Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S review
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is a mid-range smartphone that offers a unique blend of features from the vanilla Redmi Note 11 and the more expensive Note 11 Pro. This phone is designed to provide the best combination of specs at an affordable price point. The design of the Redmi Note 11S is identical to its predecessor, with a curved glass back and plastic frame. The IP53 rating ensures splash-proofing, and the device's build feels sturdy and lightweight. The 6.43-inch AMOLED display is similar to the vanilla model, featuring a 1080p resolution, Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and a 90Hz refresh rate. The Redmi Note 11S runs on a Helio G96 chipset, which provides decent performance for day-to-day tasks but lags behind competitors in graphics scores. The battery life is impressive, with a 5,000mAh power bank that lasted 133 hours in our tests. Charging speed is also satisfactory, with the phone able to reach 59% charge in just 30 minutes. The camera setup on the Redmi Note 11S is identical to its predecessor, featuring a 108MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2MP macro cam, and a depth sensor. The primary camera produces excellent images with high detail, accurate colors, and good dynamic range. Night mode support provides significant improvements in low-light conditions. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers decent performance, impressive battery life, and a capable camera system. While it may not be the most competitive device at this price point, particularly for gamers, it's still a great option for those seeking an affordable, feature-packed phone.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is the latest addition to the company's popular mid-range lineup, offering a unique blend of features that make it stand out from its competitors. In this review, we'll take a closer look at what makes this device tick, focusing specifically on its build quality and design. The Redmi Note 11S boasts a sturdy and lightweight construction, made from curved glass with a plastic frame. The build feels premium to the touch, and the phone's overall design is nearly identical to that of its predecessor, the Redmi Note 11. Even the camera bump brings the same style, although it does protrude slightly more due to the upgraded main camera. One of the standout features of the Redmi Note 11S is its IP53 rating for splash proofing. This means you can rest assured that your device will withstand accidental splashes and spills with ease. The phone's weight is also evenly distributed, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The display on the Redmi Note 11S is a 6.43-inch AMOLED panel with a 1080p resolution, protected by Gorilla Glass 3. While not as large or feature-rich as some other devices in its class, this screen still manages to deliver decent color accuracy and sharpness, making it suitable for general use. In terms of overall build quality, the Redmi Note 11S is a solid package that feels premium without breaking the bank. While it may not be as flashy or feature-rich as some other devices in its class, it's certainly an improvement over some of Xiaomi's earlier offerings. The Redmi Note 11S offers a great balance of features and affordability, making it an attractive option for those looking for a reliable mid-range device. While it may not be perfect, this phone's solid build quality and well-designed display make it a worthy consideration for anyone in the market for a new smartphone.
Battery Life
In a sea of mid-range smartphones that often prioritize specs over substance, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S stands out with its astonishing battery life. This souped-up version of the regular Redmi Note 11 boasts an impressive 5,000mAh power battery, which is no surprise given the trend in modern smartphones. In our tests, the Redmi Note 11S managed to score a remarkable 133 hour endurance rating, far surpassing its competitors. This means that you can expect up to 5-6 days of moderate use on a single charge, making it perfect for those who need a phone that lasts all week without needing a recharge. The phone's charging speed is also impressive, thanks to the included 33W Xiaomi fast charger. We were able to juice up the phone from zero to 59% in just half an hour, making it ideal for busy days when you're always on-the-go. While the Redmi Note 11S may not be a powerhouse in terms of performance or camera capabilities, its battery life is truly exceptional. It's a testament to Xiaomi's commitment to providing phones that are both feature-rich and long-lasting. If you're in the market for a phone that can keep up with your daily demands without needing a recharge every night, the Redmi Note 11S is definitely worth considering.
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S boasts a stunning 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution, protected by Gorilla Glass 3 and featuring a 90Hz refresh rate. While not as large or feature-rich as the Pro model's screen, this display still impresses. Colors are fairly accurate out of the box, and you can achieve great accuracy through color profiles and tweaks. However, there's no HDR support, which might be a drawback for some users. On the bright side, brightness is respectable, with a measured maximum of around 460 nits using the manual brightness slider. In auto mode, it boosts to an impressive 740 nits in bright conditions. The display's deep blacks and good sharpness make for a great visual experience. While not as smooth as the Pro model's 120Hz refresh rate, the 90Hz on the Note 11S still provides noticeably smoother swiping and scrolling. When idle, it dials back to 60Hz to save energy. The screen is also IP53 rated splash-proof, adding a layer of protection against accidental spills or splashes. While not the most premium display in its class, the Redmi Note 11S's AMOLED screen is still a solid choice for everyday use and budget-conscious buyers. Its performance is more than adequate for general usage, making it an excellent value for the price.
