The Xiaomi Redmi Note series consistently delivers excellent value for money. The Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 11S are two popular contenders, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key features to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 11S boasts superior battery life and slightly brighter display, while the Note 12 offers a more modern chipset. Ultimately, the Note 11S provides better endurance, making it a solid choice for power users, while the Note 12 offers a performance edge for those prioritizing speed.
| 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, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 27 | 2022, January 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 11 | Available. Released 2022, February 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, glass back |
| 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 | 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 | 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 (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone 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 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 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" | 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 | 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | 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, 50% in 22 min | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue | Graphite Gray, Pearl White, Twilight Blue |
| Models | 22111317I, 22111317G | 2201117SG, 2201117SI, 2201117SY, 2201117SL |
| Price | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 | € 136.99 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 101h
|
Endurance rating 133h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
AnTuTu: 251201 (v8), 308741 (v9)
GeekBench: 1873 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Newer Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset
- More efficient processor
- Faster initial charging (50% in 22 min)
- Slightly better performance for multitasking and gaming
- Shorter battery life compared to Note 11S
- Slightly lower peak brightness
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S
- Exceptional battery life (133h endurance rating)
- Slightly brighter display (744 nits)
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Faster full charge (58 min)
- Older MediaTek Helio G96 chipset
- Slightly less efficient processor
- Potentially less smooth performance in demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a similar 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution. However, the Redmi Note 11S edges out the Note 12 with a slightly higher peak brightness of 744 nits compared to the Note 12's 706 nits. While both offer excellent contrast (Infinite nominal), the Note 11S's slightly brighter screen provides better visibility in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a triple-camera setup, typically including a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. While both capture decent photos, the Note 11S's image processing might be slightly more refined. Video recording capabilities are comparable, offering 1080p recording at 30fps.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset, a newer and more efficient processor built on a 6nm process. This translates to improved performance and efficiency compared to the Redmi Note 11S's MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm). Expect smoother app loading and slightly better gaming performance on the Note 12.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 11S shines in the battery department. It boasts an impressive endurance rating of 133 hours, significantly outperforming the Redmi Note 12's 101 hours. While both support 33W fast charging, the Note 11S charges to 100% in approximately 58 minutes, whereas the Note 12 reaches 50% in 22 minutes, suggesting a slightly faster initial charge.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for users who prioritize a smoother, more responsive experience thanks to its newer Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset. It's a good choice for moderate gamers and those who frequently multitask. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is perfect for users who value long battery life and don't need the absolute latest processor. It's a reliable option for everyday tasks and casual use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Redmi Note 12's newer chipset generally provides a smoother gaming experience, especially for more demanding titles.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 worth the upgrade from the Note 11S?
If you prioritize performance and efficiency, the Note 12 is a worthwhile upgrade. However, if battery life is your top concern, the Note 11S remains a strong contender.
