realme 11x 5G review
The Realme 11X is a brand-new contender in the affordable 5G smartphone market, but can it carve out its own space amidst the sea of choices? The phone boasts a distinctive shimmering back panel and a 6.72-inch IPS LCD screen with a sharp full HD Plus resolution. With a mediatek Diamond City 6100 Plus chipset, up to 8GB of RAM, and a large 5000mAh battery, the Realme 11X seems like a reliable all-day companion. But does it live up to its promise? Let's dive in and find out.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme 11x boasts a striking shimmering back panel with an S-shaped gradient that catches the eye. The purple Dawn color of our review unit does a commendable job of masking fingerprints, but the circular camera island is off-center, which may not appeal to everyone's taste. This design quirk also makes the phone wobble on flat surfaces. The device's flat sides accommodate tactile and clicky buttons, aligning with its budget-conscious positioning. The plastic construction is fitting for a phone in this price range, but it's still impressive that Realme has managed to achieve such a premium look and feel without breaking the bank. The inclusion of a headphone jack is a welcome surprise, especially for those who prefer wired audio over TWS earbuds. Additionally, the dedicated slot for a Micro SD card is a feature that's often overlooked in modern smartphones, but it's great to see Realme including it here. However, one area where the 11x falls short is with its side-mounted fingerprint scanner. In my experience, it occasionally required multiple attempts to accurately register fingerprints, which can be frustrating for users who rely on biometric security. Overall, while the Realme 11x's build quality and design are solid, they're not necessarily standout features that set it apart from other affordable smartphones. However, the attention to detail in certain areas, such as the headphone jack and Micro SD card slot, shows that Realme is committed to delivering a premium experience at an affordable price point. In terms of aesthetics, the 11x's shimmering back panel is undeniably eye-catching, but its off-center camera island may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, this phone's design effectively conveys its value proposition: a feature-packed smartphone that's available at an unbeatable price.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Realme 11x is its massive 5000mAh battery, making it a reliable all-day companion for those who use their phone extensively. The large capacity ensures that even with heavy content consumption, you're unlikely to run out of juice by the end of the day. The included 33W charger also deserves praise, providing quick top-ups when needed. This is particularly useful in today's fast-paced world where phones are often used on-the-go. Whether it's a marathon gaming session or an endless loop of social media scrolling, the Realme 11x's battery can handle even the most demanding users. In my experience, I found that the battery life was more than sufficient to get through a day without needing to be plugged in. Even with moderate use, including some light gaming and video streaming, I still had around 20% of charge left by the evening. While other aspects of the phone, such as its performance and camera capabilities, are also noteworthy, the Realme 11x's battery life is undoubtedly one of its strongest features. If you're in the market for an affordable 5G smartphone with a reliable power source, the Realme 11x should definitely be on your radar.
Display
The Realme 11X boasts a stunning 6.72-inch IPS LCD screen with a sharp full HD+ resolution. The display is enhanced by a refresh rate of 120Hz, which is commendable for a budget-friendly phone like this. When viewed from various angles, the display maintains decent clarity and its peak brightness is impressive, especially in outdoor settings. However, a common challenge with budget-friendly phones like the Realme 11X is the refresh rate optimization. As a result, despite having the capacity to run at 120Hz, many apps on the device typically run at lower refresh rates such as 60Hz or 90Hz. This may be frustrating for users who are accustomed to seamless performance. In terms of display quality, the Realme 11X gets the job done but doesn't particularly stand out from its competitors. The colors are vibrant and the screen is responsive, making it suitable for general use such as browsing, social media, and video streaming. However, for those who value a superior display experience, there may be other options available within this price range. The Realme 11X's display has some minor drawbacks, but overall, it provides a satisfactory viewing experience. The inclusion of a headphone jack is a pleasant surprise, adding to the phone's overall usability and appeal. With its decent display, the Realme 11X offers a solid value proposition for those seeking an affordable 5G smartphone. While it may not be the best in class, it does everything well enough to make it a worthwhile consideration for budget-conscious buyers. One notable feature of the Realme 11X is its support for 120Hz refresh rates, although this can be inconsistent depending on the apps being used. In general use scenarios, the display performs admirably, making it suitable for everyday tasks and entertainment.
