The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, a bold experiment with a curved edge display, faced a unique market. Now, it's pitted against the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, a modern mid-range powerhouse. Can the Note Edge's innovation hold up against the Redmi's contemporary features and value?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is the clear winner. While the Note Edge offered a unique display, the Redmi boasts significantly better battery life, faster charging, a more modern chipset, and a brighter display, all at a much more competitive price point. It's a modern all-rounder.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28 - SM-N915G | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps or Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2014, November | 2022, January 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, February 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 151.3 x 82.4 x 8.3 mm (5.96 x 3.24 x 0.33 in) | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 174 g (6.14 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~524 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.6 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~77.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450 | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm APQ8084 Snapdragon 805 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 420 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard), 1/2.6", 1.12µm, AF, OIS | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, stereo sound rec. | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 3.7 MP, f/1.9 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1440p@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 | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, UV, heart rate, SpO2 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC2 | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 42 min |
| Music play | Up to 67 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 18 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Graphite Gray, Polar White, Atlantic Blue |
| Models | SM-N9150, SM-N915A, SM-N915D, SM-N915F, SM-N915FY, SM-N915G, SM-N915K, SM-N915L, SM-N915P, SM-N915R4, SM-N915S, SM-N915T, SM-N915V, SM-N915W8, SM-N915X, SC-01G | 21091116I, 2201116SG |
| Price | About 300 EUR | € 120.33 / $ 230.00 / £ 319.00 |
| SAR | - | 1.05 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.24 W/kg (head) 0.33 W/kg (body) | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -93.3dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 68h
|
Endurance rating 115h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.799 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 72dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 70dB
|
-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1255Basemark X: 17108 |
AnTuTu: 288914 (v8), 382902 (v9)
GeekBench: 2063 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -95.9dB / Crosstalk -93.3dB | - |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 68h | Endurance rating 115h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.799 (sunlight) | 746 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 72dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 70dB | -25.8 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | Basemark OS II 2.0: 1255Basemark X: 17108 | AnTuTu: 288914 (v8), 382902 (v9)
GeekBench: 2063 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
- Unique curved edge display
- Relatively compact size
- Outdated chipset
- Poor battery life
- Slow charging
- Limited software support
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
- Excellent battery life
- Fast charging (67W)
- Modern chipset (Snapdragon 695 5G)
- Bright display
- 5G connectivity
- Good value for money
- Design is somewhat generic
- Camera could be better in low light
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G's 746 nits max brightness provides a far superior viewing experience, especially outdoors. While the Note Edge's curved edge was innovative, the Redmi's flat display offers better usability and readability. Both claim 'infinite' contrast ratio, a nominal term, but the Redmi's overall display quality is significantly better.
Camera Comparison
While both offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G likely has a more advanced camera system with better image processing and potentially higher resolution sensors. The Note Edge's camera, while decent for its time, is outdated by today's standards. Specific sensor details are missing for both, but the Redmi is expected to perform better.
Performance
The Snapdragon 695 5G in the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G offers a substantial performance advantage over the Note Edge's Snapdragon 805. The Redmi's newer architecture and 6nm process provide better efficiency and power. The Redmi's octa-core CPU also outperforms the Note Edge's quad-core processor in everyday tasks and gaming.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G's 115h endurance rating is a massive improvement over the Note Edge's 68h. Furthermore, the Redmi's 67W charging is incredibly fast, reaching 50% in just 15 minutes and 100% in 42 minutes – a feature completely absent in the Note Edge.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is for collectors or those seeking a rare, nostalgic device. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is ideal for budget-conscious users who want a reliable smartphone with a great display, decent camera, and long battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge still worth buying?
Only for collectors or those interested in experiencing a unique, albeit dated, piece of smartphone history. It's not a practical choice for everyday use.
❓ What is the biggest advantage of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G?
Its exceptional battery life and incredibly fast 67W charging, combined with a modern chipset and a bright display, make it a fantastic value for the price.
