Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5GvsXiaomi 12T

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G

Xiaomi 12T

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.

Xiaomi 12T

Xiaomi's new high-end phone, the 12T, offers numerous upgrades over its predecessor, the 11T. The device boasts a premium mid-range design, featuring a high-end display, high-resolution camera, and blazing fast charging capabilities. The screen has been upgraded to a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, boasting a higher resolution than last year's model. However, the display has lost Gorilla Glass Victus protection, settling for Gorilla Glass 5 instead. The phone still looks great, with a sharp pixel density of 446 PPI and deep blacks. The camera setup includes a 108-megapixel main cam with OIS, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide cam, and a 2-megapixel macro cam. While the main camera takes solid images with plenty of detail and balanced dynamic range, the fine detail rendition is somewhat peculiar, especially when shooting in 108-megapixel mode. The phone's performance is driven by a customized high-end chipset, the Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Ultra, which rivals Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 series chips in benchmarks. The device has a large 5,000mAh battery and supports fast charging at up to 120W, making it quick to top up with an endurance rating of 104 hours. While the phone's performance is solid, there are some drawbacks. The display lacks Dolby Vision support, and the selfie camera and macro camera are mediocre. However, for gamers, the device shines, offering excellent stability in thermal throttling tests and supporting high frame rate gaming. Overall, the Xiaomi 12T is a well-rounded upper mid-ranger that checks most boxes for potential buyers. While it may not be perfect, its balanced design, performance, and features make it an attractive option, especially considering its price point.