The long-awaited replace to the Redmi 12C, which was launched simply six months in the past in June of this 12 months, has lastly arrived. It’s known as Redmi 13C 5G and surprisingly, Xiaomi has additionally determined to maintain a 4G mannequin of the identical, which may very well be priced decrease. As its product title clearly implies, the brand new Redmi 13C 5G nonetheless stays an entry-level providing from the model, however they add 5G connectivity to the combo. Devices 360 solely reported on the launch upfront.
There may be additionally a brand new design language and {hardware}, a few of which appear to imitate the Redmi 12 5G, which sits comfortably on the decrease finish of the price range smartphone phase. I spent a number of hours with the brand new and improved Redmi 13C 5G, and listed here are my first impressions.
Instantly, it’s simple to say that the Redmi 13C 5G follows a more recent design philosophy that we’ve seen on more moderen fashions such because the Redmi 12 5G, which was launched in August of this 12 months. Gone is the essential plastic feel and appear of the Redmi 12C. The 13C 5G remains to be fabricated from polycarbonate for its body and rear display, nevertheless it will get a contemporary look with flat sides and a flat again panel.
This rear panel, though it’s fabricated from plastic, is kind of the look. It has this distinctive end that Xiaomi calls its Star Path Design. It reveals two separate patterns, one with operating strains, which seem to maneuver once you tilt the telephone off-axis. The second is a extra acquainted shimmer or glitter. These give the telephone a twin end of kinds. Whereas its shade stays the identical, it's good to see Xiaomi getting artistic with an entry-level machine.
The Redmi 13C 5G has this distinctive Star Trails Design, which appears to maneuver or animate when it’s tilted back and forth.
In contrast to the 12C, which had an IP52 score, Xiaomi claims that its Redmi 13C 5G is splash-resistant and gives mud safety with out giving an official IP score.
Regardless of its flat and chiseled look, I discovered the telephone fairly giant, however that is most likely as a consequence of its 6.74-inch LCD panel, 1,600 x 720 pixels. It’s protected by Corning's Gorilla Glass 3, which is similar because the Redmi 12 5G. There’s a U-shaped show notch on the prime and a thick bezel on the backside, which differentiates it effectively from the price range Redmi 12 5G, which has a gap punched for its selfie digital camera and appears extra premium. The show, too, has obtained an replace, now managing a most display refresh fee of 90Hz and a contact sampling fee of 180Hz, which may very well be helpful to avid gamers.
Regardless of its look, there is just one user-accessible digital camera on this machine
Inside, there's an up to date MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC, which is a noticeable improve over the Redmi 12C's dated MediaTek Helio G85 SoC. There are additionally many extra RAM choices to select from.
There’s a 4GB RAM and 128GB storage variant, a 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant in addition to an 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, all of which supply 1TB of expandable storage. All these variants additionally supply as much as 8GB of expandable digital RAM.
As for the cameras, issues appear to stay the identical as earlier than. Xiaomi gives a main digital camera of fifty megapixels coupled with a depth digital camera (which isn’t accessible to the person). So that is nonetheless a single digital camera expertise. Selfies are dealt with by a 5-megapixel entrance digital camera.
The micro-USB port from the Redmi 12C has been upgraded to a USB-C port on the Redmi 13C 5G
What appeared much less spectacular is Xiaomi's strategy to software program for its entry-level smartphones. There may be MIUI 14, which is an efficient factor, however it’s based mostly on Android 13. There are numerous pre-installed third-party apps, and it solely took a number of hours of use to comprehend how a lot of a multitude the software program is as I used to be always. bombarded by spammy notifications from numerous pre-installed apps. There are additionally many video games pre-installed together with quite a few third-party apps.
The Redmi 13C 5G will get the identical battery as its predecessor by way of capability, which was 5,000mAh. Nevertheless, Xiaomi has managed to extend the charging pace from 10W to 18W, which must be a lot quicker. Nevertheless, Xiaomi continues to supply a 10W charger within the field. And sure, that additionally means there's a Kind-C port on the underside as a substitute of a micro-USB port on the earlier mannequin.
The U-shaped show notch makes the telephone look a bit dated regardless of its in any other case chiseled look
After all, the Redmi 13C 5G seems to be like an entire improve. However every part is predicted to be seen with a better worth, which is one thing that Xiaomi will reveal within the coming days. Thankfully, it should appear justified on condition that the precise successor of the Redmi 12C is the Redmi 13C, which is the non-5G variant of the identical machine.
On the time of writing, Xiaomi has not supplied us with particulars about its customary Redmi 13C (4G) mannequin, however has commented that it’ll have a decrease decision selfie digital camera, amongst different minor adjustments, versus the 5G mannequin. So keep tuned for our overview of the entry-level Redmi 13C 5G to search out out if it's well worth the premium over the Redmi 12C or 13C or if it's cannibalized by the price range Redmi 12 5G (Assessment) as a substitute.
