I like the direction that mobile phone companies are going, and taking us with them. Launch after launch of new gadgets, manufacturers are placing in our palms more power than we ever thought would get on mobile phones. I’m talking about those of us who started our phone lives with feature phones and later used smartphones with 2mp cameras. Dark days those ?
If, at that time, someone told me that in a few short years I would be holding a phone with a 108MP camera I would have laughed them out of town. Or that we would once have 128GB storage and 8GB RAM on a phone.
And yet these, among other superior features, are exactly what I have with me here in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S which I have been using for a bit. Premium looking design, easy on the eye, and most importantly, a high-quality powerful phone. I would go further and say that I really love the Graphite Gray colour that my piece came in. A semi glossy finish that is thankfully not a fingerprint magnet.
For every phone I’ve used, there is always that feature that strikes me first and immediately becomes a favourite. For Nokia it is always Zeiss optics. For the Sony Ericsson Xperia which I used ages ago, it was the Bravia visuals. Plus it was so thin I could, and often used it as a bookmark. For the Redmi Note 11S, it is the camera, storage, and processor. Plus of course the looks.
First off, what’s in the box?
The phone, a custom-made silicone back cover, phone literature, warranty card, pin ejector, a Type-C USB cable, and a 33W power adaptor for fast charge. A custom-made screen protector is already pre-fitted.
Always make sure the phone you are purchasing is sealed.
Cameras
The phone packs a whopping 108MP back camera, supported by an 8MP ultrawide shooter, a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor. These features combine to give the user a rich photography experience and near professional shots. Actually, if one can take time to tinker with the camera settings, there are plenty of features especially on the Pro mode, like ISO, Long Exposure, White Balance, Focal Length, and pre-sets. These are just a few among many others that can only be discovered and perfected with continuous curiosity. The selfie camera is 16MP.
I took some photos with the phone, some just around the compound and others somewhere along the Nyeri Nanyuki Higway. Here is a lot of green!
Battery
The Redmi Note 10 Pro has a massive 5000mAh battery, with fast charging to boot. We are looking at a 33W Type-C charger which will easily move a phone from 0-100% in under an hour. The peace of mind that comes with fast charge is immense. Knowing that even if your phone is dying, you can charge to almost 50% in just a few minutes and go on with your day.
My experience with the battery use is also quite impressive. With full use, I’m able to comfortably have the phone for a full day without needing a recharge. Mind you I’m always up and about so I tend to tether via phone a lot and that drains battery. I also stream movies and series and play a game here and there. Also, my work is in the digital space and so my phones usually have a lot of work apps and communication. In short, I’m a heavy user.
In the end everyone has different phone habits, so the battery time will vary. Bottom line is that it will carry just about anyone through the day, and for light users, even days to a week.
Memory
One of my favourite features of the Redmi Note 11S is storage. With 128GB ROM and 8GB RAM, the phone has quite a lot to work with even for the most ardent multitasker. These stats give the assurance that running out of space is a thing of the past. So are annoying lags and freezing apps. People who document a lot of family memories in photos and video are home with this phone.
Display
With a screen size of 6.43” and a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, the phone has crystal clear display and is an absolute pleasure to use. I stream quite a bit of series and movies and the combination of high resolution video quality and good sound are quite the winner.
For gaming fans, good resolution, good sound, and good memory and most importantly a powerful processor means that they get to enjoy the speed and high quality of graphics that make gaming what is.
Summary
There is a lot about the Redmi Note 11S and I’m still discovering new things as I move along. For now, let us have a quick summary of the immediate features.
- Display: AMOLED, 6.43 inches, 1080 by 2400 pixels
- Platform: Android 11, MIUI 13
- Memory: 128GB ROM/8GB RAM
- Main Camera: Quad 108MP wide, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro and 2MP depth
- Selfie Camera: 16MP
- USB: Type-C
- Battery: 5000 mAh, 33W Fast Charging
- Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Security: Face unlock, Fingerprint, PIN, Password
Conclusion
This right here is a solid midrange phone retailing at Ksh.29,999/- I think it is worth every cent considering how much of a work horse it is. Redmi Note 11 is a series though and so there are other options, with assorted specs and prices. Have a look below and find what fits your budget.
Recommended Retail Price:
Redmi Note 11 Pro
6GB+64GB: Ksh. 29,999
6GB+128GB: Ksh. 33,499
8GB+128GB: Ksh. 34,999
Redmi Note 11S
6GB+64GB: Ksh. 22,999
6GB+128GB: Ksh. 27,999
8GB+128GB: Ksh. 29,999
Redmi Note 11
4GB+64GB: Ksh. 19,999
4GB+128GB: Ksh. 22,499
6GB+128GB: Ksh. 23,999
Here are some more photos.