The Redmi Note 11 test in video
We have prepared a video of our Redmi Note 11 test on our YouTube channel to discover below. Otherwise, you can read our full test further down the page.
A neat design
When you pay 200 euros for such a device, you do not expect to use a smartphone with noble materials, elegant lines and classy finishes. And yet, manufacturers have understood that design is one of the main selection criteria for the general public. Therefore, the challenge for designers is to succeed, by all means, in creating an illusion.
The least we can say is that Xiaomi’s teams have mastered the exercise perfectly. Although dressed in a plastic dress, the Redmi Note 11 is far from looking like a product cheap. The polymer used is strong and its matte coating offers the most beautiful effect.
The rectangular photo module, although integrated a little roughly, gives all the light to the optics. This aesthetic choice sends a clear message, and this was verified during the test: the Redmi Note 11 is cut out for photography.
Light (179 g) the Redmi Note 11 displays rather contained dimensions with regard to its screen diagonal (159.87 x 73.87 x 8.09 mm for 6.43 ”). The result is a very pleasant grip, even with one hand. A small detail is welcome: the fingerprint reader located under the on / off button falls right under the thumb.
Finally, only those accustomed to high-end models will note a few small “defects” that are observed on more affordable smartphones. The most visible is probably chin width (small border located at the bottom of the screen). That of the Redmi Note 11, although reduced compared to previous generations, remains a bit wide. Can we blame Xiaomi for this point of detail? Not really considering the price, especially since the finishes are exemplary.
With the Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi demonstrates that you can afford a nice smartphone without breaking the bank, something impossible a few years ago.
A state-of-the-art screen
In 2022, a good smartphone screen must meet three criteria: panel technology, refresh rate and definition. At Xiaomi, a 200 euro smartphone can have a screen that ticks all the boxes.
Thus, the Redmi Note 11 incorporates a AMOLED display DotDisplay (with center punch) of 6.43”. Check. The panel refresh rate is 90 Hz. Check. Content is displayed in Full HD+. Check.
Some will say that it is possible to go further with, for example, a QHD + definition or an adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate. Let’s calm down. Xiaomi offers here a smartphone at 200 euros. Inevitably, the technologies used are not the same as the more advanced models also sold five times more expensive.
For 200 euros, the feat therefore deserves to be praised. Because on a daily basis (verified in our test of the Redmi Note 11), the comfort of use is indeed there. Also, we challenge anyone to see with the naked eye a difference in fluidity between a 90 Hz and 120 Hz panel.
The real point that could possibly change day-to-day comfort is the lack of adaptive frequency, which has consequences for autonomy. But, at the risk of repeating ourselves, the Redmi Note 11 only costs 200 euros.
As if all this were not enough, the manufacturer announces a 1000 nits maximum brightness, a figure that we do not check during our tests since we focus on uses. For scientific data, others do this well. Remember that the screen is very bright, so using it in direct sunlight, for example, has never been a problem for us.
Finally, the screen of the Redmi Note 11 fills the DCI-P3 color range (perfect for films and series). A little cold by default, the display can be customized in the settings. We recommend the “intensive” mode which warms the whole thing up a bit and slightly saturates the colours.
Despite its contained price, the Redmi Note 11 therefore has a screen that perfectly meets 2022 standards. Whether you’re using social media, watching movies, or gaming, you’ll be amazed.
More than enough performance
Traditionally, smartphones at 200 euros suffer from performance that is too fair for the most demanding users. This is no longer really the case in 2022, at least with regard to this Redmi Note 11. Over time, microprocessor manufacturers have managed to drastically reduce the cost of producing components that always offer more performance.
In 2022, an entry-level chip therefore meets the needs of the majority of users. The Redmi Note 11 therefore inherits a Snapdragon 680 chip engraved in 6 nm associated with 4 or 6 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of storage depending on the version. It may not be the most muscular configuration around, but it is enough to provide enough power for very pleasant daily use.
During our test, we never encountered any major problems. All apps run smoothly even when they are resource-intensive. Users navigating between dozens of applications will rarely encounter slowdowns.
In reality, the Redmi Note 11 runs out of steam when you multiply the applications requesting the graphics chip: photo editing, video editing. Players will also have to agree to make small sacrifices: with demanding 3D licenses, it will be necessary to choose between fluidity and graphic quality. Nothing to spoil the gaming experience either.
