How is it different from the standard version of Xiaomi Redmi Note 11? Did they just add support for 5G or did they care about the right upgrade?
We recently tested the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, which in its price range offers quite a few benefits that we would normally expect in the mid-range price.
We also recently put the new luxury Xiaomi 12 to the test.
We are now working on a more powerful sibling in the Redmi Note 11 family, who was curious whether it was worth a slightly more expensive price tag or what you get compared to the classic version of the Redmi Note 11 and the Redmi Note 10 model last year.
| Advantages | Weak points |
| ✔ Super AMOLED display | ❌ Average processor performance |
| ✔ Long battery life | ❌ Support video up to 1080p / 30fps only |
| ✔ Fast Charging 67W | ❌ Average Secondary Cameras |
| ✔ Good main camera |
Price and versions?
- Xiaomi Redmi 11 Pro 5G Note (8GB/128GB): 379
- Note Xiaomi Redmi 11 Pro 5G (6 GB / 128 GB): about 320 euros
- Xiaomi Redmi 11 Pro 5G (6GB / 64GB) Note: about 300 EUR
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is available in three colors: white (polar white), gray (graphite gray) and blue (atlantic blue).
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G: design and look
The first feeling when you pick up the phone is that it’s a choppy phone. Some specifications already remind us that it is not the thinnest (8.1 mm) phone and the lightest (202 g) in the world. Of course, we can’t call it a kind of heavyweight, as it still ranks somewhere in the middle of the list in terms of weight and thickness.
The straight-edged shape also contributes to the different feel when handled. Appearance is deceptive, it is not exactly a flat shape. The front, protected by Gorilla Glass 5, and the back glass side curve almost imperceptibly where they meet the metal frame. This curve is so subtle that you’ll still feel like it’s a completely flat phone. After the initial feeling of alienation, the design became close to our hearts and became one of the features that will make us remember Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G.
As said, the back side compared to the classic Redmi Note 11 has a glass upgrade with a matte finish that successfully fights splashes. At the back there is also a large bulge for the cameras, which at the same time at first glance is a bit misleading. The main camera, which is still slightly convex than other cameras, is attached to four circular notches. Some might think it’s four extra cameras, but it’s actually two lenses, an LED light and space for redundant AI engravings.
On the right side of the screen you will find the volume button and the power button which also houses the fingerprint sensor. It is not the fastest sensor on the market, but it still proves to be fast enough and very reliable.
Below you’ll find a USB-C fast charging port (67W) and a SIM/microSD card slot that lets you upgrade your storage to 1TB. On top there is a 3.5mm wired headphone jack and an IR blaster to use the phone as a universal remote control.
As with the other Redmi Note 11 releases, we appreciate the built-in stereo speakers. Although we don’t usually rely on built-in portable speakers, we’re still happy with the decent volume and sound quality.
Finally, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G also received an IP53 protection rating against dust and water drops. As expected, Xiaomi has included a transparent cover in the package for extra protection, which does not block the view of the quiet back glass.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G: AMOLED display
The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G has an AMOLED display that definitely stands out among the other specs, but it’s still not a screen that sets the standards in its class. It’s a 6.67-inch AMOLED FullHD+ display that supports a 2400 x 1800 resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio. We initially hinted that this is a great phone that some of you will find difficult to use in one-handed mode.
Some will not mind and will embrace the larger screen with open arms. But you’ll all enjoy flawless contrast, vibrant colors, and impressive brightness. Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G has a functional sunlight mode that turns on automatically when you’re walking around on sunny days. The function automatically adjusts the brightness, which according to Xiaomi rises to 1200 threads, and plays with the contrast of the screen to achieve maximum visibility. In the spring sun, the sunny mode works well, and a real test awaits in the summer months. First you have to turn on the mode in Settings>Display>Brightness level.
In the settings, you also have three default options for adjusting the screen color: Vivid, Saturated, and Standard. The choice is subjective, we opted for a more relaxed standard setup, which got rid of the blue filter on the screen.
