Redmi 13C Review: Worth to Buy!
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| Redmi 13C Android Smartphone Price: US$113,00 | IDR 1,499,000 (6GB RAM / 128GB Storage), IDR 1,799,000 (8GB RAM / 256GB ROM) Key specs: 6.74″ display, MT6769Z Helio G85 chipset, 5000 mAh battery, 50MP camera Released: Nov 2023 (gobal) |
Redmi 13C is Xiaomi’s last product in 2023, which is predicted to bring a new paradigm for entry-level phones through the jargon “New Standard for Cool Phones”.
Through this new jargon, Xiaomi seems to really want to make entry-level phones move up a class through the new standard of specifications it carries.
With a price tag of only around 1 million, the Redmi 13C does bring a number of improvements compared to several of its predecessors in the same class.
Starting from a trendier design, more spacious storage capacity to support for NFC features which have recently started to be crammed into ‘cheap’ phones.
Redmi 13C Specifications
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| Color Options | Midnight Black, Clover Green (128GB), Glacier White (256GB) |
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| Sales Package | Redmi 13C Handset, Charger Adapter, USB-C Data Cable, Manual, Warranty Card, PIN Ejector |
| Dimensions & Weight (mm&gram) | 168x78x8,09 mm/192 gram |
| SIM & Network | Dual Nano SIM, 4G LTE/HSPA+/3G/2G, WiFi a/b/g/n/ac |
| Operating System (OS) | MIUI 14, based on Android 13 |
| Supported storage eksternal | Yes, MicroSD card up to 1TB |
| Display (Screen Size & Type) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio), 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density), IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM), Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Processor/ CPU | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12nm); Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), GPU: Mali-G52 MC2 |
| RAM & Internal Storage | 6GB RAM/128GB ROM; 8GB RAM/256GB ROM |
| Camera (MP/feature) rear/front |
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| Battery type (type) | 5000 mAh Li-po (non-removable); 18W wired, PD |
Redmi 13C Features
- Removable battery : No
- Multitouch : Yes
- Dual SIM : Yes
- 3G HSDPA : Yes
- 4G LTE : Yes
- 5G Ready : No
- NFC : Yes
- USB On-the-go : Yes
- GPS : Yes
- Fingerprint : Yes
- Dual Front Camera : No
- Memory external : Yes
- Gyroscope : No
- Stereo Speaker : No
- 4K video recording : No
- Video player : Yes
- Music player : Yes
- 3.5 Audio Port : Yes
Redmi 13C Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
- 6.74 inches Wide Screen, 90Hz Refresh rate
- Triple Camera AI 50MP
- Long-lasting battery with 18W fast charging
- Large memory plus RAM Extension
- NFC
Disadvantages
- Old MediaTek Helio G85 Chipset
- No Stereo Speakers
- Storage is still eMMC
Redmi 13C Reviews
So, how is the true performance of Redmi 13C as the ‘New Standard of Cool Phones’? Check out the full review of Redmi 13C below.
Design
Physical appearance is still one of the main factors in attracting consumers, and in the Redmi 13C, Xiaomi presents something new and rarely carried by previous entry-level phones.
Armed with a boxy design that has a flat surface, the Redmi 13C body looks like a mid-range cellphone priced at more than two million.
The back body has a unique texture that feels rough and not slippery. The Redmi 13C back cover structure model also turns out to be different according to the color variations it carries.
There is also a Clover Green color available on the Redmi 13C 128GB version, and the most unique is the Glacier White carried by the Redmi 13C 256GB memory variant.
Especially for the Glacier White color, there is an elegant touch in the form of beautiful and dominant ice chunk (glacier) ornaments on the bottom side. Suitable for those of you who want to look different.
In addition to the color variations, the structure of the camera module is in the form of two large circles in the upper left corner which are in a square-shaped area, adding to the impression that this phone is ‘not cheap’.
From the overall body side, the Redmi 13C does feel a bit bulky. This is of course because this phone carries a fairly wide screen size.
Even so, the body of this phone feels light because it is predominantly made of polycarbonate plastic and the thickness is quite thin for a phone with dimensions of 168x78x8.09 mm.
Please note, while most entry-level phones are provided with a soft case as additional body protection, Xiaomi apparently does not include it in the Redmi 13C sales package.
However, Xiaomi ensures that the body of this device is safe and sturdy from impacts. This is because the Redmi 13C has passed a series of tests including a 300-fold drop test.
Overall, the Redmi 13C brings a stunning design with a touch of elegance and a classy feel.
