Xiaomi Redmi 13C review: Budget phone falls by the wayside

For probably the most half, Xiaomi’s Redmi vary of barely cheaper telephones makes impression. However for the Redmi 13C, it’s much more combined.

It’s a extremely low cost mannequin, costing simply £129 at full value, making it one of the crucial reasonably priced telephones I’ve examined all 12 months. There’s additionally a extra high-end Redmi 13 5G in some markets, but it surely’s not out there within the UK.

Listed here are my ideas after testing the telephone.

Missing energy, however a giant display

if there’s one factor the Redmi 13C lacks, it’s computing energy. Launching apps, scrolling by means of net pages and switching between lively apps could be very sluggish at occasions.

Above all, the graphics efficiency is weak, a lot in order that it even appears to have an effect on some 2D functions, the place animations and refresh charges undergo. So although you solely get a 720p display to run, it’s not one thing you wish to play video games on.

The display is massive in dimensions, a whopping 6.74 inches, so there’s a touch of pixelation once I take a look at it up shut. The display is just reasonably vivid, has a reasonable color gamut and there are clear shifts in white level and distinction at small deviations in viewing angle.

The 90 Hz refresh charge is welcome, although. It offers a greater circulation to the picture – when the efficiency retains up, that’s.

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

With huge bezels, the size of the cell phone aren’t splendid, both.

A well-built, flat plastic body matt plastic on the again give a stable impression, however it’s each an angular and comparatively heavy handset, which signifies that consolation suffers. Most individuals might want to change to a two-handed grip to deal with display navigation.

Along with the all-black mannequin I examined, the Redmi 13C can also be out there in navy blue or clover inexperienced finishes. The black one I examined is something however ugly, both.

That’s one factor I admire about most trendy finances telephones: they don’t look low cost, a minimum of from a distance.

Tripe rear cameras…form of

There could be three cameras on the again of the Redmi 13C, however you’ll be able to solely shoot with two of them: the 50Mp major lens and a 2Mp macro.

I captured passably sharp and well-balanced photos in full daylight. Not good, however first rate contemplating the worth.

Nevertheless, in low-light environments, the outcomes are questionable. There’s no nuance in anyway within the darkest areas, whereas photos grow to be noisy and missing intimately.

The third sensor is a depth-of-field assist lens for the primary digital camera, making it simpler to get a shallow depth of subject when taking pictures portraits.

This function additionally works nicely total. Given its reasonably priced value, you shouldn’t anticipate something wonderful, but it surely’s actually not dangerous. Nevertheless, some picture stabilisation for video would’ve been good, whereas the main focus and automated flash mode work in surprising methods typically.

Xiaomi’s HyperOS interface that sits on high of Android 14 is filled with options, although it has its personal method to many issues that may take time to get accustomed to.

You’ll be able to arrange and personalise most issues, but it surely’s not all the time straightforward. Xiaomi likes to place in its personal apps as a substitute of or alongside Google’s, and most of them I can do with out.

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

Lots to maintain monitor of

There’s additionally a variety of third-party bloatware right here, together with apps just like the Opera browser. However it’s not as a lot because it first seems.

Two folders on the house screens include “solutions” for apps and video games that don’t obtain till the primary time you faucet them. So, it offers a messier impression than the truth.

Sadly, Xiaomi solely guarantees one era replace: to Android 15. Whether or not there’ll be extra after that is still unknown.

Battery life is suitable, however inferior to a lot of the finest finances telephones. Reasonable efficiency can imply low vitality consumption, and a decrease decision display that can also be not very vivid ought to be capable of save vitality.

Sadly, it’s by no means that long-lasting, with between 8 and 13 hours of use in a day earlier than it’s time to recharge. Even then, you’re restricted to simply 18W wired speeds, and there’s no assist for wi-fi charging.

Different small weaknesses of the telephone embody its lack of stereo audio system and comparatively low quantity from the speaker that’s out there,

You additionally solely get Wi-Fi 5, which is now an outdated normal. It’s quick sufficient for many on a regular basis duties, however the additional vary of Wi-Fi 6 or greater would’ve been nice.

Value & Availability

When paying full value within the UK, the Redmi 13C prices £129.

It’s out there straight from Xiaomi and by way of Amazon within the UK, and there are sometimes reductions. Like all Xiaomi telephones, it’s not out there within the US.

There are additionally no choices to purchase the telephone on contract, so that you’ll should get it outright and pair with a SIM-only deal. See one of the best choices within the UK under.

Do you have to purchase the Xiaomi Redmi 13C?

In all probability not. The Redmi 13C is affordable, however too many compromises have been made to achieve its reasonably priced value.

As a substitute, go for one of many different choices in our greatest finances telephones information, all of which supply extra in your cash.

Specs

• Android 14 w/ HyperOS 
• 6.74-inch IPS LCD 90Hz show  
• Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85
• 4/6/8GB RAM 
• 128/256GB storage (expandable by way of Micro-SD)
• 50Mp, f/1.8 major digital camera with auxiliary lens
• 2Mp, f/2.4 macro digital camera   
• 8Mp, f/2.0 front-facing digital camera    
• Mono speaker
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• Twin-SIM    
• 4G    
• Wi-Fi 5  
• Bluetooth 5.3
• USB-C 
• 5000mAh battery    
• 18W wired charging    
• 168 x 78 x 8.09mm
• 192g
• Midnight Black, Navy Blue, Clover Inexperienced