The Oppo A11s and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The A11s leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 460, while the Redmi Note 8 2021 opts for MediaTek's Helio G85. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a slightly more modern chipset, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G85, built on a 12nm process, provides a noticeable edge in CPU and GPU performance compared to the Oppo A11s' Snapdragon 460, despite both offering 18W charging and similar battery endurance ratings.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 27 | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 27 | Available. Released 2021, May 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.23 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, White | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black |
| Models | - | M1908C3JGG |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1487:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 180195 (v8), 165779 (v9)
GeekBench: 5259 (v4.4), 1314 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A11s
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chipset offers a known and reliable platform.
- Potentially lower price point depending on retailer.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Less powerful CPU and GPU compared to the Helio G85.
- Likely lower peak display brightness.
- May exhibit more noticeable slowdowns with multitasking.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021
- More powerful MediaTek Helio G85 chipset for better performance.
- Brighter display for improved outdoor visibility.
- Potentially better camera performance due to ISP capabilities.
- MediaTek chipset may not have the same level of software support as Qualcomm.
- Slightly higher price point compared to the Oppo A11s.
- Potential for slightly higher power consumption.
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a contrast ratio of 1487:1, suggesting similar visual characteristics in terms of black levels and color depth. However, the Redmi Note 8 2021 boasts a measured peak brightness of 620 nits, significantly exceeding what we'd expect from the A11s based on its market positioning. This brighter display translates to better outdoor visibility. While both lack high refresh rates, the Redmi Note 8 2021’s higher brightness provides a more pleasant viewing experience in various lighting conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the context data lacks specifics. Given the price bracket, we can assume both rely on relatively basic camera sensors. The Redmi Note 8 2021, historically, has offered more competitive camera performance in its segment, likely due to MediaTek’s image signal processor (ISP) capabilities. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Redmi Note 8 2021 likely provides a more versatile camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 8 2021’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) features a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the Oppo A11s’ Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) with its 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 and 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240 setup. The Helio G85’s Cortex-A75 cores offer a substantial performance uplift in single-core tasks, while the 12nm process allows for higher clock speeds. Although the Snapdragon 460 benefits from a slightly smaller node size, the architectural advantages of the Helio G85 translate to a more responsive user experience, particularly in gaming and app loading times.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A11s and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 share an endurance rating of 102 hours and 18W wired charging. This suggests comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. The 18W charging, while not exceptionally fast, should provide a reasonable recharge time. The efficiency of the respective chipsets will play a role in real-world battery performance, but the similar endurance rating indicates a balanced approach to power consumption.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A11s if you prioritize a Qualcomm chipset and are looking for a reliable, basic smartphone experience for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 if you prefer a more capable processor for occasional gaming or demanding applications, and value the potential for slightly smoother multitasking and a brighter display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G85 in the Redmi Note 8 2021 get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Helio G85 is a capable processor, it's built on a 12nm process. Expect some heat generation during prolonged gaming. However, the Redmi Note 8 2021's thermal design should prevent significant throttling, allowing for sustained performance, though not at peak levels for extended periods.
❓ Is the 18W charging on either phone fast enough for quick top-ups throughout the day?
18W charging is considered moderate in today's market. It won't provide extremely rapid charging, but it's sufficient for topping up the battery during breaks or overnight. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours, depending on usage.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates and security patches?
Oppo generally provides consistent software support for its devices. However, Xiaomi has significantly improved its update cadence in recent years. Both brands are likely to offer at least a couple of major Android updates, but the Redmi Note 8 2021 might receive slightly faster updates due to its wider popularity.
