The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a well-rounded experience, they take fundamentally different approaches: Xiaomi prioritizes blazing-fast charging, while Samsung focuses on a more balanced profile with an efficient processor and solid battery endurance. This comparison dissects these choices to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing speed and convenience, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is the clear winner. Its 120W charging dramatically reduces downtime. However, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G offers slightly better overall battery life and a more refined software experience, making it ideal for those who value longevity and a polished interface.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | - | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | - | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | - | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | - | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | - | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | - | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | - | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | - | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G68 |
| OS | - | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | - | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | - | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | -25.2 LUFS (Very good) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | 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 Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 15 min (advertised) | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mysterious Black, Forest Green, Timeless Purple | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | 21091116UG, 21091116UC | SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL |
| Price | € 329.00 / $ 320.00 | $ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.60 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 106h |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | AnTuTu: 375528 (v8), 437872 (v9)
GeekBench: 2225 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9)
GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
- Incredibly fast 120W charging
- Potentially higher detail in photos (depending on sensor)
- Competitive price point
- Shorter battery endurance compared to the A53
- Chipset performance likely lower than the Exynos 1280
- Software experience may be less refined than Samsung's
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Efficient Exynos 1280 processor
- Slightly longer battery life
- Samsung’s established software and update policy
- Significantly slower 25W charging
- Lower peak brightness compared to the A53
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
Both the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G and Galaxy A53 5G feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting typical AMOLED characteristics. However, the Galaxy A53 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 830 nits, a significant advantage for outdoor visibility. While the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G’s brightness isn’t specified, the A53’s higher figure translates to a more usable experience in direct sunlight. Both likely employ PWM dimming for brightness control, but the specific frequency isn't provided; users sensitive to flicker will need to investigate further.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G’s marketing often emphasizes high megapixel counts, potentially indicating a focus on detail capture. The Galaxy A53 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms, aiming for balanced and vibrant photos. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is powered by the Exynos 1280 (5nm), an octa-core processor featuring two 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and six 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This 5nm fabrication process contributes to improved power efficiency compared to older nodes. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G’s chipset is not specified, but the focus is clearly on fast charging rather than raw processing power. The Exynos 1280 will likely provide a smoother experience for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, while the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G may exhibit more throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G achieves an endurance rating of 113 hours, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G scores 106 hours. This suggests the A53 offers slightly better overall battery life. However, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G’s 120W wired charging is a game-changer, capable of fully charging the device in a claimed 15 minutes. The Galaxy A53 5G’s 25W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly more time to reach 100%. This difference in charging speed fundamentally alters the user experience, prioritizing convenience over absolute longevity for the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G if you need the absolute fastest charging available, frequently find yourself needing to top up quickly, and don't mind potentially shorter sustained peak performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a more balanced device with longer battery life, a more efficient processor for everyday tasks, and Samsung’s established software ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280’s 5nm fabrication process helps mitigate thermal throttling. While it may get warm during extended gaming, it’s unlikely to overheat to the point of significant performance degradation. However, sustained peak performance will likely be lower than devices with flagship chipsets.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras suffer from limited detail and dynamic range due to their small sensor size. They are often included as a marketing feature but rarely deliver impressive results. Expect soft, noisy images.
❓ How long does it *really* take to fully charge the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G with the 120W charger?
Xiaomi advertises a full charge in 15 minutes. Real-world results may vary slightly depending on battery temperature and usage during charging, but it consistently outperforms the Galaxy A53 5G’s 25W charging by a significant margin.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G support software updates for a long period?
Samsung has committed to four years of OS updates and five years of security updates for the Galaxy A53 5G, providing excellent long-term software support compared to many competitors in this price range.
