The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime and Realme Narzo 50 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme Narzo 50 takes a slight edge thanks to its significantly faster 33W charging and generally smoother performance. However, the Redmi 11 Prime boasts a slightly more powerful chipset and a vibrant display, making it a close call depending on your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2022, February 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 23 | Available. Released 2022, March 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Playful Green, Flashy Black, Peppy Purple | Speed Blue, Speed Black |
| Models | 22071219AI | RMX3286 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 610 EUR |
Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime
- Vibrant AMOLED Display
- More Powerful Chipset (Helio G99)
- 108MP Main Camera (potentially)
- 120Hz Refresh Rate
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Software can be bloated
- Reverse charging is slow
Realme Narzo 50
- Faster Charging (33W)
- Generally Smoother Software Experience
- Good Value for Money
- Decent Performance
- Less Powerful Chipset (Helio G96)
- IPS LCD Display (less vibrant)
- Camera may not be as detailed
Display Comparison
The Redmi 11 Prime typically features a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Narzo 50 has a 6.5-inch FHD+ IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While both offer a high refresh rate, the Redmi 11 Prime's AMOLED panel provides superior contrast and color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a triple-camera setup. The Redmi 11 Prime often includes a 108MP main sensor, potentially offering more detailed photos in good lighting. The Narzo 50 typically has a 50MP main sensor. Image processing and software features play a significant role, so real-world camera performance can vary. Both offer decent selfie cameras.
Performance
The Redmi 11 Prime's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset (6nm) generally offers better raw performance than the Narzo 50's Helio G96 (12nm). The G99's newer manufacturing process and slightly higher clock speeds contribute to a more responsive experience, especially in demanding games. However, Realme's software optimization can sometimes compensate for the hardware difference.
Battery Life
The Narzo 50's 33W fast charging is a major advantage. It can significantly reduce charging times compared to the Redmi 11 Prime's 18W charging. Both phones typically have a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime is ideal for users prioritizing a vibrant display and slightly better processing power for gaming. The Realme Narzo 50 is a better choice for those who value fast charging and a more streamlined user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Redmi 11 Prime's Helio G99 chipset generally provides better gaming performance due to its more powerful architecture and newer manufacturing process.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones typically offer all-day battery life with moderate usage thanks to their 5000mAh batteries. However, the Narzo 50 charges much faster.
