vivo Y38 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo Y38 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The Y38 focuses on efficiency with its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, while the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ aims for a premium experience with its Dimensity 7200 Ultra and blazing-fast 120W charging. This comparison dives deep into the key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing speed and convenience, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 7200 Ultra chipset delivers noticeably better performance, and the 120W charging is a game-changer, fully charging the device in just 19 minutes. However, the vivo Y38 remains a strong contender for those seeking a more efficient, cost-effective option.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y38 Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA- International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, May 022023, September 21
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, MayAvailable. Released 2023, September 21
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather)
Dimensions165.7 x 76 x 8 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)161.4 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.35 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)199 g or 204.5 g (7.02 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.68 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 613Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 14, Funtouch 14Android 13, up to 3 major Android upgrades, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.1, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging44W wired120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 19 min
Type6000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsOcean Blue, Dark GreenMidnight Black (Fushion Black), Moonlight White (Fushion White), Aurora Purple, Fushion Purple, Camo Green
Models-23090RA98C, 23090RA98G, 23090RA98I
Price-$ 299.98 / £ 299.00 / € 208.98 / ₹ 24,999
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     0.85 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.98 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)

vivo Y38

  • More power-efficient chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 2)
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Sufficient for everyday tasks

  • Significantly slower charging (44W)
  • Less powerful processor for gaming and demanding apps
  • Likely lower display brightness and quality

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging (0-100% in 19 minutes)
  • More powerful Dimensity 7200 Ultra processor
  • Brighter and likely higher-quality display (1283 nits)

  • Potentially higher price
  • May generate more heat under sustained load
  • Dimensity 7200 Ultra may not be as efficient as Snapdragon 4 Gen 2

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1283 nits. This is a substantial advantage over what we'd expect from the Y38, making it far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While the Y38's panel specifics are unknown, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s brightness and likely higher contrast ratio will provide a more immersive viewing experience. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ likely utilizes an AMOLED panel, offering superior color accuracy and deeper blacks compared to the Y38's likely LCD panel.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the vivo Y38, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, potentially including a larger main sensor and advanced image processing algorithms. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s image processing will likely prioritize vibrant colors and detail, while the Y38 will likely focus on balanced, natural-looking images. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+’s OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) will provide sharper images and smoother video recording, especially in low-light conditions.

Performance

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is equipped with the Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra, featuring a more powerful CPU configuration (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) compared to the vivo Y38’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55). Both chipsets are built on a 4nm process, ensuring good efficiency, but the Dimensity 7200 Ultra’s newer architecture and higher clock speeds translate to a noticeable performance uplift in demanding tasks and gaming. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is likely paired with faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing responsiveness.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+’s 120W wired charging is its standout feature, capable of fully charging the device in a mere 19 minutes. This is a massive advantage over the vivo Y38’s 44W charging. While the Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s battery capacity is not specified, the active use score of 10:38h demonstrates excellent battery life. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the Y38 is known for its efficiency, potentially offering comparable battery endurance, but the charging speed difference is substantial. Users who frequently find themselves needing a quick top-up will greatly benefit from the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y38 if you need a reliable, efficient smartphone for everyday tasks and prioritize battery life over raw performance. It's ideal for users who don't heavily game or require demanding applications. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ if you prefer a faster, more responsive experience, value incredibly quick charging, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display. This phone is geared towards users who multitask frequently and enjoy mobile gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 7200 Ultra in the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 7200 Ultra is a powerful chip, it's built on a 4nm process which helps with thermal efficiency. However, sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ likely incorporates thermal management solutions like vapor chamber cooling to mitigate throttling, but some performance reduction may occur during prolonged, intensive gameplay.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the vivo Y38 slow compared to the Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s 120W?
Yes, the difference is substantial. 44W charging will take considerably longer to fully charge the Y38, likely exceeding an hour. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s 120W charging can fully charge the device in just 19 minutes, making it ideal for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 handle multitasking compared to the Dimensity 7200 Ultra?
The Dimensity 7200 Ultra, with its more powerful CPU and potentially faster RAM, will handle multitasking more smoothly than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2. You'll experience quicker app switching and less lag when running multiple applications simultaneously on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.
❓ Will the vivo Y38 receive long-term software support and updates?
Vivo typically provides a reasonable level of software support for its devices, but it's generally less extensive than Xiaomi's commitment. Expect a few major Android updates and several years of security patches, but the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is likely to receive longer-term support.