Display
The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G sports a generous 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a high resolution of 2712 x 1220 pixels. This display boasts a swift refresh rate of up to 120Hz, an impressive peak brightness of 1800 nits, and full coverage of the P3 color gamut. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus safeguards it for added durability.
The display indeed offers impressive image quality. Out of the box, it’s configured in the usual cooler, saturated mode, but you can switch to a standard sRGB mode via the settings, where it appears even more impressive and true-to-color. Moreover, advanced settings allow for manual adjustments to the color gamut, RGB color balance, HSV, contrast, and gamma.
Under typical conditions, the display can achieve a brightness level of 500 nits, which is commendable. When exposed to bright sunlight, it can reach up to 1200 nits globally, although the advertised peak brightness of 1800 nits is attainable only in HDR mode, and that too for a small section of the display or during brief intervals.
The display is versatile in its refresh rate capabilities, with the ability to seamlessly switch between 120Hz, 90Hz, and 60Hz depending on the content and the application in use. In the always-on display mode, it can drop down to 30Hz for power efficiency. The operating system allows users to select their preferred refresh rate (60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz) per app. For instance, the default setting for the YouTube app is 60Hz, but users have the option to increase it to 120Hz. It’s important to note that fullscreen video playback is managed separately based on the content’s frame rate, though the display typically defaults to 60Hz in this scenario.
Moreover, the phone provides support for all major HDR standards, including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. You can enjoy Dolby Vision content locally and within apps like Netflix.
However, there are some notable drawbacks to be aware of. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G applies a permanent sharpening and color enhancement filter across all video applications, including YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and even the built-in Gallery app. This filter imposes a strong edge enhancement and saturation boost that can appear excessively vivid, especially when viewing HDR content. Even Dolby Vision content isn’t exempt from this sharpening effect.
The most frustrating aspect is that this filter is not optional, and users have limited means to disable it. Given the phone’s impressive high-resolution display, which naturally delivers sharp visuals and vibrant colors, the additional sharpening and color boost can detract from the overall viewing experience, making it resemble something you might encounter on a budget television display at your local electronics store. Ideally, Xiaomi could consider providing an option to disable this filter to cater to users’ preferences better.
Another source of frustration is the “always-on” mode, which, in practice, doesn’t live up to its name. After enabling this mode, the display remains active for only ten seconds before requiring a tap to view the always-on screen again, effectively defeating the purpose of having an always-on feature.
On a more positive note, the display has a built-in optical fingerprint scanner that offers an interesting additional function. Beyond unlocking the device, it also doubles as a heart rate monitor. Although this feature may be somewhat buried within the settings menu, once you locate it, you can simply place your finger over the sensor, providing you with real-time heart rate readings. This dual functionality is a neat and convenient addition.
In summary, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G display generally impresses, with its high brightness particularly beneficial for outdoor use in daylight conditions. However, the prominent concern revolves around the excessive image sharpening applied to all video applications. Such a feature should never be mandatory on any device, especially one marketed as premium.