The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo G2 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R are two contenders vying for dominance. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily through their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and potentially better long-term performance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2, built on a more efficient 4nm process, offers a slight edge in performance and thermal management, coupled with significantly faster 33W charging. However, the vivo G2 remains a viable option for those seeking a slightly different processor.
| 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, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, January 19 | 2024, May 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January 19 | Available. Released 2024, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.32 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 | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 840 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 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 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Anti-stroboscopic sensor | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired
Reverse wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5030 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Blue, Silver |
| Models | V2318A | 2406ERN9CC |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 180 EUR |
vivo G2
- Reverse wired charging offers added versatility.
- Mediatek Dimensity 6020 provides a balanced performance profile.
- Potentially lower price point depending on region.
- Slower 15W charging is a significant drawback.
- 7nm process may lead to higher temperatures under load.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R
- Faster 33W charging significantly reduces charging times.
- 4nm Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 offers better power efficiency.
- Slightly faster CPU cores for improved responsiveness.
- Lacks reverse wired charging functionality.
- May be slightly more expensive than the vivo G2.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price bracket, we can assume both utilize LCD panels. The Redmi Note 13R's potential advantage lies in Xiaomi's generally aggressive display calibration, potentially offering slightly more accurate colors. The absence of information regarding refresh rates or peak brightness makes a definitive statement impossible, but both will likely target a 60Hz refresh rate to conserve battery.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a comprehensive comparison is challenging. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on sensor size and image processing algorithms. It's reasonable to assume both will include a primary sensor, an ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens. Given Xiaomi's history, the Redmi Note 13R might prioritize computational photography features, potentially delivering more vibrant and shareable images. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R boasts the Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 (4nm), while the vivo G2 features the Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7nm). The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon chip is a significant advantage, offering improved power efficiency and potentially lower thermal throttling under sustained load. While both CPUs utilize an octa-core configuration with similar Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the Redmi Note 13R’s Cortex-A78 performance cores (2x2.3 GHz) have a slight clock speed advantage over the G2’s Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz). This translates to a marginal performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks for the Redmi Note 13R.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 13R’s 33W wired charging is a clear advantage over the vivo G2’s 15W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-up times, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn't specified, the more efficient Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 in the Redmi Note 13R could potentially offset a slightly smaller battery capacity, offering comparable real-world battery life. The G2’s inclusion of reverse wired charging is a niche feature, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices, a benefit for users who frequently travel or rely on multiple gadgets.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo G2 if you prioritize a Mediatek Dimensity processor and value the potential for reverse wired charging. This makes it a good choice for users who frequently share power with friends or accessories. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R if you prefer Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform, demand faster charging speeds, and anticipate more sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming or multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 in the Redmi Note 13R handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium settings for a smooth experience. The 4nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling, but prolonged gaming sessions may still result in some frame drops. The Dimensity 6020 in the vivo G2 will offer similar performance, but may throttle slightly faster.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Redmi Note 13R with the 33W charger?
With the included 33W charger, the Redmi Note 13R should charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 60-75 minutes, depending on usage during charging. This is a substantial improvement over the vivo G2's 15W charging, which will likely take over two hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the vivo G2 useful for everyday use?
Reverse wired charging is a niche feature, but can be incredibly convenient for users who frequently travel or rely on accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. It allows the vivo G2 to act as a portable power bank, though charging speeds will be limited to 15W.
