Moto E13 review: A budget-friendly smartphone

Motorola has launched a new budget-friendly smartphone called the Moto E13, which starts at Rs 6,999. This smartphone has a 6.5-inch display, a 5,000mAh battery, up to 4GB of RAM, and an octa-core UniSoc T606 SoC. The phone runs on Android 13 Go Edition, which is an advantage over most competitors that only offer Android 12. The Moto E13 has a sleek design and a reasonably compact body, along with a single bottom-firing speaker that supports Dolby Atmos. In this review, we’ll take a comprehensive look at the Moto E13, including its design and display, performance, camera, and battery life, to determine whether it is worth purchasing.

Design and Display

The Moto E13 has a sturdy build, and the rear panel is made of acrylic glass-like material, providing a smooth surface. The phone is IP52 certified for protection against dust and water splashes, although it is recommended to keep the phone dry and clean. The phone is lightweight at 180 grams and has a thickness of 8.4mm, which is similar to the Moto G22, indicating that Motorola is striving to make their phones slim and lightweight.

The Moto E13 has a 6.5-inch IPS display with HD+ resolution, making it suitable for individuals who read or wish to read news on their smartphone. The screen size is also ideal for consumers who don’t prefer large or small phones. The brightness levels are sufficient indoors, but readability may be compromised in bright sunshine. The video quality on Netflix is set to Standard by default, but it can be changed to “high” quality streaming. The audio output is loud and clear, enhancing the watching experience.

Performance

The Moto E13 is an entry-level smartphone with small hardware, so users should not expect lightning-fast performance. The phone is equipped with a UniSoc T606 chipset, which is popular among low-cost phones. The UI is not the smoothest, and you’ll notice stutters when switching between apps. However, the phone is capable of handling light gaming and Chrome. It’s advisable to go for the 4GB variant, which costs Rs 7,999, as the base version comes with 2GB of RAM. The device with 4GB RAM has noticeable latency, but it is still better than the version with 2GB RAM.

The Moto E13 runs on Android 13 Go, which is an advantage as it provides the latest-generation OS experience on an entry-level phone. However, some functions are limited in order to enhance speed. The Go edition is preferable because OEMs must be more selective about the apps they provide. The performance would suffer if there were more pre-installed apps or bloatware.

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Moto E13 : Camera

The Moto E13 comes with a dual-camera setup on the back, featuring a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The camera app has standard features like Portrait Mode and Night Mode, but there is no ultra-wide lens. The image quality is average, with some blurriness and noise in low-light settings. The camera is capable of capturing decent photos in good lighting conditions, but don’t expect professional-level shots.

Battery Life

The Moto E13 has a 5,000mAh battery, which is more than enough to last a day on average usage. The phone has a 10W charger, which is slow compared to the competition. The phone takes over two hours to charge from zero to 100%. It’s advisable to use a higher-rated charger to save time.

Is It Worth Buying the Moto E13?

Motorola’s Moto E13 is an entry-level smartphone that offers good value for money to customers. It excels in several areas, such as the quality of its display, construction, and battery life. However, it should be noted that processing power and camera quality are not the phone’s strongest features due to its entry-level status. Motorola attempts to set itself apart by providing Android 13 Go and additional features, but it is uncertain whether consumers in this market will appreciate these efforts. Nonetheless, it is promising to see that manufacturers continue to produce high-quality 4G phones, despite the competition to create the best 5G phone. The Moto E13 is a good option for individuals looking for an entry-level phone for their parents, grandparents, or younger siblings/children. However, for office workers who frequently use applications such as Uber, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Gmail, it is recommended to invest in a higher budget device.

The Samsung Galaxy F14 5G, which was recently released by Samsung, is a good option with solid hardware for an initial price of Rs 12,990. Motorola also offers decent phones in the sub-Rs 15K price range.