Xiaomi is using the Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus smartphone to demonstrate technology that has previously been seen in higher-end phones in its lower-end products. However, users haven’t seen some of this technology in handsets this inexpensive before.
The Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus’s standout feature is the 120W fast charging, which users have seen in the Xiaomi 12 Pro and the Mi 11T Pro but not in something as inexpensive as the Pro Plus. It charges the phone from empty to full in 15 minutes and consigns overnight charging to the annals of time.
The second significant difference between this Redmi and its brothers is a superior chipset. The Dimensity 920 is a mid-range CPU that provides more power and stronger AI than the lower-end silicon used in Note 11 and Note 11 Pro.
Aside from that, it’s virtually the same phone as the Redmi Note 11 Pro, with a massive FHD+ 6.67-inch screen, three back cameras lead by a 108MP monster, and MIUI software layered over Android 12.
While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus smartphone receives all of the benefits of the non-Plus model. It also inherits virtually all of the phone’s flaws, so it may not appeal to those who were on the fence about the other members of the family.
The main issue here is the camera; while the 108MP sensor appears to be impressive on paper, it doesn’t deliver amazing results in the field.
You may prevent many of these concerns, such as focus and overexposure issues, by spending a lot of time framing the photo or fussing with settings. However, if you’re trying to capture a fast shot of a pet doing something hilarious or a treasured moment on a beautiful day, you don’t want to waste any time.
What will you see here?
Price and Availability
The Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus smartphone is released two months behind its brothers, in April 2022, with a later May release date.
The phone costs £369 in the UK. This converts to roughly $480, placing it only a tad more than its brothers.
Design
You deserve a prize if you can tell the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus from its non-Plus variants. The handsets are nearly similar, save for a slightly revised camera hump.
This is your typical ‘chocolate bar’ smartphone; if you want anything more unusual, you’ll have to pay a lot more. There’s a USB-C connector, 3.5mm headphone jack, volume buttons, and a power button with a fingerprint sensor embedded around the edge. The latter is really easy to use and straightforward, making unlocking the phone a snap.
Xiaomi has made the fascinating. If not unexpected – the choice to employ a glass back panel for the phone, claiming that plastic is inappropriate for a ‘Pro Plus’ phone. As a result, the device is more comfortable to grip.
With an IP53 rating, it’s reasonably well protected from moisture or dust. Yes but don’t take it swimming for lengthy periods of time.
Cameras
The camera system includes a 108MP primary snapper with an f/1.8 aperture, an 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide with a 120° visual field, and a 2MP f/2.4 macro camera.
Main Sensor
The main camera is the focus of attention here. It produces sharp pictures with a wide dynamic range. Samsung’s HM2 sensor, which powers it, plays a significant part in its capabilities, such as the 108MP mode, which produces a highly detailed image when you take a shot. The primary camera, on the other hand, does not shoot at 108MP by default, but rather employs 9-in-1 binning to create larger pixels that can catch more light, default to a 12MP output—useful in low-light conditions.
UltraWide Sensor
The 8MP ultra-wide camera likewise performs admirably in terms of resolution and dynamic range. Fortunately, there appears to be no variation in color representation when compared to the primary shooter.
Macro Sensor
The 2MP macro camera is likewise rather crisp, although you can’t get as close to the object as you would anticipate from a macro camera.
Selfie Sensor
For those who enjoy taking selfies, you’ll be pleased to hear that the front-facing camera will not disappoint. The photographs that result are as good as one could hope for, with excellent clarity and pleasant hues. The dynamic range while shooting with the front-facing camera appears to be outstanding as well.
Portrait mode with the selfie-shooter is also excellent! When you look at the photographs more closely, you will some fringing margins. However, this was an isolated example.
AI Modes
There’s also an AI option that’s intended to recognize the situation and alter the camera’s settings accordingly. However, it is worthless, and in some cases even hampers the final result by making the colors less bright and overexposing the image.
Shooting video
When taking video, much of the visual quality exhibited on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ when shooting stills can also be visible. The detail from the primary and ultra-wide cameras is excellent, as are the colors.
In video mode, dynamic range is a bit of a mixed bag. While the sky and ground appear to be nicely exposed generally, there are some portions of the image that stay overly bright, causing detail to suffer.
Another flaw is the lack of video stabilization. Holding the phone with one hand results in choppy footage when walking and gently sprinting in both 1080p 60fps and 4K 30fps.
Performance & Specs
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus is quite powerful for a phone of its price – you’re not getting flagship power, but the performance will wow the users. The device comes with the mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 920 processor, which has previously been seen in the Vivo V23 and Realme 9 Pro Plus. It’s a processor that’s typically seen in phones that fall between the budget and mid-range price ranges. It’s more powerful than a cheap phone, but not as speedy as a real mid-ranger – which is precisely what you’d expect from a phone that falls somewhere in the middle.
The device performed admirably while playing games as long as you didn’t turn the graphics up to their top settings; it’s also quick enough for menu navigation and other minor chores.
If you wish to, you can utilize the phone to connect to 5G networks. That’s great news for folks who prefer to stay connected. However, one can’t help but imagine a version of the phone where the money spent on a 5G modem is spent on other features instead.
Software
Surprisingly, the Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus smartphone runs Android 11. However, which isn’t the most recent version of Google’s operating system accessible to smartphone manufacturers. The other Note 11 phones are identical, so users shouldn’t be shocked. However, the software is a step behind in one strange aspect.
All of the phones run MIUI, Xiaomi’s Android derivative, but while the other Note 11 devices run MIUI 13, you’ll only get MIUI 12.5 here – presumably, it’ll be upgraded shortly.
MIUI is mostly a cosmetic modification, with design adjustments to app icons, menu layouts, and more – you can probably get the feel of this from the photographs accompanying the article. However, it’d be much better if you could get your hands on a device that runs it.
The iOS-style swipe-down menus are one thing users enjoy about this – with other Android forks, you slide down from the top to bring up your fast settings and notifications trays, but in MIUI, you only bring the quick settings if you swipe from the right, and notifications if you swipe from the left. It’s a great handy added function once you get used to it.
MIUI was formerly a bloatware-laden operating system – Xiaomi has become a little better about this in recent years. However, the Redmi still includes a few unpleasant pre-installed stragglers when you power up the phone.
Battery life
When it comes to the Redmi Note 11 family of smartphones, you may be shocked to learn that the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ has a lower battery than the basic Redmi Note 11 Pro model.
However, in return for the reduced size, the Plus edition provides consumers with quick charging. Unlike the non-Plus Redmi model which utilizes a regular battery, the Plus variant has a dual-cell battery that enables far quicker, 120W charging speeds.
This corresponds to a 0-100% charge in about 20 minutes! Every time you will check on this phone after a quick coffee break, it will surprise you at how quickly it can charge!
As for how long the battery lasts on a full charge, let’s just say you can put this bad boy through its paces without fear. You can go through a full day of heavy use and not have to worry about plugging it in at the end of the day. Since one could simply do that for 10 minutes in the morning and have hours of battery life.
Conclusion
Xiaomi did it once more. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ smartphone is yet another excellent and well-rounded cheap phone from Xiaomi. It covers the majority of what makes a phone great: display, audio, battery, cameras, and so on. Even software is now easy to suggest.
Of course, not everything is rainbows and sunshine, such as the primary camera’s poor video stabilization and tendency to overexpose at times. This Redmi Plus variant is likewise harmed by outdated software. Furthermore, you only receive two major Android upgrades.
But, if you can overlook these few drawbacks. The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ is a superb budget-friendly phone for approximately $400. It will most certainly make you satisfied with your purchase.
