Budget Phones vs Flagship Phones

Introduction

• Discussion on budget phones making bold claims.
• Comparison between Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra ($1,379) and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus ($349).
• Objective: Test every aspect of both phones.

Unboxing

• Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus includes:
  • Matte black case
  • USB-C cable
  • 120W fast charger
• Samsung S23 Ultra only includes a cable, additional cost for accessories.

Build Quality

• Samsung S23 Ultra:
  • Gorilla Glass Victus 2, armor aluminum frame
• Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus:
  • Gorilla Glass Victus 1, standard aluminum
• Comparison:
  • 95% build quality similarity
  • No noticeable flex or creaking on Redmi
  • Lighter and more comfortable to hold.

Display

• Both phones have 120Hz OLED panels.
• Samsung display: Higher resolution (1440 x 3088), slightly blue tinge when rotated.
• Redmi display: Max resolution (1220 x 2712), slightly yellow tinge, potentially brighter than Samsung in normal use.
• Summary:
  • Redmi display is 95% as good as Samsung.

Connectivity

• Wi-Fi Speed: Comparable in different locations.
• Cellular Speed:
  • Samsung has better download speeds in low signal environments.
  • Redmi has better upload speeds in high signal environments.
• Overall signal performance: Redmi is around 85% of Samsung's experience.

Battery Performance

• Charging:
  • Redmi features 120W fast charging (fully charges in 20 minutes).
  • Samsung slower charging, requires additional purchase for fast charger.
• Battery Longevity:
  • Both have 5,000 mAh batteries.
  • Samsung lasts longer (35% at end of the day vs. Redmi's 21%).
• Conclusion: Redmi is 25% behind Samsung in battery performance.

Software Experience

• Xiaomi: Minimal ads and bloatware, MIUI 14 based on Android 13, smooth animations, customization options.
• Samsung: One UI based on Android 13, corporate feel but extensive customization with Good Lock app.
• Software support: Flagships receive 3-5 years of updates, budget phones receive about 2 years.

Performance

• Specs:
  • Samsung has Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 8-12GB RAM
  • Redmi has Dimensity 7200 Ultra, 12GB RAM
• Benchmark Performance: Samsung outperforms Redmi significantly in CPU and GPU tasks.
• User Experience:
  • Samsung feels faster and more responsive.
  • Redmi is adequate for basic tasks but lags with demanding apps.

Camera Quality

• Both phones: Feature 200MP main cameras.
• Performance:
  • Samsung offers better low-light performance, faster focus, more sophisticated software processing.
  • Redmi can capture great detail but with limitations.
• Conclusion: Redmi is about 50% of Samsung's camera experience.

Overall Conclusion

• Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus offers 80-90% of the flagship experience at 25% of the price.
• Best suited for casual users who don’t need high-end features.
• Flagship phones are justified for power users who need advanced performance, battery life, and camera capabilities.