Is the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Worth the Price Hike?
If you’re a tech enthusiast seeking the best blend of performance and affordability, Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series has likely been on your radar. Known for offering powerful features at competitive prices, the Redmi Note lineup has consistently been a favorite amongst budget-conscious consumers. However, with the latest Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G launching at a starting price above Rs. 20,000, things have changed. This price point puts it in a new category, leading us to ask: has Xiaomi made the right move? Does the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G justify its higher price tag?
Let’s dive deep into the device’s features and see if it lives up to expectations.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Price in India
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G comes in three variants:
- 6GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs. 20,999
- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs. 22,999
- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs. 24,999
This pricing puts it in direct competition with other popular mid-range phones like the OnePlus Nord CE 2, Realme 9 Pro+ 5G, and iQoo Z5. Xiaomi also offers a Redmi Note 11 Pro at a lower price point of Rs. 17,999 (6GB RAM) and Rs. 19,999 (8GB RAM), both with 128GB storage. This variant lacks 5G support, but its display, battery, charging, and software specifications are nearly identical to the Pro+ model.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G design
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G has a more understated design compared to its predecessors. Its lines and angles are simple, a stark contrast to the more distinctive look and feel of the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max. The two-step camera module on the rear, while a design element, unfortunately causes the phone to rock when placed face-up on a flat surface.
The front of the phone is predominantly black, except for the prominent transparent camera lens with a silver ring, which surprisingly acts as a helpful visual indicator of the phone’s orientation.
In terms of color options, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G comes in Phantom White, Stealth Black, and Mirage Blue. While the first two are relatively unremarkable, the Mirage Blue finish is absolutely captivating. It features diagonal intersecting "waves" that shimmer and change with light, creating a mesmerizing depth effect reminiscent of the surface of a pool. This unique and eye-catching design stands out from the crowd.
Design Details:
- Dimensions: 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.12 mm
- Weight: 202g
- Build: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 front, "frosted glass" back, metal frame
- IP Rating: IP53 tested (splash-resistant)
The phone’s thickness and weight are slightly above average, and the design could benefit from more rounded sides for a comfortable grip. The included screen protector and semi-rigid clear case provide additional protection.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Specifications
Given the price increase, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G needs to deliver compelling specifications to compete effectively. Here’s a breakdown:
- SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G
- RAM: 6GB/8GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB (no expandable storage)
- Display: 6.67-inch Full HD+ (1080×2400 pixels) AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 1200 nits peak brightness, DCI-P3 color gamut coverage
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Charging: 67W fast charging
- Cameras:
- Rear: 108MP (Samsung HM2) main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro
- Front: 16MP
- Audio: Stereo speakers
- Connectivity:
- 5G (7 bands), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
- 3.5mm audio jack, IR blaster, USB Type-C port
- Software: Android 11 with MIUI 13
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor faces stiff competition from the MediaTek Dimensity 900 (OnePlus Nord CE 2) and Dimensity 920 (Realme 9 Pro+ 5G, Xiaomi 11i 5G), as well as the Snapdragon 778G in the iQoo Z5.
The 6.67-inch AMOLED display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and a 1200 nits peak brightness, making it great for outdoor usage. However, HDR support is absent, a surprising omission considering the price point. The Always-on Display feature is disabled by default and only remains visible for 10 seconds after a tap, falling short of expectations.
Other standout features include a 5000mAh battery with 67W fast charging, stereo speakers, and support for seven 5G bands. While the software offers a comprehensive suite of customization options, it unfortunately comes with MIUI 13 based on Android 11, which feels slightly outdated.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Performance
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G handles everyday tasks effortlessly, with no lag even while multitasking with demanding games and apps open in the background. The review unit, equipped with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, delivered smooth performance. Switching from the default 60Hz refresh rate to 120Hz noticeably improved UI responsiveness. The fingerprint sensor and face unlock are both quick and convenient.
Performance Ratings:
- AnTuTu: 365,861
- Geekbench 5:
- Single-core: 688
- Multi-core: 1,903
These scores are slightly lower than the OnePlus Nord CE 2 and significantly lower than the Realme 9 Pro+ 5G and iQoo Z5. Similarly, the GFXBench T-Rex scene achieved 82fps while the Car Chase scene managed only 17fps, indicating average graphics performance compared to competitors.
