Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone? The Honor 8A 2020 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G are popular contenders. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, 5G connectivity, faster charging, and generally better camera performance outweigh the Honor 8A 2020's lower price point. It's a significant upgrade in almost every area.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 10. Released 2020, April 15 | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, April 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.3 x 73.5 x 8.2 mm (6.15 x 2.89 x 0.32 in) | 163.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Midnight Black, Twilight Blue, Star Blue |
| Models | - | 22031116BG |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1314:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360255 (v9)
GeekBench: 1820 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor 8A 2020
- Very Affordable
- Decent Battery Life
- Reliable Brand
- Outdated Chipset
- Lower Performance
- Basic Camera
- Slow Charging
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Performance
- Better Camera
- Fast Charging
- Brighter Display
- Slightly More Expensive
- No major design innovations
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 11S 5G boasts a brighter display (509 nits vs. likely around 350-400 nits for the Honor 8A 2020) and a similar contrast ratio (1314:1). While both offer decent viewing experiences, the Redmi Note 11S 5G's improved brightness makes it more comfortable to use outdoors. Both likely use IPS LCD panels.
Camera Comparison
While both phones have 'Photo / Video' listed, the Redmi Note 11S 5G is expected to have a more capable camera system. The Dimensity 810 chipset typically supports better image processing, and Xiaomi generally prioritizes camera quality in their Redmi series. Expect better detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the Redmi Note 11S 5G.
Performance
The Redmi Note 11S 5G's Mediatek Dimensity 810 is significantly more powerful than the Honor 8A 2020's Helio P35. The Dimensity 810's Cortex-A76 cores provide a substantial boost in CPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. The 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones claim impressive endurance ratings (131h). However, the Redmi Note 11S 5G's 33W fast charging is a major advantage, allowing it to recharge much faster than the Honor 8A 2020, which likely supports standard 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Honor 8A 2020 is best for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize affordability above all else and don't need 5G. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is ideal for those seeking a well-rounded experience with 5G, a better display, faster performance, and a more capable camera, even at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Honor 8A 2020 worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and don't need 5G or high performance. Otherwise, the Redmi Note 11S 5G offers significantly better value.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 11S 5G support 5G in all regions?
5G support depends on your carrier and region. Check compatibility before purchasing.