Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G Smartphone Review

Xiaomi is well known for releasing reasonably priced smartphones that still have displays and features that will please most people who don't want to spend a huge amount of cash on a device. Their latest offering to join the budget-friendly sector of smartphones is the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G that's available for around £300 and we've been putting it to the test to find out how it performs. 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G Features

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G follows on from the Redmi Note 10 Pro, sharing some of its features, omitting some and adding new functions such as 5G to the line-up. 5G at this price point is an impressive thing to see but, usually, something else has to be sacrificed on the smartphone to make this a viable option at this price point and we'll see what this could be as we get further into the review. 

The smartphone is a decent size and unlike other devices available for around £300, it features front/rear glass and it's also IP53 rated making it splash resistant. The display measures 6.67-inch with a 16MP f/2.5 selfie camera sitting top centre and on the back is a 108MP f/1.9 wide camera with PDAF, 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera and a 2MP f/2.4 macro camera. Video is captured at 1080p at 30fps, not 4K, but you do get stereo speakers and a headphone jack. 

The battery measures 5000mAh with fast-charging available, taking roughly 15-mins to reach 50% of the full power. 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G Specs:

• Rear Camera Set-Up: 108MP f/1.9 wide camera with PDAF, 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera and a 2MP f/2.4 macro camera
• Front Camera: 16MP f/2.5 selfie camera
• Video: 1080p at 30fps, not 4K
• Display: 6.67-inch Super AMOLED, 1080x2400 pixels
• Battery: 5000mAh
• Dimensions: 1642x76.1x8.1mm
• Weight: 202g
• IP53 dust and splash resistant
• Glass front and back design
• Headphone jack
• Gray, White, Blue

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G Handling

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro fits the hand well and is comfortable to hold with the free silicone case giving even more grip when applied. The case also has a cover for the USB port to further enhance its protection and by popping a case on the smartphone, it stops the rear glass from getting covered in fingerprints and smudges which appear quickly and can spoil the overall look of the smartphone.

To further add to the smartphone's protection, it comes with an IP rating of IP53 which makes it splash-proof but don't be dunking it in a sink anytime soon. It's also dust-protected.

The display measures 6.67-inch with a 16MP f/2.5 selfie camera sitting top centre and there's a thin black bezel running around the edge of the screen which is noticeable but not detrimental to the over design/look. As for the display itself, it's bright, colours are accurate and you won't have any problems viewing the screen outdoors. 

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro actually looks a lot more expensive than it is with a line-up of great colour choices and the application of a glass back elevating slightly when compared with other smartphones at this price point. 

On the right side, you find the volume rocker and power button but the lefthand side is empty with the other smartphone features such as speakers and a headphone jack appearing either top or bottom. 

The camera unit on the rear is rather large but quite similar in style/shape to the one found on the Redmi Note 10 Pro but the cameras housed are slightly different with a 108MP f/1.9 wide camera with PDAF, 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera and a 2MP f/2.4 macro camera where previously the Redmi Note 10 Pro had a 108MP f/1.9, 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera, 5MP f/2.4 telemacro camera with AF and 10x hybrid zoom and 2MP f/2.4depth sensor.

Features found in the camera app include Portrait Mode which you can also use creatively to capture shots of objects you want to introduce bokeh backgrounds, Night Mode, Long Exposure and a Pro Mode with the layout looking very similar to any other camera app built into a smartphone with the shutter button at the bottom, main camera modes just above this and a few other tools at the top which include AI and HDR functions to help improve picture quality with very little effort. 

Camera Specs: 

• Rear Camera Set-Up: 108MP f/1.9 wide camera with PDAF, 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera and a 2MP f/2.4 macro camera
• Front Camera: 16MP f/2.5 selfie camera
• Video: 1080p at 30fps, not 4K

Battery life - The 5000mAh battery easily lasted a full day of use which included capturing photos/video. If you do need to add power, fast-charing is available and it's pretty quick.