Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S and the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G. I'll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a look at how these two phones stack up, combining technical specs with real-world implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm, 179g | 163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm, 181g | The A73 5G is slightly larger and a tad heavier, but both feel similar in the hand. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The A73 5G offers better scratch and impact resistance with its newer Gorilla Glass. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | The A73 5G provides a slightly larger viewing area, good for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer sharp, detailed visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 393 PPI | Both have similar sharpness, with the Note 11S slightly denser. But in practice, you likely wouldn't notice this difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The A73 5G offers noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, which is great for gaming and general usage. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | The Note 11S boasts better outdoor visibility thanks to a much brighter display. This is crucial for sunny days. (Note: Samsung's peak brightness is not provided in this data, this needs to be confirmed with other sources)* | |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | The A73 5G's chipset is significantly more powerful, translating to snappier performance in demanding tasks and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 302,877 | 575,551 | The A73 5G offers about 90% better performance in benchmarks, indicating superior speed in app loading, and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 642L | The A73 5G's GPU is far more powerful, providing much better graphics performance in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP (f/1.9) | 108MP (f/1.8) | Both offer high-resolution photography. The A73 5G's wider aperture means better low-light performance. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 8MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) | The A73 5G's ultrawide has a higher resolution, meaning better details in wide shots. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP (f/2.4) | 5MP (f/2.4) | The A73 5G depth sensor will likely deliver slightly better bokeh and depth mapping in portrait photography. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP (f/2.4) | 5MP (f/2.4) | The A73 5G's macro lens captures more detail in very close-up shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP (f/2.4) | 32MP (f/2.2) | The A73 5G offers higher resolution and slightly better low-light performance for selfies. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | The A73 5G captures higher-quality video (4K) with image stabilization. |
| Features | Digital Zoom, Quad 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, Digital zoom, Quad 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 | The A73 5G has OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus) which both offer much better image quality. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both should provide similar all-day battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The Note 11S charges slightly faster, getting you back up and running sooner. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | The Note 11S offers reverse charging which can be convenient to charge other devices, the A73 5G allows bypass charging. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 16) | The A73 5G runs a newer version of Android with more features, security updates and long term support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6 | The A73 5G has faster and more efficient Wi-Fi 6. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Both phones offer Bluetooth 5.0 with differing feature support, for the A73 5G it offers a wider variety of connectivity profiles |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM cards, a great feature for having work and personal lines in one device. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB / 128 GB | 128GB / 256 GB | The A73 5G offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB | 6GB / 8GB | Both offer sufficient RAM for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both offer stereo speakers for a more immersive sound experience, though with different audio enhancement technologies |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Note 11S features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, whilst the A73 5G fingerprint sensor is basic, potentially being placed on the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity, Geomagnetic, RGB | The A73 5G offers an expanded sensor set, potentially more versatility in apps and services.. |
| ## 2. Key Insights |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Strengths:
- Excellent Display Brightness: The 1000 nits brightness is a massive advantage for outdoor visibility, making the screen usable even in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging means less downtime and faster power-ups.
- Hi-Res Audio: This is a plus for audiophiles.
- Reverse Charging: Can be a convenient feature for charging other devices.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Competitive Advantages:
- Display Brightness: The brightest display in this comparison.
- Faster Charging: The 33W charging is great.
- Hi-Res Audio: Nice feature for the audiophiles.
- Reverse Charging: Convenient for charging other devices.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Many users find this preferable to an under display sensor.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset is a huge step up in speed and responsiveness.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel more fluid.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, wider apertures, and better stabilization result in improved photo and video quality.
- Longer Software Support: Android 12 out of the box and guaranteed updates to Android 16.
- Faster WiFi: Supports WiFi 6.
- More storage options: 256GB available as well as the option for 128GB.
- Additional Sensors: Offers Geomagnetic and RGB, these are not present on the Note 11S.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Competitive Advantages:
- Performance Powerhouse: The Snapdragon Chipset leaves the Note 11S in the dust.
- Smoother Scrolling: 120Hz refresh rate provides a much better experience.
- Superior Image Quality: Both still and video image quality is better due to OIS and PDAF
- Long Term Software Updates: Guaranteed updates to Android 16
- Better WiFi Support: Wifi 6 is much more efficient and faster.
- More Storage Options: Choose between 128GB and 256GB for plenty of space.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Redmi Note 11S: The chipset is slower, potentially impacting gaming and heavy app usage.
- Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Charging is slightly slower.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is best for:
- Casual users who prioritize a bright display, don't game much, and want a phone that can handle everyday tasks without breaking the bank.
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for great value, with the benefit of a bright AMOLED display.
- Users who prefer faster charging
- Users who prefer a side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Specific Use Cases for Redmi Note 11S:
- Outdoor reading, web browsing, social media, and light mobile gaming.
- Reliable daily driver for calls, texts, and basic apps.
- Users who need a phone with fast charging for convenience.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is best for:
- Power users who need a phone that can handle heavy multitasking and demanding games.
- Photography enthusiasts who want better camera quality and more flexibility.
- Users who prioritize longevity and want a device that stays up-to-date with the latest software.
- Users who prefer smoother, more responsive interfaces
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A73 5G:
- Demanding mobile games, video editing, and running multiple apps.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos, even in low-light conditions.
- Users who prioritize future-proofing and want to use their phones for years to come.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Performance Needs: Do you need top-tier performance for demanding games and multitasking, or will a mid-range chip suffice?
- Camera Priorities: Do you need a great all-around camera with advanced features like OIS, or will a good standard camera be enough?
- Longevity: Do you want a phone with the latest software that will stay updated for years?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User - If you're on a tight budget and mostly use your phone for basic tasks, the Redmi Note 11S is the more affordable choice with a great display.
- Scenario 2: Performance Seeker - If you want a fast phone for gaming, the Galaxy A73 5G is the better choice, offering vastly better performance.
- Scenario 3: Camera Enthusiast - If photography is a priority, the Galaxy A73 5G will deliver much better results across the board.
- Scenario 4: Heavy Outdoor User - If you use your phone primarily outdoors the brighter display of the Note 11S will be important
My Choice:
Personally, if I were in the market for one of these, I'd choose the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G. While the Redmi Note 11S has its merits—notably the excellent display brightness and faster charging—the A73 5G's overall package is more compelling for me. As someone who often uses their phone for both work and play, the significant jump in performance with the Snapdragon 778G is crucial, and the inclusion of OIS, PDAF and 4k Recording greatly improves the overall user experience. The 120Hz refresh rate is also something that I greatly appreciate. Although the lack of expandable storage is a bummer, the 256GB configuration option does alleviate this somewhat, making it a great choice for me.
