1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 163.6 × 75.8 × 8.8 mm | The Note 11S 5G is slightly larger and thicker, which may be noticeable in hand and pocket. The Note 10 is more compact. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 195g | The Note 10 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Note 11S 5G is heavier and may feel more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.6" | The Note 11S 5G provides a slightly larger viewing area, which can be beneficial for media consumption and gaming, while the Note 10 is slightly more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have the same Full HD+ resolution, meaning similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 409 | 399 | Both phones have very similar pixel density, providing comparable clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The Note 10's AMOLED screen offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, resulting in a more engaging viewing experience, especially in dark conditions. The Note 11S 5G's LCD screen has good color reproduction, but contrast is not as high. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Note 11S 5G has a smoother scrolling experience, making animations look more fluid. The Note 10 can appear choppier to users familiar with higher refresh rates. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | The Note 10 has a much brighter screen and better visibility in direct sunlight while the Note 11S 5G brightness is not specified |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 678 (11 nm) | Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | The Note 11S 5G's Dimensity 810 is more powerful than the Snapdragon 678 in the Note 10, leading to snappier performance in apps and games. The Note 11S 5G uses a more efficient chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 277,254 | 438,700 | The Note 11S 5G has a significantly higher benchmark score, indicating superior overall performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps. The Note 10 lags behind in performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Mali-G57 MC2 in the Note 11S 5G offers improved graphics performance compared to the Adreno 612 in the Note 10, which would lead to smoother gameplay in demanding titles. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP (f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm) | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm) | The Note 11S 5G has slightly higher resolution but a smaller sensor and a narrower aperture, so it's hard to predict which will be better in various lighting conditions; The Note 10 has a larger sensor and wider aperture that would perform better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP (f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.12µm) | 13MP (f/2.4) | The Note 11S 5G has a slightly wider aperture, but the absence of sensor information for it limits further comparison, The Note 10 has a sensor size spec. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm) | 8MP (f/2.2) | Both phones have the same specs for the wide-angle lens, although the Note 11S 5G lacks sensor size spec |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP (f/2.4, 1.75µm) | None | The Note 10 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, giving a better bokeh effect when using the feature. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm) | 2MP (f/2.4) | Both phones offer a macro lens for close-up shots, but the sensor size information for the Note 11S 5G is absent. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 1080p@60fps | The Note 10 can record higher-resolution videos (4K), providing more detail. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Available | Main: 65, Photo: 50, Video: 83 | Note 11S 5G performs well in video recording compared to photos, but the Note 10 has no available data |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, which should provide similar battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Both phones support the same fast charging speed, allowing for quick top-ups. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 11 | Note 10's Android is upgradeable to 12, whereas the Note 11S 5G's Android version has no spec on future updates |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | The Note 11S 5G has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth, which may offer slightly better connectivity and lower power consumption. The Note 11S 5G has more modern codecs. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage capabilities, so buyers must choose the right configuration at the time of purchase. |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos | The Note 11S 5G provides a richer audio experience due to Dolby Atmos. Both phones have stereo speakers, and support Hi-Res Audio |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The Note 10 includes a Gyroscope, which is often used in gaming and VR apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers significantly better contrast, color vibrancy, and deeper blacks, which leads to more engaging media consumption, especially when using dark mode. The much higher brightness makes it much better to view outside, with its 1100 nits vs 0 nits on the Note 11S 5G.
- 4K Video Recording: Offers the ability to capture higher-resolution videos for better quality.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices on the go, which can be convenient in a pinch.
- Gyroscope sensor: Has a gyroscope sensor that is better for gaming
- More Satellite Systems: Supports more satellite systems for GPS
- Depth Camera - Has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Dimensity 810 chipset offers much better performance than the Snapdragon 678, leading to a faster and more fluid experience in apps and games.
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations appear smoother.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 offers better connectivity, and modern codecs for audio
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos support provides a more immersive audio experience through headphones or speakers.
- DXOMark: Has been tested on DXOmark, showing it's good for video.
Trade-offs:
- The Note 10 has a better display (AMOLED) but the Note 11S 5G is smoother with its 90hz refresh rate.
- The Note 10 has better video recording with 4k vs the Note 11S 5G's 1080p.
- The Note 10 has better GPS than the Note 11S 5G
- The Note 10 has more camera features, but the Note 11S 5G has better performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize display quality for watching videos and browsing content. The AMOLED screen enhances visual enjoyment.
- Photographers: Users who value camera features such as reverse charging, depth camera and 4k video.
- Gamers: User who like to play games and need a gyroscope.
- Outdoor Users: Users who need a bright screen that can be seen outside.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Taking high-quality videos in 4K.
- Casual gaming where high refresh rates aren't a priority.
- Using the phone in bright sunlight.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who value fast app loading, smooth multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience.
- Audio Lovers: Users who appreciate high-quality audio with the benefits of Dolby Atmos
- Everyday Users: Users who want a phone with a smooth experience and slightly faster performance for browsing and social media.
- People who record a lot of videos: The Note 11S 5G scores well on video and might be preferred by content creators.
Use Cases:
- Playing mobile games.
- Switching between apps quickly.
- Listening to music and audio using headphones with Dolby Atmos.
- Everyday usage where smooth animations are appreciated.
Price-to-Value:
- The Note 10 is a compelling option for users who prioritize a great screen and camera quality on a budget.
- The Note 11S 5G is excellent for those who prioritize performance and responsiveness, offering a smoother experience overall but lacking some of the camera features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display quality (AMOLED with vibrant colors) or overall performance (smoother, faster experience)?
- Do you need 4K video recording and more GPS systems, or is 1080p enough?
- Is expandable storage important to you, or is the 128GB internal memory sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you often watch movies or consume media and also take photos, and you need a screen that is viewable in the sun, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 is the better choice due to its superior display, reverse charging, gyroscope, and 4k video recording, albeit with slightly lower overall performance.
- Scenario 2: If you are a user who wants a smoother overall experience with better performance for everyday use and gaming, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is more suitable due to its newer chipset, higher refresh rate, newer bluetooth and Dolby Atmos.
- Scenario 3: If you need to choose a phone to take videos with, the Note 11S 5G is better due to it's good video score on DXOMark.
- Scenario 4: If you need the absolute best outdoor screen visibility, the Note 10 with it's 1100 nits would be the best choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10. The main reason for this is the AMOLED display, which provides significantly better image quality, particularly for content consumption, and is much better to see in direct sunlight. While the Redmi Note 11S 5G has a faster chipset and smoother display, the Note 10's display, 4k video, better GPS, gyroscope, and slightly better camera features overall make it more versatile. Additionally, the depth sensor is important to me, and the reverse charging feature is also a welcome addition. Although the Note 11S 5G has a better performing video camera, I value the other features of the Note 10 more.
