Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro: Next Gen Innovation?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G Review

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G Review: Glides Like Butter, Performs Like ThunderXiaomi is once again shaking up the smartphone scene with its killer line-up of affordable yet feature-packed phones.The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G is the latest midrange device that's giving the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Apple iPhone 15 a run for their money.And the best part? When it hits South Africa it's expected to come in at half the price of these big names.We’re reviewing the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, unpacking all the features you can look forward to. Let's see what all the fuss is about.Display chops glide like butter Some of the biggest upgrades on the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G shine through its display chops. It's levelled up from the previous generation with a sharper screen resolution at 1220p (1.5K resolution), a dazzling peak brightness of 1800 nits, enhanced durability thanks to the newer Gorilla Glass Victus, slimmer bezels and improved eye comfort technology certified by TÜV Rheinland. With these upgrades, the new Redmi Note Pro is your go-to for binge-watching, long gaming sessions and indulgent social media scrolling, stalking, or sleuthing – whatever floats your boat. The only downside is if you’re hoping to cut your screen time in half, well, this phone will have you doing the complete opposite.  It's just that addictive!Some features made the jump from the previous generation, like the large 6.67-inch screen, smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and premium OLED technology. It keeps things fresh while holding onto the key features we loved from the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G. The result is a phone that glides like butter and stays crystal-clear even when you're roasting in the bright outdoors.Camera game 4 times better than beforeThe Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G takes its camera game seriously. So seriously that it replaced the 50MP main camera of its predecessor with a magnificent 200MP upgrade.Yes, the main camera just got four times bigger! One of the standout features is the combination of optical image stabilisation (OIS) with electronic image stabilisation (EIS). This achieves razor-sharp focusing during those moments when your hands are shaky or when you’re on the move, making it your perfect companion while travelling, vlogging, or even documenting your gym sessions – because your gains deserve some attention too.While it snaps brilliant images in the daylight, its true magic unfolds after dark. Night photography has taken a massive leap thanks to a larger aperture on the main camera’s lens. The result? Crisp, detailed, and bright shots in both well-lit and dim surroundings. And let's not forget about the extras – a 4x zoom and a revamped lens to combat glare and ghosting, ensuring your photos are always on point.Even though the main camera steals the spotlight, let's not forget the ultrawide, macro, and front snapper, all carried over from the previous generation. Sure, the hardware might be the same but don't underestimate the power of a new chipset and the latest AI features. With computational photography and editing effects in play, these cameras have amped up their quality, delivering even better results than before.Blown away by batteryThe Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G packs a 5100mAh battery under the hood - it’s the largest in its range and it can keep going for a day and a half on a single charge. The word from Xiaomi is that it can power through 16 hours of video playback, 136 hours of music or 11 hours of gaming without needing to plug in. But if you're not impressed yet, hold on tight because things are about to speed up.With a blazing-fast 67W, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G leaves most flagships in the dust. What's more, Xiaomi throws in a 67W charging brick and cable in the box in many regions. Now, that's something you don't see often these days. With speeds like these, you can zoom from 0% to 75% in just 30 minutes, and a full charge takes only 44 minutes.Living for multitasking If your current phone has you pulling your hair out with its constant lagging and freezing, it's high time to consider making the switch to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G. It’s equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset for snappy performance, effortlessly tackling daily tasks and juggling multiple apps with ease. It lives for multitasking.RAM and storage is another area where Xiaomi has truly stepped up its game. The base version of the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G comes with 256GB of storage paired with 8GB RAM. But if you need even more, you can get the 512GB option with a whopping 12GB RAM.Verdict: A mic drop moment If you take a closer look at the major upgrades on the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, you'll notice that they've been doubled (or sometimes more) in terms of the display, camera and storage. It's mind-blowing how Xiaomi has managed to offer so much more with this new release. It feels fresh, well-executed and of course, much more premium.And here's another surprise we haven't mentioned yet – it even comes with a 3.5mm audio jack. How’s that for a throwback? This is such an overlooked practical feature, especially if you prefer using wired earphones or regularly forget to charge your Bluetooth pair.Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G should 100% be on your radar if you’re searching for a smartphone that keeps it tight with every shutter, fully charges in an hour and gives you that performance thunder. Mic drop.

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