The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo Y21t and Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 edges out the vivo Y21t thanks to its significantly faster charging, brighter display, and generally more polished software experience. While both share the same chipset, the Redmi Note 11 provides a more well-rounded package for the price.
| 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, 40 | 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 | 2022, January 03 | 2022, January 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 10 | 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 (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| 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/1.8, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 60 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Pearl White | Graphite Gray, Twilight Blue, Star Blue |
| Models | V2135 | 2201117TG, 2201117TI, 2201117TY, 2201117TL |
| Price | About 190 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 Y21t
- Clean and simple Funtouch OS
- Decent battery life
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Reverse wired charging (2.5W)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Less bright display
- Potentially less optimized software
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
- Faster charging (33W)
- Brighter display
- Potentially smoother software experience (MIUI)
- Excellent battery life
- PD3.0, QC3 support
- MIUI can be cluttered with pre-installed apps
- Camera performance may vary in low light
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 11 boasts a significantly brighter display (736 nits measured) compared to the Y21t, making it easier to see in direct sunlight. While both have similar resolutions, the Redmi Note 11's contrast ratio (infinite nominal) suggests better color accuracy and deeper blacks. The Y21t's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy of the Redmi Note 11.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable, with both phones offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is likely to be a weakness on both devices. The Redmi Note 11 might have a slight edge due to potentially better image processing algorithms within MIUI. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would be needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
Both phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset, so performance will be largely similar for everyday tasks. However, software optimization can play a role, and Xiaomi's MIUI often offers slightly smoother performance than vivo's Funtouch OS. Gaming performance will be adequate on both, but don't expect high frame rates on demanding titles.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11 shines in this category. While both offer excellent endurance ratings (126h), the Redmi Note 11's 33W charging is a game-changer compared to the Y21t's 18W. This means significantly faster charging times for the Redmi Note 11.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y21t is a good choice for users prioritizing a simple, reliable phone with decent battery life and a clean interface. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is ideal for those who value faster charging, a brighter display for outdoor use, and a slightly more feature-rich experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones offer exceptional battery life, with an endurance rating of 126 hours. However, the Redmi Note 11 charges significantly faster.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 chipset good for gaming?
The Snapdragon 680 is adequate for casual gaming, but don't expect to play demanding titles at high settings. Both phones will handle basic games smoothly.