In the jungle of Xiaomi smartphones, it is a bestseller.
The Redmi Note family returns at the start of the year with four devices, still oriented entry / mid-range.
We tested the least expensive of them: the Redmi Note 11, marketed at 199.90 euros in its 4 GB RAM + 64 GB storage version (expandable).
A good deal for small budgets?
Answer in this test.
We liked
An efficient design.
Xiaomi has taken care of appearances: its Redmi Note 11 is thin, light, quite compact, which makes it comfortable to hold.
Admittedly, the back is plastic but its matte finish offers a pleasant rendering in the gray version that we tested.
Beware, however, of fingerprints, which tend to accumulate quickly.
The photo block, too, is rather elegant.
And it has the merit of not protruding too much from the chassis.
The phone is only 8 mm thick and the photo block does not protrude too much from the back.
A good screen.
Last year, Xiaomi struck a blow by integrating an Oled screen – a technology superior to LCD – on its Redmi Note 10. Logically, the Chinese manufacturer is doing it again with the Redmi Note 11, which is adorned with a beautiful 6.43-inch screen with Full HD definition (2400 x 1080 pixels).
Chef's surprise: this year, Xiaomi goes further by offering a refresh rate of 90 Hz to offer a pleasant feeling of fluidity.
In terms of brightness, RAS: you will have no trouble viewing your screen in direct sunlight.
Thanks to OLED technology, the screen guarantees deep blacks and contrasts that tend towards infinity.
A big battery.
Equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery and a frugal processor, the Redmi Note 11 is very durable.
You will last about two days in mixed use (social networks, WhatsApp, streaming, etc.), even with the screen set to 90 Hz. To refuel, it takes about 1h10, thanks to the 33 W power supply provided in the box.
A very honorable result.
Decent performance
.
At less than 200 euros, it's hard to ask this smartphone to run like a Samsung Galaxy S22, sold four times more expensive.
Its Snapdragon 680 processor, supported by 4 GB of RAM in our test version, is nevertheless quite responsive for everyday tasks.
We just note a slight inertia to open certain applications.
But nothing really bad… Naturally, demanding gamers will go their way: even if the smartphone cashes in 3D games, it's at the cost of a major concession on the graphics.
We liked less
A fairly average photo proposal.
By day, the main sensor (50 Megapixels) does the job.
The sharpness is satisfactory, the level of detail too.
But some photos are a little too dull.
In addition, the phone struggles to brighten dark areas.
Nothing prohibitive, that said, in view of the price of the smartphone.
Especially since the ultra wide-angle is convincing: we lose details on the edges of the image but the distortion of the image is contained.
Ultra wide angle.
Main module.
At night, everything goes wrong: the photos are too "noisy", often a little blurry.
The result is unflattering but remains usable as long as we limit ourselves to the main module.
Ultra wide angle at night.
Main module at night.
The selfie sensor on the front (13 MP) is frustrating: sometimes it delivers a correct result, sometimes it fails, especially in the rendering of the sky or the management of luminous halos.
Overall, this photo module smooths the skin too much.
Four modules for what?
The Redmi Note 11 is adorned with four photo modules on the back and Xiaomi's marketing likes to let it be known.
But make no mistake, in practice, two are really relevant: the main 50 MP module and the ultra-wide angle (8 MP).
The other two, namely the macro (2 MP) and the depth sensor for portrait photos, are frankly too much as their performance is limited.
The phone has four photo modules on the back.
NFC… but not 5G.
This year, the Chinese manufacturer has decided to integrate an NFC chip on its Redmi.
Very practical for paying contactless or recharging your public transport ticket in certain regions.
But still no 5G.
Too bad when you know that some entry-level phones can benefit from it.
And that this network is set to grow more and more.
Our Verdict
The Redmi Note 11 offers a solid score: if it does not excel in photography, especially at night, it has the best screen in this price segment.
In addition, its design, without being original, is controlled, its generous autonomy and its performance remains sufficient for everyday tasks.
Clearly, at less than 200 euros, it is a relevant choice, which will delight users on a limited budget, looking for a balanced device.
Its alternatives: the realme 8 5G or the Samsung Galaxy A12.
Redmi Note 11.
Two versions: 4GB + 64GB at 199.90 euros and 6GB + 128GB at 249.90 euros.
Expandable memory via micro-SD.
Dual SIM.
NFC.
Jack plug.
Three colors (blue, azure, grey).
