Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S and the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. These two phones, while released closely in time, are clearly aimed at different segments of the market. One is a midrange contender, the other a flagship competitor. Let's see how they stack up.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table comparing the key technical specifications of the Redmi Note 11S and the Motorola Edge 30 Pro, with an emphasis on their real-world implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | 163.1 × 76 × 8.8 mm | Redmi is more compact and pocketable; Edge 30 Pro is larger, potentially more immersive but less convenient |
| Weight | 179g | 196g | Redmi is lighter, easier to handle for long periods; Edge 30 Pro feels more substantial |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Edge 30 Pro offers more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both deliver sharp visuals with similar pixel density |
| PPI | 409 | 393 | Both are crisp; slight difference is barely noticeable |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; AMOLED is slightly better in terms of power efficiency |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 Pro has significantly smoother scrolling and animations, better for gaming and fast content |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Redmi offers better visibility in bright sunlight (though the Edge 30 Pro not having brightness listed here means it likely has good brightness as well) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Edge 30 Pro offers far superior speed and responsiveness, noticeable for gaming, app loading, and heavy use |
| AnTuTu Score | 302,877 | 1,061,400 | Edge 30 Pro benchmarks significantly higher meaning better gaming performance, and future proofing |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 730 | Edge 30 Pro delivers much better graphics for gaming and graphics intensive tasks |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | Redmi has a slightly larger battery, but real-world usage may vary |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charge | 68W Fast Charge | Edge 30 Pro charges much faster, allowing for quick top-ups |
| Features | Reverse Charging | Wireless 15W, 5W Reverse | Edge 30 Pro offers more convenient wireless charging and reverse charging |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.9 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Redmi has higher resolution, Edge 30 Pro has a larger pixel size which is often better for low-light |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4 | 60MP, f/2.2 | Edge 30 Pro has a significantly higher resolution, wider aperture, larger sensor |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | No | Redmi offers more options with it's wide angle lens |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer a depth sensor for portraits |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Redmi has a dedicated macro lens |
| Wide Angle+Macro | No | 50MP, f/2.2 | Edge 30 Pro has a combined wide-angle/macro lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24/30fps; 4k@30/60,1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps | Edge 30 Pro offers vastly superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolutions and framerates |
| DxoMark | [] | Main: 101, Photo: 107, Video: 102 | Edge 30 Pro has been tested by DxOMark and scored well |
| Features | Quad, Digital IS | Triple, OIS, EIS | Edge 30 Pro offers better stabilization, a larger set of features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Edge 30 Pro has a newer and more up-to-date OS; more software updates |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E | Edge 30 Pro offers faster and more stable Wi-Fi connections, Wi-Fi MiMO for Redmi |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Edge 30 Pro has a slightly newer version of bluetooth with more feature support |
| GPS | Beidou, Galileo | SUPL, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Both offer different location tracking features |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Edge 30 Pro offers significantly more storage, with multiple storage capacity options |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Edge 30 Pro offers more RAM, better for multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers storage expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Edge 30 Pro offers better spatial audio, better audio capture, Xiaomi offers Hi-Res Audio |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint | side-mounted fingerprint | Both offer a standard security feature |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 3 | Both have similar screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Ultrasonic Proximity | Proximity Sensor | Both offer similar standard sensors |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Strengths:
- More Compact and Lighter: The Redmi Note 11S is notably more comfortable to hold for extended periods due to its lower weight and smaller footprint.
- Stronger outdoor brightness: with its 1000 nits display this phone will be much more usable outdoors in bright conditions
- Good Battery Life: With a larger battery and a more efficient chipset, it will likely offer good battery life for typical use.
- Price: The Redmi Note 11S is designed to be more affordable, offering great value for its price point.
- Camera: The Redmi Note 11S has additional camera lens functionality with a macro and wide-angle lens that the Motorola does not.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Strengths:
- Flagship Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip provides exceptional performance, making it ideal for demanding apps and gaming.
- Superior Display: A 144Hz refresh rate and larger display provides an amazing visual experience.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: 68W fast charging and 15W wireless charging offer added convenience.
- Superior Camera: While lower in resolution, its primary camera has a wider aperture which translates to more light, especially useful in low-light conditions. The selfie camera is significantly better with higher resolution and better aperture. Additionally, the Edge 30 Pro offers much better video recording capabilities with higher resolutions and framerates.
- Software: The Edge 30 Pro comes with a newer Android version with more update support.
- Connectivity: Faster Wi-Fi, and newer Bluetooth offer faster connection speeds and less latency.
- Storage: Significantly more storage availability, with multiple options to choose from.
Trade-offs and Limitations
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S: While it offers a decent display and good battery, its performance is not as powerful as higher-end devices, and video capabilities are limited. The lack of expendable storage could also be limiting for some users.
- Motorola Edge 30 Pro: Its size may not be comfortable for everyone, and is noticeably heavier than the Redmi. It lacks any expandable storage. It's more expensive, and therefore less budget-friendly.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is best for:
- Budget-conscious users: Users who need a reliable phone that covers the basics without breaking the bank.
- Casual gamers and media consumers: Users who don't need cutting-edge performance, but still want to enjoy some games and media.
- Users who value portability and a lighter phone: Users who prioritize comfort and pocketability.
- Users who need multiple camera options: A user that wants a macro and wide angle lens for versatility.
- Users who need higher outdoor brightness: A user that needs their phone to be usable in bright outdoor environments
Motorola Edge 30 Pro is best for:
- Power users and gamers: Users who need the best possible performance and graphics for resource-intensive tasks and high-end gaming.
- Media enthusiasts: Users who want a superior visual experience with a high refresh rate screen.
- Photography and Videography enthusiasts: The Edge 30 Pro has a higher quality camera and has much greater video resolution and framerate support.
- Users who value wireless charging and fast charging: Users who prioritize convenience and quick power top-ups.
- Users who want all the newest features: The Edge 30 Pro has newer bluetooth, wifi, and overall better software features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Three Questions to Ask Yourself:
- What is my budget? If you're looking to save money, the Redmi Note 11S is the clear choice. The Edge 30 Pro is a premium device with a premium price tag.
- What is my primary use case? If you need top-tier performance for gaming or demanding apps, the Edge 30 Pro is the only way to go. If your use is more casual, the Redmi Note 11S is sufficient.
- How important are things like camera quality, portability, or screen refresh rate to me? If portability is the utmost concern, the Redmi Note 11S is the clear winner. On the other hand, if quality camera is more important and high refresh is preferred, then the Motorola is the only way to go.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: On a tight budget and need a reliable phone.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S. It covers the basics well, without breaking the bank.
- Scenario 2: Gamer who wants the best mobile gaming experience.
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Pro. The superior chipset and high refresh display make it the only real choice.
- Scenario 3: Casual user who enjoys watching videos and taking pictures occasionally.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S. The Redmi offers a good experience for media consumption and has a decent camera for most basic needs.
- Scenario 4: Professional photographer/videographer looking for the best phone camera experience.
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Pro. It has a superior camera and much higher video capabilities and also is DxOmark rated.
- Scenario 5: User who values portability and comfort.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S. The smaller size and light weight makes the Redmi Note 11S the go to choice.
My Choice
If I were making the choice, I would personally go for the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. The price difference is significant, there is no question about that, but for me the improvements in processor power, the higher refresh display, the better camera, faster charging and the additional features would make the premium price worth it. I want to use a phone that can handle everything that I throw at it. Additionally, the added future proofing of the processor and software is important to me. I also want a high quality camera with great video functionality. For these reasons I would choose the Edge 30 Pro, as it will be more usable for a longer period of time and fit my specific use cases.
