Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 review
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is a budget-friendly midranger that promises quite a bit of value. It has a slightly curved glass back with a smooth matte finish, a flat plastic frame, and IP53 rated protection against dust and light splashes. The phone boasts a 6.43 inch AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution, gorilla glass 3 protection, and a fast 90Hz refresh rate. Performance is a mixed bag, with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset delivering decent CPU scores but struggling with graphics performance. However, it excels at thermal management and has great battery life, lasting up to 126 hours in our tests. The camera setup includes a 50MP main cam, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro cam, producing decent photos but with some noise and poor dynamic range. The phone's interface is Xiaomi's MIUI13 running on top of Android 11, which is straightforward and similar to previous versions. The Redmi Note 11 has a side-mounted fingerprint reader and expandable storage. Overall, it offers a solid build, nice display, stereo speakers, and great battery life, making it a good option for those seeking a budget device. However, alternatives with more powerful chipsets and 4K video recording are available, including last year's Redmi Note 10 model.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11's build quality is its strongest suit. The phone's slightly curved glass back provides a premium feel, while the smooth matte finish adds to its aesthetic appeal. The flat frame made of plastic may seem like an odd choice, but it doesn't detract from the overall sturdiness of the device. One of the notable features of the Note 11 is its weight. Despite packing a large battery, the phone feels surprisingly light in the hand. This is likely due to Xiaomi's efficient use of materials and design choices. The IP53 rating also provides protection against dust and light splashes, making it a reliable option for everyday use. The build quality is matched by the attention to detail in the design. The Note 11 has a sleek, minimalist look that won't be easily mistaken for other mid-range phones. The curved glass back and matte finish create a smooth surface that's pleasant to hold. The chamfered edges and carefully placed cutouts add a touch of sophistication, making it clear that Xiaomi aimed to create something more than just a budget device. While the Note 11 may not break any new design ground, its build quality is undoubtedly impressive for a phone in this price range. It's clear that Xiaomi has prioritized craftsmanship over flashy features or bold design choices. The result is a phone that feels like a solid investment, even if it doesn't quite rival the premium offerings from other manufacturers. Overall, the Note 11's build quality and design make it a compelling choice for anyone seeking a reliable mid-range device with a touch of sophistication.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11's battery life is one of its standout features. Equipped with a 5000mAh power pack, this phone can easily last you a day and a half without needing to be recharged. In our proprietary tests, we found that it earned an impressive endurance rating of 126 hours. The phone ships with a 33W adapter, which may not be the fastest charger available, but it gets the job done. We were able to charge the phone from 0 to 51% in just half an hour, which is a decent pace for a budget device. One of the reasons behind this excellent battery life is the power-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset. This processor not only provides smooth performance but also helps to conserve battery life when you're not using demanding apps or games. The Redmi Note 11's battery life is one of its key selling points, especially considering its affordable price tag. With a phone that can easily last two days on a single charge, you'll be able to get through your day without worrying about running out of power.
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 boasts a stunning 6.43-inch AMOLED display that sets it apart from its competitors in the mid-range segment. The screen's vibrant colors and crisp details make it a joy to look at, with content looking sharp even at over 400ppi. One of the standout features of this phone is its fast 90Hz refresh rate, which provides a smoother scrolling experience than its predecessor, the Redmi Note 10. While not adaptive to save energy, certain apps can run at 60Hz to conserve battery life. The display's brightness is also commendable, with a max brightness of 465 nits in manual mode and boosting up to over 730 nits in auto mode when exposed to bright sunlight. This makes it easily viewable even in the brightest conditions. Colors on the AMOLED display can be accurate depending on the color profile and tweaks chosen in settings, although there's no HDR10 support. Black levels are also deep, thanks to the AMOLED technology used. The addition of Gorilla Glass 3 protection adds an extra layer of durability to the screen, making it more resistant to scratches and drops. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11's display is a significant upgrade over its predecessor and provides a top-notch visual experience for users. While some may find the lack of HDR10 support or adaptive refresh rate a drawback, the sheer quality and brightness of this AMOLED display make it a compelling selling point for anyone in the market for a new mid-range smartphone.
