Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S and the Huawei nova Y70 Plus. I'll break down their specs, highlight key differences, and offer some real-world advice on which phone might be best for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table that highlights the key differences, and most importantly, how these specs translate to the user experience:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | The Note 11S is more compact and slimmer; Y70 Plus is larger and bulkier. The Note 11S should be more comfortable in hand and for one handed use. |
| Weight | 179g | 199g | The Note 11S is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.75" | Y70 Plus has a larger display, better for media consumption but bulkier to use one handed; the Note 11S might be better for portability |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | The Note 11S offers a much sharper and detailed display compared to Y70 plus |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 260 PPI | Note 11S provides a far crisper image, with greater clarity and detail |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The Note 11S has superior contrast, vibrant colors, and power efficiency, especially in dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | The Note 11S has slightly smoother scrolling and animations, which is generally more pleasing to the eye |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | The Note 11S has significantly better outdoor visibility, making it easier to use in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 | Kirin 710A | The Note 11S has a much more powerful chipset, leading to smoother overall performance, especially for more intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 302,877 | 103,500 | The Note 11S has far superior performance; you can expect faster app loads and better multitasking; better for gaming |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G51 MP4 | The Note 11S's GPU offers better graphics performance for gaming and heavy graphical applications |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP f/1.9 | 48MP f/1.8 | The Note 11S has higher resolution and great quality; While the Huawei has a wider aperture, slightly better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.4 | 8MP f/2.0 | The Note 11S captures higher resolution, sharper selfies. Huawei's wider aperture will give slightly better low light images |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.2 | 5MP f/2.2 | The Note 11S offers slightly higher resolution in ultrawide shots |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both phones offer similar depth sensor for portrait shots |
| Macro | 2MP f/2.4 | None | The Note 11S includes a dedicated macro lens, which is a useful addition |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both record the same quality video, but the Huawei has 4K recording and image stabilization, making it more useful for social media |
| Camera Features | Quad Camera, Night Mode, Digital Zoom, Image Stabilization, HDR, Face Detection | Triple Camera, 4K Video, PDAF, Digital Zoom, Image Stabilization, HDR, Face Detection | Both phones have similar features, however the Note 11S offers better low light performance with night mode and a higher resolution setup. The Huawei offers a 4K video recording mode which is great for video. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | The Y70 Plus has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering much longer battery life. However, this does not always translate to more screen time. |
| Charging | 33W fast charge | 22.5W fast charge | The Note 11S charges faster, getting you back up and running in less time. |
| Charging Features | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | The Note 11S can reverse charge other devices such as headphones. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | Unknown | The Note 11S comes with Android 11 while we are unsure about the Huawei OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11n | The Note 11S supports faster, modern Wi-Fi speeds |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | The Huawei has slightly newer Bluetooth, but both phones have very similar capabilities |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Huawei supports more satellite systems, potentially offering a little more accurate positioning |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both phones offer the same storage capacity |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 4 GB | The Note 11S offers more RAM, offering improved multitasking and general responsiveness |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, this may be a problem if you have lots of videos or photos. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | The Note 11S provides superior audio quality for music, videos and games via headphones or the speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both provide a convenient and fast method to unlock your phone using the side mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | The Note 11S offers superior screen protection, which will help against scratches and drops |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | The Note 11S features a more comprehensive suite of sensors, useful for gaming and other advanced features. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S:
- Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate, higher resolution, and brightness offers a significantly better viewing experience.
- Stronger Performance: The Helio G96 chipset and up to 8GB of RAM provide smoother performance for gaming, multitasking, and everyday use.
- Better Camera System: The 108MP main camera, combined with additional lenses, provides more versatile photography options.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging will get you back to full battery much quicker.
- Enhanced Audio: Hi-Res Audio with Stereo Speakers provide a great audio experience.
- Better Screen Protection: With Corning Gorilla Glass 3 you can be sure that the screen is protected from scratches and light drops.
- More comprehensive sensors: More advanced sensor array useful for gaming and other advanced features.
- Trade-offs:
- Slightly Smaller Battery: The 5000mAh battery, while still good, is smaller than the Y70 Plus and therefore may provide less screen time.
- No expandable storage: The phone does not support expandable storage so you will need to purchase one of the higher storage options.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus:
- Strengths:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery is a real standout, potentially offering excellent battery life.
- Slightly Newer Bluetooth: The Bluetooth 5.1 is an incremental improvement over the 5.0 present in the Note 11S.
- Slightly Wider Aperture Camera: The wider aperture camera will perform slightly better in low light.
- 4K Video: The Huawei offers a 4K video recording option which is more practical for content creators.
- More accurate GPS: With QZSS included in the GPS the Huawei has the advantage in terms of GPS accuracy.
- Trade-offs:
- Weaker Performance: The Kirin 710A chipset is notably weaker, resulting in slower loading and app switching compared to the Note 11S.
- Lower Quality Display: The IPS LCD panel with lower resolution and refresh rate is not as vibrant or sharp.
- Heavier: The phone is heavier than the Note 11S and may be difficult to use one-handed.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is best for:
- Power Users: Those who need a smooth, responsive phone for everyday tasks, social media, and gaming.
- Media Consumers: Those who enjoy vibrant, high-resolution content like movies, photos, and YouTube videos.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate a versatile camera system and higher-quality selfies.
- People who value fast charging: With 33w fast charging, your phone will always be ready when you are.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus is best for:
- Battery Life Focused Users: People who prioritize battery longevity and need a phone that can last for extended periods.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks, social media, and calls.
- Users on a Budget: Those who are looking for a larger display phone at a lower cost.
- Video Creators: Those who wish to create videos in 4K.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide between these two phones:
- How important is display quality to you? If you want a sharp, vibrant display with smooth scrolling, the Redmi Note 11S is the clear winner.
- Do you prioritize performance or battery life? If you value responsiveness for gaming and app switching, go for the Redmi. If your primary concern is a phone that can last for several days between charges, the Huawei is the better choice.
- What are you using the camera for? If you are looking to take high resolution photos the Xiaomi has the superior setup. If you are looking to create more videos the 4K on the Huawei may be more enticing.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is the clear winner with its more powerful chipset, greater RAM, and higher refresh rate display.
- For Social Media Content Creators: The Huawei nova Y70 Plus offers 4K video capture and slightly better low light photos, but the Xiaomi will offer better photos and better display when editing.
- For Frequent Travelers: If you need a phone that will last several days without a charge, the Huawei is the better option. The Redmi will charge fast when required, and the reverse charge feature is useful for charging headphones.
My Choice
If I were making the choice, I would go with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S. Despite the Huawei's impressive battery life, the overall experience on the Note 11S is just so much better. The vastly superior display makes everything more enjoyable, and the smoother performance makes using the phone a more seamless experience. Plus, the camera on the Redmi is just more versatile for everyday use. The faster charging also helps to make it less of an issue to have a smaller battery. While battery life is important, the other benefits of the Redmi far outweigh that one advantage the Huawei has. The stereo speakers are a real game changer as well, making media consumption on the device very enjoyable.
Ultimately, the "best" phone depends on your needs and priorities, but the Redmi Note 11S strikes a better balance of all the features that would matter most to me.
