Today, Realme unveiled the 11 series, consisting of three models. In this discussion, we will focus on the vanilla and Pro models, while the Pro+ will be covered separately. These mid-range smartphones boast distinctive and eye-catching designs and are currently priced only CNY 100 apart (which will increase to CNY 200 after the pre-order period ends).
The base model of the Realme 11 Pro starts at CNY 1,700 ($245/€225/₹20,000) for the 8/256GB variant (after pre-orders, the price will increase to CNY 1,800). Additionally, there are options for 12/256GB priced at CNY 2,000 and 12/512GB priced at CNY 2,200. Pre-orders are available now, and shipments will commence on May 15. One of the most notable features of this phone is its distinctive back design. The large circular camera island, though not housing a lot in terms of content, grabs attention with its size and decorative ring.
However, the real highlight is the stripe running down the middle and the decorative stitching on the vegan leather back, giving it a premium gaming phone or special edition camera phone feel, which is quite impressive considering its affordability as a mid-range device.
It’s worth mentioning that the Starry Night Black variant offers a more restrained appearance. It is also thinner (8.2mm vs. 8.7mm) and lighter (185g vs. 191g). Regardless of the color you choose, it’s important to note that these colorways were designed by Matteo Menotto, a former Gucci print designer.
The camera island features a prominent 100MP main camera with an f/1.75 aperture, 26mm lens, and optical image stabilization (OIS). It supports 4K video recording at 30fps and is accompanied by a 2MP macro camera. On the front, there is a 16MP camera (82.3°, f/2.45, 1080p @ 30fps).
The front of the Realme 11 Pro showcases a curved 6.7″ OLED panel, adding to its premium appeal. It features an FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 360Hz touch sampling rate (which can temporarily boost to 1,260Hz), and is a 10-bit panel with HDR10+ support and 100% coverage of DCI-P3. The display can reach a brightness of 950 nits and uses high-frequency PWM for dimming (2,160Hz).
Under the hood, the Realme 11 Pro is powered by the Dimensity 7050 chipset, a 6nm processor that is an update of the Dimensity 1080. While it may not be the fastest chip in its price range, it is paired with ample memory options, offering up to 12GB of RAM (plus up to 8GB virtual RAM) and up to 512GB of storage. The phone runs Android 13 with Realme UI 4.0 out of the box.
A 5,000mAh battery provides power, and it supports 67W wired charging, allowing for a 50% charge in just 18 minutes. The phone is equipped with dual super linear speakers and is Hi-Res Audio certified (wired audio requires the use of the USB-C port).
The Realme 11, while not as capable as the Pro model, is only slightly cheaper. The base 8/256GB configuration is priced at CNY 1,600 ($230/€210/₹19,000), and there is a 12/256GB option available for CNY 1,800. Reservations are open now, and sales will begin on June 1.
The design of the vanilla model retains the large camera island with a decorative circle, and the Summer Orange variant features vegan leather. The Star Trail Black variant replaces the leather with a brushed texture.
The Realme 11 features a slightly smaller 6.43″ AMOLED display, which is flat but has strongly beveled edges on the glass. It offers FHD+ resolution, a 90Hz refresh rate, and 180Hz touch sampling rates (which can be boosted to 1,000Hz). It’s an 8-bit panel with a peak brightness of 1,000 nits.
Powered by the Dimensity 6020, which is essentially a rebranded Dimensity 810 (an older 7nm chip), the Realme 11 provides 8GB and 12GB RAM options, along with 128GB or 256GB storage (UFS 2.2). Unlike its sibling, this model also includes a microSD slot for easy expansion. It comes with Android 13 and Realme UI 4.0 out of the box.
The camera island on the Realme 11 is just as impressive as on the Pro model, although the camera specifications are slightly lower. It houses a 64MP sensor (OV64B40) with an f/1.79 aperture and 25mm focal length. Notably, there is no OIS, and video recording is limited to 1080p @ 30fps. The camera setup is accompanied by a 2MP depth sensor, and the front-facing camera features an 8MP sensor.
Despite its smaller size, the battery capacity of the Realme 11 remains the same at 5,000mAh. However, charging power is halved to 33W, allowing for a 0-50% charge in 29 minutes. Additionally, the vanilla model includes a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Published on 05/18/23 8:14 | by Rawa John