It is no secret that Xiaomi’s Redmi series has been a popular budget smartphone brand among Malaysian consumers for many years. Redmi has released plenty of new smartphone models in 2022 too.
However, I think this year’s newer model like the Redmi Note 11 doesn’t offer too many improvements besides a new name, which I find a bit underwhelming.
Check out this review to find out whether you should buy the new Redmi Note 11 or the older Redmi Note 10. And learn what are the other recommended Redmi phones for 2022.
What is the best Redmi smartphone to buy in Malaysia?
The best Redmi smartphone to buy in 2022 is the Redmi Note 10 Pro. The Redmi Note 10 Pro is selling for only RM1000+. It comes with a stunning 120Hz, AMOLED display and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G. It has a large battery of 5020mAh which can last for a whole day of heavy usage without any problem.
Check out the full list of top Redmi smartphones to buy in Malaysia:
- Best Overall: Redmi Note 10 Pro
- Upgrade Pick: Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G
- Best Budget Redmi Phone: Redmi Note 11
- Best Redmi Phone for Gaming: Redmi K50 Pro
- Best Cheap 5G Redmi Phone: Redmi Note 11S 5G
1. Redmi Note 10 Pro
Best Overall
Even though we are already in 2022, the Redmi Note 10 Pro is still the best value Redmi smartphone. At RM1199, users have the option to buy Redmi Note 11 Pro and Redmi Note 11S as well.
But let’s read further why Redmi Note 10 Pro is a better buy than the other two models.
Redmi Note 10 Pro specifications:
- Display – AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10
- Chipset – Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm)
- Front camera – 16MP
- Back camera – 108MP, 8MP (ultrawide), 5MP (macro), 2MP (depth)
- RAM/Storage – 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
- Battery – 5020mAh, fast charging 33W
Let’s check out a detailed comparison of specifications between these two models.
| Redmi Note 10 Pro | Redmi Note 11 Pro | |
| Display | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10 | Super AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 732G (8nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm) |
| Front Camera | 16MP | 16MP |
| Back Camera | Quad camera – 108MP, 8MP, 5MP, 2MP | Quad camera – 108MP, 8MP, 2MP, 2MP |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB RAM 128GB | 8GB RAM 128GB |
| Battery | 5020mAh, fast charging 33W | 5000mAh, fast charging 67W |
| Price | RM1,199 | RM1,149 |
Currently, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 8GB+128Gb is selling at RM1149 cheaper than the Redmi Note 10 Pro 8gb+128GB, RM1199. The price stated is obtained from official sellers. It is also possible to find third-party sellers who sell Note 10 Pro at a lower price.
My main reason for recommending the Redmi Note 10 Pro is its 8nm Snapdragon 732G chipsets. Aside from being a more powerful chip, it also consumes less battery power.
That means you can enjoy smoother gameplay at longer hours.
By buying the Redmi Note 11 Pro, you only get a slightly better display and faster 67w fast charging.
The other issue with Redmi Note 11 Pro is it doesn’t support 4K video recording. It may be disappointing for users who wish to record in 4K. I personally think it is not a big issue because 4K recording is not suitable for these budget Xiaomi phones with limited storage.
Users who are looking for a phone with good battery life, camera and display can consider buying the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G, which is currently available for RM1,399.
Overall, Redmi Note 10 Pro has the perfect balance of price and performance, at RM1000+. It will provide a better day-to-day user experience to average users, thanks to its more efficient chipsets and longer battery life.2. One minor caveat is that some users have reported their cameras getting ruined by MIUI 13 update.
2. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G
Upgrade pick
One of the best Redmi smartphones on the market at the moment is the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G. But don’t confuse the Pro Plus with the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G uses a much weaker Snapdragon 695 while the Pro+ 5G uses MediaTek Dimensity 920.
Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G specifications:
- Display – Super AMOLED, 120Hz
- Chipset – MediaTek Dimensity 920 (6 nm)
- Front camera – 16MP
- Back camera – 108MP, 8MP (ultrawide), 2MP (macro)
- RAM/Storage – 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
- Battery – 4500mAh, super fast charging 120W
Comparing Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G vs Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G.
| Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G | Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G | |
| Display | Super AMOLED, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6nm) |
| Front Camera | 16MP | 16MP |
| Back Camera | 108MP, 8MP, 2MP | 108MP, 8MP, 2MP |
| Battery | 5000mAh, fast charging 67W | 4500mAh, fast charging 120W |
| Price | RM1,199 | RM1,399 |
Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G may look similar to Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G on paper. However, the main difference lies in the soC used by Redmi Note 11 Pro, which is too weak for its specifications.
The Snapdragon 695 on Redmi Note 11 Pro does not deliver exceptional gaming performance and the photo quality also suffers a fair bit due to the post-processing of photos by chip.
On the other hand, The Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus is undoubtedly faster than the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G. Genshin Impact runs smoothly on this phone with medium graphics settings.
And the Redmi Note Pro Plus 5G is capable of 4K video recording which the Pro 5G cannot.
But it has a slightly smaller battery size at only 4500mAh. This disadvantage is offset by its 120W super fast charging.
The Redmi Note 11 Pro Plus 5G is a good option if you are willing to spend a little more money, and it supports 5G connections as well.
3. Redmi Note 11
Best Budget Redmi Phone
The best budget Redmi phone is the Redmi Note 11. For an RM600 smartphone, it has insanely good specs. This is the cheapest phone with an AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate that you can find.
