Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ review
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is a mid-range device that brings two distinct models: one with a 4G chipset and the other with a 5G capable one. Despite their differences in chipsets, both devices share an identical look and feel, along with nearly the same specs. The phone's design features a flat glass back and plastic frame with a matte metallic finish, making it sleek and minimalistic. The IP53-rated dust and splashproofing is a premium feature that returns from last year. Both devices have a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution, Gorilla Glass 5 protection, and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ has a 108MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP macro cam, and a depth sensor. While the camera performance is decent for its class, it lacks HDR10 support and 4K video recording, which was available on last year's model. In terms of performance, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ has a MediaTek Helio G96 chipset, which is less powerful than the one in the 5G version. As a result, the battery life is also not as long-lasting, with a 100-hour endurance compared to the 5G model's 150 hours. The phone's cameras produce good results, especially in low-light conditions and portrait mode. However, the ultrawide camera struggles with dynamic range and noise reduction. Selfies from the 16MP front camera are also decent but lack resolved detail. Overall, while the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ has some standout features like its AMOLED display and fast charging, it falls short of last year's model in terms of performance and camera capabilities. Its price is also not competitive with other devices on the market, making it a less desirable option for those seeking value.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro boasts an impressive build quality and design that sets it apart from its competitors. The phone's flat glass back and plastic frame give it a sleek and minimalistic look, reminiscent of premium devices. The matte metallic finish adds a touch of sophistication, making the device feel substantial in hand. One of the standout features is the IP53 rating for dust and splashproofing, a welcome addition that provides an extra layer of protection against accidental drops or exposure to water. This feature was also carried over from last year's model, demonstrating Xiaomi's commitment to delivering value to its customers. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display on the Redmi Note 11 Pro is a treat for those who appreciate vibrant colors and deep blacks. The resolution of 1080p ensures sharp visuals, while the fast refresh rate of 120Hz provides smooth scrolling and swiping experiences. In terms of design, the phone's flat build gives it a unique look that sets it apart from other mid-range devices. While some may find the lack of curved edges or rounded corners to be a drawback, others will appreciate the clean and minimalist aesthetic. The attention to detail in the Redmi Note 11 Pro's design is evident in its thoughtful placement of ports and buttons. The fingerprint reader integrated into the power button is particularly well-executed, making it easy to access biometric authentication without compromising the phone's sleek design. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro delivers a compelling package when it comes to build quality and design. Its flat glass back, IP53 rating, and minimalist aesthetic make it a standout in its class, while its attention to detail ensures that every aspect of the device feels well-thought-out and polished.
Battery Life
The battery life of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro is an area where it falls short compared to its 5G counterpart. Despite sharing the same 5000mAh capacity, our tests revealed that the vanilla model scored a 100-hour endurance rating, whereas the 5G model achieved an impressive 115 hours. While still a respectable score, this means that users can expect around 4-5 hours of additional battery life from the 5G version. This is not surprising, given the more power-efficient Mediatek Helio G96 chipset powering the latter. In daily use, we found that the Redmi Note 11 Pro's battery life was mostly smooth, with only occasional hiccups and dips below the 10% threshold. However, it didn't quite match the sustained performance of its 5G sibling, which is likely to last a full day without needing to be recharged. Given this discrepancy in battery life, it's essential for potential buyers to weigh their priorities. If you're not too concerned about having the latest 5G connectivity and can live with slightly shorter battery life, then the vanilla Redmi Note 11 Pro might still be an excellent choice. Nevertheless, if you value more prolonged use between charges, the 5G model is likely the better option.
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ boasts an impressive display that's sure to impress. The 6.67-inch AMOLED screen is a treat for the eyes, with vibrant colors and deep blacks that bring out even the smallest details. One of the standout features of this display is its fast 120Hz refresh rate, which makes movement on screen feel silky smooth. Whether you're scrolling through social media or playing games, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+'s display ensures a seamless experience. In terms of brightness, the display shines with a maximum output of 470 nits, which can boost up to 750 nits in auto mode. This means that even in bright sunlight, the screen remains clear and easy to read. The resolution is a respectable 1080p, providing plenty of detail without being too sharp. The colors are accurate and natural-looking, with no hint of over-saturation or under-saturation. One thing worth noting is that the display doesn't support HDR10, which may be a disappointment for some. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise excellent display. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ has a stunning display that's perfect for watching videos, browsing through apps, or simply enjoying your favorite games. If you're in the market for a new phone with a great screen, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is definitely worth considering.
