Alright, let's dive deep into the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S and the Realme 12 Pro+, two contenders in the ever-evolving smartphone arena. I'll put on my tech journalist hat, break down the specs, and translate them into real-world benefits – and a few drawbacks – for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed breakdown of their key specifications, viewed through the lens of practical user experience:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S | Realme 12 Pro+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm | The Realme is a tad taller and thicker, but not enough to make a huge difference in pocketability. |
| Weight | 179g | 196g | The Redmi feels noticeably lighter, which is great for one-handed use. The Realme's added weight gives it a more substantial feel, but could tire your hand during long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | The Realme offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience due to its larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2412 | Both have sharp, detailed displays, pixel density is similar. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 394 | Virtually identical, so clarity should be similar. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colours and deep blacks on both displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Smoother scrolling and animations on the Realme. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | The Redmi will be much easier to see under direct sunlight. This is a big advantage! |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Realme's chipset is much newer and more efficient, leading to better performance and battery management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 302,877 | 603,400 | The Realme offers significantly better overall performance, for smoother gaming, and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 710 | The Realme's Adreno GPU offers a tangible performance bump for graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | The Redmi has a higher megapixel count, however megapixels are not everything, and the sensor size is very similar. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.9 | f/1.8 | Realme's wider aperture means better low-light performance |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.52" | 1/1.56" | Both have similar size sensors that capture similar light |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 0.70 µm | 1.00 µm | Realme's larger pixels capture more light, giving a better low light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 32MP | Realme boasts a higher-resolution front-facing camera for detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.13" | 1/2.74" | The larger sensor of the Realme will capture more light, making selfies look better. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP (f/2.6) | The Realme offers optical zoom capabilities for enhanced photography. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2) | None | Redmi provides a wide-angle for more expansive shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Redmi offers a depth camera for better portrait effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Redmi has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 8MP (f/2.2) | Realme combines wide angle and macro into a single lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/30/120fps, All with EIS | The Realme provides more video flexibility, including 4K and better stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 4K Video, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Realme has more advanced camera features like 4K video, OIS, and RAW capture. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar potential endurance. |
| Charging | 33W | 67W | The Realme charges significantly faster than the Redmi. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | The Redmi can act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 14 | The Realme runs on a newer version of Android and will have support for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme has more modern, faster Wifi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Realme's bluetooth has more modern codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme has more comprehensive GPS support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | The Realme has more storage options |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | The Realme has more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Realme offers better audio playback and call quality with it's dual microphones, noise cancellation and Dolby Atmos support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Redmi has a more advanced fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Redmi's screen has a degree of protection, but the Realme is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S: Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual; Realme 12 Pro+: Proximity, Geomagnetic |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Strengths:
- Brighter Display: The 1000 nits brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor visibility, making the phone more usable in direct sunlight.
- Reverse Charging: This allows the phone to act as a power bank, which could be handy for charging other devices on the go.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor While basic biometric security is provided with the Realme, the Redmi has a more advanced side-mounted sensor.
- Lighter: The Redmi is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Wide Angle, Macro and Portrait Depth Cameras The Redmi offers these features with dedicated cameras.
- Screen Protection The Redmi is using corning gorilla glass 3 for screen protection.
Realme 12 Pro+ Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset provides a massive leap in performance, making it faster for everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: The 67W fast charging is a considerable time-saver.
- Better Camera System: The Realme has a more versatile camera setup with optical zoom and a more advanced video recording options.
- Newer Software: The Realme comes with Android 14, which gives access to more modern features and longer support.
- Better Audio: With Dolby Atmos, two noise cancelling microphones, and better codecs, audio should be improved.
- More Storage and RAM Options: The Realme offers more configurations for storage and RAM.
- Improved GPS: It supports additional satellite navigation systems, leading to more accurate location services.
- More Modern Wifi and Bluetooth Realme has newer specs than Redmi.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S: Its chipset is older and slower, which can make it feel laggy compared to the Realme. Also the lack of expandable storage means users will have to be careful to manage storage space.
- Realme 12 Pro+: It has lower screen brightness making it more difficult to use outdoors in direct sunlight. It also weighs more. No screen protection is mentioned.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S: This phone is best suited for users who prioritize screen brightness and who need a lightweight, compact device. The reverse charging feature is useful for users who also carry other devices. Its camera system is less capable but the addition of macro, portrait, and wide angle cameras give it a different style of photography.
- Realme 12 Pro+: This phone is perfect for users who want a faster, more feature-rich device for better gaming, camera versatility, and want future proofing with a more modern Android software. If you need to take advantage of the latest tech, then this is the phone for you.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to ask yourself:
- Do I frequently use my phone outdoors under direct sunlight? If the answer is a strong yes, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is the better choice with it's 1000 nits of brightness.
- Do I need maximum performance, and cutting edge software? If so, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the clear winner here.
- How important is camera versatility, zoom and video recording quality? If high quality zoom and video is critical then the Realme 12 Pro+ should be the choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Outdoor Enthusiast: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S. Its brighter display makes it easier to see content under direct sunlight. Its lighter body also make it comfortable to carry for long durations.
- The Power User: Realme 12 Pro+. Its Snapdragon chipset, faster charging, more RAM, and bigger storage make it ideal for performance heavy tasks.
- The Photography Lover: Realme 12 Pro+. Its optical zoom, versatile camera setup and 4k video recording with stabilization should be the choice.
- The Budget Conscious User: Both phones are of a similar price, but depending on deals, the Redmi may be cheaper, meaning you can consider it if the other use cases do not appeal.
My Choice
If it were my money, I would pick the Realme 12 Pro+. The difference in performance between the two is night and day. A faster chipset, more RAM, faster charging, more versatile camera system, better video recording, better GPS, more storage options, a more modern Android system, Dolby Atmos, more modern wifi and Bluetooth, mean it offers a superior user experience. While the Redmi has the brighter screen, I'm usually not out in direct sunlight, but even so, the added performance and features of the Realme outweigh this downside. The Realme is the better future proofed and feature packed phone, and so it's my recommendation.
