The Xiaomi Redmi Note series consistently delivers excellent value for money. The Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 12 4G 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 4G edges out the Note 11 thanks to its slightly improved chipset and marginally brighter display. However, the Note 11 boasts a faster charging speed. Both are solid budget choices, but the Note 12 4G provides a small performance upgrade.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 26 | 2023, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 09 | Available. Released 2023, March 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) | 165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 183.5 g (6.49 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 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, HyperOS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED 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 | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, 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 | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| 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 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Gray, Twilight Blue, Star Blue | Onyx Gray, Mint Green, Ice Blue |
| Models | 2201117TG, 2201117TI, 2201117TY, 2201117TL | 23021RAAEG, 23021RAA2Y, 23027RAD4I, 23028RA60L |
| Price | £ 95.00 / € 97.99 / ₹ 11,950 | £ 189.99 / € 107.98 / ₹ 9,998 |
| SAR | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 126h
|
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
-27.9 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 228044 (v8), 244526 (v9)
GeekBench: 1662 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 319219 (v9)
GeekBench: 1797 (v5.1), 1341 (v6)
GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
- Excellent battery life
- Fast 33W charging
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- Competitive price
- Slightly older chipset
- Performance can be limited for demanding tasks
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G
- Slightly improved chipset (Snapdragon 685)
- Marginally brighter display
- Good value for money
- Decent camera system
- Slightly lower battery endurance than Note 11
- 33W charging (no advantage over Note 11)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar displays with a nominal infinite contrast ratio. The Redmi Note 12 4G has a slightly higher peak brightness of 744 nits compared to the Note 11's 736 nits, resulting in marginally better outdoor visibility. Both likely use an AMOLED panel with vibrant colors and deep blacks, typical of the Redmi Note series.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely comparable between the two devices, given the similar marketing around the Redmi Note series. Both phones feature a multi-camera setup, typically including a main sensor, ultrawide lens, and macro lens. Image quality will be decent in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance may be limited. Video recording capabilities are likely similar, offering 1080p recording at various frame rates.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12 4G utilizes the Snapdragon 685, which offers a modest performance improvement over the Note 11's Snapdragon 680. The Cortex-A73 cores in the 685 provide a boost in CPU performance, leading to smoother multitasking and app loading. However, both phones are primarily suited for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11 holds a slight advantage in battery endurance with a reported 126h rating, compared to the Note 12 4G's 117h. However, the Note 11's 33W charging is faster than the Note 12 4G's 33W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. Both phones offer excellent battery life for their price range.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and long battery life on a tight budget. The Redmi Note 12 4G is a better choice for those seeking a slightly more responsive experience and a marginally brighter screen, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 685 significantly faster than the Snapdragon 680?
While the Snapdragon 685 offers a modest performance improvement, it's not a dramatic difference. Both chipsets are suitable for everyday tasks and light gaming.
❓ Which phone has better low-light camera performance?
Based on available information, both phones offer comparable low-light camera performance. Neither excels in this area.
