS LCD display and MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor. The Poco M5 is very similar to the Redmi 13C 5G in terms of specs and price. The Redmi edges it out slightly with its 50MP main camera, more premium build, and cleaner Android interface.

• Nokia G22 – The Nokia G22 is another competitor with a MediaTek G99 chipset, 90Hz display, 50MP camera, and 2023 release timeframe. The Nokia offers stock Android, solid build quality, and a large 5,000 mAh battery for around $200. However, the Redmi 13C appears to have it beat in terms of performance, faster charging, and better display quality.

Overall, the Redmi 13C 5G competes very well in the budget 5G segment based on its specs, performance, build quality and pricing. It matches or edges out similarly priced competitors from Realme, Poco and Nokia that were released around the same timeframe. For budget shoppers looking for an affordable 5G device, the Redmi 13C presents a compelling option.

Conclusions

The Redmi 13C 5G is a solid budget 5G smartphone that excels in certain areas while falling short in others.

On the plus side, the phone has an attractive and compact design, a good quality IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, and excellent battery life aided by the power efficient Snapdragon 480 chipset. The 50MP main camera can take decent shots in good lighting conditions. You also get 5G connectivity and the latest MIUI skin based on Android 13 out of the box.

However, the phone does have some drawbacks. The low light camera performance is underwhelming. There is no ultra wide or telephoto camera, so you miss out on that added versatility. The 720p resolution display and mono speaker deliver a less immersive media consumption experience compared to 1080p and stereo speakers found in some competitors. There is also no headphone jack for wired audio.

Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable 5G device with long battery life and don’t mind sacrificing some features like high resolution display or multiple rear cameras, the Redmi 13C 5G is a compelling option. But there are tradeoffs compared to pricier models. Consider your must-have features and budget to determine if this phone suits your needs.