Gaming was pleasant, although the upper rear of the device did heat up after extended gameplay. Asphalt 9: Legends and Battlegrounds Mobile India ran smoothly at high settings, demonstrating ample performance for most users.
The battery life was impressive, consistently exceeding a full day of use with moderate usage. The HD video loop test lasted for 15 hours and 8 minutes, and the 67W fast charging delivered quick top ups. While the phone charged warmly, achieving 36 percent in 15 minutes and 66 percent in 30 minutes was impressive. A full charge took a little over 50 minutes, exceeding Xiaomi’s claimed 51 percent in 15 minutes.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G cameras
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G boasts an impressive camera system, especially on paper. It features a 108MP Samsung HM2 sensor with an f/1.9 aperture. This same sensor was previously used in the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, but lacks optical image stabilisation. Surprising for a phone at this price, video recording is capped at 1080p.
Camera Specs:
- Rear:
- 108MP (Samsung HM2, f/1.9 aperture) main
- 8MP (f/2.2 aperture, 118° field of view) ultra-wide
- 2MP (f/2.4 aperture) macro
- Front: 16MP (f/2.45 aperture)
The Redmi Note 11 Pro features an additional 2MP depth sensor on the rear, a slight marketing advantage, but ultimately less important than delivering great image quality.
The Camera app is well-organized, but has a few quirks, such as burying the "Macro" toggle in a submenu. Photos are not watermarked by default.
108MP shots are binned to a 4000×3000 resolution by default, offering a good balance between file size and detail. Manually overriding this setting results in a 12,000×9000 pixel image.
Downsampled photos captured outdoors in daylight showed slightly crisper detail and more vibrant colors than full-resolution counterparts. The true benefit of a 108MP sensor lies in its ability to magnify and crop photos, simulating optical zoom without sacrificing fidelity.
Close-up shots captured good detail, which decreased slightly at a distance.
Ultra-wide camera images lacked vibrant color and exhibited apparent perspective warping.
Daytime macros were disappointing, a stark contrast to the impressive macros captured with last year’s model. The macro camera on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G seems more like a novelty feature rather than a useful tool.
Portraits produced good results with decent depth separation.
Nighttime performance of the main camera was average. Detail was lacking, and images appeared murky and heavily compressed unless there was ample nearby lighting. Night Mode reduced shadows and enhanced detail, but occasionally resulted in exaggerated warm tones.
108MP shots offered minimal improvement in nighttime conditions, and using the ultra-wide or macro camera at night was largely pointless. Night Mode is incompatible with the ultra-wide camera and 108MP mode.
Video recording is limited to 1080p, surprisingly lacking 4K or 1080p 60fps options.
Daytime footage from the main camera exhibited a light warm color tone but was generally sharp and smooth. The ultra-wide camera produced grainier footage with a notable drop in quality.
- The front camera has skin smoothening enabled by default, resulting in artificial-looking selfies with limited detail. Portrait shots captured well-defined depth separation. The front camera quality suffered considerably in low light.
While the camera specifications are impressive, the camera performance falls short of expectations in certain areas. Nighttime performance is notably weak, and the absence of 4K video recording is a disappointment at this price.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Verdict
The Redmi Note series has been a top seller for Xiaomi, but the price increase of the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G requires a different perspective. It’s no longer just a successor to the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, but also a competitor to other popular mid-range phones at this price point.
The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G offers a bright display with a high refresh rate, excellent battery life with fast charging, and solid everyday performance. However, considering its price, most of these features can be found in less expensive phones. Even the base variant at Rs. 20,999 faces tough competition from its predecessor, the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, which boasts a comparable main camera, a more versatile macro camera, and similar features at a lower price.
Overall, while the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is a solid phone, it lacks a clear niche. It would have been more compelling with a more powerful processor or an even better camera system. The OnePlus Nord CE 2, Realme 9 Pro+ 5G, and iQoo Z5 stand as notable competitors, offering slightly higher starting prices but deserving consideration if you’re spending this much.
While the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G might appeal to those looking for a solid phone with a great display and battery life, it’s not a clear cut leader in this price segment. It can be tricky to justify its higher price tag when you can find most of its features at a lower cost.
