In the world of smartphones, budget-friendly devices often come with significant compromises. However, Xiaomi continues to challenge that perception with its Redmi Note series. Among these, the Redmi Note 11S stands out as a remarkable choice for users who crave high-end features such as an AMOLED display, a powerful camera system, and smooth performance — without breaking the bank.
TL;DR
The Redmi Note 11S is an impressive budget phone featuring a 6.43-inch AMOLED display, a 108MP main camera, and a responsive 90Hz refresh rate. It is powered by the MediaTek Helio G96 processor and includes a large 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging support. With a sleek design and sharp visuals, the Note 11S represents excellent value for money. Ideal for casual gamers, photographers, and multimedia consumers on a budget.
Design and Build Quality
The Redmi Note 11S adopts a refined design language that feels premium for its price. Sporting a matte plastic back and a sleek flat-edge frame, the phone provides an ergonomic grip and a modern aesthetic. The rear camera module is streamlined, and the device is available in stylish color options including Polar White, Horizon Blue, and Graphite Gray.
Weighing around 179 grams and measuring 8.1mm in thickness, the phone strikes a good balance between portability and robustness. Xiaomi has also included an IP53 rating, offering splash and dust resistance — an uncommon feature in budget phones.
AMOLED Display: A Highlight Feature
What truly sets the Note 11S apart from competitors in this segment is its 6.43-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display. The screen provides a vibrant and crisp viewing experience, boasting a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and max brightness of up to 1000 nits (in High Brightness Mode). This makes it a joy to use outdoors and indoors, whether streaming videos or browsing photos.
In addition, the display supports a 90Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and fluid animations. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, ensuring a decent level of scratch resistance.
Performance and Internals
At the heart of the Redmi Note 11S lies the MediaTek Helio G96 processor. Paired with either 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB or 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage, the device offers quite competent performance for daily tasks like multitasking, app-switching, and moderate gaming.
The Helio G96 may not be a flagship processor, but in combination with Xiaomi’s MIUI optimization, it handles popular games like Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile reasonably well on medium settings.
- Processor: MediaTek Helio G96
- RAM Options: 6GB/8GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 64GB/128GB UFS 2.2 (expandable via microSD)
- GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
One potential downside is the lack of 5G connectivity — something to consider as more regions shift to next-gen networks.
Camera Quality
The quad-camera setup on the Note 11S is headlined by a 108MP Samsung HM2 sensor. This sensor captures detailed and vibrant shots in well-lit conditions, and supports 9-in-1 pixel binning to enhance low-light performance.
- Main Camera: 108MP, f/1.9
- Ultra-Wide: 8MP, f/2.2, 118° field of view
- Macro Lens: 2MP
- Depth Sensor: 2MP
The ultra-wide lens is serviceable for landscape shots, while the macro and depth sensors are more situational. The front features a 16MP selfie camera that offers good clarity in daylight and performs adequately indoors with artificial lighting.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is another strong suit of the Redmi Note 11S. The phone is equipped with a 5000mAh battery capable of lasting a full day on moderate to heavy use including video streaming, GPS navigation, and casual gaming.
Even better, the phone supports 33W Pro fast charging, and Xiaomi includes the compatible charger in the box — a practice that’s disappearing in the mid and budget range. Charging from 0 to 100% takes roughly one hour, which is impressive at this price tier.
MIUI and Software Experience
The Note 11S comes with MIUI 13 based on Android 11 out of the box, though it is upgradeable to newer versions of Android. Xiaomi’s MIUI offers a visually rich UI and plenty of customization features. However, some users may find the inclusion of bloatware and frequent ads in system apps to be intrusive.
Over time, MIUI has improved in terms of stability and features, and Xiaomi has committed to providing future updates for the Note 11S.
Connectivity and Extras
For a budget phone, the Redmi Note 11S comes packed with useful features that enhance the user experience:
- Dual stereo speakers with high-res audio support
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
- IR blaster for controlling home appliances
- 3.5mm headphone jack, still present for audio lovers
- Dual SIM + dedicated microSD slot
These small additions elevate the device beyond many of its competitors in the same price bracket.
Pricing and Value
The Redmi Note 11S is positioned competitively in the mid-range market. As of its launch, it was priced around $250 USD for the base variant, varying slightly by region and storage configurations. Considering its AMOLED display, high-resolution primary camera, and commendable performance, it provides outstanding value for its price.
There are few smartphones under $300 that feature a 108MP primary camera and a high-refresh AMOLED screen. Xiaomi has effectively blurred the lines between budget and mid-range with this phone.
Conclusion
The Redmi Note 11S is a compelling choice for consumers looking for a feature-rich phone without a premium price tag. From a brilliant AMOLED panel to a long-lasting battery, it ticks most of the boxes that matter to everyday users. While it lacks 5G and flagship-grade processing power, it performs reliably in all the essential areas.
For those shopping on a budget but desiring specifications that punch well above their weight, the Redmi Note 11S stands as a top recommendation in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 1. Does the Redmi Note 11S support 5G?
- No, the Redmi Note 11S supports only 4G LTE networks.
- 2. Is the AMOLED display good for watching content?
- Yes, the 6.43-inch AMOLED display is bright, colorful, and supports a 90Hz refresh rate, making it excellent for streaming and browsing.
- 3. Can the storage be expanded?
- Yes, the phone includes a dedicated microSD card slot that supports expansion up to 1TB.
- 4. How good is the 108MP camera?
- The 108MP main sensor captures detailed photos in daylight and performs decently in low-light with its 9-in-1 pixel binning technology.
- 5. What version of Android does it run?
- Out of the box, the Note 11S runs MIUI 13 based