Okay, let's break down the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S and the Blackview A96, putting these specs into a real-world perspective.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison of the key specifications, emphasizing what they mean for everyday use:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S | Blackview A96 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm | 161.8 x 74.2 x 8.6 mm | The Blackview is slightly larger, which might be noticeable in hand. |
| Weight | 179g | 193.9g | The Xiaomi is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.5" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp, clear visuals. |
| PPI | 409 | 405 | Pixel density is comparable, minimal difference in clarity |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers superior blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy compared to IPS LCD, especially noticeable for video consumption and gaming |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Blackview's 120Hz refresh rate will lead to slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | The Xiaomi is much brighter and more readable under sunlight. The 0 nits reported for the Blackview is likely a data error as it does have brightness, although it's not explicitly stated |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) | Blackview's Helio G99 is more efficient and delivers better performance for demanding tasks like gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 302,877 | 423,393 | The Blackview A96 has a clear advantage in terms of raw performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Both have the same GPU, but the Blackview’s CPU pairing will perform slightly better. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4380mAh | The Xiaomi offers more battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | The Xiaomi charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | Xiaomi can act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.9 | 48MP, f/1.6 | The Xiaomi has a much higher resolution sensor but the Blackview has wider aperture for better low-light capture. |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/1.52" | 1/2" | The Xiaomi's larger sensor should offer better dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4 | 16MP | Both take comparable selfies. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.4 | The Xiaomi has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP | None | The Xiaomi can capture portrait mode photos with real-time background blur. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP | 2MP | Both have the same macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | The Blackview records video at slightly higher resolution. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | The Blackview comes with a more recent version of Android, ensuring more up to date features, better optimization, and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, MIMO | 802.11ac | Both support similar wifi standards, Xiaomi adds MIMO for increased speed and efficiency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 | Xiaomi supports more bluetooth features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Xiaomi has more satellite systems supported for slightly more precise tracking. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 256 GB | The Blackview offers significantly more internal storage out of the box. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Blackview has more RAM and the base model starts higher, improving multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | The Xiaomi offers higher quality audio playback. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have a reliable fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi has better scratch resistance protection for the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have a robust suite of sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen provides a much richer viewing experience.
- Better Battery and Charging: Larger battery with faster charging is a great combination for heavy users.
- Advanced Camera Features: The 108MP main sensor and extra depth sensor could be beneficial for photography enthusiasts.
- Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio quality for a better listening experience.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to charge other devices.
Blackview A96 Strengths:
- Higher Performance: The Helio G99 chipset provides a smoother experience for gaming and demanding apps.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate leads to a more fluid user interface.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher base storage and RAM improves multitasking and data management.
- Newer Android: Ships with a newer OS, which often comes with performance improvements, features, and extended support.
- Wider Aperture Lens: The f/1.6 lens on the main camera allows slightly more light to enter.
- 1440p Video Recording: Slightly higher video recording resolution than Xiaomi.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi has a superior display technology and battery but is slightly older and has less performant processing hardware.
- The Blackview has superior performance, storage, and is on a newer version of Android but may have less vibrant display, lesser battery life, and slower charging.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is best for:
- Media Consumers: Those who prioritize vibrant displays for watching videos or browsing social media.
- Battery Life Focused Users: Users who need reliable all-day battery life and want faster charging.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want higher resolution cameras for more detailed images.
Blackview A96 is best for:
- Gamers and Power Users: Those who need reliable, high-performance hardware for playing demanding games and apps.
- Multi-Taskers: People who use many apps at once and need extra RAM and storage space.
- Tech Forward Users: Users who want the newest version of Android and want to be on the newest software features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help guide a buying decision:
- How important is display quality? If you are drawn to vivid colors and deep blacks, the Xiaomi’s AMOLED screen will be the better option. If you’re less picky about displays and you value fluidity, the Blackview’s 120Hz screen is the way to go.
- Is performance or battery life more critical? If you need smooth performance for gaming or intensive tasks, the Blackview wins. But if your priority is all-day battery life, the Xiaomi is superior.
- How much internal storage do you need? If 128GB is sufficient, the Xiaomi can handle your media. However if you need lots of space, the 256GB of the Blackview is a more logical fit.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If you want a well-rounded phone for social media, browsing, and media consumption, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is a solid choice due to its AMOLED display, battery life and camera features.
- For the Mobile Gamer/Heavy App User: If you’re a gamer or a heavy user who needs a high performing phone, the Blackview A96 provides the hardware and RAM to handle everything you throw at it.
- For Photography Enthusiasts: If you want a high resolution camera that provides more flexibility for photos, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S will be better suited for you.
My Choice
For me, I would choose the Blackview A96. While I do appreciate the AMOLED display on the Redmi Note 11S, the increased performance, storage, and newer OS of the Blackview are more compelling for my needs as someone who often does heavier multitasking and likes to tinker with the latest software. The higher refresh rate, despite the display not being AMOLED, also feels much smoother in everyday usage. Although the battery is smaller, it's usually enough for my day, and the performance is a priority. For others, their use case might lead them to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S as the logical option, but in this instance, the performance edge that the Blackview A96 offers tips the scale for me.
