The Xiaomi Redmi Note series consistently delivers excellent value for money. But with new models arriving, choosing the right one can be tricky. We're pitting the Redmi Note 12 (China) against the Redmi Note 11 to help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 11 boasts exceptional battery life and fast charging, while the Note 12 offers a slightly more modern chipset. Ultimately, the Note 11 remains a strong contender, especially if battery endurance is your top priority, but the Note 12 provides a small performance edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 27 | 2022, January 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 01 | Available. Released 2022, February 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | 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 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Samsung AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 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 | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, 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 | Black, White, Blue | Graphite Gray, Twilight Blue, Star Blue |
| Models | 22101317C | 2201117TG, 2201117TI, 2201117TY, 2201117TL |
| Price | About 190 EUR | £ 95.00 / € 97.99 / ₹ 11,950 |
| SAR | - | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 228044 (v8), 244526 (v9)
GeekBench: 1662 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.8fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China)
- Slightly newer chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Potentially improved performance
- 6nm process
- Less information available on display specs
- Camera details are scarce
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
- Exceptional battery life (126h endurance)
- Bright display (736 nits)
- Fast charging (33W, PD3.0, QC3)
- Proven reliability
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 680 4G)
- Potentially less powerful than Note 12
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 11's display shines with a measured 736 nits of peak brightness, offering excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Note 12's display details are less readily available, it's likely to be a competent panel. The Note 11's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deep blacks and vibrant colors. Overall, the Note 11 has a slight edge in display quality based on available data.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' camera setups, but specific details regarding sensor sizes, aperture, and features are lacking. Based on general Redmi Note series trends, the Note 11 likely offers a well-rounded camera experience, while the Note 12 might bring minor improvements in image processing. A direct camera comparison would require more detailed specifications.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset, built on a 6nm process, represents a newer generation compared to the Note 11's Snapdragon 680 4G. While both are octa-core, the Note 12's Cortex-A78 cores offer improved performance for demanding tasks. Expect slightly faster app loading and smoother gaming on the Note 12.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11 truly excels in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 126 hours. This is a significant advantage. The Note 12's battery capacity is likely similar, but the newer chipset might impact overall endurance. The Note 11's 33W charging, with PD3.0 and QC3 support, allows for a full charge in approximately 60 minutes.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) is ideal for users who prioritize a slightly faster processor for smoother multitasking and gaming. The Redmi Note 11 is a great choice for those seeking incredible battery life and a proven, reliable experience, particularly if you value a bright display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 worth upgrading from the Redmi Note 11?
It depends on your priorities. If you need a slight performance boost, the Note 12 is a reasonable upgrade. However, if battery life is paramount, the Note 11 remains a strong choice.
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 680?
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is a newer chipset built on a 6nm process, generally offering better performance and efficiency compared to the older Snapdragon 680 4G.