The AMOLED display also has a high refresh rate of 120Hz, but it lacks the dynamic speed change function, which allows the phone to adjust the speed automatically and save some power. This did not bother us, because we always run the maximum refresh rate. We are not bothered by the high battery consumption, as it is difficult to resist the smooth movement of the screen.
performance and hardware
What about the Snapdragon 695 processor? In some ways, this is an upgrade over the previous generation of Redmi Note phones, but in areas like gaming and video capabilities, it loses some points.
Snapdragon 695 is definitely an economical processor that supports 5G. For 5G support, you’ll sacrifice quite a bit of performance, even when you compare the phone to last year’s Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro or last year’s POCO F3, which easily overpowers current budget processors, at least in terms of raw power. Video capabilities have also been hit hard, with the maximum supported video resolution at 1080p/30fps. In comparison, last year’s Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro got 4K video recording.
However, we do not want to be more critical of the current budget processors, including the Snapdragon 695. All in all, the level of performance is more than satisfactory for most users. Apps launch quickly, switching between apps and menus is seamless, and we didn’t notice the random slowdowns sometimes found on minimal phones.
Playing games is decent too. For some graphics-intensive games (Genshin Impact, Ark: Survival Evolved), you will not be allowed to set the highest resolution, but the frame rate remains constant without significant drops. You will feel slight drops or bottlenecks when loading new funds, which is not very annoying.
In short, the processor offers average performance that is satisfactory for the vast majority of users. If you’re looking for a phone for intense gaming, you can get a better processor at a similar price, which most likely won’t support 5G networks. If you rarely reach for games or don’t care if you’re playing at the highest resolution or not, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G meets your standards.
Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G: Camera
The main camera has been upgraded to 108MP (Samsung HM2 sensor) compared to the Redmi Note 11, with an 8MP wide-angle camera and a 2MP macro camera. In front of you you will find a 16MP selfie camera.
The graphic interface remains true to the current Xiaomi image. All the classic shooting modes are available, including the Pro mode for taking more personalized photos. The More section includes Night Mode, 108MP Mode (the main camera takes 12MP photos by default), Short Video, Panorama, Documents, Slow Motion, Dual Video, and more.
The biggest change, unfortunately not positive, occurred in the field of video. As mentioned earlier, the maximum supported video resolution is 1080p/30fps. Last year’s model supported 4K recording at 30 frames per second, and most phones in this category also support 4K resolution. This is also the most obvious limitation of the new Snapdragon 695 processor.
The Bright Spot is a reliable main camera that takes pictures with good dynamic range and contrast levels in daylight. Even in low light, the main camera works well. The images contain sufficient detail and accurate colours. Some noise can be observed along the edges, and the shading is not at the highest level. Night mode provides better dynamic range and a higher level of detail.
Other cameras are not quite as good. The wide-angle camera does not cope better with colors, especially in low light. The macro camera will be used by less demanding users, but for more complex photos you will need more patience, picking up an angle and good lighting.
Battery and charging
The 5000mAh battery easily has enough power for two days of use. Even with a few short game episodes, you’ll still have plenty of energy until the early afternoon of the second day.
A 67W fast charging is available, which will save the battery to an astounding 50-60% in just over 15 minutes. Wireless charging is not available, but that’s not a drawback with this fast charging.
Final opinion
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is a rugged phone with quite a few attractive and non-standard features in this price range. The AMOLED screen provides a great viewing experience, the speakers are good, the charging is very fast, and the battery offers above-average autonomy. After the initial tweak, we’re also pleased with the phone’s sleeker, flatter look.
The phone lacks breath in terms of performance, mainly due to the low-end processor, which sacrifices quite a bit of computing power in exchange for 5G support. It also affects the phone’s ability to shoot video, which stops at 1080p. For users who rely heavily on logging, this will pose a little, if not an insurmountable hurdle. The bright spot is the 108MP main camera, which consistently takes good pictures.