The Indian mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 9 5G and Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G represent compelling options for 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. While both target similar price points, they diverge significantly in charging technology and chipset choice, creating a clear distinction for potential buyers. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing convenience and speed, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is the better choice. Its 67W charging dramatically reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 695 provides solid, efficient performance. However, the Realme 9 5G remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget who can tolerate slower charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 10 | 2022, March 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 14 | Available. Released 2022, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back |
| Dimensions | 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 42 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stargaze White, Meteor Black | Mirage Blue, Phantom White, Stealth Black |
| Models | RMX3388 | 2201116SI |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.74 W/kg (body) | - |
Realme 9 5G (India)
- Potentially lower price point
- Dimensity 810 offers decent CPU performance
- Functional 5G connectivity
- Slow 18W charging
- Likely less refined software experience
- Potentially inferior thermal management
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India)
- Blazing-fast 67W charging
- Snapdragon 695 offers better sustained performance
- Likely more polished software experience
- Higher price compared to Realme 9 5G
- No OIS on the camera
- May not offer a significant camera upgrade
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a flagship-level display, but details are scarce regarding panel technology beyond the basic LCD/AMOLED distinction. The focus here isn't on cutting-edge features like LTPO. However, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ likely benefits from Xiaomi's established display calibration expertise, potentially offering more accurate colors. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price segment. Without specific nit brightness data, it's difficult to declare a clear winner, but Xiaomi generally prioritizes display quality in the Note series.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensor, a direct comparison is challenging. Both phones likely feature multi-camera systems with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and macro lenses. However, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+’s camera system is likely to be more refined, benefiting from Xiaomi’s image processing algorithms. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device is a drawback, particularly in low-light conditions. The 2MP macro cameras on both are largely marketing filler and offer limited practical value. Image quality will likely be comparable in good lighting, but the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ should pull ahead in challenging scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm), featuring a 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), with a 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver setup. While both are 6nm chips, the Snapdragon 695 generally exhibits better sustained performance and thermal management due to Qualcomm's optimizations. The slightly lower clock speeds on the Snapdragon 695 are offset by its architectural advantages. Both likely pair with LPDDR4X RAM, limiting memory bandwidth. The Realme 9 5G might show a slight edge in raw CPU benchmarks, but the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ should offer a smoother experience during prolonged gaming or multitasking.
Battery Life
This is where the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G truly shines. While battery capacity is not specified, the 67W wired charging (with PD3.0 and QC3 support) is a game-changer. Xiaomi claims a 50% charge in 15 minutes and 100% in 42 minutes. The Realme 9 5G, with its 18W charging, will take significantly longer to fully charge, potentially exceeding two hours. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts usability and convenience. Even if the Realme 9 5G has a slightly larger battery capacity, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+’s faster charging effectively mitigates any capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 9 5G (India) if you need a functional 5G phone with decent performance and are willing to compromise on charging speed and potentially overall refinement. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G (India) if you prioritize fast charging, a more polished user experience, and don't mind spending a bit more for the convenience of a significantly quicker power-up time.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 695 is known for its relatively efficient thermal performance. While some throttling is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the 695 generally manages heat better than the Dimensity 810, leading to more consistent frame rates over longer periods. Xiaomi's thermal management solutions also contribute to keeping temperatures in check.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Realme 9 5G in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G can go from 0% to 50% in just 15 minutes and fully charge in around 42 minutes. The Realme 9 5G, with its 18W charging, will likely take well over two hours to reach 100%. This means significantly less downtime and more time using your phone with the Redmi Note 11 Pro+.
❓ Is the camera on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G a significant upgrade over the Realme 9 5G?
While both phones likely have similar camera hardware on paper, Xiaomi's image processing algorithms and software optimizations generally result in better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is likely to produce more detailed and vibrant photos.
