Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Review – Not So Good Not So Bad

Redmi is among the first brands that come to mind when thinking about budget smartphones. Over the years, Redmi has continuously introduced new phones for budget customers looking for high-performance smartphones at a price that won’t break the bank. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, which debuted alongside the Redmi Note 11s, is the most recent phone to join this club.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is the successor of the Redmi Note 10, which was launched in India in March 2021. The Redmi Note 11 is the most basic version in the series, with good specs at a low price. The smartphone comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 and features quad cameras and a 90Hz AMOLED display. Now the real question is…is it really worth the money? Is it capable of being the best in its class? Let’s see what our Redmi Note 11 review has to say.

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 has a starting price of Rs. 13,499 for a 4GB RAM + 64GB storage option in India. For Rs. 14,499, you can get a 6GB + 64GB variant, and for Rs. 15,999, you can get a 6GB + 128GB variant. It is available in three colour options: Horizon Blue, Space Black, and Starburst White.

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If you are wondering what all items come packed inside the box of Xiaomi Redmi Note 11. Here are all the items listed:

• Redmi Note 11
• 33W Power adapter
• USB cable
• SIM eject tool
• Warranty card
• User guide
• Clear soft case
• Screen protector (pre-applied on the phone)

Before we talk in detail about the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, let’s see what the on-paper specs look like:

• Display: 6.43 inches AMOLED
• Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 680
• RAM & ROM: 4GB 64GB, 6GB 64GB, 6GB 128GB
• Software: Android v11
• Rear camera: 50MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP
• Selfie camera: 13 MP
• Battery: 5000 mAh
• Weight: 179 grams
• Dimensions: 159.8 x 73.8 x 8 mm

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 appears to be very similar to its predecessor, the Redmi Note 10. The two phones are nearly identical in terms of general design and even dimensions. While this may appear to be a drawback, it isn’t in reality. The Redmi Note 11 is a lightweight device that is easy to hold. It doesn’t drop into your pocket, and the phone’s aspect ratio allows you to use it comfortably with just one hand.

The front features a large display, thin bezels, a slightly thicker chin, and a punch hole notch, all in keeping with the trend. While the design is attractive, Xiaomi could have improved the build quality. I agree that its plastic body keeps the weight below 180 grams and gets prices down, but this does not feel as good to carry as its predecessor did.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 may not be the most attractive Note we’ve ever seen, but it has a great feel when you hold it in your hands. Despite having a huge battery behind the hood, it feels surprisingly thin and light. Other features include moderate dust-proofing and minimal water resistance (IP53, which means it’ll be fine in light rain for a few minutes), as well as a side-mounted fingerprint reader that we’ve found to be fast and accurate in use. I like how the camera unit does not really protrude far enough to make the phone wobble when placed on a desk.

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When it comes to the display, Redmi has made no compromises. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 features a stunning AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The 6.43-inch screen is Full HD+, and the contents appear to be bright and punchy. The colours are vibrant, with a lot of detail. Watching movies or youtube videos was a wonderful experience on this phone. Scrolling through Twitter and Instagram feeds seemed smooth and silky because of the 90Hz refresh rate.

It boasts a peak brightness of 1,000 nits and a touch sampling rate of up to 180Hz. This ensures that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 works well in everyday situations. On top of that, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protects the front. Because the phone supports Widevine L1, you’ll be able to stream FHD+ content on OTT apps. The Redmi Note 11 delivers the ultimate multimedia experience thanks to its high-quality AMOLED display and dual stereo speakers.

All in all, Xiaomi Redmi Note 11’s display is great, with no issues with viewing angles or using the phone outdoors.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset, 6GB RAM, and 128GB internal storage. It comes in two more RAM storage combinations: 4GB/64GB and 6GB/64GB, with storage expandable up to 1 TB using a microSD card. It can switch across apps and scroll through feeds without breaking a sweat. Opening apps was fairly quick for a mid-range smartphone.

