Is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S a Good Buy?
Looking for a solid mid-range phone without breaking the bank? The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S might be worth considering. It boasts a high-resolution 108-megapixel main camera, a smooth 90Hz display, and a long-lasting battery.
But is it all sunshine and rainbows? We'll delve into the phone's strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if the Redmi Note 11S fits the bill.
We'll explore its camera capabilities in various lighting conditions, assess its processing power for everyday tasks and gaming, and analyze its battery life.
Additionally, we'll discuss potential drawbacks like the lack of 5G connectivity and any software quirks you should be aware of. By the end of this review, you'll have a clear picture of whether the Redmi Note 11S is the right choice for you.
Related: Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G Review | Is the Redmi Note 12 Worth the Upgrade?
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Review
I would say that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is definitely worth it. It has a lot of great features, such as the excellent camera system, large battery with fast charging capabilities, high-performance chipset, and large AMOLED display. The phone also has a clean and user-friendly interface with Android 11 and MIUI 13. That being said, the phone may not be suitable for everyone. The limited video recording capabilities and lack of IP rating for water and dust resistance may be a concern for some.
Highlights of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S
Premium Build with IP53 Rating - I normally prefer something with a sleek design and rounded edges and the Note 11S doesn’t disappoint. It’s a pretty slim phone that is coupled with Gorilla Glass 3 as well as an IP53 splash resistance rating, making it the ideal mid-range smartphone. .
Large Dynamic Display - The Note 11S features a bright and dynamic 6.43-inch AMOLED display which I found to be quite refreshing to look at. It delivers 2400 x 1080 FHD+ resolution at 90Hz refresh rate making it pretty fluid to use as well.
Excellent Performance - Inside the Note 11S, lies a 2.05GHz Mediatek Helio G96 processor. This octa-core beast is able to perform at peak levels thanks to the 8GB DDR4X RAM resulting in an uber smooth and responsive user experience.
In addition to this, the Note 11S also comes with built-in 64GB UFS 2.2 storage (128GB variant available too) which is great considering the phone has a pro-grade camera setup, so the expandable storage is definitely worth it.
Brilliant Camera Setup - One of the main reasons why the Note 11S is one of my favorites is because it is loaded with one of the best camera setups in the market for this price range.
The quad camera leads with a 108MP Samsung H2 sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor and two 2MP sensors, one for macro shots and one with a f/2.4 depth sensor.
The selfie camera is a 16MP f/2.4 sensor which is truly amazing for the price and photos and videos are always detailed with the right color tones.
Huge Battery - Another impressive highlight of the Note 11S is its huge 5000mAh built-in rechargeable battery. I was able to get over a full day's work from a single charge and this included watching videos and listening to music.
The Note 11S supports 33W fast charging which is capable of taking the phone from 0-50% in under 45 minutes.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Design
The Redmi Note 11S is a well designed mid-range smartphone with a matte finish. In my opinion, it looks quite like the others from the Note 11 range and it comes with a large camera island at the back.
The glass front with Gorilla Glass 3 protection, plastic frame, and glass back give the phone a premium look and feel. The curved edges and slim profile make it comfortable to hold, and the fingerprint sensor on the side is a nice touch. Plus, the IP53 rating for dust and splash resistance means I don't have to worry about accidental spills or drops.
On the right side of the Note 11S lies the volume and power button. As a right-handed person, this layout is perfect as I can easily access all the major buttons as well as unlock the device using just my thumb.
The left side of the phone has the SIM card slot and unfortunately since the Note 11S does not support microSD cards the SIM tray does not have a hybrid slot built in.
At the top of the Note 11S, you’d find the 3.5mm headphone jack and at the bottom is the USB-C charging port and microphone. Since the Note 11S comes with dual stereo speakers, one speaker is situated at the top and one is positioned at the bottom near the microphone.
Overall, the design is impressive and the Note 11S does not feel like a mid-range smartphone. In fact, I felt that the flat design, matte finish, large camera housing and Gorilla Glass 3 make it an interesting buy though they could have made improvements with the materials for the body as the plastic frame seems a little flimsy.
Now, on to the display.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Display
I'm happy to report that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S does not disappoint in this regard. The AMOLED screen is vibrant and bright, with a maximum brightness of 700 nits (and up to 1000 nits at peak brightness), making it easy to see even in bright sunlight.
The 6.43-inch display is also an ideal size for me, providing ample real estate for watching videos and browsing the web without feeling too bulky in my hand. With a screen-to-body ratio of 84.5%, the front of the phone is almost entirely taken up by the display, which is a sleek and modern look.
