Realme 11 5G Review: Elegant Design, Powerful camera

HomeReviewsRealme 11 5G Review: Elegant Design, Powerful camera

The Realme 11 5G has made its way into the crowded smartphone market, promising performance and aesthetics at a competitive price.

With features like a 108MP camera, Dimensity 6100+ 5G SoC, and a design that catches the eye, it promises to be an intriguing option for many users.

The device is priced starting at Rs 18,999, placing it frimly in a highly competitive segment. Here’s a detailed review of the Realme 11 5G‘s to see where it stands viz a Vis-à-Vis its rivals.

Realme 11 5G: Verdict

Realme 11 5G: Verdict

The Realme 11 5G packs a punch with its design, display, camera setup, performance, features, software, and battery life.

While there are areas where it could improve, it still provides a balanced offering.

Realme 11 5G: Pros and Cons

Pros Cons
Attractive Design Limited Secondary Camera Capabilities
Long Battery Life Bloatware
Good Primary camera

Realme 11 5G: Key Specs and Pricing

  • Processor: Dimensity 6100+ 5G SoC
  • Display: 6.72-inch IPS LCD FHD+ (1,080 x 2,040), 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz response rate
  • Camera: 108MP+ 2MP portrait lens
  • Selfie: 16MP
  • Battery: 5,000mAh with 67W fast charging
  • Memory and Storage: 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB
  • OS: Realme UI 4.0 based Android 13
  • Connectivity: 5G capable
  • Weight: 190g
  • Other Features: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C port, side-mounted fingerprint reader
  • Build: Plastic unibody design
  • Pricing: Starting from Rs 18,999

Realme 11 5G: Design

Realme 11 5G: Design

The design of the Realme 11 5G is a significant selling point. With a Glory Gold colour combination and a sparkling texture, the phone exudes a premium feel.

The Glory Halo camera setup complements the chrome edges around the camera housing, giving it, in our opinion, a unique appearance.

The phone’s plastic unibody design is sturdy, with flat edges ensuring balanced weight distribution. At 190g, the phone is relatively light, and the dimensions are well-proportioned.

The 3.5mm headphone jack is a delightful addition in a time when many manufacturers are phasing it out.

The polished buttons and plastic rails blend well with the back panel colour, and the inclusion of a USB Type-C port adds to the standard features.

Overall, we think that the Realme 11 5G is a well-rounded, aesthetically pleasing device, with very little to find fault with.

Realme 11 5G: Display

Realme 11 5G: Display

Sporting a 6.72-inch IPS LCD panel with an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate the display is a joy to use.

The panel’s brightness is decent, and although colours might seem slightly saturated, the overall viewing angle satisfies most users. There’s no HDR, but WideVine L1 certification enables HD streaming on OTT content.

A minor drawback might be the punch-hole’s backlight bleeding and 550nits brightness, which is above average but not exceptional.

The smooth operation of the 120Hz refresh rate ensures no jittering or glitching, enhancing the visual experience. All-in-all a display that can be considered good for media consumption

Realme 11 5G: Camera

Realme 11 5G: Camera

The Realme 11 5G’s camera system is a blend of strengths and weaknesses, with the 108MP primary sensor standing out as the highlight, while the lack of some secondary camera features can be seen as shortcomings.

Primary Camera: 108MP

Primary Camera: 108MP
  • Daylight Performance: The 108MP shooter is capable of capturing high-quality, contrasty shots in ample daylight. The detailing is impressive, although the color saturation can be a bit high, giving the images a vibrant but sometimes unrealistic look
  • AI-based Scene Recognition: This feature works to enhance the colours based on the scene being captured. While some may find this adds flair to the images, we found it unnatural. Of course, it’s a matter of personal preference.
  • Shutter and Focus Speed: The shutter speed could be faster, but the focusing speeds are commendable, ensuring that subjects are captured with clarity.
  • Dynamic Range: The dynamic range on offer is laudable, preserving details in both shadows and highlights.

Lack of Ultra-Wide and Macro

Lack of Ultra-Wide and Macro
  • Ultra-Wide: The absence of an ultra-wide camera restricts the field of view, which might disappoint those looking to capture expansive landscapes or group photos.
  • Macro Capabilities: The lack of a dedicated macro lens means that extremely close-up shots may not be as detailed or accessible as with other devices.
  • 2MP Portrait Lens: This feature seems superfluous, considering that the phone manages software-based portraits well. It does not add significant value to the overall camera experience.
  • 3X Zoom: Although there’s no telephoto lens, the primary camera can achieve 3X Zoom by cropping into the main sensor. It’s a decent feature but not a substitute for optical zoom.

