Google Pixel 6a vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G: A Deep Dive Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality and long-term software support, the Google Pixel 6a is the better choice. However, if blazing-fast 120W charging and a brighter screen are paramount, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G delivers a compelling alternative.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Google Pixel 6a |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - GX7AS, GB62Z (USA/Canada) |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GX7AS (USA/Canada) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 40, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - G1AZG (International) | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 28 | 2022, May 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 01 | Available. Released 2022, July 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Google Tensor (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G78 MP20 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps (market dependent) | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 15 min | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4410 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Mysterious Black, Forest Green, Timeless Purple | Chalk, Charcoal, Sage |
| Models | 21091116UG, 21091116UC | GX7AS, GB62Z, G1AZG, GB17L |
| Price | € 135.59 / $ 125.25 | $ 138.99 / C$ 228.74 / ₹ 23,999 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 94h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
- Superior camera image processing thanks to Google Tensor.
- Guaranteed software updates and long-term support.
- Smoother software experience with clean Android.
- Significantly slower charging speed (18W).
- Lower display refresh rate (60Hz).
Google Pixel 6a
- Blazing-fast 120W charging (0-100% in 15 minutes).
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility.
- Potentially more versatile camera system (depending on lens configuration).
- Less refined software experience with MIUI.
- Potentially slower long-term performance due to chipset architecture.
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G boasts a 760 nits max brightness, making it visibly brighter outdoors than the Pixel 6a’s 876 nits. While the Pixel 6a’s higher peak brightness is advantageous, the Redmi’s panel is still excellent for everyday use. The Pixel 6a’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a superior OLED panel, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. Neither phone specifies refresh rate, but the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is known to have a 120Hz display, while the Pixel 6a is limited to 60Hz, impacting smoothness in scrolling and gaming.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 6a’s camera prowess stems from Google’s computational photography, leveraging the Tensor chip’s AI capabilities. While the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G’s camera specs aren’t detailed, Xiaomi often focuses on high megapixel counts, which doesn’t always translate to better image quality. The Pixel 6a excels in dynamic range and low-light performance, consistently delivering excellent results. The Tensor chip’s image signal processor (ISP) is a key differentiator, enabling features like Magic Eraser and Real Tone. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G likely offers more versatility with potentially multiple lenses, but the Pixel 6a’s single lens, combined with Google’s software, is often superior.
Performance
The Google Tensor chip (5nm) in the Pixel 6a utilizes a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.80 GHz, offering a performance advantage over the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6nm). The Dimensity 920’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked at 2.5 GHz, are capable, but the Tensor’s architecture is optimized for machine learning tasks, translating to faster image processing and smarter features. The Pixel 6a’s Tensor chip also benefits from tighter software integration with Android. While the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G offers ample power for daily tasks, the Pixel 6a provides a more responsive and future-proof experience.
Battery Life
Both phones offer comparable endurance, with the Pixel 6a achieving a 94-hour rating and the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G scoring 106 hours. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G’s 120W wired charging can fully charge the battery in just 15 minutes, a significant advantage over the Pixel 6a’s 18W charging. This means the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G can quickly top up during short breaks, while the Pixel 6a requires a more substantial charging period. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G’s support for PD3.0 and QC3 adds to its charging flexibility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G if you need a phone that can go from 0 to 100% charge in under 20 minutes and enjoy content on a very bright display. Buy the Google Pixel 6a if you prefer a clean Android experience, exceptional image processing, and guaranteed software updates directly from Google, even if it means slower charging.