Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5Gvsvivo V23 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G

vivo V23 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G

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.

vivo V23 Pro

The Vivo V23 Pro is the company's newest premium mid-ranger, boasting a sleek design with a curved AMOLED display and UV-reactive dye that changes color under certain light conditions. The phone's build quality is impressive, with a lightweight yet sturdy frame and Shot Sensation Alpha Glass on the front. The V23 Pro's performance is also commendable, thanks to its Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM. While it may not be as fast as some other flagship devices, it handles gaming and day-to-day tasks with ease. The phone's battery life is respectable, lasting around 110 hours on a single charge. One of the standout features of the V23 Pro is its camera system, which includes a high-resolution main camera, an ultrawide lens, and a macro cam. While the main camera lacks optical image stabilization and advanced autofocus capabilities, it produces excellent stills in good light conditions. Low-light performance is also impressive, with minimal noise and good detail. The front-facing camera setup, on the other hand, is particularly strong, with a 50-megapixel snapper that takes excellent selfies. The accompanying secondary camera offers decent, if not spectacular, results. Video recording capabilities are also noteworthy, with smooth footage from the main camera and decent shots from the ultrawide lens. Overall, the Vivo V23 Pro is a well-rounded device that excels in specific areas, particularly content creation for social media. However, its price tag may be prohibitive for some buyers, making other premium mid-rangers like the Xiaomi 11i a more attractive option for those seeking overall value.