Camera
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is one of the many variants in the Redmi Note 11 series, and while it shares some similarities with its siblings, there are some notable differences, particularly when it comes to the camera. The Redmi Note 11 boasts a 50MP main camera, which is paired with an 8MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP macro cam, and a depth sensor. This setup is decent for a budget device, but it doesn't quite match up to some of its more expensive counterparts in the series. Photos taken with the main camera are passable, with a good amount of detail and true-to-life colors. Contrast isn't bad either, and the photos are sharp enough. However, shots can be noisy, particularly in the skies, and dynamic range is not stellar, often resulting in underexposed images. Portrait mode also delivers decent results, with subject separation that's comparable to some higher-end devices. The digital zoom from the main camera is surprisingly good too, retaining plenty of detail and avoiding softness. However, these shots are often plagued by similar issues as the unzoomed photos. The ultrawide camera, on the other hand, is a letdown, even for a budget phone. Processing is aggressive, resulting in blotchy, distorted, or pixelated fine details, especially with objects that are further away. At least exposure is slightly brighter than the main cam's. Closeups from the 2MP macro camera are surprisingly usable, with sufficient detail and colors that look fine too. However, low-light performance from the main camera is unimpressive, with plenty of noise and poor dynamic range. Enabling night mode only slightly brightens up shots but doesn't improve detail levels or reduce noise. Nighttime photos from the ultrawide cam are disappointing, being quite soft and dark without any night mode available to help out. Selfies from the 13MP front-facing camera are solid, with great detail and natural colors. One notable omission is the lack of 4K video recording support, which affects not just the Redmi Note 11 but all global variants in the series. However, 1080p video from the main cam is still alright, with decent detail and minimal noise. The ultrawide's footage also fares relatively well, though it struggles a bit more with dynamic range. Overall, while the camera on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is not terrible for its price point, it doesn't quite live up to expectations in some areas, particularly when compared to other devices in the series or from higher price brackets.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is a value-based midrange phone that promises quite a bit for its price. Priced around $200, it's an attractive option for those seeking a budget-friendly device without sacrificing too much in terms of features and performance. One of the standout aspects of the Note 11 is its build quality. The slightly curved glass back has a smooth matte finish, and the flat plastic frame feels sturdy despite its large battery capacity. IP53-rated protection against dust and light splashes adds to its appeal. The phone's display is another highlight. A 6.43-inch AMOLED screen with a 1080p resolution, gorilla glass 3 protection, and a fast 90Hz refresh rate make it a pleasure to use. The screen looks great for a budget device, with sharp content and deep blacks courtesy of the AMOLED technology. However, the Note 11's performance is where things get a bit mixed. While its CPU scores hold up well compared to last year's model and similarly priced phones, graphics performance leaves much to be desired. Gaming enthusiasts will find it difficult to enjoy smooth gameplay on this device. Battery life, on the other hand, is a different story. With a 5000mAh power pack, the Note 11 easily lasts a day and a half with moderate use. This makes it an excellent option for those who want a phone that can keep up with their daily needs without requiring frequent charges. In conclusion, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 offers great value for its price. While it may not be the most powerful or feature-rich device out there, its solid build quality, nice display, and impressive battery life make it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. However, those seeking more power or advanced features might find themselves better off with other options in this price range.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is a budget-friendly midranger that promises quite a bit of value. When it comes to performance, the phone has a mixed bag to offer. The device runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset, which is not as powerful as some of its siblings in the series. While it holds up pretty well compared to last year's model and other similarly priced phones, its CPU scores are nothing to write home about. The thermal management, however, is impressive, keeping the phone cool even during intense usage. Unfortunately, graphics performance is where the Redmi Note 11 falters. It sits at the bottom of the charts, making it not a device you'd want to use for much gaming. However, running day-to-day tasks is no problem whatsoever. One area where the Snapdragon 680 chipset excels is power efficiency. The phone has great battery life, with a massive 5000mAh power pack that earned an endurance rating of 126 hours in our tests. Charging speed isn't blazing fast, but it's solid. Despite its limitations, the Redmi Note 11 is still a capable device for general use. It's not a powerhouse, but it gets the job done without breaking a sweat. If you're looking for a budget-friendly phone that can handle everyday tasks with ease, the Redmi Note 11 might be worth considering. However, if you're a gamer or want a more powerful device, there are better options available in the same price range. Overall, while the performance of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is adequate, it's not particularly impressive. If you can find alternatives with more powerful chipsets and features like 4K video recording at similar prices, it might be hard to recommend the Note 11 over those options.