CMF Phone 1, iQoo Z9x, More

Redmi 13 Contenders: Xiaomi has completed a decade in India and it has marked the occasion by releasing a product that reflects the brand’s core philosophy of delivering more for a relatively small price. Xiaomi recently launched the Redmi 13 5G, which screams Redmi in every possible way. The phone boasts of some impressive specifications for a starting price of Rs 13,999, which is basically how Xiaomi has cemented its position in the Indian smartphone market.

The phone sports a large 6.79-inch FHD+ display (although it’s an LCD and not an AMOLED) and runs on the very powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE processor with 6GB and 8GB RAM variants and 128GB of storage that can be expanded via a memory card.

Photography is handled by a 108-megapixel main camera on the back (along with a very symbolic 2-megapixel macro sensor) and a 13-megapixel selfie camera. Keeping it all going for some time is the task of a 5,030mAh battery with 33W charging support, and there’s also a 33W charger in the box. The Redmi 13 5G runs on Android with Xiaomi’s HyperOS overlay.

All this is enclosed in a pleasant, exclusive design with a glass back.and a front part protected by Gorilla Glass 3. This is undoubtedly an absolutely sensational specification for the price, but it does not make the device immune to the competition.

Despite its beautiful design and excellent technical parameters, the Redmi 13 5G faces serious competition from the following five devices:

iQoo Z9x: Spec sheet gives you the edge

Price: 12,999 rupees

iQoo is a brand that has been very aggressive in the budget segment. It recently launched the iQoo Z9x, which, like the Redmi 13 5G, offers very good value for money and features. The device comes with a 6.72-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, along with a good speaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, making it a very good multimedia device for its price.

This combo is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, which beats the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE processor in the Redmi 13. The device also offers up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The camera department is powered by a good 50-megapixel main sensor that is supported by a rather nominal 2-megapixel sensor, while an 8-megapixel sensor at the front handles selfies and video calling.

Not only does the phone run on a larger 6,000mAh battery compared to the Redmi 13, but it also offers support for 44W fast charging. The phone ships with Android 14 out of the box, topped with iQoo’s FunTouchOS. It also has an IP64 rating, and while it doesn’t have a glass back, it does have a very stylish design.

Overall, the iQoo Z9x easily competes with the Redmi 13 5G in terms of its impressive specs.

Motorola G64: Meets all requirements

Price: From 14,999 rupees

The latest addition to Motorola’s renowned G series (which many credit with completely changing the mid-range segment), the Moto G64, could prove to be a huge pain in the neck for the Redmi 13 5G. One of the biggest selling points of the device is its processor – the MediaTek Dimensity 7025, which is a very capable chip that will not only handle your daily tasks with ease but will also help you cut down on power-hungry tasks.

Another big plus point of the Moto G64 is its massive 6,000mAh battery with support for 33W charging. The phone has a 6.5-inch Full HD+ LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate on the front and a 50-megapixel primary sensor with OIS (a rarity in this price range) coupled with a decent 8-megapixel sensor on the back, along with an impressive 16-megapixel selfie camera.

Another advantage of the device is the relatively clear Android interface, plus features such as stereo speakers, an IP52 rating, and a 3.5mm jack.

This is a phone that meets many requirements, including those that the Redmi 13 lacks.

CMF Phone 1: It stands out like no other

Price: 15,999 rupees

There’s a new phone in town that’s certainly the most talked-about in the budget segment. Nothing’s sub-brand CMF recently launched its first phone, the CMF Phone 1, and the device has already garnered a lot of attention. One of its biggest selling points is its AMOLED display, which is a rarity in this price segment — the phone offers a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Behind that is a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, which should handle your daily duties without a hitch. The phone has dual cameras on the back – a 50-megapixel and a 2-megapixel one, while up front there’s a 16-megapixel sensor for selfies and video calls.

The phone is powered by a 5000 mAh battery and the device supports 33W fast charging, although there is no charger included in the set.

The list of unique selling features also includes the clean, uncluttered Android 14 operating system with Nothing OS overlay and an innovative design that allows you to unscrew the back cover (using a special screwdriver) and replace the phone’s back cover, or even add accessories to the phone, such as a stand and wallet.

Yes, it lacks a few basic features (3.5mm audio jack, included charger), but this is a phone for those who want to attract attention.

Samsung Galaxy M34: A solid soldier

Price: From 12,999 rupees

The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G might look like it belongs to the past thanks to its outdated notch at the front, but its specs make it feel comfortable in the present. The Galaxy M34 has a 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which, in the best Samsung tradition, is quite bright and vibrant.

The device is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1280 processor and is available with RAM and storage options of 6GB + 128GB, 8GB + 128GB, and 8GB + 256GB, making it a solid device that can handle multiple tasks with ease.

The phone has a triple camera with a 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel sensor.

At the top is a 13-megapixel sensor on the front. The key feature of the Galaxy M34 is its massive 6,000mAh battery that supports 25W charging, although there’s no charger in the box. The phone runs on Android 13 out of the box with Samsung’s OneUI overlay, but you can upgrade to Android 14. The phone also has a 3.5mm audio jack, stereo speakers, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front, making it a very good overall package.

Little X6 Neo: The Competitive Cousin

Price: From 14,999 rupees

The other enemy lurking on the Redmi 13 5G’s shores comes from its own parent company. The Xiaomi Poco X6 Neo has a very competitive spec sheet, which could be a big problem for the Redmi 13.

The Poco X6 Neo has a 6.67-inch Full HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

Moreover, this one has an AMOLED display, something the Redmi 13 lacks. The phone has a 108-megapixel sensor paired with a 2-megapixel one at the back, just like its cousin, but has a slightly improved 16-megapixel sensor at the front.

The Poco X6 Neo is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 which is a solid performer and while it runs Android 13 and MIUI, it can be easily updated to Android 14 and HyperOS. It has a 5,000mAh battery that supports 33W charging, and it also has a charging cradle. The phone also has an IP54 rating and a 3.5mm audio jack, and while it doesn’t have a glass back like the Redmi 13, its orange colour is impressive without even trying.

This could make the latest Redmi go red.