With a variety of color choices, fitting dimensions, and proven physical strength, this smartphone is an attractive choice for those who want a combination of aesthetic design.
Oh yes, for the control panel and other compartments, Redmi 13C places a 3.5mm audio jack port on the top side of the body. While on the bottom side there is a USB-C charger hole, speaker cone and microphone.
On the right side of the body there is a power/lockscreen button which is also a fingerprint sensor panel, and a volume button above it.
The left side of the body is decorated with a SIM tray containing two operator SIM card trays and a microSD slot as additional storage space with a capacity of up to 1TB.
Display Screen
In addition to the cooler design, the Redmi 13C screen also gets a new touch when compared to the Redmi 12C which was released a year ago.
The Redmi 13C screen has a wider span of 6.74 inches, making it the largest in its class. The screen refresh rate has also been increased to 90Hz.
In the screen settings that we found when reviewing the Redmi 13C, you can make automatic or manual settings regarding the refresh rate options.
The screen of this device also supports a touch sampling rate of 180Hz, which makes the visual experience smoother and certainly enjoyable when explored with fingers, including when playing games.
However, for the screen type and resolution are still considered standard. This phone still carries an IPS LCD HD+ (720 x 1600) panel like its senior.
The positive point is the increase in screen brightness which has reached 600 nits (HBM) and the standard at 450 nits. So, it can still be relied on when used directly under sunlight.
But, as a suggestion, it is better to optimize the screen brightness setting to the maximum level if you want to use it outdoors. Also, you can activate Sunlight Mode in the display settings.
The advantage of the Redmi 13C screen is its Widevine L1 certification support which allows you to watch streaming movies in HD resolution on Netflix.
The screen bezel size remains reasonable for its price segment, providing a comfortable viewing experience. Interestingly, the Redmi 13C’s screen is also protected by Gorilla Glass, reducing the worry of screen damage if you don’t use additional protection.
For eye health, the screen has been TÜV Rheinland certified for low blue light and free from flickering effects, including Reading mode and Dark mode options that provide quite luxurious standards for entry-class smartphones.
With a combination of large screen size, smooth visual performance, and adequate protection features, the Redmi 13C screen is one of the main advantages that everyday users can enjoy.
For those who like to personalize the screen display, Xiaomi presents complete settings ranging from widgets, wallpapers to themes. This is also thanks to the support of the MIUI 14 interface based on Android 13, with a User Interface that is certainly very easy to navigate and use.
Redmi 13C – Camera Review
Judging from the camera module embedded in the rear body, the Redmi 13C does have three camera sensors.
Based on technical data, the main camera of this phone has a power of 50MP which has an aperture of f/1.8 and two additional lenses, namely 2MP f/2.4 (macro) and 0.08 MP (auxiliary lens). In terms of function, in fact only the main sensor can produce quite capable shots for an entry-level phone.
While the other two cameras are only complementary, and are generally useful for strengthening additional features such as close-up photos and bokeh effects when activating portrait mode.
For those who like taking selfies, the Redmi 13C embeds an improved camera sensor compared to its predecessor, the Redmi 12C. In this new device, Xiaomi has embedded an 8MP front camera with an f/2.0 aperture.
However, what really makes it interesting is the changes to the camera interface, which is now more intuitive and easy to use. Of course, because of the customization support from MIUI 14, which really brings more humanistic personalization.
The Redmi 13C camera interface now offers easy access to various modes, from portrait mode to 50MP mode, by simply swiping from top to bottom. Additional settings, such as changing the image ratio and adding a watermark, are also easily accessible.
The latest innovation from Xiaomi is the addition of retro film frames and filters, giving a new artistic dimension to the photography experience with Redmi 13C.
Overall, the results of the Redmi 13C camera are very satisfying for its segment. The colors produced are quite natural, although sometimes there is a slightly striking sharpening effect.
Although the dynamic range is sometimes less effective in dealing with extreme lighting, Xiaomi has provided a solution by embedding a night mode that is effective when lighting is lacking.
The portrait mode on the Redmi 13C is reliable, although some facial details could have been softer. Meanwhile, the night mode is a lifesaver in low light, although it takes a little more time to produce the perfect shot.
Meanwhile, for the use of the macro feature, it should be limited to adequate lighting conditions to get the best results.
With all these improvements, the Redmi 13C overall offers a better and more satisfying photography experience, making it an attractive choice for mobile photography enthusiasts in the entry-level class.
For those who are always active on social media, especially short video sharing platforms like TikTok, Redmi 13C can also be relied on to record videos. The resolution is Full HD 1080 at 30fps. In terms of video recording results, of course, it is still quite reliable if the competing phones are still in the same class.
