Xiaomi's Redmi series consistently delivers excellent value, but choosing between models can be tricky. We're pitting the Redmi Note 11 SE (India) against the Redmi Note 12 to determine which offers the best overall package for your needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison!
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 emerges as the winner thanks to its more efficient chipset, brighter display, and slightly faster charging. While the Note 11 SE offers a decent experience, the Note 12's improvements in key areas make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| 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, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 24 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 31 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178.8 g (6.31 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone 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 | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| 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 | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 54% in 30 min | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Thunder Purple, Cosmic White, Shadow Black, Bifrost Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | 22087RA4DI | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 300 EUR | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 SE (India)
- Affordable
- Familiar chipset
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Less efficient chipset
- Lower display brightness
- Slower charging
- Likely older software
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- More efficient chipset
- Brighter display
- Longer battery life
- Faster charging
- Likely better camera
- Potentially slightly higher price
- May lack some features of higher-end models
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a significant advantage with a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, offering better visibility in sunlight. Its 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The Note 11 SE's display is likely adequate but lacks the same level of brightness and contrast. Resolution and panel type (likely AMOLED on the Note 12) further contribute to the Note 12's display superiority.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specs are missing. However, given the Note 12's newer chipset and likely software optimizations, it's reasonable to expect slightly better image quality and video recording capabilities. Low-light performance is likely improved on the Note 12.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm) chipset is more efficient and modern than the Note 11 SE's Helio G95 (12nm). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and potentially better gaming performance. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Note 12 also offer a performance boost over the Note 11 SE's Cortex-A76 cores.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 101 hours and active use of 10:58 hours. This significantly surpasses what we'd expect from the Note 11 SE. While both offer 33W charging, the Note 12 charges slightly faster (50% in 22 minutes vs 54% in 30 minutes).
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 SE (India)? It's a good option for budget-conscious users who prioritize a familiar chipset and don't need the absolute best performance. Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12? It's ideal for those seeking a smoother experience, a brighter display, and longer battery life without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 worth the upgrade from the Redmi Note 11 SE?
Yes, the Redmi Note 12 offers significant improvements in display brightness, chipset efficiency, and battery life, making it a worthwhile upgrade for most users.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset provides better performance and efficiency for gaming compared to the Note 11 SE's Helio G95.
