Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 and the Honor 90. I'll break down the tech specs and translate them into real-world scenarios you can actually use.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up across key areas:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Physical Size | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is slightly taller and thinner, which might feel more modern and easier to handle in some cases. |
| Weight | 179g | 183g | Both are lightweight and comfortable for everyday use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Honor 90 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1200 x 2664 | Honor 90 has a sharper display with more detail, which is particularly beneficial for reading, video streaming, and gaming. |
| PPI | 409 | 435 | The slightly higher pixel density on the Honor 90 makes the display look a bit crisper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use AMOLED tech, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great contrast for visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Honor 90’s 120Hz display will feel noticeably smoother when scrolling and during animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90's display is significantly brighter making it much easier to use outdoors, particularly in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Honor 90’s chipset is substantially more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 314,000 | 701,227 | Honor 90’s higher score means a significantly more responsive and smoother user experience overall. It can handle demanding tasks and games much better. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90’s GPU provides superior graphics processing for smoother gaming and video playback. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4" | Honor 90’s 200MP sensor with a larger size will capture much more detailed images and performs better in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.1" | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90’s 50MP front camera produces higher resolution and more detailed selfies, better for social media. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | Not Available | Redmi Note 11 offers a dedicated wide-angle camera for landscape shots and group photos, while Honor 90 does not have a standalone wide angle lens, but does offer a wide angle mode through the ultrawide and macro lens combo. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Not Available | Redmi Note 11 has a separate macro camera for close-up shots, where as Honor 90 lacks a dedicated lens for this |
| Wide + Macro Lens | Not Available | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 90 combines both ultrawide and macro lenses into a single module. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | Honor 90 allows for 4K video recording. This feature will give you high-resolution, detailed videos. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Available | 122 | Honor 90 has a considerably high camera score and thus gives you high-quality photo and video, making it superior for capturing detailed photos and shooting sharp videos. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have identical battery capacity, which suggests similar usage times. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Honor 90 charges much faster, significantly reducing the time spent plugged into the wall. This is incredibly useful for those on the go. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | No Reverse charging | Redmi Note 11 can act as a power bank for other devices |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 13 | Android 13 | Honor 90 ships with a more recent version of Android for the best experience. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 5 | WiFi 6 | Honor 90 gives you the latest standard in Wi-Fi technology and thus results in faster data speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Honor 90 gives you the latest version of Bluetooth technology which supports a wider range of audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Honor 90 supports a more accurate location, thanks to its additional supported satellite navigation system. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Honor 90 offers a minimum of 256GB storage, which is more convenient if you have a large media library. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Honor 90 has more RAM for better multitasking. This helps with smoother gaming and running apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Noise Cancellation Mic | Redmi Note 11 has better audio quality, because of its dedicated stereo speakers. Honor 90 focuses on call quality with its noise-cancellation microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Redmi Note 11 has a more advanced and convinient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Redmi Note 11 has screen protection with Gorilla Glass 3. |
| Sensors | |||
| Additional Sensors | Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Proximity, RGB | Redmi Note 11 has additional sensors that help with motion tracking, where as Honor 90 gives more accurate ambient light readings. |
2. Key Insights
- Honor 90: The Clear Performance Winner - The Honor 90 boasts a much more powerful processor, GPU, and larger RAM, making it ideal for users who need smooth performance in demanding apps, games, and multitasking. Its 120Hz display and higher brightness are also major wins for better display quality.
- Camera Showdown: - The Honor 90's 200MP main camera is a significant leap from the Redmi Note 11’s 50MP camera, offering far more detail, better low-light performance, and support for 4K recording. The 50MP selfie camera also gives much higher detailed selfies, where as Redmi Note 11 provides more lens options.
- Battery & Charging: - While both have a 5000mAh battery, the Honor 90 wins due to its much faster 66W charging. Reverse charging is available on the Redmi Note 11 which may be an important feature for some.
- Display Brilliance: The Honor 90 takes a clear win here too. Its larger screen with higher resolution, brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate make for a superior viewing experience.
- Software: Honor 90 comes with Android 13 out of the box, providing a more recent experience compared to the older Android 11 on the Redmi Note 11.
Trade-offs & Limitations:
- Redmi Note 11: Its weaker chipset and camera are its biggest limitations. However, it offers features not present on the Honor 90 such as reverse charging and a dedicated wide-angle & macro lens.
- Honor 90: The lack of a dedicated wide-angle lens, expandable storage and the unknown screen protection are the main drawbacks to consider.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 11:
- Best for: Budget-conscious users who prioritize a good display and are not heavy gamers or camera enthusiasts. Also a good option if you are looking for a phone with stereo speakers.
- Use Cases: Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, calling, light gaming and media consumption.
- Honor 90:
- Best for: Power users, mobile gamers, and photography enthusiasts.
- Use Cases: Heavy multitasking, gaming, high-quality photography and videography, and for those who need a bright display outdoors.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, ask yourself these three questions:
- How important is performance to me?
- If you need the best performance, Honor 90 is the better choice.
- How often do I take photos and videos?
- If capturing high-quality images and videos is crucial, go for the Honor 90.
- What is my budget?
- If you are on a very tight budget and don't mind some trade-offs, the Redmi Note 11 is a reasonable, more affordable option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for social media, browsing, and light tasks, the Redmi Note 11 is sufficient.
- Scenario 2: The Mobile Gamer or Photographer: If you are an avid gamer or photographer, the Honor 90's superior performance and camera are a must-have.
- Scenario 3: The On-the-Go Professional: If you need a phone with fast charging and a bright display, the Honor 90 is your go-to option.
What Would I Choose and Why?
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Honor 90. The substantial upgrade in performance, camera quality, display, and charging speed significantly outweigh the Redmi Note 11's more affordable price. For me, the Honor 90 offers a smoother, more premium, and future-proof experience.
The Honor 90 addresses real-world needs. Its higher brightness is a game changer in sunny conditions, the faster processor ensures apps don’t slow you down, and the significantly better camera lets me capture those memorable moments with clarity. The additional benefit of faster charging is a huge time saver. While the Redmi Note 11 is a decent option at its price point, the Honor 90 offers a superior all-around experience that I value.
