Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro/Pro+ 5G review

Introduction

The Redmi Note 11 lineup has made its worldwide debut, and all four Notes are already in our hands. This year there is an additional 5G version for each Note and Note Pro, and it's only natural we start with the most expensive and most powerful among them - the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G.

In a typical Xiaomi fashion, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G we have today for review is the global model with NFC support. It can be found as Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G in India (no NFC) and also as Poco X4 Pro 5G (different back) from within the Poco series. Here's a direct link to compare the three.

Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G • Redmi Note 11 Pro + 5G • Poco X4 Pro 5G • Redmi Note 11 Pro (China)

And these three nearly identical phones should not be confused with the Chinese Redmi Note 11 Pro with a totally different chipset and video capturing capabilities. And now that we cleared that up, let's proceed with our review.

The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is as large as the Redmi Note 10 Pro, and they both look alike. The new Note 11 Pro 5G has a similar 6.67-inch Super AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh that sits on top of the same dual-glass IP53-rated body.

Then there is the rear camera, which has a lot in common with the Note 10 Pro, too. It has the same 108MP primary, and the same 8MP ultrawide camera. There is no depth sensor here, while the macro camera has been downgraded to a cheap 2MP shooter with a fixed focus.

There are a couple of notable upgrades, of course. The new Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G runs on the newer Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, which has a more powerful processor and a 5G modem. And while the battery capacity stays the same at 5,000mAh, the new Note offers a 67W fast charging, up from 33W on the Note 10 Pro.

All fan-favorite features are here to stay, thankfully. Stereo speakers are present, there is a 3.5mm jack, a microSD expansion slot, IR blaster, NFC.

There is only one difference between the 5G-enabled Redmi Note 11 Pro and the 4G mode - the chipset. The 5G version that we are reviewing today runs on the Snapdragon 695 chipset, while the standard non-5G model employs the Helio G96 SoC. The Helio G96 is built on a less efficient 12nm process, and we expect the 5G model and its 6nm silicon to excel in battery life.

Finally, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is the first smartphone we meet running on the latest MIUI 13. It is based on the older Android 11 OS, meaning not all cool features will be available right away.

And now, let's take a quick scroll through the specs.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G specs at a glance:

• Body: 164.2x76.1x8.1mm, 202g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back; IP53, dust and splash protection.
• Display: 6.67" Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak), 1080x2400px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 395ppi.
• Chipset: Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm): Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver); Adreno 619.
• Memory: 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM; UFS 2.2; microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot).
• OS/Software: Android 11, MIUI 13.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm, 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF; Ultra wide angle: 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚; Macro: 2 MP, f/2.4.
• Front camera: 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide).
• Video capture: Rear camera: 1080p@30fps; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
• Battery: 5000mAh; Fast charging 67W, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 42 min (advertised), Power Delivery 3.0, Quick Charge 3+.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted); Infrared port; 3.5mm jack.

The last two years have been tough for the industry, and the next months are looking even grimmer. This is probably why the Redmi Note 11 Pro isn't such a major upgrade over the previous generation. The same can be said for other mid-rangers, too, like the Realme series 9.

One thing that we are missing on the new Notes, and Note 11 Pro, in particular, is the option to capture 4K videos with the main camera. We find the lack of 4K capturing inexcusable in 2022, especially when it was present on the Note 10 phones.

Despite these omissions, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is shaping as one solid smartphone, and we cannot wait to put it through our tests. So, without further ado, here is the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G.

Unboxing the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G

The Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G arrives in a white paper box along with a 67W power adapter, and a 6A-rated USB cable.

The paper compartment contains a soft sillicone transparent case and a bunch of paperwork.

The Redmi Note 11, 11S and 11 Pro retail packages also offer a thin screen protector, which you can apply later if you want. Oddly, the Note 11 Pro 5G box has no such accessory. We are not sure if this is a packaging mistake, a regional limitation, or if it's intentional. Still, it's an incredibly cheap and smudgy film, so we won't be holding this omission against the Note 11 Pro 5G.