The Redmi Note 12 series are the latest Redmi smartphones which are expected to be launched on Feb-March 2023 while the Redmi Note 11 debuted on 26 January 2022 in Malaysia.
In India, the Redmi Note 12 Global version is already available from 5 January 2023. It is likely that Malaysia will follow suit soon with the official launch of the Redmi Note 12 series.
For those who cannot wait, there are several vendors on Shopee and Lazada offering the Redmi Note 11 starting from RM1170.
The global launching price of the Redmi Note 12 base model is about RM1059, almost double the RM659 of the Redmi Note 11.
Let’s find out the improvements on the Redmi Note 12 which lead to the drastic price increase.
We compare the specifications, design, camera, performance, battery life, and design of the new Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 11.
Key Takeaway:
The main differences between the Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 11 are the Redmi Note 12 has a bigger and better AMOLED display as well as support for 5G. In contrast, the Redmi Note 12 is slightly smaller, slower and more importantly, much cheaper, and could possibly be the best smartphone under RM600.
Comparing the Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 11 Specifications
| Redmi Note 12 | Redmi Note 11 | |
| Design |  |  |
| Size | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm |
| Weight | 188 g | 179 g |
| IP rating | IP53Dust and splash resistant | IP53Dust and splash resistant |
| Display | Punch-hole 6.67 inches AMOLED, 120Hz, 395 PPI (1080p) Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Punch-hole 6.43 inches AMOLED, 90Hz, 409 PPI (1080p) Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| SIM slot | Hybrid Dual SIM (nano) | Dual SIM (nano) |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Chipsets | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| Memory | 128GB 6GB RAM 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM 64GB 6GB RAM 128GB 4GB RAM 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Card slot | microSD | microSD (dedicated) |
| Main Camera | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76″, 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4″, 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) |
| Selfie Camera | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.1″, 1.12µm |
| Sound | Loudspeakers, 3.5mm jack | Stereo speakers, 3.5mm jack |
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired |
| 5G | Yes | No |
| Price | Check Shopee Check Lazada | Check Shopee Check Lazada |
Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 11 Price in Malaysia
Since the Redmi Note 12 series has not been officially launched in Malaysia yet, we can estimate the price based on the official pricing in India’s official Xiaomi store.
Check out the price prediction for Redmi Note 12 in Malaysia below.
Redmi Note 12 has only two variants, which are:
- 128GB ROM 4GB RAM – RM1059
- 128GB ROM 6GB RAM – RM1199
Redmi Note 11 has 4 variants, which are:
- 64GB ROM 4GB RAM – n/a
- 64GB ROM 6GB RAM – n/a
- 128GB ROM 4GB RAM – RM659
- 128GB ROM 6GB RAM – RM789
Make sure you check the latest pricing at Shopee and Lazada, which often offer promotions and discounts on new smartphones.
Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 11 Design
The Redmi Note 12 is available in three colours: Forest Green, Matte Black, and Mystique Blue; whereas the Redmi Note 11 is available in three colours as well: Graphite Gray, Twilight Blue, and Star Blue.
The Redmi Note 12 is slightly bigger than the Redmi Note 11, 6.67 vs 6.43 inches.
Redmi Note 12 has a 120Hz refresh rate Samsung AMOLED screen with a peak brightness of 1200 nits. It is better than the Redmi Note 11 screen with a refresh rate of 90Hz and a peak brightness of 1000 nits
Both smartphones are using a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
A clear difference in design is on the Redmi Note 12’s rear panel where the triple camera setup is more simplified compared to the quadruple camera setup on Redmi Note 11.
Both smartphones have a very well-optimized Xiaomi-like design.
Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 11 Performance
According to nanoreview.net, the Redmi Note 12’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 has an AnTuTu score of 386k, higher than the Redmi Note 11’s Snapdragon 680 with an AnTuTu score of 268k.
Despite both processors using a 6nm process, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 has significantly faster CPU and gaming processing power.
Moreover, the Redmi Note 12 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 supports 5G connection, whereas the Redmi Note 11 does not.
Not only that, Redmi Note 12 supports Bluetooth 5.2 which is used by high-end wireless earbuds and gaming headsets like Sony WH-1000XM5. But the Redmi Note 11 only supports Bluetooth 5.1
Consequently, Redmi Note 12 should deliver a better mobile gaming experience with higher frame rates than the Redmi Note 11.
Despite this, the Redmi Note 11 is more than adequate for basic daily usage, including messaging, social media, and video watching.
Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 11 Camera
Redmi Note 12 features a triple camera system at the back: main camera (wide), ultra-wide and macro camera, while the Redmi Note 11 has a quadruple camera system including a depth sensor.
Despite the Redmi Note 11 camera specifications look better on paper, the actual photo quality of the Redmi Note 12 is much better. The reason could be a better camera sensor and chipset that do a better job of postprocessing the photos.
For the front camera, both Redmi Note 12 and Note 11 again are pretty similar. In reality, the selfie photo taken on Redmi Note 12’s is brighter and clearer than the Note 11.
Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 11 Battery Life
Based on official data, both Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 11 have 5000mAh Li-Po batteries. And both of them support 33W fast charging.
Both Redmi smartphones utilize 6nm Snapdragon processors, so their real-world battery life is very similar.
According to a battery drain test done by Trick Ansh, the Redmi Note 12 lasted 7 hours 50 minutes, longer than the Redmi Note 11 which lasted 7 hours 37 minutes (running TikTok video continuously).
Redmi Note 12 and Redmi Note 11 Video Review
Redmi Note 12 Video Review
Redmi Note 11 Video Review
Conclusion: Which is Better, Redmi Note 12 or Redmi Note 11
Overall, Redmi Note 12 offers better performance and camera quality than Redmi Note 11, as well as supports 5G.
If you solely compare the specification sheet, you may not be able to see these differences but it is a massive upgrade from the Redmi Note 11.
The Redmi Note 12 is definitely worth considering if you plan to buy a new smartphone.
Other than Xiaomi smartphones, there are many great budget smartphones under RM1000. Click here to check them out.