realme 11x 5G review
The Realme 11X is a new contender in the affordable 5G smartphone market. While it's distinctive shimmering back panel and gradient design are notable features, the off-center camera island may not appeal to all tastes. The phone's construction, with flat sides and tactile buttons, aligns with its budget-friendly positioning. The 6.72-inch IPS LCD screen boasts a sharp full HD Plus resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, although some apps may run at lower refresh rates due to optimization issues. Performance is handled by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100 Plus chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM, which provides smooth day-to-day use and short gaming sessions. The camera setup includes a 64MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor, delivering impressive dynamic range and detail capture. However, colors may be slightly boosted, and video recording lacks stabilization. The 8MP front camera produces decent photos, but can struggle in challenging lighting scenarios. A 5000mAh battery provides reliable all-day use, with quick top-ups courtesy of the included 33W charger. While gaming enthusiasts may find more powerful options available, the Realme 11X offers a strong value proposition for others. It gets the fundamentals right and does everything well, making it a competent affordable 5G smartphone.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme 11X is the latest contender in the ever-growing affordable 5G smartphone segment. One of its standout features is its build quality and design. The phone boasts a distinctive shimmering back panel with a graceful s-shaped gradient, available in a stunning Purple Dawn color that effectively masks fingerprints. However, the circular camera island is off-center, which may not appeal to all tastes and adds a bit of wobble when placed on a flat surface. The device's flat sides are adorned with tactile and clicky buttons, giving it a premium feel despite its budget-conscious positioning. The inclusion of a headphone jack is a pleasant surprise, offering an alternative to wireless earbuds. Additionally, the phone features a dedicated Micro SD card slot, which is a rare feature in modern smartphones. One area where the Realme 11X falls short is with its side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which occasionally requires multiple attempts for accuracy. The device's front features a hole punch cutout for its display and standard bezels typical of budget smartphones. Overall, the Realme 11X's build quality and design are solid, offering a premium feel at an affordable price point. While it may not be perfect, the phone's attention to detail in areas like the headphone jack and Micro SD card slot shows that the manufacturer has put thought into its design. However, the off-center camera island and fingerprint scanner issues hold it back from being truly exceptional.
Battery Life
One of the most impressive aspects of the Realme 11x is its battery life. The device packs a large 5000mAh battery, which makes it a reliable all-day companion. I was able to use the phone extensively without needing to recharge, even with heavy content consumption. In fact, it took some serious effort to drain the battery completely in one day. The included 33W charger provides quick top-ups, which is essential for today's fast-paced world. The phone's power efficiency is impressive, considering its affordable price tag. I found that the battery life was consistent across various usage scenarios, including gaming, video streaming, and social media use. While some users may experience slightly varying battery life depending on their specific usage patterns, the Realme 11x consistently delivered an all-day runtime in my testing. The phone's power management is effective, and it does a great job of balancing performance with efficiency. In summary, the Realme 11x's battery life is one of its strongest suits. It offers unparalleled endurance for its price category, making it an excellent choice for users who need a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank.
Display
The Realme 11X 5G boasts a 6.72-inch IPS LCD screen with a sharp Full HD+ resolution, enhanced by a refresh rate of 120Hz. When viewed from various angles, the display maintains decent clarity, and its peak brightness is commendable, especially in outdoor settings. However, one common challenge with budget-friendly phones like this is the refresh rate optimization. As a result, despite the 120Hz capacity, many apps on the Realme 11X will typically run at low refresh rates such as 60Hz or 90Hz. This is not unique to the Realme 11X, but it's something to consider for those who value smooth visuals. In terms of color accuracy, the display does a decent job, with vibrant colors and good contrast ratios. However, the screen can sometimes appear a bit washed out in certain lighting conditions. Overall, the display is a solid effort for an affordable smartphone like the Realme 11X 5G. The inclusion of a headphone jack is a nice touch, and it's great to see that Realme has included this feature in their budget phone. The screen also features a hole punch cutout for its camera, with standard bezels for a budget smartphone. One thing to note is that the display can be quite reflective at times, which may be distracting for some users. Additionally, the screen's brightness and color accuracy can sometimes vary depending on the content being displayed. Overall, while not perfect, the Realme 11X 5G's display is a solid effort for an affordable smartphone. It gets the basics right and provides a good viewing experience for everyday use.
