Kick Off the Future: First Look at the Exclusive Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G World Champions Edition

Redmi started the new year impressively by unveiling the Note 13 series in India. In our review, we identified the priciest variant, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G, as featuring an excellent display, a durable battery, and a captivating design. Now, just four months post-launch, the smartphone manufacturer has revealed a new model—a special edition collaboration with the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ World Champions Edition is inspired by Argentina’s victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It comes with a distinctive back cover, a charging adapter, and limited-edition posters packaged in a box adorned with Argentine football legends Angel Di Maria, Emiliano Martínez, and Rodrigo De Paul.

Box for the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ World Champions Edition

edition appeared in 2022, followed by the OnePlus 12R’s Genshin Impact edition in 2023, and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s Reserve edition in 2024.

Due to their scarcity, these hands are also coveted collectibles for enthusiasts, particularly among fans of the associated brand or event. For instance, my experience with both the Redmi Note 4 and the Redmi Note 8 Pro has fostered a connection with the series and brand. As a football aficionado and an Argentina supporter during the 2022 World Cup, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ stands out as not merely a phone but a piece of memorabilia.

Nonetheless, crafting special editions is vital because these devices are tailored for ardent supporters of the partnering brand rather than casual consumers. My primary question heading into this review was—has Redmi honored one of my favorite football team’s significant historical achievements?

Unboxing the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G and its accessories

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is provided in a sizable box adorned in Argentina’s iconic blue and white stripes. The exterior is embellished with the three mentioned stars, an AFA logo, and a badge celebrating Xiaomi India’s 10th anniversary, being observed this year. Upon opening, one finds a large commemorative placard featuring the Redmi logo, the anniversary inscription, and Argentina’s emblem set against a backdrop of the team celebrating their World Cup win.

The reverse side showcases another poster of the team above, along with the lineup for the finals and their historical milestones listed below. Even the bottom of the packaging has a football pitch design. However, no stickers were included for those who might want them. This is a minor oversight, but it could have made a significant impression on dedicated fans.

Redmi Note 13 Pro+ World Champions Edition

Alongside the smartphone, the box includes a 120W charging adapter decorated in blue and white stripes, the AFA logo, and a sky blue USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable. There’s also a SIM card ejector tool featuring a football design on one side and AFA on the other. Additionally, the standard black rubber case might seem unnecessary for those who are drawn to the phone’s unique aesthetics.

Overall, the contents of the box presented a unified theme, with meticulous attention paid to every item. You aren’t just receiving a customized smartphone, but an entire cohesive set!

Nevertheless, I have one reservation. It may seem trivial, but the timing of this special edition strikes me as a bit off. The World Cup finals occurred in December 2022, and nearly a year and a half has gone by since then. Intriguingly, the smartphone launched just two months prior to Argentina’s first Copa América match. Reflecting on the team’s World Cup triumph so long after the fact seems like an odd choice. However, I’m confident that passionate supporters will appreciate it regardless of the delay.

Design and display of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G serves as the highlight of the company’s offerings. The fundamental design closely mirrors that of the standard version, which you can learn more about in our review. However, the back panel has received a significant redesign. Unlike the Fusion Purple variant with a vegan leather back, this special edition showcases a sleek metallic surface. It’s divided into two parts; the upper section features a blue matte finish alongside Redmi and AFA logos in understated gold shades. The camera lenses have transitioned from their traditional silver framing to a subtle golden touch.

The lower segment of the back takes inspiration from the AFA jersey worn by Argentina during the tournament. Centrally positioned is a large ‘10’ symbolizing both the company’s 10th anniversary in India and the famed jersey number of team captain Leonel Messi. Beneath, a special inscription commemorates Argentina’s World Cup victory. The volume buttons and power button on the side also sport the same blue matte finish.

Redmi Note 13 Pro+ display

The personalization doesn’t stop there. Once you unlock the 6.67-inch 3D Curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, you’re greeted with two distinctive wallpapers. One showcases the three football stars featured on the device’s packaging while the other displays a football pitch with the AFA emblem over it.

The app icons follow a minimalist design in white and blue, aligning with the overall theme. If you’re not a supporter, reverting to the standard icons is straightforward in the settings. It’s worth noting that there’s no special charging animation.

In summary, I found the phone’s design sufficiently unique to draw attention periodically but not so flashy that it would feel out of place in public. Achieving a balance is crucial for any special edition model, given that many users will primarily use it. Redmi has managed to strike that right balance.

The remaining features of the smartphone are identical to the standard variant, and for more details, you can refer to our comprehensive review. However, to refresh your memory, here are the smartphone’s specifications.

Specifications of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for protection. Under the hood, it features a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra SoC, paired with 12GB of RAM and a 512GB storage variant. The smartphone boasts a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 200-megapixel primary sensor with OIS, along with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor and a 2-megapixel macro lens. For selfies, it provides a 16-megapixel front camera.

Moreover, the Note 13 Pro+ is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging capabilities and has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Initial impressions of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G World Champions Edition

Priced at Rs. 34,999 (with a Rs. 3,000 immediate discount for ICICI bank card transactions), the World Champions Edition of this smartphone is priced similarly to the standard version, which is quite unexpected for special releases.

This implies that you benefit from all the features and specifications of the smartphone, plus the customizations and design elements specific to the special edition, without any extra cost involved. If you’re an admirer of the Argentinian football team or a football enthusiast in general, there’s really no downside to this device.

At the start of this review, we posed the question of whether Redmi has honored this theme properly. In my view, the meticulous attention to detail, cohesive accessories, high-quality artwork on the back panel, and themed icons contribute to a well-considered design that fans will likely appreciate.