Umidigi F3S vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi F3S and Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and essential features at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with significant differences in chipset architecture and charging capabilities. This comparison will dissect these differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Umidigi F3S’s Unisoc T610. While the F3S offers a slightly lower entry price, the 11R’s faster charging and superior processing power justify the small premium.

PHONES
Phone Names	Umidigi F3S	Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands	-	1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	-	CDMA 800

Launch
Announced	2022	2022, September 30
Status	Available. Released 2022	Available. Released 2022, September 30

Body
Build	-	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	168.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.63 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)	164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	195 g (6.88 oz)	201 g (7.09 oz)

Display
Resolution	720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density)	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size	6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Unisoc T610 (12 nm)	Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPU	Mali-G52 MP2	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 11	Android 12, MIUI 13

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
	-	UFS 2.2

Main Camera
Dual	-	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
Features	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)	5 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	-	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
	-	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	No
Positioning	GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Wireless FM radio	No
USB	USB Type-C, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	10W wired	18W wired
Type	5150 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Hawaii Blue, Matte Silver, Starry Black, Sunglow Gold, Galaxy Blue	Black, Blue, Gray
Models	-	22095RA98C
Price	-	About 160 EUR

Umidigi F3S

Lowest possible price point
Functional for basic tasks
Acceptable battery life (assuming 5000mAh)

Slow Unisoc T610 processor
Slow 10W charging
Limited multitasking capabilities

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R

Faster Mediatek Dimensity 700 processor
Faster 18W charging
Smoother user experience
5G connectivity

Slightly higher price
Display quality likely similar to F3S

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the price point, details like panel type (likely IPS LCD for both) and resolution are not specified. However, the focus should be on the processing power needed to drive the display. The Redmi Note 11R’s more powerful GPU will likely handle scrolling and animations more smoothly, even if the raw resolution is similar. Bezels are expected to be comparable on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature a primary camera and potentially a depth or macro sensor. The Redmi Note 11R’s image signal processor (ISP), integrated within the Dimensity 700, is likely more advanced than the one in the Unisoc T610, resulting in better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The aperture of the main lens will be a key factor, but without that data, we can only infer that the Redmi Note 11R has a processing edge.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, fabricated on a 7nm process, is a significant upgrade over the Umidigi F3S’s Unisoc T610 (12nm). The Dimensity 700 utilizes Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, offering substantially better single-core performance than the F3S’s Cortex-A75 cores at 1.8 GHz. This translates to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. While both have octa-core CPUs, the architectural advantage of the Dimensity 700 is undeniable.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but both likely fall in the 5000mAh range, typical for this price bracket. The critical difference is charging speed. The Redmi Note 11R supports 18W wired charging, significantly faster than the Umidigi F3S’s 10W charging. This means the 11R can replenish its battery much quicker, minimizing downtime. While a larger battery capacity is always desirable, the faster charging of the Redmi Note 11R effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi F3S if you prioritize absolute lowest cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. You’ll need to be patient with charging times and accept limited multitasking capabilities. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R if you value smoother performance, faster app loading, and quicker charging, even if it means spending a bit more. This phone is better suited for users who enjoy occasional gaming or demand a more responsive user experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Redmi Note 11R’s Dimensity 700 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?

The Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. While not a dedicated gaming chipset, it offers a significant improvement over the Unisoc T610 in terms of GPU performance.

❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Umidigi F3S with its 10W charger?

With a 10W charger, a full charge from 0% on the Umidigi F3S (assuming a 5000mAh battery) will likely take over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4. This is a significant drawback compared to the Redmi Note 11R’s 18W charging.

❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Redmi Note 11R actually useful?

The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with readily available 5G networks, you’ll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds. However, if 5G is limited or unavailable, the benefit will be minimal.

❓ Does the Umidigi F3S support software updates?

Umidigi’s software update track record is less consistent than Xiaomi’s. While the F3S will likely receive some security updates, major Android version upgrades are less certain. The Redmi Note 11R is more likely to receive timely updates and security patches.