The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 11 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 11 boasts significantly faster charging and a potentially more powerful chipset. However, the Redmi Note 12 shines with exceptional battery life and a brighter display. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities: speed and performance versus endurance and screen quality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 31 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 31 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76 x 8.1 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.32 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 23mm (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, 0-50% in 17 min | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black (Glory Black), Sunrise Gold (Glory Gold) | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | RMX3780 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 230 EUR | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Realme 11
- Faster Charging (67W)
- Potentially better performance (Dimensity 6100+)
- Sleek Design (generally)
- Less impressive battery life
- Display brightness could be better
- Camera details are limited
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Brighter Display
- Excellent Value for Money
- Slower Charging (33W)
- Potentially less powerful chipset
- Design may be less premium
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, offering better visibility in sunlight. While the Realme 11's display is adequate, it lacks the same level of brightness. The Redmi Note 12's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent image depth, though this is a marketing term and real-world performance may vary.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. Based on general expectations for these price points, image quality will likely be similar, with both offering decent results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance may be a differentiating factor, but specific camera specs are needed for a definitive assessment.
Performance
The Realme 11's Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ generally offers a performance edge over the Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. The Cortex-A76 cores in the Realme 11's CPU provide a boost for demanding tasks and gaming. However, both phones are capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 absolutely dominates in battery life. Its endurance rating of 101 hours is exceptional, and active use lasting 10 hours and 58 minutes is impressive. The Realme 11's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the Redmi Note 12's longevity.
Buying Guide
The Realme 11 is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging and a smoother gaming experience. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a better choice for those who need a phone that can last all day and offers a vibrant display for media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme 11 likely offers a slightly better gaming experience due to its more powerful chipset, but both phones can handle casual games well.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12's 'infinite' contrast ratio a significant advantage?
The 'infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term. While it suggests good image depth, real-world performance may not be drastically different from other phones.
