The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S and Honor X8c represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this. The Redmi Note 11S leans on a higher-clocked CPU and faster charging, while the Honor X8c prioritizes a more efficient chipset and a streamlined design. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor X8c emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Snapdragon 685 chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers superior efficiency and sustained performance compared to the Redmi Note 11S’s Helio G96. While the Redmi Note 11S boasts faster 33W charging, the X8c’s more efficient processor translates to better overall battery life and less thermal throttling.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 26 | 2025, January 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 09 | Available. Released 2025, January 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, glass back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back or silicone polymer back (eco leather) |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) | 161.1 x 74.6 x 7.1 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 2800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 | Android 15, MagicOS 9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 50 MP, f/2.1, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0/5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasonic) |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 58 min | 35W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Gray, Pearl White, Twilight Blue | Marrs Green, Midnight Black, Moonlight White, Cloud Purple |
| Models | 2201117SG, 2201117SI, 2201117SY, 2201117SL | ABR-LX1, ABR-LX2, ABR-LX3 |
| Price | € 136.99 | € 190.78 / $ 213.42 / £ 159.00 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 133h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 251201 (v8), 308741 (v9)
GeekBench: 1873 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S
- Faster 33W charging with Quick Charge support
- Higher peak display brightness for outdoor visibility
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance for short bursts
- Less efficient 12nm chipset leads to more heat
- Likely more thermal throttling under sustained load
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the X8c
Honor X8c
- More efficient 6nm Snapdragon 685 chipset
- Better sustained performance and less thermal throttling
- Potentially longer battery life due to improved efficiency
- Slightly slower charging speed (35W)
- Display brightness likely lower than the Redmi Note 11S
- CPU clock speeds are lower than the Redmi Note 11S
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 11S features a display capable of reaching 744 nits of peak brightness, ensuring good visibility even outdoors. While the Honor X8c’s display specifications aren’t provided, Honor typically focuses on color accuracy in this segment. The Redmi Note 11S’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio is a marketing term, but suggests a standard IPS panel. The lack of high refresh rate on either device is typical for this price point, but the Redmi Note 11S’s higher peak brightness gives it a slight edge for outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on primary sensors around the 50MP mark. The Redmi Note 11S’s image processing is likely tuned for vibrant colors, typical of Xiaomi, while Honor often aims for more natural tones. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
This is where the most significant difference lies. The Redmi Note 11S utilizes the Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm), featuring an octa-core configuration with two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. The Honor X8c, however, employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm). The Snapdragon 685’s 6nm process is significantly more efficient than the Helio G96’s 12nm node, resulting in lower power consumption and reduced heat generation. While the Redmi Note 11S’s A76 cores offer higher peak clock speeds, the Snapdragon 685’s Cortex-A73 cores, combined with the process node advantage, provide more sustained performance during prolonged gaming or multitasking. The Snapdragon 685 is likely to exhibit less thermal throttling.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11S boasts an endurance rating of 133 hours, a solid figure for a smartphone. It supports 33W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC3, achieving a 100% charge in approximately 58 minutes. The Honor X8c offers 35W wired charging, slightly faster on paper. However, the Snapdragon 685’s superior efficiency means the X8c will likely consume less power overall, potentially offsetting the slightly slower charging speed and resulting in comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity (not specified).
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S if you prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds and occasionally engage in graphically demanding tasks where peak CPU performance is crucial. Buy the Honor X8c if you value long-lasting battery life, consistent performance under sustained loads, and a more modern, efficient chipset. The X8c is ideal for everyday users, social media enthusiasts, and those who prioritize efficiency over raw power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 685 in the Honor X8c struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 685 isn't a flagship chipset, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. The 6nm process ensures less thermal throttling, allowing for more consistent performance during extended gaming sessions compared to the Redmi Note 11S’s Helio G96.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 11S compared to the 35W charging on the Honor X8c in real-world use?
The difference in charging speed is likely minimal. While the Redmi Note 11S supports more charging protocols (PD3.0, QC3), the Honor X8c’s more efficient chipset means it may not need to be charged as frequently, reducing the overall importance of faster charging.
❓ Is the camera quality significantly different between these two phones?
Without detailed camera specifications, it's difficult to say definitively. However, both phones likely utilize similar sensor resolutions. Expect the Redmi Note 11S to produce more vibrant, saturated images, while the Honor X8c may lean towards more natural color reproduction.