Redmi Note 11 specifications:
- Display – AMOLED, 90Hz
- Chipset – Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
- Front camera – 13MP
- Back camera – 50MP, 8MP (ultrawide), 2MP (macro), 2MP (depth)
- RAM/Storage – 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
- Battery – 5000mAh, fast charging 33W
The Redmi Note 11 comes with great battery life, an amazing screen and a stunning design. This phone is so great that there isn’t any reason not to get it.
The Redmi Note 11 is powered by Snapdragon 680 which uses a 6nm process. Power efficiency is quite good, but CPU and GPU scores are rather weak. I have totally expected this for a budget smartphone.
The Redmi Note 11 can handle things pretty well for daily usage. Thanks to the 90Hz refresh rate, the operation of the phone feels very smooth as well.
But bear in mind that this is a low-end chipset, it can’t handle PUBG or COD well. Therefore, it is not recommended for heavy gamers.
In terms of camera performance, the photos and videos will look great provided that there’s sufficient lighting. When it comes to night shots and low-light shots, it will not perform well and may look grainy compared to other premium smartphones.
The Redmi Note 11‘s low price and surprisingly good display make it one of the best cheap phones in Malaysia.
4. Redmi K50 Pro
Best Redmi Phone for Gaming
For fellow gamers, I will recommend the Redmi K50 Pro. The K50 Pro is designed and built for the best gaming experience at its price.
Redmi K50 Pro specifications:
- Display – 2K resolution OLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+
- Chipset – MediaTek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm)
- Front camera – 20MP
- Back camera – 108MP, 8MP (ultrawide), 2MP (macro)
- RAM/Storage – 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
- Battery – 5000mAh, ultra-fast charging 120W
The Redmi K50 Pro spots a stunning 2K OLED screen with a very narrow bezel. The screen supports 120Hz refresh rate with a peak brightness of 1200 nits.
Furthermore, it has full-scene DC dimming and adaptive colour to give users a less eye-straining viewing experience.
In terms of processing power, the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 is comparable to the Snapdragon 865. It scores a whopping 950,000 points on AnTuTu. It is comparable to the Xiaomi Mi 12 and One Plus 10 Pro.
This phone can run Genshin Impact on high settings for prolonged periods without any drop frame issue.
And the K50 Pro is the first Redmi Phone that comes with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). It helps greatly when you’re taking video without a gimbal or smartphone holder.
The Redmi K50 Pro has a 5,000mAh battery that supports 120W ultra-fast charging. It is reported that charging from 0 to 100% only takes roughly 19 minutes, which is incredible.
In short, the Redmi K50 Pro is a great budget alternative to flagship smartphones like Samsung S22 and iPhone 13. In comparison to more expensive flagship phones, this phone’s only downside is its slightly poorer camera performance.
5. Redmi Note 11S 5G
Best Cheap 5G Redmi Phone
The Redmi Note 11S 5G is the cheapest 5G smartphone you can buy in Malaysia. It is selling for RM900 to RM999.
Redmi Note 11S specifications:
- Display – IPS LCD, 90Hz
- Chipset – MediaTek MT6833P Dimensity 810 (6 nm)
- Front camera – 13MP
- Back camera – 50MP, 8MP (ultrawide), 2MP (macro)
- Battery – 5000mAh, fast charging 33W
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This model uses a LCD screen instead of an AMOLED panel, which is a slight downgrade from the Redmi Note 11. Its 90Hz refresh rate manages to give users a smooth scrolling experience.
In terms of performance, the MediaTek MT6833P Dimensity 810 is capable of delivering fluid performance for daily tasks. It is a small upgrade for the Snapdragon 680 on Redmi Note 11.
Most importantly, MediaTek MT6833P Dimensity 810 supports 5G connection so it is a future-proof smartphone. You can make use of the faster and more stable 5G connection whenever 5G service is available.
Camera performance is nothing to brag about for this Redmi smartphone. The photo and video quality are decent in well-lit conditions. Night photos are acceptable with noticeable noise and grain.
In conclusion, the Redmi Note 11S 5G is the cheapest Redmi smartphone with 5G capability. The trade-off is that the OLED screen is sacrificed. If you’re picky about pretty screens, this phone might not be for you.
Other Redmi Smartphones
Redmi 9A and Redmi 10A Review
Redmi 9A and 10A are both the cheapest Redmi phones you can buy. But the overall specification is really very poor. For example, the Redmi 9A base model only comes with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage. And it only uses MediaTek Helio G25. You can’t really install many apps on it.
I really don’t recommend anyone buying the Redmi 9A and Redmi 10A.
Nevertheless, if you only have RM300 to spend, the Redmi 9A is a better choice than other less reputable brand names with poor software and hardware.
Redmi 10 Review (vs Redmi Note 11)
The price of the Redmi 10 starts from RM599. The difference in price is negligible when you compare it to Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 10. Redmi used to be a smaller smartphone but now it has the same size as the Note series.
It is slightly cheaper but it comes with poorer chipsets, display and camera. You end up with a much inferior phone compared to the Redmi Note 11. So I am strongly against the idea of buying the Redmi 10 in 2022.
Redmi FAQ
Is Redmi or Realme better?
Overall, Redmi is better than Realme in Malaysia because Redmi pricing is always competitive throughout the year. In contrast, Realme smartphones usually only offer good deals during pre-sale or early bird sales.
Is Redmi or Xiaomi better?
The Redmi is more affordable than the Xiaomi, but the performance is slightly lower. The hardware and build quality of Xiaomi’s devices are better, and they have a better design as well.