Realme C35 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 11: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme C35 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 emerges as the clear winner. Its superior Snapdragon chipset, faster charging, brighter display, and generally better camera performance outweigh the Realme C35's more affordable price. It's a worthwhile investment for a smoother, more feature-rich experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Realme C35	Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 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, February 10	2022, January 26
Status	Available. Released 2022, February 14	Available. Released 2022, February 09

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	-
Dimensions	164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 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	189 g (6.67 oz)	179 g (6.31 oz)
	-	IP53, dust and splash resistant

Display
Protection	Panda Glass	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size	6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)	AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
Chipset	Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm)	Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MP1	Adreno 610
OS	Android 11, Realme UI 2.0	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, HyperOS

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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	8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Triple	50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	-
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video	720p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers
	-	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Radio	FM radio	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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
	-	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	18W wired	33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 60 min
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Glowing Black, Glowing Green	Graphite Gray, Twilight Blue, Star Blue
Models	RMX3511	2201117TG, 2201117TI, 2201117TY, 2201117TL
Price	£ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999	£ 95.00 / € 97.99 / ₹ 11,950
SAR	1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 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 126h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 228044 (v8), 244526 (v9) GeekBench: 1662 (v5.1) GFXBench: 6.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme C35

More affordable
Decent design
Large display

Weaker chipset
Slower charging
Lower display brightness
Less capable camera

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

Better performance
Faster charging
Brighter display
Improved camera
More premium feel

Slightly more expensive
May lack some niche features

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 11 boasts a significantly brighter display (736 nits vs. likely lower on the C35), making it easier to view in sunlight. While both offer decent color reproduction, the Redmi Note 11's contrast ratio (infinite nominal) suggests better blacks and overall image quality. The C35 likely uses a standard LCD panel, while the Redmi Note 11 uses an AMOLED panel.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Redmi Note 11 is expected to have a better camera system overall. The Snapdragon 680 typically pairs with better image processing algorithms, and Xiaomi generally prioritizes camera quality in their Redmi Note series. Expect better dynamic range, detail, and low-light performance from the Redmi Note 11.

Performance

The Redmi Note 11's Snapdragon 680 4G chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the C35. The Snapdragon offers better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience. The 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.

Battery Life

Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings (126h), suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Redmi Note 11's 33W fast charging is a significant advantage, allowing for much quicker top-ups compared to the C35's 18W charging.

Buying Guide

The Realme C35 is a good option for users on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability above all else and don't need high performance. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is ideal for those seeking a well-rounded budget phone with a good display, decent camera, and reliable performance for everyday tasks.