The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme C63 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R are two contenders vying for dominance. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2, built on a more efficient 4nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Realme C63’s Unisoc Tiger T612, despite the latter’s faster charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, May 31 | 2024, May 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, June 05 | Available. Released 2024, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.7 mm (6.59 x 3.02 x 0.30 in) | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g or 191 g (6.67 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.5", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0" | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5030 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Leather Blue, Jade Green | Black, Blue, Silver |
| Models | - | 2406ERN9CC |
| Price | £ 98.00 / ₹ 8,132 | About 180 EUR |
Realme C63
- Faster 45W charging for quick top-ups
- Potentially lower price point
- Slightly higher clocked CPU cores (on paper)
- Less efficient Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset
- Likely inferior sustained performance
- Potentially lower image quality
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R
- More efficient Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 chipset (4nm)
- Better sustained performance for gaming and multitasking
- Potentially better image processing
- Slower 33W charging
- May be slightly more expensive
- Lower clocked CPU cores (on paper)
Display Comparison
Neither Realme nor Xiaomi provide display specs beyond resolution. However, given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels. The key differentiator will be color accuracy and brightness, which are unknown. The absence of high refresh rates is expected. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the budget constraints. Without further data, it's difficult to declare a clear winner; display quality will be a real-world test.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market segment suggests both phones will feature a primary camera alongside depth or macro sensors. The Redmi Note 13R, benefiting from Qualcomm’s image signal processing capabilities, may offer slightly better image quality and dynamic range. The Unisoc chipset in the C63 is less known for its camera prowess. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is highly probable on both devices, meaning low-light performance will be a weakness. Focusing on the primary sensor’s megapixel count (if available) will be more indicative of image quality than the inclusion of a 2MP macro lens.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 (4nm) represents a significant leap in efficiency over the Realme C63’s Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm). The 4nm process allows for higher transistor density and lower power consumption, translating to better thermal management and sustained performance. While the C63’s Cortex-A75 cores have a slightly higher clock speed (1.8 GHz vs 2.3 GHz on the 13R’s A78 cores), the architectural improvements and efficiency of the Snapdragon chip will likely result in a smoother experience, especially during demanding tasks. The Redmi Note 13R will benefit users who engage in moderate gaming or frequent multitasking.
Battery Life
The Realme C63 boasts 45W wired charging, significantly faster than the Redmi Note 13R’s 33W. This translates to quicker top-ups, a clear advantage for users who frequently find themselves with low battery. However, battery life is also influenced by chipset efficiency. The Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2’s 4nm process is more power-efficient than the Unisoc T612’s 12nm process. While the C63 may charge faster, the 13R could potentially offer longer overall battery life on a single charge. The faster charging of the C63 will appeal to users who prioritize minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C63 if you prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and a more efficient processor that will likely hold up better over time, even if it means slightly slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme C63 struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc Tiger T612 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 in the Redmi Note 13R will provide a noticeably better gaming experience with higher and more stable frame rates, even on medium settings.
❓ How much faster is the 45W charging on the Realme C63 compared to the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 13R in real-world use?
The Realme C63 can expect to charge from 0-100% in approximately 60-75 minutes, while the Redmi Note 13R will likely take around 80-95 minutes. This 15-20 minute difference can be significant for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 in the Redmi Note 13R support any advanced features like 5G connectivity?
No, the Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 is a 4G-only chipset. Both the Realme C63 and Redmi Note 13R are limited to 4G LTE connectivity.
❓ Is the difference in CPU clock speed (2.3 GHz vs 1.8 GHz) between the two phones significant in everyday use?
While the Redmi Note 13R has a slightly lower clock speed, the architectural improvements and efficiency of the Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 chipset outweigh this difference. You're unlikely to notice a significant difference in everyday tasks, but the Redmi Note 13R will feel smoother during multitasking and demanding applications.