The phone is more concerned with getting work done than with flexing its gaming muscles. It will quickly get through your daily tasks and dominate the casual gaming arena, but don’t expect it to cruise through high-end games with the same ease. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 ran well, particularly when switching to the 90Hz refresh rate.

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Opening social networking apps, browsing webpages in Chrome, having video calls, and other typical tasks are all well handled by the chipset, with a few pauses here and there. When it comes to gaming, the Snapdragon 680 falls short on performance. You will be able to enjoy some graphic-intensive games on the device, but not at maximum settings. BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile are best played with the lowest graphic settings and for a brief period of time. The Snapdragon 680 in Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is more focused on overall performance than on gaming.

Let us now turn our attention to the software. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 runs MIUI 13, which is based on Android 11. It’s simple to use, hassle-free, and quick to become used to. The smartphone does come with third-party applications pre-installed, but those can be uninstalled, and the annoying ads are also pretty much gone.

The user interface is feature-rich yet not overbearing. The new Sidebar feature, which puts your favourite apps at your fingertips, is very useful. That is the plus point of the UI, however, the OS on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 has a fault in that it is still running an older version of Android out of the box. It runs Android 11, which is a bummer given that Android 12 has been around for a while and is also being found in mid-segment smartphones (For example, the Vivo T1 5G).

Multitasking, app scrolling, and app opening were all quick and simple. In addition, the animation now appears to be smoother. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 has a quad-camera setup on the back that includes a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor. It sports a 13MP selfie camera on the front. The only difference between it and its predecessor is the primary camera. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10, on the other hand, offered a 48MP camera. Aside from the specifications, Redmi Note 11’s camera delivers a real mix of results.

Before you continue reading, ignore the 2MP+2MP sensors; they were inserted for the sake of numbers, and they won’t accomplish much more than serving as a showcase.

Hands down, the 50MP primary camera is the headliner of this camera setup. In good lighting conditions, it delivers great details and bright colours. As the light dims, though, the details suffer. Portrait mode looks good, with plenty of bokeh. However, edge detection was not always accurate. The 8MP ultrawide lens is good for providing you with a different perspective, but that’s about it. It takes photos with a low amount of detail. They’re okay to look at as long as you don’t zoom in.

The macro lens does not capture very detailed close-up photos. I recommend that you use the main lens and get as near to the subject as possible. The depth sensor likewise does not appear to make a significant improvement in portrait shots.

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That 13MP selfie camera takes good pictures that you may use and share on social media. In the daytime, portrait shots look great, and the bokeh effect can be adjusted afterwards.

Both the back and front cameras of Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 are capable of recording videos in 1080p@30fps. For well-lit conditions, the video quality is adequate, however, there is no EIS. As a result, the videos are shaky and unsteady.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 has a 5,000mAh battery capacity with 33W Pro fast charging support. Aside from the specs, the Redmi Note 11 is a solid performer in everyday life. The phone may easily last a day and a half on a single charge. It easily holds out for a day whether you decide to indulge in a movie binge or long gaming sessions. However, using the 90Hz option drains the battery more quickly.

A 33W fast charger is included in the box for charging. Pro charging technology is supported by the fast charger and MIUI 13. The 33W charger takes around 60 minutes to fully charge the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 from 0 to 100 per cent. The charging speed is quite impressive for a budget smartphone, which is a cherry on the top.

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 comes with a set of stereo speakers that work flawlessly. You also get a secondary mic for noise cancellation. Overall, the audio quality is good, and the call quality is also decent.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 does not have 5G connectivity. Despite the availability of newer technology, Redmi kept the device on Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 as connectivity options. From the security angle, the fingerprint sensor on the side works well every time. It has never missed or slowed down while unlocking the phone during my time with it.

Pros

• 90Hz refresh rate screen
• 5000 mAh battery
• 33W fast charging
• RAM extension up to 8GB
• 50MP AI Quad camera

Cons

• No 5G connectivity
• No dust and water resistance
• No NFC