The Redmi Note Series is a versatile smartphone lineup that fits into any pocket and is a strong mid-range contender. With the launch of the Redmi Note 11 Series in India earlier this month, Xiaomi has updated its portfolio. So far, Xiaomi’s sub-brand has released two variants: the Redmi Note 11 Pro, which is powered by a MediaTek chipset and supports 4G connectivity, and the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G, which is powered by a Snapdragon chipset and supports 5G connectivity. Except for connectivity and cameras, the specifications of both smartphones are nearly identical. For the time being, we’ll talk about the Note 11 Pro+ 5G, which has been our daily driver for quite some time. So here is our Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G review.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G review: Design and Display
First and foremost, let’s talk about the design. The design of the latest Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G differs from that of its predecessor. The construction and design appear to be more durable and modern than the previous generation. It has a flat design language with sharp edges, which is very similar to the Xiaomi 11i (review) that we previously reviewed. The back panel is also protected by Gorilla Glass, which we appreciate.
When light reflects on the Mirage Blue variant, it creates a glossy wavy pattern that looks like water waves. Despite the glossy finish on the back, fingerprints and smudges are less noticeable, which is surprising. However, instead of the pattern’s glossy finish, we’d prefer to see a matte finish. Phantom White and Stealth Black, both with a simple matte finish, are two more colour options.
The three rear cameras are arranged in a two-step design on the top left corner, with the 108MP primary sensor being more prominent and receiving its own space. A fingerprint sensor is embedded inside the power button on the right side of the frame, while the volume keys are located just above the power button. The 3.5mm headphone jack, IR blaster, and stereo speakers are present on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G. The earpiece speaker grille, as well as a 3.5mm audio socket and an IR emitter, are all located on the top. On the bottom, you’ll find the primary speaker, USB Type-C port, and hybrid dual-SIM tray.
The phone isn’t overly heavy, but it has just the right amount of weight. It’s also not very comfortable to grip or use single-handedly due to its flat, squarish design. The body, on the other hand, is splash-resistant, and the SIM tray has a rubber seal to keep moisture out. Its audio output is quite loud and adequate for listening to music and watching movies, and it has left a lasting impression on us.
On the front of the phone is a 6.67-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a brightness of up to 1,200 nits. Corning Gorilla Glass 5 is used to make the display. Because it supports 360Hz, the screen response rate is quite good.
We immediately noticed how responsive the touch is here, which is something you’d only find on premium mid-rangers (By the way we loved playing Subway Surfer on this phone.) The fluidity has improved with the 120Hz refresh rate, and we haven’t experienced any stutter or jitters during our testing. As a result, scrolling through the UI is much more fluid. On this device, we had a lot of fun watching movies and Netflix and Prime series. The videos showcased vivid colours and deep blacks, and the content is bright and readable even in direct sunlight. The automatic brightness adjustment, on the other hand, is a little slower, but that’s not a deal-breaker for us.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G: Performance and Cameras
Now we’ll move on to the performance aspect of things. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is octa-core. The processor is adequate for everyday use and responds quickly when you launch an application. We also didn’t notice any lags, which is a good thing considering the price.
The device is HDR 10 certified, but when you try to play any HDR content on Netflix, you’ll only get an HD option, and YouTube video playback is limited to 1080p. In fact, the device is unable to play videos in 4K resolution. As a result, HDR is not supported by the processor.
Now that that’s done, let’s take a look at the gaming performance. We used smooth graphics and a high frame rate to play BGMI. It can also be played in high-definition graphics with a high frame rate. When we switched to the smooth ultra settings, we didn’t notice any lags or stutters, but when we switched to the HD and high settings, we noticed glitches and lags.
At the time of testing, no heating issues were discovered. However, given the price, the gaming experience falls short of what we would expect from a low-cost smartphone in the 10k to 15k range.
When it comes to software, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G runs on Android 11 with the MIUI 13 overlay on top, which is unfortunate because many phones nowadays come with Android 12 out of the box. Xiaomi also provides two years of Android updates, which means this device can only receive updates up to Android 13. But the best part is that when compared to other brands, MIUI 13 is much more optimised.
Before we get to the optics, take a look at the camera specifications. A 108-megapixel Samsung HM2 main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera make up the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G’s triple rear camera setup. A 16-megapixel selfie camera with an f/2.45 lens is included in the device.
Surprisingly, this 5G variant does not include the 2-megapixel depth sensor found on the 4G Redmi Note 11 Pro. Last year’s Redmi Note series camera performance left us unsatisfied, but this year’s model has some improvements over its predecessor. The colour optimisation is flawless, the images do not appear oversaturated, and the contrast is also flawless. Under good lighting conditions, the 108-megapixel primary sensor, as well as the selfie camera, produce some good images. When compared to other smartphone images, however, the photos taken with this phone lacked detail, which could be due to slower processing or other factors.
The low-light images are adequate but not spectacular. However, it improves when photos are taken in night mode, but you must keep your hands steady for 4 to 5 seconds. Also, the 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens will not produce sharp or detailed images. Last but not least, the 2-megapixel macro sensor is useless.
The macro lens can record videos up to 720p in terms of videography. The bad news is that you can only record videos at a resolution of up to 1080p @30fps, which is the same as a 10K smartphone. The front camera is adequate but not exceptional. The portraits are also acceptable to us.
A 5,000mAh battery powers the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G. The best part is that a 67W charger is included in the box. The device is said to take about 40 minutes to charge fully. In our tests, the phone takes about 45 minutes to charge fully. However, this device’s battery life is exceptional. Under heavy usage, we were able to get 5 hours of screen time, which included gaming, videography, video watching, video calling, and scrolling through our social media accounts. So, if you’re a light user, the battery should last you more than a day.
Verdict
Xiaomi clearly has a superior design, display, and charging speed. If you want a smartphone that is focused on photography, you can look at many of the company’s other models, but not this one. If you’re looking for a day to day phone, this is a very good option.
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