Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G review
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is a budget mid-ranger that shares similarities with other Redmi Note 11 phones. Its design, while sleek, doesn't particularly stand out, resembling the Poco M4 Pro 5G more than its own lineage. The camera bump, however, does make a statement. The phone's display is a 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a 1080p resolution and fast 90Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and swiping. However, it lacks deep blacks and HDR support, and max brightness is average at around 420 nits. Storage is expandable via microSD, but the phone's battery life is one of its redeeming qualities, rivaling the Poco M4 Pro 5G with a 5,000mAh power cell. The Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset provides decent performance for everyday tasks, but it lags behind current rivals in CPU and GPU tests. The camera setup features a 50MP main cam, an 8MP ultra-wide cam, and a 2MP macro cam. Daytime photos are solid with good color rendition and detail, while night mode improves dynamic range significantly. However, low-light performance is inconsistent, and ultra-wide shots lack detail in low light. Selfies, on the other hand, are impressive with plenty of detail and pleasing colors. Video recording maxes out at 1080p resolution, with decent dynamic range but soft footage from both cameras. The Redmi Note 11S 5G's price is attractive, but it's hard to get excited about a phone that doesn't bring anything new to the table. It's essentially the same as last year's Poco M4 Pro 5G, and competitors have since improved upon its specs. While it's a solid budget mid-ranger, it's not particularly memorable.
Build Quality and Design
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G's build quality and design are quite similar to its counterparts in the Redmi Note 11 series. Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that this phone is most closely matched with last year's Poco M4 Pro 5G in terms of specs. Physically, the Note 11S 5G boasts a curved back that sparkles in the light, reminiscent of the Poco M4 Pro 5G. The back and frame are made of plastic, but despite this, the phone doesn't feel cheap overall. In fact, one of the standout features is the fancy-looking camera bump, which adds to the device's visual appeal. One notable difference between the Note 11S 5G and its predecessors is the main camera setup. The former has a lower resolution than some of its counterparts, with a similar configuration found on the Poco M4 Pro 5G. This includes a macro cam, as well as a different 13-megapixel selfie cam. Design-wise, there isn't much to distinguish the Note 11S 5G from other phones in the series. The display is a 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a 1080p resolution and fast 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth experience for users. However, it's worth noting that this panel doesn't quite match up to AMOLED displays in terms of contrast and deep blacks. Overall, while the Note 11S 5G's build quality and design are solid, they don't necessarily break new ground or offer significant improvements over previous models. Still, the phone's overall aesthetic is pleasant and functional, making it a reliable choice for those in need of a budget-friendly option.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11S 5G boasts an impressive 5000mAh power battery, which is identical to its predecessor, the Poco M4 Pro 5G. This behemoth of a battery promises to deliver extended usage and better battery life. In our tests, the Redmi Note 11S 5G consistently scored high in terms of battery endurance. We measured an impressive 131 hours in our proprietary tests, which is nothing short of remarkable for a mid-range smartphone. With such a large capacity, users can expect to go about two days without needing to recharge, making it perfect for those who need a phone that can keep up with their busy lives. Additionally, the Redmi Note 11S 5G comes with a 33W fast charging adapter, which quickly juices up the battery from zero to 50% in just half an hour. This feature is particularly useful for users who tend to use their phones heavily and need a quick top-up during the day. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by the Redmi Note 11S 5G's battery performance. With its massive power bank and efficient charging capabilities, this phone can easily withstand even the most demanding usage scenarios. Whether you're a casual user or an avid gamer, the Redmi Note 11S 5G's battery life will undoubtedly impress.
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G boasts a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with a 1080p resolution and a fast 90Hz refresh rate. This provides a smoother swiping and scrolling experience compared to standard 60Hz panels, although the adaptive refresh rate can drop down to 30Hz when idling to save energy. The panel itself is quite vibrant, with good sharpness at around 400 PPI and colors that can be accurately tuned in settings. However, it lacks those deep blacks you'd get on an AMOLED display, and even among LCDs, the contrast isn't the best around. HDR support is also absent here. In terms of brightness, the Redmi Note 11S 5G measures about 420 nits with the manual slider, which can boost up to 510 nits in auto mode. While this is decent, it's not exceptional. One notable feature of the display is its responsiveness and touch accuracy, making everyday interactions a joy. However, if you're looking for top-notch visuals or HDR support, you may want to consider other options. Overall, the display on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G gets the job done, but it's not particularly standout in this price segment. Despite some minor drawbacks, the display is still a solid part of an otherwise impressive package. If you're looking for a reliable and feature-packed mid-ranger, the Redmi Note 11S 5G is certainly worth considering – just don't expect to be blown away by its display alone.