Night Mode Photography

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  • General Performance: For a budget phone, the night mode photography is better than expected. Detailing is reasonable, and manual exposure control allows for flexibility.
  • Dedicated Night Mode: The dedicated night mode adds a bit more detail but requires ambient lighting to work effectively. Noise is controlled without aggressive overprocessing, preserving texture.

Selfie Camera: 16MP

Selfie Camera: 16MP

The 16MP selfie camera is pretty standard for this price range.
While it manages to capture decent selfies, some facial oversharpening is present, which might not be appealing to all users.

Realme 11 5G: Performance and features

Realme 11 5G: Performance and features

The Realme 11 5G is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ 5G SoC, a chipset that has been optimised to handle medium-level tasks effectively.

It brings together a balance of performance and energy efficiency, making it suitable for everyday use and some gaming. There’s also 8GB of RAM on offer and up to 256GB of internal storage for you memory needs

The device scores 1,931 on the multi-core test and 736 on the single-core test on Geekbench 6. These numbers indicate that the phone performs well for general usage but might not be suitable for highly demanding applications.

With a stability of 99.8 percent, the phone shows that it can handle moderate graphical tasks without significant drops in performance.

PCMark Work 3.0 Bench shows a score of 10,184 with the phone demonstrating good capabilities in handling typical work applications like web browsing, document editing, and more.

However, for gamers, particularly those who prefer high-end games like BGMI at high graphics settings, the Realme 11 5G might not be the optimal choice.

Although the phone can handle these types of games at medium settings without issues, pushing it to its limits may result in some loss of smoothness and detail.

The 5G capabilities of the phone are notable, as it supports popular SA and NSA bands, ensuring that users can take advantage of the latest network technologies.

Call quality, especially with carriers like Jio in regions like Noida, is commendable. There have been no significant issues with call drops, and the signal reception remains consistent.

The speakers deliver clear sound for casual listening, and the presence of the headphone jack adds convenience for those who prefer wired headphones or earbuds.

The side-mounted fingerprint reader is responsive, allowing for quick and secure authentication.

Its placement is ergonomic, making it easy to access, and it’s highly accurate, minimising the chances of failed attempts.

Realme 11 5G: Software

Realme 11 5G: Software

The Realme 11 5G runs on Realme UI 4.0 based Android 13, providing a decent user experience that caters to everyday needs.

While the presence of bloatware might be a drawback for some, the customisation options within the user interface allow for a personalized touch.

Users can adjust themes, icons, and other visual elements to match their preferences, enhancing the overall interaction with the device.

A guaranteed software upgrade to Android 14 and two years of security updates add to the phone’s appeal, ensuring that it stays up-to-date with the latest features and security measures.

Realme 11 5G: Battery

Realme 11 5G: Battery

With a generous 5,000mAh battery, the Realme 11 5G demonstrates resilience in daily usage.

The device easily lasts a full day on moderate to heavy usage, providing peace of mind for those long hours away from a charger.

For lighter use cases, users might even stretch the battery life to nearly two days, highlighting the phone’s efficiency in power management.

But it’s not just the battery’s capacity that impresses; the 67W fast charging solution is a standout feature.

This technology enables the phone to go from a completely drained battery to 50 percent charge in less than 20 minutes.

Such rapid charging is incredibly convenient for users who are often on the move or those unexpected moments when you need a quick top-up before heading out.

Realme 11 5G: Final verdict

Realme 11 5G: Final verdict

Users looking for a stylish, budget-friendly 5G phone with solid performance and an appealing design, the Realme 11 5G is a compelling choice.

Its sleek appearance, coupled with an impressive 108MP camera, offers a premium feel at an affordable price point. The battery life stands out, lasting a full day even with moderate to heavy use, and the 67W fast charging adds to the convenience.

Although the phone does have some limitations, such as the absence of an ultra-wide camera and presence of software bloat, its overall performance, aesthetics, and value proposition outweigh these concerns.

Realme 11 5G: My Mobile Rating

Design– 3.5/5

Display – 3.5/5

Cameras– 3.5/5

Performance– 3.5/5

Software- 3.5/5

Battery– 3.5/5

Overall – 3.5/5

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REALME 11 SPECIFICATIONS

Key Specs

RAM 8 GB
Processor MediaTek Dimensity 6020
Rear Camera 64 MP + 2 MP
Front Camera 8 MP
Battery 5000 mAh
Display 6.43 inches (16.33 cm)

General

Launch Date August 18, 2023 (Expected)
Operating System Android v13
Custom UI Realme UI

Performance

Chipset MediaTek Dimensity 6020
CPU Octa core (2.2 GHz, Dual core, Cortex A76 + 2 GHz, Hexa Core, Cortex A55)
Architecture 64 bit
Fabrication 7 nm
Graphics Mali-G57 MC2
RAM 8 GB

