Redmi Note 11 review: an excellent entry-level smartphone from Xiaomi

For this test, we received the 64 gigabyte version of the Redmi Note 11 color ” Grey graphite “. Xiaomi continues to include the charger in the box, which is appreciable, especially at this price. Especially since it is a 33 chargerwatts. No listenersbut a cable USB A to USB C and a shell in plastic soft transparent. The quality is quite decent and the case is more than enough if you don’t want to buy anything else. However, we were quite frustrated by a small detail that some will love or hate: a small protective cap for the USB socket is integrated, but it does not fold down easily. Impossible for us to connect the device without using both hands…

If we do without the shell, the back of the phone is plastic. It’s no surprise at this price. However, it is matte and therefore avoids fingerprints; it does not tend to slip if placed on a wobbly table.

A superb screen for the entry level

The screen is Amoledwhich is not always the case on entry-level products often equipped with LCD cheaper. By default, the color scheme is set to Intense, which tends to saturate everything. Better to change it to Standard option.

The hole in punch is a matter of personal taste. It does not interfere with videos since on a 20:9 display^evideos in 16:9^e will have bars on either side anyway. The hole is placed in the middle, which is less disturbing in the notification bar, and allows Xiaomi to offer two accesses. Open the bar on the left of the front camera to view notifications, open the bar on the right and the smart phone displays quick shortcuts. It’s quite handy!

Smooth performance and stereo sound

On the performance side, the Snapdragon680 is not the most powerful of processors , but it still offers good performance on this range of devices. The Redmi Note 11 scores 7.534 with the benchmark PCMark Work 3.0, which simulates common tasks. This places it at the level of a Oppo A54 5G or a OnePlus Nord CE 2, and therefore means good responsiveness for everyday use. 3D tasks, such as games, are not the strong point of this processor. However, this smartphone allows you to play games like PUBG Mobile with the pack of textures low definition.

For audio, the Redmi Note 11 is equipped with speakers stereo, which is great. The device offers a volumemore than enough. On the other hand, for the quality, it is a smartphone so, even if it remains correct, it will never be worth an external speaker. Xiaomi had the good idea to keep the jack, therefore it will not be necessary to buy a Bluetooth headset.

Some dull photos but long battery life

For the camera , do not expect miracles. Xiaomi announces 50 megapixels, but the device does not use them by default. On the contrary, it uses the pixel binning, to combine pixels four by four. We therefore obtain photos of 12 megapixels. By zooming to 100%, you get a good level of detail for nearby objects. For objects more than a few meters away, the quality quickly becomes quite poor. Unlike many devices, the Redmi Note 11 does not saturate colors. On the contrary, they are even a little dull and the photos look washed out. It is kind of a shame. But, at this price, the quality remains quite correct. Same observation for selfies, but the camera manages the backlight very well.

The Redmi has a bigautonomy with a 5,000 mAh battery, and the promise is kept. Xiaomi announces 22 hours of video playback or 43 hours of calls. In fact, it lasts more than two days between two charges with frequent but reasonable use. We also tested the device with the applicationPCMark Work 3.0, simulates different tasks, like web browsing, photo and video editing, document management… With the screen set to 90 refresh rate Hz which reduces autonomy, we still obtained 16 hours and 16 minutes, which is an excellent score.

For recharging, the supplied 33 watt block allows a full rechargein just one hour and seven minutes. It only takes 26 minutes for a half load.

Futura’s opinion

At less than 200 euros, the Redmi Note 11 is not likely to compete with the flagships of other brands. However, for this market segment, it has many advantages. Despite slightly dull photos, the quality is more than enough for social networks . The arrival of AMOLED screens with a high refresh rate on the entry level is a real plus. In the end, the price-quality ratio is excellent.

WE love

• Amoled screen

• The 90 Hz refresh rate

• A physical fingerprint reader

We don’t like

• Washed out photo colors

Futura’s note

Redmi Note 11 sheet

• Screen: 6.43-inch AMOLED (1,080 x 2,400 pixels) at 90 Hz;
• Camera: four sensors rear: 50-megapixel main, 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle, 2-megapixel macro and depth, and a camera frontal13 megapixel;
• Processor: Snapdragon 680 (2 cores at 2.4 GHz and 6 cores at 1.8 GHz);
• Memory: 4 GBrandom access memory64 to 128 GB of storage;
• Fingerprint reader: on the power button;
• Battery: 5,000 mAh, 33 W fast charge;
• Price: €199.90.