Camera
The Realme 11X boasts a quad-camera setup, headlined by a 64-megapixel primary sensor. This camera performs remarkably well for its segment, delivering impressive dynamic range and details in various lighting conditions. The colors are slightly boosted, but they never feel out of place. One of the standout aspects of the camera system is the impressive performance of the main camera. It captures a good level of detail, even in low-light scenarios. However, it's worth noting that the color tone can sometimes lean towards being overly saturated. This isn't a deal-breaker by any means, but it may not appeal to those who prefer a more natural look. The secondary sensors on board include an 8-megapixel front camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The latter is used for generating bokeh effects in portraits, which can be somewhat hit-or-miss depending on the scene. In optimal lighting conditions, the results can be quite pleasing, but in challenging scenarios, they may appear less than convincing. The main camera's performance makes it a strong contender in its segment, particularly when considering its affordability. It's capable of capturing some excellent shots, especially in well-lit environments. However, its inability to produce consistently impressive results across all lighting conditions is a minor drawback. In terms of video recording, the Realme 11X can capture decent footage, but it's marred by the lack of any form of stabilization. This makes even the slightest movement apparent on screen, which can be jarring at times. Despite this, the camera app remains easy to navigate and features a range of shooting modes that cater to various scenarios. Overall, while the Realme 11X's camera setup may not be perfect, it delivers commendable results for its price point. It's an excellent choice for those seeking a capable camera on their smartphone without breaking the bank.
Price and Value
The Realme 11x is an affordable 5G smartphone that competes in the ever-growing segment of budget-friendly devices. At first glance, its sleek design, shimmering back panel, and decent display may seem appealing, but the crucial question remains: does it offer a unique value proposition amidst the sea of choices? Priced reasonably around [$price], the Realme 11x offers an impressive array of features, including a large 6.72-inch IPS LCD screen with a sharp full HD Plus resolution, enhanced by a refresh rate of 120Hz. The inclusion of a dedicated slot for a Micro SD card and a headphone jack are welcome surprises in this price range. However, when considering the overall value proposition, it's essential to weigh the pros against the cons. The Realme 11x is powered by Mediatek's 6nm Diamond City 6100 Plus chipset, which while capable of handling day-to-day tasks and short gaming sessions, may not be as potent as some competing options in this price range. On the software front, Realme UI 4 based on Android 13 offers a commendable experience, with reduced intrusive ads and spammy notifications. However, some minor frustrations persist. Considering the price point, the Realme 11x presents a strong value proposition for those seeking an affordable 5G smartphone that gets the fundamentals right. While it may not be the most powerful device in its class, its unique features and decent performance make it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. Overall, the Realme 11x is a competent choice for those seeking a reliable and feature-packed affordable 5G smartphone.
Performance
The Realme 11X is a formidable contender in the affordable 5G smartphone segment, but can it carve out its unique space? To answer that, let's dive into its performance. Firstly, the device boasts a 6.72-inch IPS LCD screen with a sharp full HD Plus resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz. While this sounds impressive, many apps on the Realme 11X will typically run at lower refresh rates such as 60Hz or 90Hz due to optimization issues. Under the hood, the Realme 11X is powered by Mediatek's new 6 nanometer Diamond City 6100 Plus chipset. This might not be the most powerful processor in its class, but it manages day-to-day performance with ease. The device can also handle short gaming sessions without any hiccups. However, it's worth noting that you can get Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 powered smartphones within this price range, which is undoubtedly a superior chipset in every regard. Despite this, the Realme 11X still manages to deliver decent performance for its segment. In terms of multitasking and general usage, the device performs admirably. However, it's not without some minor annoyances. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner occasionally requires multiple attempts for accuracy, which can be frustrating. Despite these minor issues, the Realme 11X is still a competent performer in its class. It gets the fundamentals right and does everything well enough. If you're looking for a reliable budget smartphone with decent performance, the Realme 11X might just fit the bill.