The Xiaomi Redmi Note series consistently delivers excellent value for money. The Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 12 are two popular contenders in the budget smartphone arena. But which one offers the best experience for your needs?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 offers a slightly faster chipset and quicker charging, making it a worthwhile upgrade. However, the Note 11 boasts significantly better battery endurance. Ultimately, the Note 12's performance edge makes it the slightly better 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, January 26 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 09 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 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 | 179 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 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, HyperOS | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1", 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, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 | 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, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 60 min | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Gray, Twilight Blue, Star Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | 2201117TG, 2201117TI, 2201117TY, 2201117TL | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | £ 95.00 / € 97.99 / ₹ 11,950 | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 126h
|
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 228044 (v8), 244526 (v9)
GeekBench: 1662 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
- Exceptional battery life
- Slightly brighter display
- Good value for money
- Slower processor
- Older chipset
- Slower charging
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Faster processor (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Faster charging
- Improved performance for multitasking
- Shorter battery life
- Slightly dimmer display
- Similar camera performance to Note 11
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays with excellent contrast ratios (nominally infinite). The Redmi Note 11 edges out the Note 12 with a slightly higher peak brightness of 736 nits compared to the Note 12's 706 nits, resulting in marginally better outdoor visibility. Both utilize AMOLED panels, offering rich colors and deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable between the two devices. Both offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is adequate but not exceptional. Specific camera features and software optimizations may vary, but overall, expect similar results. Both feature standard camera setups with a main sensor, ultrawide, and macro lens.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Note 11's Snapdragon 680. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Note 12 offer improved responsiveness and smoother multitasking. While both are capable of handling everyday tasks, the Note 12 is better suited for light gaming.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 126 hours, significantly higher than the Note 12's 101 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage times on a single charge for the Note 11.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is ideal for users prioritizing exceptional battery life and are less concerned about raw processing power. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a better fit for those who want a smoother experience for everyday tasks and gaming, and appreciate faster charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 worth the upgrade from the Redmi Note 11?
If you prioritize performance and faster charging, the Note 12 is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if battery life is your top concern, the Note 11 remains a strong contender.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset provides better gaming performance compared to the Note 11's Snapdragon 680.