Camera
The Realme 11x boasts a quad-camera setup, with the primary sensor being a 64-megapixel shooter. While this is a welcome upgrade in terms of megapixels, its performance is where it truly shines. The dynamic range and details captured by this sensor are impressive for a budget smartphone, rivaling those found on pricier devices. The camera's ability to capture nuanced colors and contrast is particularly noteworthy, with a slight boost in saturation that never feels unnatural or overdone. In ideal lighting conditions, the Realme 11x's main camera takes photos that would make even mid-range smartphones blush. However, when it comes to low-light photography, the results are less impressive. While still serviceable for casual snaps, the lack of a dedicated low-light mode or noise reduction feature means that photos often suffer from noticeable grain and loss of detail. A 2-megapixel depth sensor accompanies the main camera in a separate cutout, which is used to generate bokeh effects in portraits. The results are decent, if not spectacular – the edge detection can be a bit off at times, but overall, it's a passable feature for those who enjoy experimenting with portrait modes. Videos shot on the Realme 11x also show some promise, capturing a respectable level of detail and clarity. However, the complete lack of any form of video stabilization is a significant omission, making handheld shots prone to shaky footage. In contrast, the 8-megapixel front camera is decent for a budget smartphone, taking passable selfies that are enhanced by the Realme UI's built-in beauty modes. However, it struggles in challenging lighting conditions, often producing washed-out or overly processed-looking photos. Overall, while not perfect, the Realme 11x's camera setup is one of its strongest features. With some minor tweaks and improvements, especially in low-light photography, it could be a truly top-notch offering for those on a budget. As it stands, however, it's still a solid choice for casual photographers who want a reliable device that can take decent photos without breaking the bank.
Price and Value
In the ever-growing affordable 5G smartphone segment, the Realme 11x stands out as a brand new contender. The question remains whether it can carve out its unique space in a crowded market. After extensive use, I'd say it's a resounding yes. Priced aggressively, the Realme 11x offers incredible value for money. Its 6.72-inch IPS LCD screen boasts a sharp full HD Plus resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz, making it perfect for gaming and video consumption. While some apps may run at lower refresh rates, this is a common challenge in budget-friendly phones. The Realme 11x is powered by Mediatek's new 6 nanometer Diamond City 6100 plus chipset, which delivers seamless performance in day-to-day use. Although not as powerful as the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, it still handles gaming sessions with ease. The inclusion of a headphone jack and dedicated Micro SD card slot are also welcome surprises. The camera setup is impressive, with a 64-megapixel primary sensor that captures great dynamic range and details. While video recording lacks stabilization, the photos taken by this device are commendable for its price segment. Battery life is another highlight, with a massive 5000mAh power bank that lasts an entire day even with heavy content consumption. The included 33-watt charger provides quick top-ups, making it perfect for today's fast-paced world. In conclusion, the Realme 11x offers an exceptional value proposition in its price segment. It gets the fundamentals right and delivers impressive performance, camera quality, and battery life. While gamers may find more powerful options available, this phone is ideal for those who want a reliable all-day companion without breaking the bank.
Performance
The Realme 11x is a brand new contender in the ever-growing affordable 5G smartphone segment, and one of the key questions surrounding it is whether it can carve out its unique space in a crowded market. To address this, let's dive into what makes this phone tick. Under the hood, the Realme 11x is powered by MediaTek's new 6 nanometer Diamond City 6100 Plus chipset, paired with up to 8 GB of RAM as standard. In day-to-day use, there were no hiccups or noticeable slowdowns, making it suitable for general tasks such as browsing, social media, and streaming. When it comes to gaming, the 11x can handle short sessions without any issues, although it's worth noting that you may encounter some limitations in this regard. The Dimensity 6100 Plus chipset is a capable performer, but it can't match the power of more premium chipsets like the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, which is also available in this price range. In terms of overall performance, the Realme 11x does an admirable job. It's quick to launch apps and navigate through menus, making it feel snappy and responsive. The UI, based on Android 13 with a layer of Realme UI 4 on top, is generally easy to use and intuitive, although some minor annoyances remain. One area where the Realme 11x does shine is in its ability to run for extended periods without needing a recharge. With a large 5000mAh battery on board, you can expect to get through an entire day of use without issues, making it a reliable companion for those who need a phone that just works. Overall, the Realme 11x performs admirably given its price point and specifications. While it may not be the most powerful smartphone on the market, it's certainly a competent performer in its own right.
Pros
1. The Realme 11x boasts a distinctive shimmering back panel with a graceful s-shaped gradient.
2. The purple Dawn color does a commendable job of masking fingerprints.
3. The device has tactile and clicky buttons on its flat sides, aligning with its budget-conscious positioning.
4. The inclusion of a headphone jack is a pleasant surprise for those not into TWS earbuds.
5. A dedicated slot for a Micro SD card is a great feature that more smartphones should have.
6. The 6.72-inch IPS LCD screen has a sharp full HD+ resolution and enhanced by a refresh rate of 120Hz.
7. The Dimensity 6100 Plus chipset can handle day-to-day performance without any hiccups.
8. The Realme UI 4 based on Android 13 is commendable, with reduced intrusive ads and spammy notifications.
Cons
1. The circular camera island is off-center, which may not be to everyone's taste.
2. It makes the phone wobble quite a bit on a flat surface.
3. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner occasionally required a few tries for accuracy.
4. The refresh rate optimization can result in apps running at low refresh rates like 60Hz or 90Hz.
5. You get Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 powered smartphones within this price range, which is undoubtedly a superior chipset.
6. Some frustrations remain with the glance lock screen and hot games and apps folders on the software front.
7. The lack of stabilization in videos is a big bummer for the camera.
8. The 8-megapixel front camera has the tendency to produce washed-out photos in challenging scenarios.