The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y11 (2019), while an older model, remains available and represents a baseline for affordability. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021, a more recent release, aims to offer a more refined experience within the same price bracket. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the best option.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset delivers significantly better performance than the Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y11, and the 18W charging is a welcome upgrade. While both offer similar battery endurance ratings, the Redmi Note 8 2021 provides a more future-proof and responsive experience.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October 18. Released 2019, October | 2021, May 25 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.23 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.74 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Agate Red, Mineral Blue | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black |
| Models | 1906, 1906_20 | M1908C3JGG |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.94 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1487:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 180195 (v8), 165779 (v9)
GeekBench: 5259 (v4.4), 1314 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y11 (2019)
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Acceptable battery life
- Outdated processor
- Slow charging
- Likely inferior camera performance
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021
- Significantly better performance
- Faster 18W charging
- Brighter display
- More modern chipset
- Slightly higher price
- May still lack advanced features found in higher-end phones
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 boasts a noticeably brighter display, reaching a measured 620 nits compared to an unspecified brightness for the vivo Y11. Both share a 1487:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, the Redmi Note 8 2021’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While neither display is expected to feature high refresh rates, the Redmi Note 8 2021’s superior brightness makes it the clear winner for media consumption and general usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the vivo Y11. The Redmi Note 8 2021 likely features a more capable primary sensor, given its market positioning. It’s reasonable to assume the Redmi Note 8 2021 offers better image processing and potentially features like HDR and scene detection. Without specific details on the vivo Y11’s camera, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but the Redmi Note 8 2021 is expected to deliver superior image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021’s Mediatek Helio G85, with its 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, represents a significant architectural leap over the vivo Y11’s Snapdragon 439. The Helio G85 utilizes more modern CPU cores, offering better single-core and multi-core performance. The Snapdragon 439’s older Cortex-A53 cores, clocked at 1.95 GHz and 1.45 GHz, will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking. This translates to a snappier experience on the Redmi Note 8 2021, particularly in gaming and app loading times.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Redmi Note 8 2021’s 18W wired charging is a substantial advantage over the vivo Y11’s 10W charging. This means the Redmi Note 8 2021 can be topped up much faster, reducing downtime. While both will likely last a full day on a single charge for moderate users, the Redmi Note 8 2021 offers greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y11 (2019) if your primary need is a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and you prioritize absolute minimum cost. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 if you want a smoother user experience, better gaming capabilities, faster charging, and a more vibrant display, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio G85 in the Redmi Note 8 2021 capable of playing modern mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Helio G85 is specifically designed for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. The Snapdragon 439 in the vivo Y11 would struggle with these titles, likely requiring very low settings and experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ How much faster is the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 8 2021 compared to the 10W charging on the vivo Y11?
The 18W charging on the Redmi Note 8 2021 will significantly reduce charging times. While exact 0-100% times depend on usage, expect the Redmi Note 8 2021 to charge roughly 40-50% faster than the vivo Y11. This means less time tethered to a wall and more time using your phone.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 8 2021 have any bloatware pre-installed?
Xiaomi phones are known to include some pre-installed apps (bloatware). However, many of these can be uninstalled or disabled, allowing you to customize the software experience to your liking. The amount of bloatware varies depending on the region and carrier.
