Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G and the Huawei Mate 50 Pro. We'll cut through the spec sheets and see what these phones actually mean for your daily life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of key specs, with a focus on how they translate to real-world implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G | Huawei Mate 50 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-12-01 | 2022-09-28 | Mate 50 Pro is a newer design with more recent tech, although that doesn't automatically mean better for everyone. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones; no foldables or unusual designs. |
| Dimensions (mm) | 162 x 75.5 x 8.9 | 162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 | Very similar size; Redmi Note 11 is slightly thicker (0.4mm) but a bit lighter and this could impact comfort. |
| Weight (g) | 181 | 205 | Redmi Note 11 is noticeably lighter by 24g, may feel more comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size (inches) | 6.5 | 6.74 | Mate 50 Pro has a slightly larger display which offers a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1212x2616 | Mate 50 Pro offers noticeably sharper visuals with a higher pixel count. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 405 | 428 | Mate 50 Pro is slightly sharper, but both should look good to the naked eye, especially in normal conditions. |
| Technology | - | OLED | Mate 50 Pro's OLED panel offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 90 | 120 | Mate 50 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits, this is unusual and might be a data error |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | Mate 50 Pro's chipset is significantly more powerful; Expect smoother performance for demanding apps and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 253,100 | 1,022,043 | Mate 50 Pro is significantly faster, showing over four times better performance in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 730 | Mate 50 Pro's GPU is far more capable, delivering better gaming experience and graphics handling. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity (mAh) | 5000 | 4700 | Redmi Note 11 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a bit longer battery life although it can be negated by other usage scenarios. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Mate 50 Pro charges much faster, less waiting time. |
| Charging Technology | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Different battery tech, with advantages in different aspects but ultimately it makes no real difference for the user. |
| Wireless Charging | No | 50W | Mate 50 Pro has fast wireless charging, which is handy, this is a clear advantage for fast top-ups. |
| Reverse Charging | 9W Wired | 7.5W Wireless | Mate 50 Pro does reverse charging but wirelessly, while the Redmi Note 11 does it wired; in real use the Mate 50 Pro has more convinient technology. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 50MP | 50MP | Resolution is the same, but real-world performance will differ due to sensor, and other factors. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.4 | Mate 50 Pro's wider aperture (f/1.4) performs better in low light. |
| Main Sensor Size | - | 1/1.56" | Mate 50 Pro has larger sensor, leading to better light capture and detail |
| Main Sensor Model | - | Sony IMX766 | Mate 50 Pro has premium sensor that increases quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 13MP | Mate 50 Pro has higher-resolution front camera. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.4 | Redmi Note 11 has a wider aperture front camera for better low light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 64MP, f/3.5 | Mate 50 Pro has dedicated telephoto lens offering much more versatile photography. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Mate 50 Pro has a higher-resolution ultrawide lens; both at same aperture. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Redmi Note 11 has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Mate 50 Pro supports higher-quality 4K recording, offering more creative options and crisp footage. |
| Slow Motion Video | Yes, 120 fps | Yes, up to 3840fps | Mate 50 Pro has a vastly superior slow motion video capture. |
| DXOMARK Camera Score | N/A | Mobile: 149, Selfie 145 | Mate 50 Pro scores high on camera tests with a professional level camera. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Laser AF, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Dual front camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Mate 50 Pro has more features for photography lovers, with Optical Zoom, OIS, and a better Auto Focus technology. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | N/A | Redmi Note 11 is using Android 11. Mate 50 Pro's OS is not specified and may be non-standard Android |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Mate 50 Pro supports newer, faster Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Mate 50 Pro has slightly newer Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Mate 50 Pro has more robust GPS support, making it more accurate for location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB | 256/512GB | Mate 50 Pro offers significantly more internal storage and better options. |
| RAM | 4/6GB | 8GB | Mate 50 Pro has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Both phones have Stereo speakers for better audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric Authentication | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Redmi Note 11 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor and is more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Redmi Note 11 offers known screen protection tech. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Mate 50 Pro includes more sensors including Barometer, Gravity and Hall sensors. |
2. Key Insights
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G: This phone is a budget-friendly option with a decent display, a long-lasting battery, and a usable camera. It's lighter and has more basic features. Its strengths lie in basic usability and affordability.
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: A powerhouse with a premium design, top-tier performance, excellent camera capabilities, and faster charging. It offers the best in class performance and experience.
Real-World Differences:
- Performance: The Mate 50 Pro will handle demanding games and apps with ease, while the Redmi Note 11 might struggle with heavy tasks.
- Display: The Mate 50 Pro's OLED screen and higher refresh rate make it more enjoyable for content consumption.
- Camera: The Mate 50 Pro is a far superior camera phone, particularly in low light, thanks to its faster lens, bigger sensor, and dedicated Telephoto lens.
- Battery: While the Redmi has a slightly larger capacity, the Mate 50 Pro's dramatically faster charging, plus its wireless charging makes it the more convenient option.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Redmi Note 11 4G: Lacks cutting-edge features like high-refresh displays, powerful cameras, and wireless charging.
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Could be more expensive, might not have full support for google apps, and some specific features like the lack of a Macro lens could be a trade off for a user.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G is best for:
- Budget-conscious users seeking reliable performance for everyday tasks, like browsing, social media, calls, and casual gaming.
- Users who prioritize battery life and are ok with slightly slower charging.
- Those looking for a lightweight phone.
Huawei Mate 50 Pro is best for:
- Power users who demand the highest performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts who want the best image quality and camera features.
- Users who value premium design, display quality, and faster charging.
Specific Use Cases:
- Redmi Note 11 4G: Ideal as a secondary device, a first smartphone for a young person, or a reliable daily driver for someone who doesn't need cutting-edge features.
- Huawei Mate 50 Pro: Excels for professionals who take many photos, gamers, content creators, and anyone who appreciates high-end specs.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you choose, ask yourself these questions:
- What is your Budget? If budget is a primary concern, the Redmi Note 11 is the better pick.
- How important is performance? If you need top-tier speed, the Mate 50 Pro is essential.
- How important is the camera? If high-quality photos are a must, the Mate 50 Pro is much better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget user: Go for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G.
- Performance enthusiast: Go for the Huawei Mate 50 Pro.
- Photography lover: The Huawei Mate 50 Pro is the best choice.
- All-around smartphone user: If budget allows, the Mate 50 Pro is the superior option, although its price may be prohibitive and might be worth looking at other similar devices.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, and budget was not a concern, I would go with the Huawei Mate 50 Pro, it is a more up-to-date and better device overall. While the Redmi Note 11 4G offers a solid experience at a much lower price, the Mate 50 Pro simply offers too many advantages for the type of performance and experience I expect from a modern smartphone. The superior chipset and overall performance will handle all tasks smoothly. The display is OLED for better visuals. The main camera is amazing, especially the zoom and the low light performance and the 50W wireless charging is something I use daily. For all these reasons the Mate 50 Pro would be my personal choice.
