The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Wiko Y81 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, faster charging, and generally better camera performance outweigh the Wiko Y81's potential cost savings. The 5G connectivity is also a significant advantage for future-proofing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 18. Released 2020, August 18 | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, April 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.9 x 76.1 x 8.3 mm (6.22 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 163.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 166 g (5.86 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Blue, Gold, Green | Midnight Black, Twilight Blue, Star Blue |
| Models | - | 22031116BG |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.61 W/kg (body) | 0.60 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1314:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360255 (v9)
GeekBench: 1820 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Wiko Y81
- Large Display
- Potentially Lower Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Weak Processor
- Slow Charging
- Subpar Camera
- No 5G
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
- Powerful Processor
- Fast Charging
- Better Camera
- 5G Connectivity
- Brighter Display
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 11S 5G boasts a brighter display (509 nits vs. likely around 380-420 nits for the Y81) and a slightly better contrast ratio, resulting in more vibrant colors and deeper blacks. While both offer a similar resolution, the Redmi's panel is noticeably more pleasing to the eye. Both likely use IPS LCD panels.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 11S 5G generally offers superior camera performance. While specific megapixel counts might be similar, the Dimensity 810's image signal processor (ISP) allows for better image processing, resulting in clearer, more detailed photos and videos. Low-light performance is also expected to be better on the Redmi.
Performance
Here's where the Redmi Note 11S 5G truly shines. The Mediatek Dimensity 810 is significantly more powerful than the Helio A20. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi. The Redmi's octa-core CPU is a substantial upgrade over the Y81's quad-core.
Battery Life
Both phones offer impressive battery life, with the Redmi Note 11S 5G achieving an endurance rating of 131 hours. The Wiko Y81 likely offers similar endurance, but the Redmi's 33W fast charging is a game-changer, allowing for a full charge in just 59 minutes, compared to the Y81's likely slower charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The Wiko Y81 is a good option for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and a large display. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is ideal for those seeking a more powerful phone with 5G connectivity, a better camera, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Wiko Y81 good for gaming?
The Wiko Y81's processor is not ideal for demanding games. You'll likely experience lag and low frame rates. The Redmi Note 11S 5G is a much better choice for gaming.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 11S 5G support 5G?
Yes, the Redmi Note 11S 5G supports 5G connectivity, offering faster download and upload speeds where 5G networks are available.
