The Xiaomi Redmi Note series consistently delivers excellent value for money. The Redmi Note 12 4G and Redmi Note 11 are two strong contenders in the budget smartphone arena. But which one offers the best experience for your needs?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 11 edges out the Note 12 4G thanks to slightly better battery life and faster charging capabilities. While the Note 12 4G boasts a marginally faster chipset, the Note 11's overall package provides a more compelling value proposition.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 23 | 2022, January 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 30 | Available. Released 2022, February 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 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 | 183.5 g (6.49 oz) | 179 g (6.31 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 (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, 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 | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 60 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Onyx Gray, Mint Green, Ice Blue | Graphite Gray, Twilight Blue, Star Blue |
| Models | 23021RAAEG, 23021RAA2Y, 23027RAD4I, 23028RA60L | 2201117TG, 2201117TI, 2201117TY, 2201117TL |
| Price | £ 189.99 / € 107.98 / ₹ 9,998 | £ 95.00 / € 97.99 / ₹ 11,950 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 117h
|
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.9 LUFS (Good)
|
-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 319219 (v9)
GeekBench: 1797 (v5.1), 1341 (v6)
GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 228044 (v8), 244526 (v9)
GeekBench: 1662 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G
- Slightly faster chipset
- Modern design
- Good display brightness
- Slightly shorter battery life
- Slower charging
- Minor performance gains over Note 11
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
- Excellent battery life
- Faster charging (PD3.0)
- Proven reliability
- Often more affordable
- Slightly older design
- Marginally slower chipset
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a similar 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a Full HD+ resolution. The Note 12 4G has a measured peak brightness of 744 nits, slightly higher than the Note 11's 736 nits, offering marginally better outdoor visibility. Both offer excellent contrast due to the AMOLED technology.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a triple camera setup, typically including a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. Image quality is generally comparable, with both phones producing decent photos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is adequate but not exceptional. Video recording capabilities are similar, offering 1080p at 30fps.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12 4G utilizes the Snapdragon 685, a 6nm chip, offering a small performance boost over the Note 11's Snapdragon 680 (also 6nm). In everyday use, the difference is subtle, but the Note 12 4G might handle slightly more demanding tasks with a bit more ease. Both phones have 4GB/6GB RAM options.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11 holds a slight advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 126 hours compared to the Note 12 4G's 117 hours. The Note 11 also supports faster charging with PD3.0, QC3, allowing for a 100% charge in approximately 60 minutes, while the Note 12 4G offers 33W wired charging.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G is a good choice for users prioritizing a slightly faster processor and a modern design. The Redmi Note 11 is ideal for those seeking maximum battery life, faster charging, and a proven track record of reliability, especially if price is a major factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 685 in the Redmi Note 12 4G a significant upgrade over the 680?
The performance difference is subtle. You'll notice a slight improvement in demanding tasks, but for everyday use, they are quite similar.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Both phones receive MIUI updates, but the Redmi Note 11 has been around longer and may have a slightly more mature software experience. Check Xiaomi's official website for the latest update information.
