The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Narzo 50 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, helping you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 edges out the Narzo 50 thanks to its more efficient chipset, brighter display, and faster charging capabilities. While the Narzo 50 offers a decent gaming experience, the Redmi Note 11 provides a more well-rounded package for everyday use and media consumption.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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, February 24 | 2022, January 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 03 | Available. Released 2022, February 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 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 | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | 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, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | 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 | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 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@30/120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | 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 | 33W wired | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 60 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Speed Blue, Speed Black | Graphite Gray, Twilight Blue, Star Blue |
| Models | RMX3286 | 2201117TG, 2201117TI, 2201117TY, 2201117TL |
| Price | About 610 EUR | £ 95.00 / € 97.99 / ₹ 11,950 |
| SAR | - | 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 Narzo 50
- Decent gaming performance
- 33W fast charging
- Competitive price
- Less efficient chipset
- Dimmer display
- Shorter battery life
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Excellent battery life
- Efficient chipset
- Faster charging (PD3.0, QC3)
- Gaming performance slightly behind Narzo 50
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 11 boasts a significantly brighter display (736 nits) compared to the Narzo 50, offering better visibility in sunlight. While both have similar resolutions, the Redmi Note 11's contrast ratio (infinite nominal) suggests richer colors and deeper blacks. The Narzo 50's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy of the Redmi Note 11.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer decent camera systems for their price range. The Redmi Note 11 likely has a slight advantage in image processing and low-light performance due to the Snapdragon 680's ISP. Both phones likely offer similar video recording capabilities, but the Redmi Note 11's image processing might result in slightly better video quality. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would be needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
The Snapdragon 680 in the Redmi Note 11 is more power-efficient than the Helio G96 in the Narzo 50, resulting in smoother overall performance and better battery life. While the Narzo 50's CPU has a slightly higher peak clock speed on some cores, the Snapdragon 680's efficiency and modern architecture give it an edge in real-world usage. The Narzo 50 might offer slightly better gaming performance in some titles, but the Redmi Note 11 handles everyday tasks with ease.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11 shines in the battery department, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 126 hours. This significantly surpasses what we'd expect from the Narzo 50. Coupled with its more efficient chipset, the Redmi Note 11 offers exceptional battery life, easily lasting a full day or more on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Realme Narzo 50 is a good choice for users prioritizing gaming performance on a tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is ideal for those seeking a balance of features, including a vibrant display, long battery life, and faster charging, making it a better all-around option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme Narzo 50 might offer slightly better gaming performance in some titles due to its chipset, but the Redmi Note 11 is still capable of handling most games smoothly.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 has significantly better battery life, with an endurance rating of 126 hours, compared to the Narzo 50.