vivo Y21 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 11: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the vivo Y21 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 takes the crown. Its superior chipset, faster charging, brighter display, and generally better camera performance outweigh the vivo Y21's strengths. While the Y21 is a decent option, the Note 11 offers a more compelling overall package.

PHONES
Phone Names	vivo Y21	Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

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, 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	2021, August 20	2022, January 26
Status	Available. Released 2021, August 20	Available. Released 2022, February 09

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	-
Dimensions	164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 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	182 g (6.42 oz)	179 g (6.31 oz)
	-	IP53, dust and splash resistant

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size	6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)	Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
GPU	PowerVR GE8320	Adreno 610
OS	Android 11, Funtouch 11.1	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, HyperOS

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
	-	UFS 2.2

Main Camera
Dual	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro)	-
Features	LED flash	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	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)	13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)	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	5.0, 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	FM radio	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 Direct	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	18W wired	33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 60 min
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Diamond Glow, Midnight Blue	Graphite Gray, Twilight Blue, Star Blue
Models	V2111	2201117TG, 2201117TI, 2201117TY, 2201117TL
Price	About 180 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)

vivo Y21

Affordable
Decent battery life
Lightweight design

Outdated chipset
Slow charging
Mediocre camera
Dim display

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

Powerful chipset
Fast charging
Bright and vibrant display
Good camera
Excellent battery life

Slightly more expensive than Y21
Design may not appeal to everyone

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 11 boasts a significantly brighter display (736 nits vs. likely around 400-450 nits for the Y21), offering better visibility outdoors. While both have similar resolutions, the Note 11's contrast ratio (infinite) suggests richer colors and deeper blacks. The Y21's display is adequate, but the Note 11 is noticeably superior.

Camera Comparison

While both offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Redmi Note 11 is expected to deliver better image quality thanks to the Snapdragon 680's image signal processor (ISP). The Note 11 likely has a more versatile camera system with potentially more features. The Y21's camera is functional but lacks the refinement of the Note 11.

Performance

The Snapdragon 680 in the Redmi Note 11 is a clear winner. Its 6nm process offers better efficiency and performance compared to the Y21's Helio P35 (12nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the Note 11. Gaming performance will also be considerably better.

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the Redmi Note 11 achieving an endurance rating of 126 hours. The Redmi Note 11 also has significantly faster charging (33W vs 18W), allowing for quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the vivo Y21? Users prioritizing a very basic smartphone experience with a focus on affordability above all else. Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11? Anyone seeking a well-rounded budget phone with a good display, capable camera, and faster performance.