Camera
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is a mid-range smartphone that boasts an impressive camera setup. The device features a 108MP main camera, paired with an 8MP ultrawide, a 2MP macro cam, and a depth sensor. One of the standout features of the Redmi Note 11 Pro+'s camera is its ability to capture high-quality 12MP photos with plenty of resolved detail, low noise, and accurate colors. The dynamic range is also impressive, but not over-the-top. However, it's worth noting that the images are noticeably over-sharpened, which can be distracting at times. Portrait mode photos are a highlight of the camera experience, with well-exposed subjects, detailed, and colorful backgrounds. The separation between the subject and background is proficient, making for some impressive portrait shots. The 8MP ultrawide camera also takes decent photos, albeit not as sharp as those from the main cam. However, it's great to see that Xiaomi has included a night mode feature for the ultrawide camera, which results in sharper images with more detail and lower noise. Low-light photos from the main camera are also good for this class of smartphone. The color saturation and contrast are well-balanced, and the exposure is true to life. While some noise reduction may occur, turning on the night mode feature can result in a sharper image with restored highlights and more detail in shadows. Unfortunately, low-light photos from the ultrawide camera are barely usable, with dark images and smeared details. Selfies taken with the 16MP front camera are likable, with accurate colors, great contrast, low noise, and well-exposed subjects. However, the resolved detail is not as impressive as some might have hoped for. Video recording capabilities are also worth mentioning, albeit somewhat disappointing. Unlike last year's model, there's no support for 4K video recording, with both the main and ultrawide cameras capped at 1080p. However, the resulting videos from the main camera are good, with enough resolved detail, likeable colors, and decent dynamic range. Electronic stabilization is also always on, which can be helpful when shooting video. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+'s camera setup is impressive, but not without some minor caveats. While it may not surpass last year's model in terms of quality, it still takes great photos and videos that are sure to please enthusiasts and casual users alike.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro is an interesting device that brings two variations to the table: one with a 4G chipset and another with a 5G capable one. The vanilla model, which I'll be focusing on in this review, seems like a solid option for those who don't need 5G connectivity. The Redmi Note 11 Pro boasts an impressive design, with a sleek flat glass back and a matte metallic finish that gives it a premium feel. It's also IP53 rated dust and splashproof, which is a welcome feature at this price point. The display is another highlight, featuring a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a 1080p resolution, gorilla glass 5 protection, and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. The camera setup is decent for its class, with a 108MP main camera that produces good-quality photos, particularly in bright conditions. The ultrawide camera also performs well, although it's not as impressive. However, the Redmi Note 11 Pro's biggest weakness lies in its price and value proposition. At Rs [insert price], this phone is actually more expensive than last year's Redmi Note 10 Pro, which had a slightly better chipset. This, combined with the absence of 4K video recording, makes it harder to recommend over other options in the same price range. While the Redmi Note 11 Pro is a solid device on its own, its value for money is somewhat compromised by these factors. Ultimately, the vanilla Redmi Note 11 Pro will appeal to those who prioritize camera quality and don't mind a slightly lower battery life. However, if you're looking for better value or more features, you may want to consider other options in the market.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro is a mid-range smartphone that boasts an impressive feature set. However, its performance is where it falls short compared to last year's model and other competitors. Under the hood lies the Mediatek Helio G96 chipset, which is built on a 12nm process. This sets it apart from the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, but unfortunately, it's also a downgrade from last year's Redmi Note 10 Pro. In CPU tests, the Note 11 Pro performed similarly to its predecessor, but slightly behind the 5G model. GPU tests revealed lower scores compared to both the 5G variant and other competitors. In real-world use, the phone is mostly smooth, with occasional hiccups here and there. The thermals are good, but this is far from a gaming phone. As a result of the different chipset, some aspects are also distinct from the 5G model, such as battery life. Despite sharing the same 5000mAh battery, the vanilla Redmi Note 11 Pro scored a 100-hour endurance rating in our tests, whereas the 5G model achieved a higher rating of 115 hours. Unfortunately, this performance difference is reflected in other areas, making the phone feel less future-proof than its predecessor. While it's still an impressive device overall, those considering a mid-range smartphone might want to look elsewhere for better value and performance.
Pros
1. The phone's flat build looks sleek and premium with its matte metallic finish.
2. The AMOLED screen is quite nice for a midranger, offering plenty of sharpness (400 PPI), deep blacks, and decent color accuracy.
3. The camera setup is pretty decent, especially when it comes to portrait photos, which come out great with well-exposed subjects, detailed colors, and proficient separation.
4. The phone has fast charging capabilities, with 67W quick charging that can charge the device from 0 to 78% in half an hour.
5. The Redmi Note 11 Pro has a responsive fingerprint reader built into the power key, which is blazing fast.
6. The speakers are good, offering balanced sound with decent mids and highs, although there's a slight lack of bass compared to the 5G model.
7. Low-light photos from the main camera are good for the class, with accurate color saturation and contrast.
Cons
1. The phone's chipset is slower compared to last year's Redmi Note 10 Pro, which might be a drawback for those who need more processing power.
2. You lose 4K video recording capabilities on this device, which might be a disappointment for some users.
3. Battery life takes a hit compared to the 5G model, so if you're looking for a phone with long-lasting battery life, this one might not be the best choice.
4. The camera processing on the Redmi Note 11 Pro is slightly different from the 5G model, which results in more over-sharpened photos.
5. While selfies are likable, the resolved detail isn't that impressive compared to other phones.
6. Videos recorded by the ultrawide cam are only usable up to a certain distance, and low-light videos are barely useable.