The Xiaomi Redmi Note series consistently delivers excellent value for money. Choosing between the Redmi Note 11S 5G and the Redmi Note 12S can be tricky, as they share similarities but also have key differences. This comprehensive comparison will help you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 11S 5G edges out the 12S thanks to its superior chipset and impressive battery life. While the 12S offers some improvements, the 11S 5G provides a more well-rounded experience, especially for those prioritizing performance and longevity. However, availability and price will be key factors.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 29 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 23 | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| 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) | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED 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) | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Twilight Blue, Star Blue | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | 22031116BG | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | About 140 EUR | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 131h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1314:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 360255 (v9)
GeekBench: 1820 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
- Superior chipset (Dimensity 810)
- Excellent battery life (131h endurance)
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- 5G connectivity
- Faster charging (verified)
- Slightly older design
- May be harder to find in some regions
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Potentially more readily available
- Slightly more modern design
- Decent camera performance
- Weaker chipset (Helio G96)
- Shorter battery life
- Lower display brightness and contrast
- No 5G
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and a Full HD+ resolution. The Redmi Note 11S 5G boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio (1314:1) and a brighter peak brightness (509 nits) compared to the 12S, resulting in a more vibrant and easily viewable screen, especially outdoors. The 12S may have a slightly more modern design, but the 11S 5G's display quality is noticeably better.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are similar, both featuring a 108MP main sensor. However, image processing and overall camera performance can vary. The 11S 5G's Dimensity 810 chipset likely provides slightly better image processing capabilities. Both phones offer decent video recording capabilities, but the 11S 5G might have a slight edge in stabilization. Real-world camera tests are needed for a definitive comparison.
Performance
The Redmi Note 11S 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 810, a 6nm chip known for its efficiency and decent performance. The Redmi Note 12S uses the Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm), which is generally considered a step down in terms of raw power and efficiency. While both have Octa-core CPUs, the Dimensity 810 offers a more responsive and smoother experience, particularly when multitasking or playing demanding games. The 11S 5G's 5G connectivity is also a significant advantage.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11S 5G shines in this category. It boasts an exceptional endurance rating of 131 hours, indicating significantly longer battery life than the Redmi Note 12S. Both phones support 33W wired charging, allowing for a full charge in approximately 59 minutes (as demonstrated by the 11S 5G). The 12S's battery capacity is likely smaller, contributing to its shorter battery life.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is ideal for users who prioritize performance, 5G connectivity, and long battery life. It's a great choice for those on a budget who still want a capable smartphone. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a good option for users who want a slightly newer design and are less concerned about raw processing power, and are looking for a more readily available device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12S worth upgrading from the Redmi Note 11S 5G?
Not necessarily. The 11S 5G offers better performance and battery life. Unless you specifically need the newer design or improved availability of the 12S, the upgrade isn't highly recommended.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Redmi Note 11S 5G's Dimensity 810 chipset generally provides better gaming performance due to its superior processing power and efficiency compared to the Helio G96 in the 12S.