Camera
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S boasts an impressive camera setup, particularly with its main cam that's identical to the one found in the more expensive Note 11 Pro 4G. This 108-megapixel shooter is a significant upgrade over the standard Redmi Note 11 and produces excellent results. One of the standout features of this camera is its proficient noise reduction capabilities. The photos taken with it are clean, detailed, and accurately colored, with a good balance between sharpness and dynamic range. In bright conditions, the main cam delivers top-notch results, making it perfect for capturing everyday moments or stunning landscapes. In low-light situations, the Note 11S' main camera also performs admirably. It provides plenty of detail, maintains a nice balance between sharpness and noise reduction, and accurately captures colors and dynamic range. The addition of Night mode support further enhances the experience, offering improved contrast, less noise, and more saturated colors. The ultra-wide camera, on the other hand, struggles in low-light conditions, producing noisy images with dull colors. However, it fares better in well-lit situations, delivering photos with decent detail and true-to-life colors. The 16-megapixel front-facing camera is also worth mentioning, as it takes decent selfies with accurate colors, good exposure, and low noise. While the Redmi Note 11S doesn't support 4K video recording, its 1080p capabilities are commendable. The main cam delivers plenty of detail, accurately colored footage with natural-looking dynamic range. The ultra-wide camera's 1080p videos also impress, offering decent detail and true-to-life colors. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S' main camera is a significant strength in this device. Its proficient noise reduction capabilities, excellent low-light performance, and impressive 1080p video recording capabilities make it a compelling option for those seeking a reliable mid-range smartphone with great imaging capabilities.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is a souped-up version of the regular Redmi Note 11, featuring an upgraded main camera and chipset from the larger and more expensive Note 11 Pro. This blend of features raises questions about whether this phone has the best combination out there. Priced competitively at its launch point, the Redmi Note 11S offers a lot for its price tag. The device's build quality is sturdy and relatively lightweight, with IP53-rated splash proofing that adds to its durability. The 6.43-inch AMOLED display is a highlight, offering deep blacks, good sharpness, and accurate colors. One of the major selling points of the Redmi Note 11S is its price-to-performance ratio. At its launch point, it offered a competitive balance between features and cost. However, with time and the rise of other mid-range devices, this might not be as true anymore. In terms of value, the Redmi Note 11S is certainly better than the vanilla Redmi Note 11 while staying more compact than the Redmi Note 11 Pro. However, that doesn't say a whole lot when considering this year's lineup is nothing too impressive anyway. You can find much better options in the competition or even last year's model. Overall, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S offers a solid value proposition, but it's essential to weigh its pros and cons against other available mid-range devices on the market. If you're looking for a reliable device with good battery life and camera capabilities, the Redmi Note 11S might be worth considering.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is an interesting device that sits somewhere between the vanilla Redmi Note 11 and the more premium Note 11 Pro. One of the key areas where it excels, or rather, holds its own, is in performance. Under the hood, you'll find a MediaTek Helio G96 chipset, which is built on a 12 nanometer process. This provides middle-of-the-road CPU performance for the class, and unfortunately, puts it near the bottom of the charts when compared to its competitors. While this doesn't necessarily mean the Redmi Note 11S will struggle with day-to-day tasks, you may encounter some stuttering or hiccups from time to time. For gamers, there are definitely better options out there. The Redmi Note 11S's graphics scores are not impressive, and it falls short of its competitors in this regard. In contrast, the Note 11 Pro's chipset performed better, but at a higher price point. Battery life, however, is where the Redmi Note 11S truly excels. With a 5,000mAh power battery, it managed to score an impressive 133-hour endurance rating in our tests, outperforming even the more expensive Pro model with its bigger screen. While the Helio G96 chipset may not be the most powerful option available, it still gets the job done for general use cases. Just don't expect lightning-fast performance or top-notch gaming capabilities from this device. Overall, the Redmi Note 11S's performance is average at best, but its battery life is a redeeming quality that makes it worth considering for those who prioritize all-day usage.
Pros
1. The Redmi Note 11S has really good battery life, with a 133 hour endurance rating in our tests.
2. The main camera takes excellent photos for its class, high in detail and with balance sharpness, accurate colors, and adequate dynamic range.
3. The phone's AMOLED display is great, with deep blacks, good sharpness, and fair color accuracy that can be improved with tweaks and settings.
4. The Redmi Note 11S has decent sound quality from its stereo speakers, with nice mids and well-presented highs.
Cons
1. The chipset performance is not competitive at this price, especially for gamers, as it scores near the bottom of the charts in graphics tests.
2. The phone's processor will stutter or hiccup from time to time, making it less suitable for heavy use and gaming.
3. The Redmi Note 11S has a relatively weak ultra-wide camera, with low detail levels and dynamic range, although colors look nice.