Xiaomi's Redmi Note series consistently delivers impressive value, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers. The Redmi Note 11S 5G and Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders, but which one offers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 edges out the 11S 5G thanks to its brighter display, faster charging, and slightly more modern chipset. While the 11S 5G boasts exceptional battery endurance on paper, the Note 12's improvements in other 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 29 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 23 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 2.98 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 | 195 g (6.88 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 (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 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 | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 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 |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, (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, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, 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, 100% in 59 min | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Twilight Blue, Star Blue | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | 22031116BG | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 140 EUR | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 131h
|
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1314:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 360255 (v9)
GeekBench: 1820 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
- Exceptional battery endurance (on paper)
- 5G connectivity
- Good value for money
- Less bright display
- Older chipset
- Slower charging
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Brighter display
- Faster charging
- More modern chipset
- Improved performance
- Slightly shorter battery life (on paper)
- Potentially similar camera quality
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 takes a clear lead in the display department. While the Note 11S 5G offers a respectable 1314:1 contrast ratio, the Note 12 boasts a significantly brighter display at 706 nits (compared to 509 nits on the 11S 5G) and an 'infinite' contrast ratio, resulting in more vibrant colors and better visibility in sunlight. Both phones feature similar resolution and refresh rate (likely FHD+ and 120Hz, based on typical Redmi Note specs).
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature similar camera setups, likely including a primary sensor, ultrawide lens, macro lens, and depth sensor. However, the Note 12's newer processor and potentially improved image processing algorithms could result in slightly better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Detailed camera comparisons would require extensive testing.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Note 11S 5G's Mediatek Dimensity 810. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 offer improved single-core performance, leading to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are octa-core processors, the Note 12's architecture is more modern and efficient.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11S 5G initially appears to have the advantage with an endurance rating of 131 hours, significantly higher than the Note 12's 101 hours. However, endurance ratings can be misleading and depend on testing methodology. The Note 12's active use score of 10:58 hours is a more realistic indicator of daily battery life, and its faster 33W charging (50% in 22 minutes vs. 59 minutes for the 11S 5G) provides a significant convenience boost.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is a good choice for users prioritizing maximum battery life and 5G connectivity on a tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for those seeking a brighter display, faster charging, and a more recent processor for smoother performance, even if it means a slight compromise in battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 worth the upgrade from the Redmi Note 11S 5G?
Yes, the Redmi Note 12 offers a brighter display, faster charging, and a more modern chipset, making it a worthwhile upgrade for most users. The battery life difference is likely not significant in real-world usage.
❓ Which phone has better 5G performance?
Both phones support 5G, but the Note 12's newer chipset might offer slightly improved 5G speeds and connectivity.
