Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro review

Design, build quality, handling

Have we seen this Redmi Note 11 Pro already? This dark gray flat panel, this cool flat frame, and the rectangular camera setup on the back?

We sure have! The Redmi Note 11 Pro has an identical design, shape, and footprint as the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G. And it also shares a lot of similarities with the Note 11 and Note 11S.

Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11 5G, Redmi Note 11 Pro and Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G

Xiaomi has opted for a shared design across the new Redmi Note 11 series, and we are quite fine with that. You just get the phone with the most relevant specs for you and keep the stylish looks no matter what.

At the opposite side, it's a tough job to tell the Notes apart as they all feature large 1080p screens with tiny punch holes. You can spice things up with different UI themes, thanks to MIUI, though.

Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11 5G, Redmi Note 11 Pro and Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G

So, the Redmi Note 11 Pro has a flat Gorilla Glass 5 panel at the front and a flat tempered glass on its back. The rear glass has an eye-catchy matte finish, which is quite pleasant on touch and makes for a far less smudgy experience.

The frame is also flat, with a matte finish, made of sturdy plastic. It has the same paint as the rear panel and makes for some strong grip when handling the Redmi Note 11 Pro.

The Redmi Note 11 Pro is IP53-rated for dust and splash protection. It has rubber insulation around the SIM slot and will endure light rain and tiny splashes, but submerging it or talking in heavy rain is probably out of the question.

Let's take a closer look at the Note 11 Pro now.

The 6.67-inch Samsung-made AMOLED panel occupies most of the front. It seems quite bright and contrasty, while its perforation is one of the smallest we've seen lately.

The 16MP selfie camera is within the punch hole. Meanwhile, above the screen, there is this barely noticeable grille that hides the earpiece.

Xiaomi has put a proper speaker on top of the Redmi Note 11 Pro, and it has two outlets for the sound - one on top of the phone and one at the front, just above the screen. This means that the grille above the display hides a proper speaker underneath, symmetrical to the other one at the bottom.

The display's bezels are quite reasonable in size, and the chin is not that thick as on cheaper phones with LCD screens.

The new design on the back is what makes the Redmi Note 11 Pro, as well as the other Redmi Note 11 phones, easily recognizable. It now features a flat tempered glass with a matte finish.

The four-camera setup is here, of course, but it's less of an eyesore, especially on this graphite model. The camera island is a two-step detail that juts out of the back. The upper level features the 108MP primary shooter, while the lower deck has the ultrawide, the macro and the depth cameras, along with the LED flash.

Because of the camera island, the Redmi Note 11 Pro wobbles a lot if used on a desk without case. If this wobbling is annoying, you can always snap the bundled case, and it will flatten out the back.

The top of the Redmi Note 11 Pro houses the speaker grille, the 3.5mm jack, the IR blaster and one of the microphones.

The other (primary) microphone is at the bottom, together with the USB-C port, the other speaker grille, and the SIM/microSD card tray.

There is nothing on the left side of the Redmi Note 11 Pro.

The volume and power keys are on the right. The power/lock key is also home to the fingerprint scanner. Its sensor is always on, blazing-fast and with incredibly good accuracy.

The Redmi Note 11 Pro is a smartphone with a solid, no-nonsense build and even some splash protection - a real beauty in its simplicity. It provides enough grip to be handled without a case, and it fits well in hand.

Thanks to its slim profile and balanced weight, the Redmi Note 11 Pro won't be an issue for most jeans pockets. And thanks to its matte finish, it is not prone to fingerprints, and that's a sight for sore eyes!

At the end of the day, we are happy with the new Redmi design and we like Xiaomi's new direction. The flat panels and frame, as well as the stylish colors and finish, make the Redmi Note 11 Pro feel comfortable and look modern. That's all that's needed really.