Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G and the Honor 90. I'm going to put on my tech-journalist hat and break down what these specs actually mean for you, the user. We'll get beyond the numbers and look at the practical implications.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the key specs, laid out in a way that highlights their real-world impact:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is slightly thinner and narrower, which might feel more comfortable in the hand. Xiaomi is slightly bulkier. |
| Weight | 181g | 183g | Both are virtually identical. Neither will feel noticeably lighter or heavier than the other. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Honor 90 has a slightly more immersive experience due to larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90 offers sharper images and text due to the higher pixel count. 23.3% more pixels means noticeably more detail on screen. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 405 | 435 | Honor 90's slightly sharper display will make text and images a little crisper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Honor 90 will have much richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, especially noticeable when consuming videos and dark mode apps. | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Honor 90 has smoother scrolling and animations, contributing to a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 is vastly superior in bright sunlight, making it much more usable outdoors. Xiaomi will struggle significantly in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) | Honor 90 has a significantly more powerful processor that offers faster app loading, snappier performance, and a better gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 253,100 | 701,227 | Honor 90 will be much faster at virtually everything, including demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90's GPU is significantly better, meaning better graphics for gaming and smoother overall performance in graphically intense tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 50MP, f/1.8 | 200MP, f/1.9 | Honor 90 captures much more detailed photos with a larger sensor. Xiaomi has a slightly wider aperture for low light but not enough to compete with the vastly bigger 200MP sensor.. |
| Selfie Lens | 8MP, f/2.0 | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 will take much more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Xiaomi has a dedicated wide-angle camera. Honor does not have a dedicated wide angle lens but has one wide-angle camera. |
| Portrait (Depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 has a depth sensor which should improve the quality of bokeh (background blur) in portrait mode |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Xiaomi has a dedicated macro camera lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 90 has a combo Wide Angle + Macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | Honor 90 offers higher quality video recording and smoother capture with 4K and 60FPS capabilities. |
| Camera Scores | N/A | DXOMark 122 | Honor 90 has a very good camera score for a mid-range phone, Xiaomi has not been rated by DXOMark. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should have similar battery life depending on usage. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 90 charges much faster, meaning less time waiting for the phone to power up. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | N/A | Xiaomi allows for reverse charging of other devices. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Honor 90 is on a more modern operating system with better features and security updates. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | Honor 90 supports more current wifi standards, offering faster and more stable wifi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Honor 90 has a slightly more current Bluetooth version, offering more stability in wireless connections. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB | 256/512GB | Honor 90 offers more storage, crucial if you take a lot of photos and videos. |
| RAM | 4/6GB | 8/12/16GB | Honor 90's generous RAM options will allow much smoother multitasking, especially with the base model with 8GB. |
| Expandable Storage | N/A | N/A | Both do not offer expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Stereo Speakers | Noise Cancellation Mic | Xiaomi is slightly better for enjoying sound because of its stereo speaker, while Honor is better for voice quality. |
| Security & Build | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | Xiaomi's sensor may be slightly more convenient in practical use |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi offers a stronger screen which is more resistant to scratches. |
| Sensors | Gyroscope | Proximity, RGB | Xiaomi offers better sensor options for gaming and more features, while Honor's are geared more for day to day use. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G Strengths:
- Affordable: It's positioned as an entry-level phone, and you can find it for a more budget price.
- Reverse Charging: A convenient feature for charging other devices when needed.
- Stereo Speakers: Enhanced audio experience for music and video consumption.
- Wide-Angle Lens and Macro Lens: Dedicated lens options for more creative shots.
- Screen Protection: Superior Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
- Sensors: Enhanced sensors for features and gaming.
Honor 90 Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen is a game-changer with higher brightness and much more vibrant colors.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon chip delivers a much snappier experience in everything you do.
- High-Resolution Camera: The 200MP main sensor captures incredible detail.
- Faster Charging: The 66W charging drastically reduces downtime.
- Software: A newer version of Android with more software features.
- Bluetooth/WiFi: Uses a more modern version of both for more performance.
- RAM Options: Comes in 8/12/16GB options for excellent multitasking.
- DXOMark Score: Proven to have a fantastic camera for photos and videos for a mid-range phone.
Trade-offs & Limitations:
- Xiaomi has a slightly weaker performance, especially in graphics, weaker display, and slower charging and is now a couple of years old.
- Honor 90 is significantly pricier but offers more modern and superior tech throughout.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G is best for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a functional smartphone for basic tasks.
- Users Who Value Battery Features: The reverse charging is a bonus for some.
- Casual Photographers: The dedicated wide-angle and macro lens provides some flexibility.
- Users who enjoy audio: The stereo speakers are a plus for media consumption.
Honor 90 is best for:
- Power Users: Those who need fast performance for gaming and productivity.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The high-resolution camera captures great photos.
- Media Consumers: The AMOLED display and 120Hz refresh rate are great for watching movies.
- On-the-Go Individuals: Fast charging keeps you moving.
- Users who value up-to-date tech: More modern processor, Bluetooth, Wifi, and software.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- What's your budget? The Xiaomi is great value but the Honor is significantly more powerful and has a far superior display for those that can afford it.
- How important is display quality and performance? If you consume a lot of video and play games or multitask, then the Honor is the better choice.
- Do you need the latest features? If you like to be on the cutting edge with a more modern OS, the Honor will be the better device.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Basic User: If you're mainly using your phone for calls, texting, and light browsing on a budget, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G will serve you well.
- Social Media User/Casual Gamer: If you take a lot of pictures, watch videos, and play light to medium-intensity games, the Honor 90 is well worth the investment for the superior display, camera, and performance.
- Mobile Professional: If you need a fast, reliable phone with a great display for on-the-go work and want the newest technology, then the Honor 90 is the clear choice.
Final Thoughts - My Choice
Personally, I'd pick the Honor 90, and here's why. I value a great display, and the AMOLED panel on the Honor is a game-changer for me. The significantly faster performance, especially with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip, makes it a smoother, more enjoyable phone to use daily. Yes, it is more expensive, but the upgrades are very significant. The 200MP camera is a huge upgrade for photos and videos, and the fast charging means less time tethered to a wall. While the Xiaomi is good value, it's not worth the trade-off in performance for me, especially with its age. The Honor just offers that extra level of refinement and capability that I look for in a daily driver.