Camera
The camera setup on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is quite typical for its price point. The primary camera boasts a 50-megapixel sensor, which takes solid photos during the day with pleasant colors and good dynamic range. However, there's a hint of artificiality in capturing fine details like grass. Portraits turn out decent with good subject separation, but may suffer from blown highlights in challenging lighting conditions. The ultra-wide camera doesn't deliver a lot of detail, and its shots are not the sharpest. Nonetheless, the colors, contrast, and dynamic range are commendable. Macro close-ups, captured using the 2-megapixel sensor, offer an interesting perspective but lack quality, with low detail, muted colors, and limited dynamic range. Low-light performance is a mixed bag. In well-lit scenes, the primary camera does fairly well, delivering good detail and balanced exposure. However, in darker conditions, the output becomes inconsistent, resulting in less detail and overly dark shadows. Night mode helps alleviate these issues by improving dynamic range, especially in the shadows, and enhancing color reproduction. Selfies from the Redmi Note 11S 5G are a highlight, offering plenty of detail, pleasing colors, and an acceptable level of dynamic range. Video recording tops out at 1080p resolution, with footage from the primary camera being soft but possessing decent dynamic range and saturated colors. The ultra-wide camera's video is generally softer, with more limited dynamic range. Both cameras feature always-on electronic stabilization, which works well without introducing focus hunting issues. Overall, while the Redmi Note 11S 5G's camera setup has its strengths, it doesn't particularly stand out in a crowded budget mid-range segment where competitors often offer better value for money. The Redmi Note 11S 5G's camera capabilities are solid but not exceptional. While daytime shots and selfies impress, low-light performance is inconsistent, and video recording is merely average. If you're in the market for a budget mid-ranger with decent cameras, this might be worth considering, but if you're looking for something more impressive, there may be better options available.
Price and Value
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is the latest addition to the Redmi Note series, and while it's similar to its predecessors, it closely matches the specs of last year's Poco M4 Pro 5G. This raises questions about whether this is a meaningful refresh or simply another rehash. Priced similarly to the Poco M4 Pro 5G, the Redmi Note 11S 5G offers good value for its price. It features a curved back with a fancy-looking camera bump, a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with a 1080p resolution and fast 90Hz refresh rate, stereo speakers, and expandable storage. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the Redmi Note 11S 5G is not significantly different from its predecessor in terms of performance. The Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset, which powers this device, was already considered mid-range last year. While it still handles everyday tasks without issues and features good thermal management, it lags behind many current rivals. Battery life is a highlight, with the Redmi Note 11S 5G scoring an impressive endurance rating of 131 hours in our tests. Charging speeds are also respectable, reaching 50% capacity in half an hour. While camera quality is decent for its price point, it's not exceptional. Daytime photos from the main camera are solid, but nighttime performance is less consistent. Ultra-wide camera shots lack detail, and macro close-ups are low-quality. Considering the competition, the Redmi Note 11S 5G feels like a solid budget mid-ranger rather than an exciting new release. The price-value ratio is still favorable, but it's hard to get excited about this device when there are better options available that offer more for less.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset, which is decent but nothing special considering its price point. This processor was also found in last year's Poco M4 Pro 5G, and while it performed well at the time, it now trails behind many current rivals in both CPU and GPU tests. In our benchmarking tests, the Redmi Note 11S 5G lagged behind several mid-range devices, indicating that it may not be as competitive as some of its contemporaries. However, this doesn't mean it can't handle everyday tasks; the phone still performs admirably in these situations. One area where the Redmi Note 11S 5G excels is thermal management. Our tests showed that the phone stays relatively cool even during demanding tasks, which is a testament to its efficient design. Battery life on the other hand is commendable, with an endurance rating of 131 hours in our proprietary tests. This means you can expect around 6-7 days of moderate use before needing to recharge. Charging speeds are also respectable, with the phone able to reach 50% capacity in just half an hour using the bundled 33W charger. In conclusion, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G's performance is decent, it's not particularly impressive considering its price point. The Dimensity 810 chipset may have been competitive last year, but now it seems like a step back from some of the newer mid-range devices on the market. Despite this, the phone still gets the job done for everyday tasks and offers respectable battery life, making it a solid budget option nonetheless.