In terms of performance, the Redmi Note 11 will therefore sufficiently meet the needs of 99% of consumers. For others, the Redmi Note 11 Pro (soon to be tested), a bit more muscular and more expensive, should correct these small flaws.
A versatile camera
For 200 euros, we cannot expect to compete with the best photophones on the market. Nevertheless, we can hope to immortalize a few moments of life and even, why not, indulge in some more artistic compositions. For this, you still need a minimum of versatility.
Good news, Xiaomi has equipped its Redmi Note 11 with several sensors so as not to get stuck in certain situations. Thus, the photo module consists of:
- a wide-angle lens (f/1.8) with 50MP sensor
- an ultra wide-angle lens (f/2.2 – 118° field of view) with 8 Mpxl sensor
- a macro lens (f/2.4) with 2 MP sensor
- a depth sensor 2MP (f/2.4 lens aperture)
- at the front, a 13 Mpxl sensor (f/2.4 lens aperture)
Frankly, the multiplication of sensors is more of a marketing argument than a real asset in photography. Thus, the macro lens and the depth sensor seem useless to us. We didn’t really see their effects during our test.
The Redmi Note 11 therefore actually has two “real” sensors. The main one (50 Mpxl) is the most convincing in our test. In good light conditions (outdoors, daytime for example), the sharpness is quite good, the contrasts controlled and the colors faithful to reality. It will therefore satisfy most users.
The latter, combined with a good dose of AI, is also used for portraits. In general, it is quite convincing in this exercise, at least in good light conditions. The clipping is clean and the bokeh correct. So nothing to report.
Ultimately, the 50 Mpxl sensor shows its limits at night and in low light. New Night Mode 2.0 does nothing, the shots lose detail, the noise is far too present and the colors are too yellow. Can we blame Xiaomi? Not really. For 200 euros, you can’t have everything.
Another small weakness of the Redmi Note 11, its ultra wide-angle. If the results are not catastrophic, the difference in rendering compared to the main sensor is too obvious to be ignored. The loss of detail and the difference in contrast are obvious. Also, the AI tends to burn out the background. Nothing dramatic but the difference in quality with the main sensor remains noticeable. As the other would say: “you have to know how to make sacrifices”.
Excellent battery life and fast charging
The advantage of low-cost smartphones is that their processors consume relatively little energy. By opting for an AMOLED screen, Xiaomi further optimizes energy consumption. With the exception of the refresh rate of 90 Hz, the technical sheet therefore foreshadowed a rather comfortable autonomy.
Good news, our guesses turned out to be correct in our test. Without imposing itself as a market reference, the Redmi Note 11 easily rises to the top of the basket. Its 5000 mAh battery ensures ua day and a half of versatile use with the refresh rate of 90 Hz. You can save a few hours by reducing this frequency to 60 Hz, but then you lose all the interest of such an advanced screen.
Users who are more connected will therefore have to go through the recharge box every day, especially if they drag on a popular 3D game like Call of Duty Mobile for example. On the other hand, if your uses are more universal (social networks, messages, a little video on Youtube, web browsing), you can hope to last two full days. So very good performance.
To spoil nothing, the Redmi Note 11 comes with a 33W charger which, depending on the brand, can recharge the battery from 0 to 100% in about an hour. According to our tests, it takes a quarter of an extra hour to go from 0 to 100%. To recharge the smartphone in less than an hour, it will have to be plugged in before it has 1% battery left. Yes, we quibble but this detail is important in an emergency.
Finally, let us point out that the Redmi Note 11 is not compatible with wireless charging. For this price, the opposite would have been surprising.
Our opinion after the Redmi Note 11 test
When approaching the Redmi Note 11 test, we asked ourselves the following question: what can we do with a smartphone at 200 euros in 2022? In a nutshell: everything. Technological advances and Xiaomi’s know-how to compress costs as much as possible (and, let’s say it, reduce its margins) make the standards of 2022 accessible.
Thus, the Redmi Note 11 is elegant, sufficiently efficient for 99% of users, and enduring. Add to that a fast charging system and, above all, an impressive 90 Hz AMOLED screen for this price level.
During an interview with the CEO of Xiaomi France, the latter explained to us that we could afford a good smartphone for 200 euros in France. The Redmi Note 11 is clear proof of this.
