Redmi Note 11S - The (right) middle ground between 11 Pro and 11 standard (also in price)?
With the S model, Redmi's Note 11 series ends and this specimen is placed in the middle between the Pro model and the "smooth" one. It is always said that the right is in the middle, but will it be the same for Redmi Note 11S or is it a smartphone that could be done without? Let's find out together in this complete review.
As you could see from the Youtube review, I did not dedicate great film shots to the Redmi Note 11S, but I did an "old school" review, because the terminal in question turns out to be a hybrid between the Pro model and the standard 11 model, but not for this does not deserve to be told starting from unboxing where we find the following equipment as protagonist:
- USB Type-C power and data transfer cable;
- Wall power supply with European socket with max output of 11V / 3A-33W;
- Pin for removing the SIM tray;
- Manuals;
- Transparent silicone protective cover with Type-C input cover;
- Pre-applied display protection plastic film;
- Redmi Notes 11S.
SAR VALUE: Head: 0,595 W / kg, Body: 0,936 W / kg (distance 5mm).
Also on an aesthetic level it is halfway between the two brothers of the Note series, adopting measures identical to the standard 11, or 159,87 x 73,87 x 8,09 mm and a weight of 179 grams, but the photographic sector inherits it instead from the varainte Pro, a fourth optic is integrated here. Therefore the protrusion of the photographic module is accentuated, having to resort to the protective case to level the step with the body. Finally, there is an IP53 splash proof certification.
Plastic materials are confirmed for the construction, both for the back cover and for the frame, but compared to the other two specimens in the series, Redmi Note 11S is a real magnet for fingerprints and dirt in general. Do not miss the IR transmitter, 3,5 mm jack and second microphone for the reduction of hiss on call, on the upper profile where the first of the two speakers is also inserted that give a stereo sound independent of the ear capsule.
The second speaker is found at the bottom, accompanied by the main microphone and Type-C input for charging with OTG support but no video output. On the right profile there is the volume rocker and the power button which also incorporates the sensor for unlocking via fingerprints, of which I confirm the speed and reliability of operation. On the opposite side there is the SIM tray able to accommodate 2 SIMs in nano format with 4G + connectivity on both slots and an additional compartment for micro SD card to expand the integrated memory with support up to 1 TB.
No 5G but excellent reception and navigation speed, while the stereo sound is on par with the other two members of the series, unfortunately also maintaining an asymmetrical position of the speakers, which results in the involuntary coverage of one of the two speakers when we keep in landscape smartphone, blurring the sound that comes out of it. For the rest do not expect warm and full-bodied bass, but at maximum volume at least we do not have a croaking sound but always clean.
Moving on to the front of the smartphone, Redmi Note 11 becomes practically indistinguishable from the "smooth" model, in fact we find the exact same panel. Therefore 6,43-inch AMOLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, equipped with a refresh rate of 90 Hz (without the possibility of Dynamic Switch at the moment) and a sampling frequency at the touch of 180 Hz.
1000 nits peak for brightness and 409ppi without HDR content support but with Widevine L1 DRMs with recognition also on the Prime Video platform. Unfortunately we also find the same color profile, which sometimes returns washed-out and cold colors, having to act through the software for a better calibration and yield. Overall a pleasant and rather immersive display, with reduced bezels at least on 3 sides but with a rather pronounced chin.
Also in this case the brightness and proximity sensors work well and make involuntary touches with the cheek, a distant memory. The central punch hole in which the selfie camera is inserted, which allows unlocking with the face of the smartphone even in adverse lighting conditions, does not disturb the viewing of contents and after a very short time you get used to it.
What changes on Redmi Note 11S is undoubtedly the hardware that runs it, adopting the MediaTek Helio G96 CPU, a 2,05 GHz octacore processor and ARM Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. A combination that is also accompanied by 6/8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64/128 GB of UFS 2.2 storage, also proposing in this case as a middle ground in terms of performance between the Pro model and the standard variant.
Reactivity and fluidity are a pleasant presence on this smartphone, which thanks also to the LiquidCool cooling technology, allow the Redmi Note 11S to always be ready in any situation, without ever experiencing slowdowns or lag, even if subjected to considerable stress. Therefore, gaming also benefits from it, taking home long-lasting and durable sessions, also because the 5000 mAh battery will never leave you out of energy. Also present is the fast charge at 33W which with only 61 minutes will make you get 100% of energy, which could get the smartphone to 2 full days of use if you are a softer user.
The MIUI 13 on an Android 11 base with patches of December 2021 takes care of everything, but nothing to report as a real important news compared to the past MIUI 12.5 if not (fortunately) the total absence of bugs. Absent the FM radio, but we find an excellent Bluetooth 5.0, Dual WiFi with signal socket even in remote corners of the house, single channel GPS with Galileo and NFC satellites hooking for mobile payments by phone.
The photographic sector makes you breathe a sigh of relief compared to the "smooth" 11 model, as we find, as on the Pro variant, a main camera with a 2 MP Samsung HM108 sensor, f / 1,9 and 9 in 1 pixel binning technology. sensor size allows the capture of more details in photos but in low light conditions the special mode does not always record good shots.
Here, due to the MediaTek SoC, we cannot even install a GCam (not at the moment), therefore having to be satisfied with the performance of the stock camera. The other sensors are an 8 MP ultrawide, f / 2.2 FOV 118 ° and 2 2 MP cameras with macro and depth of field functions with f / 2.4 aperture. Even for videos, we have the disappointment of being able to be shot only at 1080p 30fps resolution, both on rear camera and selfie camera, this unit from 16 MP f / 2.4.
The stabilization of the videos, however, is present, in digital form, bringing home a good result that at least puts a patch on the low resolution where the videos are shot. The main sensor is quite bright and daytime shots look beautiful full of detail, but unfortunately the processing software tends to wash out the colors noticeably. We hope that a future update will solve these blunders, because the potential seems to be all there and in part also the hardware.
PROJECTED IMPACT
On Redmi Note 11S there is actually poco to say, in the sense that it is undoubtedly a valid terminal, but if you are looking for performance then go to the Pro variant otherwise if you have no budget you can safely go to the standard Note 11, which then with the GCam puts a big piece of the photographic yield .
Note 11S therefore stands right in the middle between the other two terminals in the series and personally, I never liked the half measures, but I stress that the purchase is more than valid, but for a few euros more it is definitely worth raising. the bar with the Pro model.
