Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 vs. Samsung Galaxy A35: A Deep Dive Comparison

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 and Samsung Galaxy A35 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The Redmi Note 13 aims for all-day battery and solid performance, while the Galaxy A35 prioritizes a more refined experience with a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity, the Samsung Galaxy A35 emerges as the winner. Its significantly longer 12:26h active use battery life, coupled with the more efficient 5nm Exynos 1380 chipset, outweighs the Redmi Note 13’s slightly brighter display and faster charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Samsung Galaxy A35
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, January 042024, March 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, January 10Available. Released 2024, March 15
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back
Dimensions161.1 x 75 x 7.6 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.30 in)161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm (6.37 x 3.07 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight174.5 g (6.14 oz)209 g (7.37 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors*, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, 1000 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6080 (6 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G68 MP5
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, HyperOSAndroid 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.96", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, 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, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGraphite black (Stealth Black), Arctic White, Ocean Teal, Prism GoldIceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
Models2312DRAABG, 2312DRAABISM-A356E, SM-A356E/DS, SM-A356B, SM-A356B/DS, SM-A356U, SM-A356U1
Price$ 118.38 / £ 206.65 / € 150.99 / ₹ 15,950$ 138.00 / C$ 419.99 / £ 205.99 / € 259.99 / ₹ 18,299
SAR1.07 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)0.81 W/kg (head)
SAR EU0.94 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)0.44 W/kg (head)     0.92 W/kg (body)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13

  • Brighter display for outdoor use (991 nits)
  • Faster 33W wired charging
  • Potentially more affordable price point

  • Shorter battery life (9:49h active use)
  • Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 6080)
  • Less efficient 6nm process

Samsung Galaxy A35

  • Significantly longer battery life (12:26h active use)
  • More powerful and efficient chipset (Exynos 1380, 5nm)
  • Potentially better camera performance

  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • Slightly lower peak display brightness
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

Both devices feature capable displays, but with subtle differences. The Samsung Galaxy A35 boasts a slightly brighter panel at 1024 nits, compared to the Redmi Note 13’s 991 nits, offering a marginal advantage in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED technology (though not explicitly stated), the lack of refresh rate information prevents a full assessment of smoothness. The A35’s higher peak brightness will be more noticeable when viewing HDR content. Bezels appear comparable based on available imagery, and without color accuracy measurements, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner in color reproduction.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the Galaxy A35 likely features a more sophisticated camera system. While both phones likely include a primary sensor, the A35’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Exynos 1380 will likely offer more advanced image processing capabilities. The Redmi Note 13’s inclusion of a 2MP macro lens is a common, but often underwhelming, feature in this price range. The A35’s larger sensor (likely) and potentially better software algorithms will likely result in superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is a feature likely present on the A35, but not confirmed on the Redmi Note 13.

Performance

The chipset is where the most significant difference lies. The Samsung Galaxy A35’s Exynos 1380, built on a 5nm process, offers a clear architectural advantage over the Redmi Note 13’s Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6nm). The A35 utilizes Cortex-A78 cores (4x2.4 GHz) which are more performant than the A76 cores (2x2.4 GHz) found in the Redmi Note 13. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos 1380 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones have 8GB of RAM (assumed based on market segment), the Exynos 1380’s superior architecture will deliver a more responsive user experience.

Battery Life

Battery life is a key differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy A35 delivers an impressive 12:26h of active use, significantly outperforming the Redmi Note 13’s 9:49h. This difference is likely attributable to the more efficient 5nm Exynos 1380 chipset. While the Redmi Note 13 offers faster 33W wired charging, the A35’s superior battery capacity and efficiency mean you’ll likely need to charge it less frequently. The A35’s 25W charging, while slower, is still adequate for overnight charging or topping up during the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 if you need maximum screen brightness for outdoor visibility and prioritize faster 33W charging for quick top-ups. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A35 if you value exceptional battery life, a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, and a potentially longer software support lifecycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A35 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1380, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient and well-managed. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, the 5nm node and Samsung’s thermal management solutions should prevent significant throttling, offering a consistently smooth gaming experience. However, sustained high-resolution gaming will still generate heat.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Redmi Note 13 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Typically, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited utility. The low resolution often results in soft, lacking detail images. While it can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-quality macro photography. The Galaxy A35 likely offers a more capable camera experience overall.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A35 reliably maintain 60fps in demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Exynos 1380 chipset should be capable of maintaining 60fps in PUBG Mobile at medium to high graphics settings. However, achieving consistently stable frame rates will depend on the specific game settings and the duration of the gaming session. The 5nm process and improved thermal management contribute to sustained performance.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Redmi Note 13 from 0% to 100% with the 33W charger?
While 33W charging sounds fast, real-world charging times are affected by various factors. Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on background app activity and battery temperature. The Galaxy A35's 25W charging will take longer, around 2-2.5 hours.