Best in Class 
RAM Type LPDDR4X

Display

Display Type Super AMOLED
Screen Size 6.43 inches (16.33 cm)
Resolution 1080 x 2400 pixels
Aspect Ratio 20:9
Pixel Density 409 ppi

Best in Class 
Screen to Body Ratio (calculated) 85.69 %
Bezel-less display Yes with punch-hole display
Touch Screen Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch
Brightness 1000 nits
Refresh Rate 90 Hz
Screen to Body Ratio (claimed by the brand) 90.8 %

Design

Height 159.8 mm Compare Size 
Width 72.9 mm
Thickness 7.9 mm

Very Good 
Weight 182 grams

Average 
Colours Summer Orange, Star Trail Black

Camera

MAIN CAMERA
Camera Setup Dual
Resolution 64 MP f/1.79, Wide Angle (80° field-of-view), Primary Camera(25 mm focal length, 2″ sensor size, 0.7µm pixel size)2 MP f/2.4, Depth Camera(21.6 mm focal length)
Sensor OVB64B
Autofocus Yes
Flash Yes, LED Flash
Image Resolution 9000 x 7000 Pixels
Settings Exposure compensation, ISO control
Shooting Modes Continuous Shooting
High Dynamic Range mode (HDR)
Camera Features Digital Zoom
Auto Flash
Face detection
Touch to focus
Video Recording 1920×1080 @ 30 fps
1280×720 @ 30 fps
FRONT CAMERA
Camera Setup Single
Resolution 8 MP f/2.05, Wide Angle, Primary Camera(24 mm focal length)
Video Recording 1920×1080 @ 30 fps
1280×720 @ 30 fps

Battery

Capacity 5000 mAh
Type Li-Polymer
Removable No
Quick Charging Yes, Fast, 33W: 50 % in 29 minutes
USB Type-C Yes

Storage

Internal Memory 128 GB

Best in Class 
Expandable Memory Yes, Up to 1 TB
Storage Type UFS 2.2

Network & Connectivity

SIM Slot(s) Dual SIM, GSM+GSM
SIM Size SIM1: Nano, SIM2: Nano
Network Support 5G Supported in India, 4G Supported in India, 3G, 2G
VoLTE Yes
SIM 1
5G Bands:
FDD N1 / N5 / N8 / N28
TDD N41 / N77 / N78
4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2600(band 38) / 2300(band 40) / 2500(band 41) / 2100(band 34) / 1900(band 39)
FD-LTE 2100(band 1) / 1800(band 3) / 2600(band 7) / 900(band 8) / 700(band 28) / 850(band 5)
3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
SIM 2
5G Bands:
FDD N1 / N5 / N8 / N28
TDD N41 / N77 / N78
4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2600(band 38) / 2300(band 40) / 2500(band 41) / 2100(band 34) / 1900(band 39)
FD-LTE 2100(band 1) / 1800(band 3) / 2600(band 7) / 900(band 8) / 700(band 28) / 850(band 5)
3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
Wi-Fi Yes, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) 5GHz
Wi-Fi Features Mobile Hotspot
Bluetooth Yes, v5.1
GPS Yes with A-GPS, Glonass
USB Connectivity Mass storage device, USB charging

Multimedia

Loudspeaker Yes
Audio Jack 3.5 mm

Sensors

Fingerprint Sensor Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Position On-screen
Fingerprint Sensor Type Optical
Heart Rate Monitor Yes
Other Sensors Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope

FAQs

What sets the Realme 11 5G’s camera apart?

The Realme 11 5G boasts a 108MP primary camera capable of capturing high-quality, contrasty shots in ample daylight. It also includes AI-based scene recognition and a dedicated night mode. However, it lacks an ultra-wide camera and dedicated macro lens, limiting some functionalities.

How does the Realme 11 5G perform in terms of gaming and day-to-day use?

Equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ 5G SoC and 8GB of RAM, the Realme 11 5G can handle medium-level tasks effectively and offers balanced performance for everyday use and some gaming. High-end games can be played at medium settings, but pushing to high graphics settings may cause a loss of smoothness.

How is the battery life and charging capabilities of the Realme 11 5G?

With a 5,000mAh battery, the phone offers resilience in daily usage, lasting a full day or even two with lighter use. The 67W fast charging enables rapid charging, reaching 50% charge in less than 20 minutes, adding convenience for on-the-go users.

What does the design of the Realme 11 5G offer, and what are its build qualities?

The Realme 11 5G flaunts a Glory Gold colour combination and sparkling texture, giving a premium feel. It has a sturdy plastic unibody design, well-proportioned dimensions, and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. Its aesthetic appeal is complemented by features like USB Type-C port and side-mounted fingerprint reader.

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