The Xiaomi Redmi Note series consistently delivers excellent value for money. But with multiple iterations, choosing the right model can be tricky. We're pitting the Redmi Note 11R 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 11R 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 30 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 30 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| 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 | 201 g (7.09 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, 400 nits (typ) | 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 12, MIUI 13 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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, f/2.2, (wide) | 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, GALILEO, BDS | 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 | Black, Blue, Gray | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | 22095RA98C | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 160 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 11R
- Budget-friendly
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Reliable brand
- Slower charging
- Less powerful chipset
- Display brightness likely lower
- Missing detailed specs
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Faster charging (33W)
- Brighter display
- More modern chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Excellent battery life
- Improved performance
- Slightly higher price
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a significantly brighter display at 706 nits compared to the 11R (specs unavailable, assumed lower). The 'Infinite' contrast ratio mentioned for the Note 12 suggests deeper blacks and better overall image quality. While both likely use similar panel technology (likely IPS LCD), the Note 12's brightness advantage is noticeable.
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 assume it delivers slightly better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Further testing would be needed for a definitive comparison.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm) chipset offers a performance boost over the Redmi Note 11R's Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Cortex-A78 cores in the Note 12 provide better single-core performance, while the 6nm process generally leads to improved efficiency. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the Note 12.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 101 hours and an active use score of 10:58 hours. The 11R's battery capacity is likely similar, but the Note 12's more efficient chipset contributes to its superior longevity. The 33W fast charging on the Note 12 is also a significant advantage over the 11R's 18W charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R? It's ideal for users on a 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 experience with better performance, faster charging, and a brighter display, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 worth the extra money compared to the 11R?
Yes, the Redmi Note 12 offers significant improvements in charging speed, display brightness, and performance, making it a worthwhile upgrade for most users.
❓ What kind of camera performance can I expect from each phone?
While detailed camera specs are limited, the Redmi Note 12's newer chipset suggests slightly better image quality, particularly in low light. Both phones are likely capable of capturing decent photos and videos for everyday use.