In this Redmi 13C review, we tried out a number of camera modes to see how good the shots are, and here’s the proof.
Redmi 13C – Performance Review
This sector is usually the most awaited by Mifans. Here, there is nothing new from the Redmi 13C compared to its predecessor, the Redmi 12C. Still adopting the Helio G85 chip from MediaTek.
This octa-core chip consists of 2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55, built with 12nm fabrication and supported by Mali-G52 MC2 graphics. Technologically, the performance of these innards is quite powerful for an entry-level phone.
Overall, its performance is quite good and smooth when opening and running applications. In fact, it is able to provide a smooth gaming experience, according to the price segment it is targeting. With the note, the games played are standard, like Mobile Legends and Free Fire.
For slightly heavy games, they can actually still be played but with slightly less smooth performance. This is inseparable from the use of the type of internal storage that is still eMMC. In some phones in its class, there are those that are already supported by UFS type internal storage.
Redmi 13C itself is supported by a fairly large memory option, and this is a plus point compared to phones in its class. Based on official data, this phone is available in 6GB RAM / 128GB ROM and 8GB RAM / 256GB ROM options as tested.
As previously mentioned, there is also a microSD expansion memory card slot on the Redmi 13C. This storage capacity supports up to 1TB. The presence of this super large memory combination at least improves the system processing performance on the Redmi 13C.
Interestingly, Redmi 13C is already supported by the memory extension feature. You can increase the RAM capacity by allocating some of the unused internal storage space to virtual RAM. Here, you can set the size of the virtual RAM from 4GB to 8GB.
For those who are still curious, we also conducted a benchmark test of the Redmi 13C performance using several favorite applications. Based on the results of AnTuTu v10.1.9, the benchmark score achieved by the Redmi 13C reached 278566 which is generally quite good for a cellphone in the size of one million.
Battery
Redmi 13C has an impressive battery capacity of 5000 mAh, which is predicted to be quite compact in collaboration with the 12nm MediaTek chipset. Capable of providing fairly good durability, and can support user activities throughout the day or even more in normal usage mode.
The plus point is, the MIUI 14 interface carried by this phone also includes a power saving feature, aka Battery Saver and Ultra Battery Saver, which can be used to increase battery life for longer.
In the sales package, Xiaomi includes a standard adapter with only 10W power which can channel battery charging from empty to full in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Technically, Redmi 13C supports 18W fast charging technology. However, to be able to enjoy it, you have to spend extra money to buy a special adapter that supports at least 18W fast charging.
If you use this fast charging feature, battery charging can be shortened a bit. When we did the Redmi 13C review, charging for 30 minutes, the battery of this phone could increase by up to 25%.
Other Features
Xiaomi Redmi 13C brings a number of new features that attract attention, one of which is NFC. This feature is starting to become popular and is widely adopted by smartphone vendors on their latest devices. Starting from the flagship class, to the entry-level.
The NFC feature on the Redmi 13C allows you to perform various activities, from checking your balance to topping up your e-money card via e-commerce platforms or mobile banking.
This is suitable for urban people who usually use public transportation in big cities, such as Busway, MRT or Commuter Line.
In addition to NFC, the Redmi 13C is also equipped with a number of other cool features that are generally available on previous devices that use the MIUI 14 interface. These include Dual Apps, App Lock, FM Radio, Digital Compass, ShareMe, and others.
In terms of security, Redmi 13C presents a fingerprint whose sensor panel is integrated with the power/lock screen button. In this Redmi 13C review, we also tried the response level of this fingerprint sensor and the results were quite fast in detecting registered fingerprint data.
In addition, there are also face unlock and screen lock options that use PIN, Pattern or Password which can be used for security mode.
In addition, Xiaomi Indonesia also provides a warranty guarantee of up to 15 months, 2 Android OS updates and security updates for three years.
Conclusion
For those of you who are looking for a new smartphone that has a charming appearance and slick performance at a very affordable price, the Redmi 13C seems very fitting and worth buying.
Moreover, this phone also offers a number of modern features such as NFC which is currently in high demand, excellent battery life and the best camera capabilities in its class.
For those who are curious and want to get the Redmi 13C, you can go directly to Mi.com and the Xiaomi Official Store on the e-commerce platform and get it directly at the Xiaomi Store, Xiaomi Shop.
The price itself, this smartphone is priced at IDR 1,499,000 for the 6GB/128GB variant and IDR 1,799,000 for the 8GB/256GB version.