The Redmi Note 11S is one of the three smartphones launched by Xiaomi in Kenya about two weeks ago. This phone is available in stores in Kenya starting from Ksh 22,999 for the 6/64GB model and going all the way up to Ksh 29,999 for the 8/128GB model.
Besides the Redmi Note 11S, the company also unveiled the Redmi Note 11 and the Redmi Note 11 Pro. Below is a look at their prices:
Redmi Note 11 Pro
- 6+64GB – 29,999/-
- 6+128GB – 33,499/-
- 8+128GB – 34,999/-
Redmi Note 11
- 4+64GB – 19,999
- 4+128GB – 22499
- 6+128GB – 23,999/-
You can get these phones on Jumia and Xiaomi brand shops across the country.
Back to the Redmi Note 11s, I will be highlighting my first impressions on it and what you should expect in the box if you happen to buy this phone.
Before we get to that, let us first highlight some of its key specifications.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S Specifications
| Redmi Note 11S Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Price | From Ksh 22,999 (Buy on Jumia) |
| Display | 6.43-inch FHD, AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G96 |
| Storage | 64/128GB |
| RAM | 6/8GB |
| Rear camera | 108MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP |
| Front camera | 16MP |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, BlueTooth 5.0, NFC |
| Ports | USB Type-C |
| Cellular | 4G |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM |
| Biometrics | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
Redmi Note 11S Unboxing
Redmi Note 11S accessories
This is what you should expect to find in the box when you buy the redmi Note 11S.
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S.
- USB Cable
- Wall Adapter supporting 33W fast charging
- Silicone Case
- User guide and warranty information.
Redmi Note 11s First Impressions
When you take the redmi Note 11S out of the box you will be impressed with the build quality. It feels well-built with a plastic back cover that does not look cheap. The phone is not that big and I have no trouble holding and using it with one hand.
You get stereo speakers which is a plus for this phone. The sound quality is not the greatest though but still audible enough. The power and volume keys are on the right of the phone with the fingerprint scanner embedded underneath the home button.
The USB-C Port, speaker grille, and microphone are on the bottom section while the second speaker grille, headphone jack. Microphone and IR blaster are on the top. The SIM tray is on the left side of the phone.
The quad-camera setup is at the back and you will not miss it, especially the main sensor. It does protrude and the phone will wobble a bit when placed on a flat surface.
The display gets quite bright and is very responsive from the few minutes I have spent with the phone. This is an AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate so you know you are getting a smooth scrolling experience.
The Redmi Note 11S is powered by the Helio G96 processor which is not the most recent processor but still gets the job done. It should handle day-to-day tasks and you can even manage to play some demanding games without any issues. The phone does come with MIUI 13 out of the box so you are getting some of the best software features from Xiaomi when you switch on the phone for the first time.
Initial Thoughts
The Redmi Note 11S looks very promising. The build quality is good, the display is very good and performance and cameras are good too. I would have hoped for a more recent processor but this gets the job done too.
I will be using the phone for the next few days and share my full thoughts on it then.
Read: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Vs Redmi Note 11S Vs Redmi Note 11 Pro