Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro vs Pro+: which is the better buy?

Xiaomi has disrupted the smartphone market by making phones that are both inexpensive and feature-packed, most notably with its Redmi Note series.

The company’s Redmi Note 13 2024 lineup is no different, especially when it comes to the two most premium models. The Redmi Note 13 Pro offers a lot for just £339, so is it worth paying £110 more for the Redmi Note 13 Pro+?

Here are all the main differences between them, which should help you decide which one is best for you. However, there are plenty of great alternatives in our selection of the best mid-range phones.

Differences between Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro and Note 13 Pro+

The Redmi Note 13 Pro and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ showcase Xiaomi’s expertise in stylish and durable design.

They both come in Midnight Black and Aurora Purple colorways, while the Pro+ replaces Pro’s Ocean Teal with the Moonlight White finish.

Rear pillar Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro — Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro in Moonlight White

Chris Martin / Foundry

The Note 13 Pro maintains the same look and feel as its predecessor, but introduces improvements such as Gorilla Glass Victus on the front for improved durability. Its slim profile and balanced weight contribute to a comfortable grip, while you’ll also notice the subtly redesigned rear camera module.

Meanwhile, the Note 13 Pro+ boasts a premium feel and a two-tone design that balances elegance and functionality. It features similar durability upgrades, including an aluminum and glass construction and Gorilla Glass Victus on the display.

Additionally, the Pro+ variant boasts an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, compared to the IP54 of the standard Pro model, providing increased durability and peace of mind.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Both the Redmi Note 13 Pro and Pro+ feature 6.67-inch AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates. The displays have a solid 1.5K (1220 x 2712) resolution and thin bezels, which makes them look like high-end devices. However, pre-applied screen protector may affect white tones in certain environments.

Although the refresh rate can adjust automatically, the default dynamic mode on both phones simply moves between 60 and 120 Hz. This means that there is no LTPO technology to go down to 1 Hz. in order to save battery life.

The screen of both phones contains an optical fingerprint sensor, although its placement and reliability are less than ideal.

Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support provide adequate sound quality, although only the Pro has a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro screen — Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro

Chris Martin / Foundry

The only other difference on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is that its screen is curved rather than flat, although which you prefer will depend on personal preference. The curved design of the Pro+ has no significant effect on the viewing experience.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Under the hood, the Redmi Note 13 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, while the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ opts for the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra processor.

Both chipsets promise smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming, but the Pro+ variant has a higher RAM capacity of 12GB LPDDR5, potentially offering a slight edge in multitasking capabilities. The standard Pro only offers 8GB of LPDDR4X, at least in the UK.

There’s also a difference in the amount of storage available: the 13 Pro has 256GB of UFS 2.2, while the 13 Pro+ offers 512GB of UFS 3.1.

Games Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro — Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro

Chris Martin / Foundry

In our Geekbench 6 multi-core test, the Redmi Note 13 Pro scored 2872 points. Surprisingly, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ did worse, with just 2,596 points. So, based on the raw data, it seems that the Redmi Note 13 Pro performs better in handling multiple tasks simultaneously compared to the Pro+.

However, during everyday use, the Redmi Note 13 Pro can sometimes slow down when first powered on, while the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ performs all the usual tasks and still seems to have plenty of power in reserve, even for games. .

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

In the camera department, both devices offer a massive 200 MP main sensor, ensuring sharp and detailed photos in most lighting conditions.

Additionally, you get an 8 MP ultra-wide camera and a 2 MP macro lens on both models, suitable for different shooting scenarios. Selfie enthusiasts will appreciate the 16 MP front camera on both devices, capturing clear and vibrant images.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro features a significant upgrade to its main camera, although it produces a 12.5Mp by default for smaller file sizes. The camera produces generally decent results, with good detail and natural colors, but images can lack sharpness, especially in low light. Portrait mode relies on software and tends to have accuracy issues.

The ultra-wide and macro cameras offer mediocre quality, while the selfie camera performs well. Video quality is decent at 1080p/60fps, benefiting from OIS (optical image stabilization) on the main lens.

Cameras Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro — Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro

Chris Martin / Foundry

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ also captures 12.5MP photos by default, with only a small advantage in image quality at 200MP. In general, you can get impressive photos in good lighting conditions, with high detail and dynamic range.

However, colors can appear oversaturated and night mode can introduce a lot of noise. Portrait mode struggles to separate the subject from the background, resulting in inconsistent background blur.

The ultra-wide lens provides a wider field of view but sacrifices image quality, while the macro lens is ineffective and there’s still no telephoto option. The front camera selfies are pretty good though.

Overall, there are no major differences between them. Both phones excel at capturing subjects directly in front of them, but fall short in other scenarios.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

When it comes to battery life, the Redmi Note 13 Pro is slightly ahead with its larger 5,100mAh battery compared to the Redmi Note 13 Pro+’s 5,000mAh battery. However, the latter compensates with super-fast 120W wired charging, while the Pro only supports 67W wired charging.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro can go from a completely drained battery to 47% in just 15 minutes, and up to 87% in just 30 minutes. It only takes another 10 minutes to fully charge it.

Meanwhile, the Pro+ model goes from 0-73% in the same 15 minutes and fully charges in less than 30 minutes.

This fast charging is possible thanks to the turbo charger provided by Xiaomi with both phones. While there’s no wireless charging, that’s not surprising given the prices of the phones.

Fast charging Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro — Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro

Chris Martin / Foundry

The Redmi Note 13 Pro and Pro+ run on MIUI 14, based on Android 13, which may disappoint some users who are expecting the latest version of Android 14.

MIUI offers a mix of features including split notification and quick settings panels reminiscent of iOS. However, navigating the operating system can be tedious due to bloatware and cluttered settings.

Xiaomi’s software update policy promises at least two years of security updates, but flagship devices from other manufacturers may offer longer support.

Overall, while MIUI has some useful features, users may find it less user-friendly than competitors like Motorola, Samsung, and Google.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Themes — Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro

Chris Martin / Foundry

Both phones come with other features like dual SIM support, 5G connectivity, and an IR blaster. However, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ takes the upper hand with its Wi-Fi 6 support, providing faster and more reliable wireless connectivity compared to the Redmi Note 13 Pro’s Wi-Fi 5.

Pricing and availability

The Redmi Note 13 Pro model available in the UK has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and costs a full price of £339 via Xiaomi and Amazon.

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is priced at £449 in the UK, offering 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It is also available from Xiaomi and Amazon.

Although Xiaomi does not officially sell in the United States, international models can also be found on Amazon. Neither phone is sold on contract, so your best bet is to get it outright and then bundle it with a SIM-only deal.