The Xiaomi Redmi series consistently delivers excellent value for money. But with multiple iterations, choosing the right model can be tricky. We're pitting the Redmi Note 11E against the Redmi Note 12 to help you determine which phone best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 emerges as the clear winner, offering faster charging, a brighter display, and a more modern chipset. While the 11E is a budget-friendly option, the Note 12's improvements in key areas justify its slightly higher price point for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 02 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 18 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| 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 | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 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 | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver, Atlantic Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | 22041219C | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 170 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 11E
- Affordable
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Good battery life (likely)
- Slower charging
- Less bright display
- Older chipset
- Limited camera details
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Faster charging (33W)
- Brighter display
- More modern chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Excellent battery life (101h endurance)
- Slightly more expensive
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a significant advantage with its 706 nits max brightness, making it much easier to view outdoors. While the 11E's display is adequate, the Note 12's 'infinite' contrast ratio (though nominal) suggests better color reproduction and deeper blacks. Both likely use similar LCD panels, but the Note 12's brightness is a noticeable upgrade.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, suggesting standard camera setups. However, detailed camera specifications are missing. Based on general Redmi Note series trends, the Note 12 likely has slightly improved image processing and potentially better low-light performance due to the newer chipset and potentially updated software algorithms. Further testing would be needed for a definitive comparison.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm) chipset is a more modern and efficient design compared to the Note 11E's Dimensity 700 (7nm). This translates to smoother performance in everyday tasks and potentially better gaming experiences. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Note 12 also offer a performance boost over the 11E's Cortex-A76 cores.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, achieving an impressive endurance rating of 101 hours and active use score of 10:58h. The 11E's battery performance is likely decent, but not as exceptional. The Note 12's 33W charging is also a significant improvement over the 11E's 18W, allowing for much faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11E? It's ideal for users on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and don't need the latest features. Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12? It's perfect for those seeking a well-rounded smartphone with a good display, decent performance, and faster charging, all at an affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 worth the extra money compared to the 11E?
Yes, the Note 12's faster charging, brighter display, and more modern chipset make it a worthwhile upgrade for most users, especially considering the relatively small price difference.
❓ What kind of performance can I expect from the Redmi Note 12?
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 provides smooth performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming. It can also handle some casual gaming, though demanding titles may require lower graphics settings.