Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 SE vs Realme Narzo N55: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 SE and the Realme Narzo N55. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Redmi Note 11 SE edges out the Narzo N55 thanks to its more powerful Helio G95 chipset, offering noticeably better performance for gaming and demanding tasks. While the Narzo N55 boasts impressive battery life, the Redmi's faster charging and stronger processor make it the slightly better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 SE (India)	Realme Narzo N55

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41	1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2022, August 24	2023, April 12
Status	Available. Released 2022, August 31	Available. Released 2023, April 13

Body
Build	-	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)	165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	178.8 g (6.31 oz)	189.5 g (6.70 oz)
	IP53, dust and splash resistant	-

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	-
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)
Size	6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)	6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak)	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)	Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-G76 MC4	Mali-G52 MC2
OS	Android 11, MIUI 12.5	Android 13, Realme UI 4.0

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 2.2	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Dual	-	64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad	64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	-
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps	1080p@30/60fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm	8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes
	24-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	-
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	FM radio	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 2.0
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

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
	Virtual proximity sensing	-

Battery
Charging	33W wired, 54% in 30 min	33W wired, 50% in 29 min
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Thunder Purple, Cosmic White, Shadow Black, Bifrost Blue	Prime Black, Prime Blue
Models	22087RA4DI	-
Price	About 300 EUR	About 120 EUR

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 123h
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 257263 (v9) GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6) GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 SE (India)

More powerful chipset (Helio G95)
Faster charging (54% in 30 min)
Potentially better camera system (speculative)

Battery capacity unknown
Display technology unspecified

Realme Narzo N55

Exceptional battery life (123h endurance rating)
Smooth performance for everyday tasks
Good value for money

Less powerful chipset (Helio G88)
Slower charging compared to Redmi

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a nominal contrast ratio of 1264:1, suggesting decent image quality. However, specific display technology (AMOLED vs LCD) and resolution are missing from the provided specs. Assuming both are LCD panels, the Redmi might have a slight edge due to potentially better color accuracy, but this is speculative without further details. Screen size and resolution are crucial factors not mentioned here.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications are missing for both devices. Based on general knowledge, the Redmi Note 11 SE likely has a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and additional lenses. However, without specific details on megapixels, aperture, and features like OIS, a definitive comparison is impossible.

Performance

The Redmi Note 11 SE's Helio G95 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Narzo N55's Helio G88. The G95's Cortex-A76 cores provide a noticeable boost in CPU performance, making it better suited for gaming and multitasking. The Narzo N55's G88 is still capable for everyday tasks, but it won't handle demanding games as well.

Battery Life

The Realme Narzo N55 shines in this category with an impressive endurance rating of 123 hours. While the Redmi Note 11 SE's battery capacity is unknown, its 33W charging is faster, reaching 54% in 30 minutes compared to the Narzo's 50% in 29 minutes. The Narzo's longevity is a major selling point for users who need a phone that can last for days.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 SE is ideal for users who prioritize performance and gaming capabilities. If you're a heavy gamer or frequently use resource-intensive apps, the Redmi is the clear winner. The Realme Narzo N55 is a great option for those who prioritize exceptional battery life and a smooth, reliable experience for everyday tasks like browsing and social media.