One thing that really impresses me about the display is the 90Hz refresh rate. It makes scrolling through social media feeds and playing mobile games feel incredibly smooth and fluid. And with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a pixel density of 409 ppi, images and text are crisp and clear.
Of course, I also appreciate the added protection of Corning Gorilla Glass 3. I'm not always the most careful with my phone, so having a durable screen that can withstand some bumps and scratches is definitely a plus.
I'm extremely satisfied with the display on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S. It's a high-quality screen that makes all of my daily phone activities look and feel great. If you're someone who prioritizes a good display on your smartphone, I would definitely recommend giving this one a try.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Performance
Running on Android 11 with MIUI 13, this phone boasts a powerful Mediatek Helio G96 chipset that's built to handle heavy tasks with ease.
The octa-core CPU, consisting of 2 Cortex-A76 cores and 6 Cortex-A55 cores, provides a smooth and seamless experience when multitasking, and the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU delivers stunning graphics that make even the most demanding games look absolutely breathtaking.
The internal storage options are also impressive, with up to 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, which ensures that everything runs quickly and efficiently. And if you need more space, there's even a dedicated microSDXC card slot available.
When it comes to benchmarks, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S performs exceptionally well. It scored an impressive 251201 on AnTuTu (v8), and a whopping 308741 on AnTuTu (v9). On GeekBench (v5.1), it scored 1873, which is a testament to its power and speed.
And when it comes to gaming, the phone didn't disappoint either. With 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) on GFXBench, it's clear that this phone is built to handle even the most demanding games.
I have to say that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is an outstanding phone. It's fast, powerful, and handles everything I throw at it with ease.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Camera
One of the most interesting features of the Note 11S is the camera setup. Now unlike the Note 11 Pro which comes with a 108MP triple camera setup, the Note 11S employs a quad camera setup with an additional 2MP ultra-wide lens.
The 108 MP wide-angle lens is the star of the show here, and it truly delivers stunning results. With a large 1/1.52" sensor and 0.7µm pixel size, this lens captures incredible detail and clarity in every shot.
Whether I was taking landscape photos or portraits, the pictures always turned out sharp and vibrant. And with features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama, I was able to get creative with my shots and capture stunning images in any lighting condition.
The ultra-wide lens is also a standout feature of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S camera. With an 8 MP sensor and a 118˚ field of view, this lens allowed me to capture expansive scenes that were simply breathtaking.
And with the macro lens, I was able to get up close and personal with my subjects and capture stunning details that I might have otherwise missed.
The selfie camera on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is also impressive. With a 16 MP sensor and f/2.5 aperture, this camera captures clear and detailed selfies that are perfect for sharing on social media. And with 1080p@30fps video recording capabilities, I was able to capture high-quality videos as well.
Whether you're a professional photographer or just someone who loves taking photos, this phone has everything you need to capture stunning images and videos.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Battery
Xiaomi is well known for their battery backup and their Note 11 range delivers some of the best battery life for the specs they come with.
I have to say, the battery life on this phone is simply amazing. With a large 5000 mAh Li-Po battery, I can go all day without worrying about running out of juice.
But what's even more impressive is the fast charging capabilities of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S. With 33W wired charging, PD3.0, and QC3, this phone can go from 0% to 100% in just 58 minutes, which is truly impressive. I never have to worry about waiting for hours for my phone to charge up, and I can get back to using my phone quickly and efficiently.
Since it’s a mid-range device with a powerhouse of specs under the hood, I'm not surprised that the phone is able to last for more than a day. In fact, the long lasting battery with good fast charging capabilities has made the battery one of my favorite features of the Note 11S.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent camera system with a high-resolution 108 MP main lens, 8 MP ultra-wide lens, and macro and depth lenses.
- Large 5000 mAh battery with fast charging capabilities of up to 33W wired charging, PD3.0, and QC3.
- High-performance chipset with an octa-core CPU and Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, making it suitable for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Large 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution for sharp and vibrant visuals.
- Android 11 with MIUI 13 provides a clean and user-friendly interface.
Cons:
- Limited video recording capabilities, with only 1080p@30fps available for both the front and rear cameras.
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance, which may be a concern for some users.
- No 3.5mm headphone jack, which may be inconvenient for users who prefer wired headphones.
- The dedicated microSD slot may not be as versatile as a hybrid SIM/microSD slot.
- The back panel is made of plastic, which may not feel as premium as glass or metal.
Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S?
I would recommend the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S to anyone who values a great camera system, large battery, and high-performance chipset. The phone is suitable for those who use their phone for heavy multitasking, gaming, and media consumption. However, it may not be the best choice for those who need a phone with robust video recording capabilities or are looking for a phone with a premium build quality.
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