The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Note 60x and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R are two contenders vying for dominance. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they take drastically different approaches to core components, particularly the chipset and charging technology. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 chipset, built on a more efficient 4nm process, delivers noticeably faster performance and improved thermal management compared to the Realme Note 60x’s Unisoc Tiger T612. While the Realme counters with a lower price and potentially longer software support, the performance gap is too significant to ignore for all but the most budget-conscious buyers.
| 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, 4, 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, December 09 | 2024, May 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 09 | Available. Released 2024, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm (6.59 x 3.02 x 0.31 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 | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Reinforced glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (peak) | 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, Realme UI | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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 | 8 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, (wide) | 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 | No | 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5030 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Wilderness Green, Marble Black | Black, Blue, Silver |
| Models | RMX3938 | 2406ERN9CC |
| Price | $ 155.88 / £ 66.99 | About 180 EUR |
Realme Note 60x
- Potentially lower price point
- May receive longer software support (Realme's track record)
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly weaker performance due to Unisoc T612 chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Less efficient 12nm fabrication process
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 chipset
- 33W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- 4nm fabrication process for better thermal management
- May be slightly more expensive than the Realme Note 60x
- Xiaomi's MIUI software can be resource-intensive
- Potentially shorter software support compared to Realme
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, details like peak brightness and color accuracy are missing. The focus here is on the internal hardware, not display fidelity. Bezels are expected to be relatively thick on both, prioritizing affordability over premium aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature a primary camera and potentially a depth or macro sensor. Given the price point, image processing will likely be software-focused, relying on algorithms to enhance image quality. The Redmi Note 13R’s more powerful chipset could potentially enable more sophisticated image processing algorithms, leading to slightly better results, but this is speculative without further data. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is unlikely on either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 (4nm) is a clear upgrade over the Realme Note 60x’s Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm). The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon offers significantly better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and sustained performance. The Snapdragon’s CPU configuration – 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 – also provides a performance advantage over the Realme’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the Redmi Note 13R. The Realme will handle basic tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, both phones likely feature batteries in the 5000mAh range, typical for this price segment. The critical difference is charging speed. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R’s 33W wired charging is a substantial improvement over the Realme Note 60x’s 10W charging. This translates to significantly faster charging times – potentially a full charge in under an hour for the Redmi Note 13R, compared to several hours for the Realme. This is a major convenience factor for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Note 60x if you prioritize absolute affordability and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its 10W charging is a compromise, but acceptable at this price point. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R if you value performance, smoother multitasking, and faster charging. The Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 provides a more future-proof experience and a more responsive user interface, making it ideal for users who enjoy occasional gaming or demanding apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme Note 60x struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T612 is likely to struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile, even at lower settings. The chipset's limited processing power and GPU capabilities will result in noticeable frame drops and lag. The Redmi Note 13R’s Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 13R compared to the 10W charging on the Realme Note 60x?
The 33W charging on the Redmi Note 13R is significantly faster. While exact times depend on battery level and usage, you can expect a full charge in approximately 60-90 minutes with the Redmi, whereas the Realme Note 60x could take 3-4 hours or more to reach 100%.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 in the Redmi Note 13R offer 5G connectivity?
No, the Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 is a 4G chipset. Neither the Realme Note 60x nor the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R support 5G connectivity.
❓ Which phone is better for multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R is significantly better for multitasking. The Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2’s more powerful CPU and improved memory management allow it to handle multiple apps without significant slowdowns, unlike the Realme Note 60x.