The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the Tecno Pova 5G and Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G are two key players vying for dominance. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take distinctly different approaches to performance, charging, and display quality. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and a brighter, more visible display, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is the stronger choice. However, users who prioritize raw CPU performance for demanding tasks will find the Tecno Pova 5G’s Dimensity 900 a more compelling option.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 27 | 2022, January 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 27 | Available. Released 2022, February 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 172.8 x 78.2 x 9.1 mm (6.80 x 3.08 x 0.36 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 | - | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~389 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 113.1 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
2 MP
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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | Yes | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 42 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aether Black | Graphite Gray, Polar White, Atlantic Blue |
| Models | LE8 | 21091116I, 2201116SG |
| Price | About 270 EUR | € 120.33 / $ 230.00 / £ 319.00 |
| SAR | - | 1.05 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 115h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 288914 (v8), 382902 (v9)
GeekBench: 2063 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Pova 5G
- More powerful CPU for demanding tasks
- Efficient 6nm Dimensity 900 chipset
- Competitive battery endurance
- Significantly slower 18W charging
- Display specifications are unknown and likely inferior
- Camera details are limited
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
- Blazing-fast 67W charging with PD3.0/QC3
- Brighter 746 nit display for outdoor visibility
- Generally smoother user experience
- Less powerful CPU compared to the Tecno Pova 5G
- Snapdragon 695 may throttle under sustained load
- Camera performance relies heavily on software processing
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G boasts a significant advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 746 nits. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight, a common pain point for smartphone users. While the Tecno Pova 5G’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls short of this brightness level given the Redmi’s positioning. The Redmi’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical AMOLED panel, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors, further enhancing the viewing experience. The lack of detailed display specs for the Pova 5G makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Redmi clearly leads in this category.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive comparison is challenging. However, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G’s brand reputation suggests a more refined image processing pipeline and potentially better low-light performance. The prevalence of 2MP macro cameras on both devices suggests these are largely marketing features and unlikely to deliver significant photographic value. The absence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) details for either phone indicates a reliance on software stabilization, which can introduce artifacts in video recording.
Performance
Under the hood, the Tecno Pova 5G features the Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6nm), utilizing a more powerful CPU architecture with its 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores. This contrasts with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) and its 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Dimensity 900 generally offer higher single-core performance, beneficial for responsive app launches and smoother multitasking. However, the Snapdragon 695 is known for its efficient power consumption and optimized 5G modem. While both chips are built on a 6nm process, the architectural differences suggest the Pova 5G will excel in CPU-bound tasks, while the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G may offer better sustained performance due to potentially superior thermal management.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 115 hours, indicating comparable overall battery life. However, the charging experience is where they diverge dramatically. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G’s 67W wired charging, supporting PD3.0 and QC3, is a game-changer, achieving 50% charge in just 15 minutes and a full charge in 42 minutes. The Tecno Pova 5G’s 18W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably more time to reach full capacity. This difference in charging speed caters to different user needs – the Redmi for those who need a quick power boost, and the Pova for those who don’t mind a longer charging cycle.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pova 5G if you need a phone that can handle sustained, CPU-intensive workloads like video editing or demanding mobile games, and aren't overly concerned with charging speed. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G if you prioritize a vibrant display for media consumption, incredibly fast 67W charging, and a generally smoother user experience for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 in the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G prone to overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 695 is efficient, sustained gaming can lead to thermal throttling. However, Xiaomi's thermal management solutions typically mitigate this, offering a playable experience, albeit potentially with reduced frame rates over extended periods. The Tecno Pova 5G's Dimensity 900 may offer slightly better sustained performance due to its more powerful CPU architecture, but this depends on the Pova's cooling system.
❓ How does the 67W charging on the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G compare to standard fast charging?
67W charging is significantly faster than typical 18W or 25W fast charging solutions. The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G can reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes and 100% in 42 minutes, minimizing downtime. This is a substantial advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Does the Tecno Pova 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
While the context data doesn't explicitly state carrier aggregation support for the Tecno Pova 5G, the Dimensity 900 chipset generally supports carrier aggregation, which can significantly improve 5G download and upload speeds in areas with good network coverage. However, actual performance will depend on the carrier and network conditions.
