Xiaomi consistently delivers compelling options in the budget and mid-range smartphone space. The Redmi Note 11S and Poco M4 Pro 5G represent two distinct approaches to value, with the Note 11S prioritizing display brightness and the M4 Pro 5G focusing on 5G connectivity and a more efficient chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Poco M4 Pro 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 810, built on a 6nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi Note 11S’s Helio G96, while maintaining comparable battery life and charging speeds. The slightly dimmer display is a worthwhile trade-off for the improved processing power.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 26 | 2021, November 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 09 | Available. Released 2021, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) | 163.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 195 g (6.88 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 (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (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 | - |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 58 min | 33W wired, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Gray, Pearl White, Twilight Blue | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue |
| Models | 2201117SG, 2201117SI, 2201117SY, 2201117SL | 21091116AG, MZB0BGVIN |
| Price | € 136.99 | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | 1.07 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 133h
|
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1553:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
-24.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 251201 (v8), 308741 (v9)
GeekBench: 1873 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 296721 (v8), 353663 (v9)
GeekBench: 1797 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S
- Brighter display for outdoor use
- Slightly longer battery endurance rating
- Comparable charging speed
- Less powerful and efficient chipset
- Larger manufacturing process (12nm) leads to more heat
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G
- More powerful and efficient Dimensity 810 chipset
- Superior contrast ratio for better image quality
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Dimmer display compared to the Redmi Note 11S
- Slightly lower battery endurance rating
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 11S boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 744 nits compared to the Poco M4 Pro 5G’s 510 nits. This makes the Note 11S more usable in direct sunlight. However, the Poco M4 Pro 5G counters with a superior contrast ratio of 1553:1 versus the Note 11S’s nominal ‘infinite’ ratio, suggesting deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. While both displays are adequate, the Note 11S’s brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor users, but the M4 Pro 5G's contrast ratio provides a more visually appealing experience indoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given Xiaomi’s typical segmentation, the Poco M4 Pro 5G likely receives slightly more advanced image processing algorithms, leveraging the increased processing power of its Dimensity 810 chipset. The absence of details on OIS or sensor size makes it difficult to assess low-light performance differences.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco M4 Pro 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) is architecturally superior to the Redmi Note 11S’s Helio G96 (12nm). The 6nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, resulting in better sustained performance and less heat generation. The Dimensity 810’s CPU, with 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, also has a clock speed advantage over the Note 11S’s 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking for the Poco M4 Pro 5G.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11S offers an endurance rating of 133 hours, slightly better than the Poco M4 Pro 5G’s 123 hours. However, this difference is likely offset by the Dimensity 810’s superior power efficiency. Both phones support 33W wired charging, achieving a full charge in approximately 58-59 minutes. The Note 11S’s slightly larger battery capacity is partially negated by the Helio G96’s less efficient architecture.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S if you prioritize a brighter display for outdoor visibility and are less concerned with demanding gaming or heavy multitasking. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G if you want a more responsive experience, benefit from 5G connectivity, and appreciate a more power-efficient chipset that could translate to longer-term performance stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco M4 Pro 5G’s Dimensity 810 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
The Dimensity 810 is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you’ll likely need to compromise on graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect medium settings to provide a smooth experience, while high settings may result in occasional stuttering. The Helio G96 in the Redmi Note 11S will struggle more with this title.
❓ Does the Redmi Note 11S’s brighter screen make a significant difference for media consumption indoors?
While the brighter screen is beneficial outdoors, the difference is less noticeable indoors. The Poco M4 Pro 5G’s superior contrast ratio actually contributes more to a better viewing experience indoors, providing deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The brightness advantage of the Note 11S is most apparent in direct sunlight.
❓ How much faster is the 5G connectivity on the Poco M4 Pro 5G compared to 4G on the Redmi Note 11S?
The speed difference between 5G and 4G is highly dependent on network availability and coverage. In areas with strong 5G signals, the Poco M4 Pro 5G can achieve download speeds several times faster than the Redmi Note 11S on 4G. However, if 5G coverage is limited, the benefit will be minimal.
