The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the Realme Narzo N63 and Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G are two key contenders. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dives deep into the hardware to determine which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G is the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Realme Narzo N63’s Unisoc Tiger T612, despite the Narzo’s faster charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, June 06 | 2023, December 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, June 10 | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.7 mm (6.59 x 3.02 x 0.30 in) | 168.1 x 77.9 x 8.2 mm (6.62 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g or 191 g (6.67 oz) | 192 g or 195 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.5", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0" | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 | 18W wired, PD |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Leather Blue, Twilight Purple | Starry Black, Twilight Blue, Starry Silver, Starlight Black, Startrail Green, Startrail Silver |
| Models | - | 23124RN87G, 23124RN87I, 23124RN87C |
| Price | About 90 EUR | $ 198.99 / £ 119.00 / € 116.99 / ₹ 10,895 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
Realme Narzo N63
- Significantly faster 45W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Unisoc chipset offers decent efficiency for basic tasks
- Less powerful Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset
- 12nm process less efficient than 6nm
- Likely to exhibit more throttling under load
Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ chipset
- 6nm process for better efficiency and sustained performance
- PD charging support for wider compatibility
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially slightly higher price
- May not be as readily available in all markets
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the focus here is on the underlying processing power impacting UI smoothness. Display specs beyond resolution (which are likely similar) are not provided, so a direct comparison is limited. Bezels are expected to be comparable, reflecting the budget nature of both phones.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones will feature a primary camera and supporting sensors. Given the price point, image processing will likely be software-driven, and the Dimensity 6100+’s superior ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the Redmi 13C 5G could lead to slightly better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing feature with limited practical utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm) is a clear upgrade over the Realme Narzo N63’s Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and potentially sustained performance. The Dimensity 6100+ also features faster Cortex-A76 cores (2.2 GHz) compared to the Narzo’s Cortex-A75 cores (1.8 GHz), resulting in a more responsive user experience. This benefits users who frequently switch between apps or engage in light gaming. The Redmi 13C 5G will likely exhibit less throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Realme Narzo N63’s 45W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Redmi 13C 5G’s 18W charging with PD. This means the Narzo N63 will recharge much faster, potentially going from 0-100% in under an hour. However, the Dimensity 6100+’s superior power efficiency may offset the Redmi 13C 5G’s slower charging, resulting in comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity battery. The Redmi 13C 5G’s PD support offers wider charger compatibility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo N63 if you prioritize extremely fast charging and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The 45W charging is a significant advantage. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G if you want a more capable processor for smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, and a device that will likely receive software updates for a longer period, thanks to the more established Mediatek platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 6100+ in the Redmi 13C 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Dimensity 6100+ is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium settings for a smooth experience. The 6nm process and improved CPU cores will provide a more stable frame rate compared to the Narzo N63, but it's not a gaming powerhouse.
❓ How much faster is the 45W charging on the Realme Narzo N63 compared to the 18W charging on the Redmi 13C 5G?
The 45W charging on the Narzo N63 can potentially reduce charging times by 30-50% compared to the Redmi 13C 5G’s 18W charging. This means a full charge could take under an hour on the Narzo N63, while the Redmi 13C 5G might take closer to 2-3 hours.
❓ Does the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Narzo N63 support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
While Unisoc chipsets are increasingly supporting carrier aggregation, specific details for the Tiger T612 are limited. It's likely to support some level of carrier aggregation, but the Redmi 13C 5G with the Dimensity 6100+ may offer broader compatibility and potentially faster 5G speeds depending on your carrier.
❓ Is the Redmi 13C 5G likely to receive more software updates than the Narzo N63?
Generally, Xiaomi provides more consistent and longer-term software support for its devices compared to Realme. The Dimensity 6100+ also benefits from Mediatek’s broader software ecosystem, increasing the likelihood of continued updates and optimizations for the Redmi 13C 5G.
