The Realme 9 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 are two popular contenders in the fiercely competitive budget smartphone market. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, from display quality to battery life, to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 9 edges out the Redmi Note 11 thanks to its superior battery life and slightly brighter display. While both share the same chipset, the Realme 9's endurance and screen visibility give it a slight advantage for everyday use. However, the Redmi Note 11's faster charging is a significant plus.
| 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, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 07 | 2022, January 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 12 | Available. Released 2022, February 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, dual pixel PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min, 100% in 75 min | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 60 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Meteor Black, Sunburst Gold, Stargaze White | Graphite Gray, Twilight Blue, Star Blue |
| Models | RMX3521 | 2201117TG, 2201117TI, 2201117TY, 2201117TL |
| Price | About 660 EUR | £ 95.00 / € 97.99 / ₹ 11,950 |
| SAR | 1.16 W/kg (head) 0.59 W/kg (body) | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 156h
|
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-30.4 LUFS (Below average)
|
-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 290097 (v9)
GeekBench: 1601 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.3fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 228044 (v8), 244526 (v9)
GeekBench: 1662 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 9
- Exceptional battery life
- Brighter display
- Sleek design
- Good value for money
- Charging speed slightly slower than Redmi Note 11
- Camera performance can be inconsistent in low light
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
- Faster charging speeds
- Compact design
- Good overall performance
- Competitive price
- Shorter battery life compared to Realme 9
- Display brightness slightly lower
Display Comparison
The Realme 9 boasts a measured peak brightness of 647 nits, offering better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Redmi Note 11's 736 nits. While the Redmi Note 11 has a higher peak brightness, the Realme 9's display is generally well-regarded for its color accuracy. Both feature an infinite contrast ratio (nominal), suggesting deep blacks and vibrant colors, though this is a standard marketing term.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Both phones offer versatile camera setups, typically including a main sensor, ultrawide lens, and macro lens. Image quality in well-lit conditions should be comparable, but low-light performance may vary. Realme 9 often has a slightly better main sensor.
Performance
Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G chipset and utilize the same Octa-core CPU configuration. Performance will be largely similar for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Don't expect flagship-level performance from either device, but they're capable enough for typical usage.
Battery Life
The Realme 9 shines in this category, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 156 hours, significantly outperforming the Redmi Note 11's 126 hours. While both support 33W wired charging, the Redmi Note 11 benefits from PD3.0 and QC3.0 compatibility, allowing for slightly faster charging times (60 minutes to 100% vs. 75 minutes for the Realme 9).
Buying Guide
The Realme 9 is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life and a brighter screen for outdoor visibility. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is a great choice for those who value faster charging speeds and a slightly more compact design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
Both phones offer similar gaming performance due to the same chipset. Expect playable frame rates in most games at medium settings, but don't expect high-end gaming experiences.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 11's faster charging worth it?
If you frequently need to top up your phone's battery quickly, the Redmi Note 11's faster charging is a definite advantage. However, the Realme 9's longer battery life might negate the need for frequent charging.
