1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | Mi 11 Pro is taller and thicker, but narrower. iPhone 12 Pro Max feels wider in hand. Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger overall volume but more compact feel. |
| Weight | 228g | 208g | Mi 11 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.81" | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger screen, offering a marginally more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1440x3200 | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly sharper display, leading to clearer text and finer details, particularly when viewing high-resolution content. |
| PPI | 458 | 515 | Mi 11 Pro's higher pixel density means crisper images and text. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent contrast and color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Mi 11 Pro's higher refresh rate results in smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more fluid and responsive, especially when gaming. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1700 nits | Mi 11 Pro is much more visible in bright sunlight and offers HDR content with more impact. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Different architectures; A14 Bionic is known for its single-core performance, while Snapdragon 888 offers strong all-around performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 854,267 | iPhone 12 Pro Max generally has faster app loading and smoother operation in benchmarks, but practical differences may vary by task. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 660 | Both offer high-end graphics performance, capable of running demanding games and applications smoothly. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 5000mAh | Mi 11 Pro should offer significantly longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Mi 11 Pro will charge much faster; allowing for much shorter charge times. |
| Features | 20W wired, 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | 67W wired, 67W wireless, 10W reverse | Mi 11 Pro offers faster wired and wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging to power accessories. iPhone's MagSafe has magnetic attachment advantage. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.70µm | 50MP, f/1.95, 1.40µm, 1/1.12" | Mi 11 Pro's higher megapixel count should allow for more detailed images. iPhone's wider aperture captures more light, potentially better in low light. Larger sensor on Mi 11 Pro. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 20MP, f/2.3, 0.80µm | Mi 11 Pro's higher megapixel count can produce more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.00µm | None | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom, while Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro relies on digital zoom in this specific case. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.40µm, 1/2.55" | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm, 1/3.06" | Mi 11 Pro slightly higher resolution and wider aperture; but smaller sensor. iPhone 12 Pro Max has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Telephoto+Macro | None | 8MP, 1.00µm, 1/4.4" | Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated macro lens, which allows for close-up photography and greater versatility, which the iPhone lacks |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps HDR | Up to 8K@24fps HDR, 4K@60fps | Mi 11 Pro offers higher resolution video recording. Both have stabilization and HDR. Mi 11 Pro has higher slow-motion fps. |
| DxoMark Mobile | 131 Main, 131 Photo, 130 Video | 124 Main, 118 Photo, 132 Video | iPhone 12 Pro Max generally performs better in photo tests, while Mi 11 Pro has better video performance, with a significantly higher score in video. |
| DxoMark Selfie | 132 Main, 127 Photo, 140 Video | Not tested | iPhone 12 Pro Max's selfie camera excels in video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradeable) | Android 11 | Different ecosystems; iOS is known for its simplicity and tight integration, while Android is more customizable. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO, Direct, Display | Mi 11 Pro has more advanced features for wireless display connection and peer-to-peer networking. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE, aptX, LDAC, AAC | Mi 11 Pro supports higher quality audio codecs for better audio streaming experience. |
| GPS | Standard systems | Standard systems + L1+L5 | Mi 11 Pro uses dual-frequency GPS for more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 12 Pro Max allows for eSIM use, making it more versatile for travelers. Mi 11 Pro supports dual physical SIMs for users with multiple phone numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a higher maximum storage option for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8/12 GB | Mi 11 Pro with 12GB RAM enables faster multitasking and smoother switching between apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage, limiting storage options after purchase. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Hi-Res, 3 mics | Both offer stereo speakers. iPhone's Dolby Atmos provides spatial audio, while Mi 11 Pro's Hi-Res support enables audiophile-grade playback. Mi 11 Pro has 3 microphones for better call clarity. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic | Fingerprint Sensor | Mi 11 Pro has fingerprint sensor for fast unlocking. iPhone relies on facial recognition only. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus | Mi 11 Pro offers superior screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, providing better resistance against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Heart Rate | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max features an additional barometer, while Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro includes biometric sensors like fingerprint and heart rate sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Stronger Single-Core Performance: The A14 Bionic chip generally outperforms the Snapdragon 888 in single-core tasks, leading to potentially faster app loading and responsiveness for typical daily tasks. This provides smoother performance in apps that don't heavily utilize multi-core processing.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens allows for better optical zoom, providing clearer photos at longer focal lengths compared to the digital zoom on the Mi 11 Pro.
- MagSafe Charging: Provides a unique and convenient magnetic wireless charging solution, along with accessory options.
- Higher DxoMark Photo Score - The iPhone achieves a higher score for photography, though that doesn't include the macro capabilities of the Mi 11 Pro.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Better Battery Life: A larger battery combined with software optimizations typically translates to all-day battery life and potentially longer, avoiding the need to charge as often.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate and brightness results in a more vivid and fluid viewing experience. This is more suitable for content consumption, gaming and overall visual experience.
- Faster Charging: Much faster wired and wireless charging capabilities, allowing for minimal downtime to recharge the device.
- Versatile Camera Setup: Mi 11 Pro includes macro lens, higher resolution camera on main and selfie, with 8k recording available.
- More RAM: Higher RAM capacity supports more demanding multitasking, ensuring smooth app switching and better game performance, especially in the long run.
- Better Bluetooth Codecs: Supports higher-quality audio codecs, for a better listening experience on capable devices.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: While its camera performs well, it lacks the macro capabilities and charging speeds of the Mi 11 Pro, and its battery is significantly smaller.
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Its benchmark performance is lower, however, practical performance for daily use may be similar. It lacks a dedicated telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Ecosystem Loyalists: Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, who value simplicity and seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Casual Photographers: Users who prioritize ease of use for photography and who value color accuracy and simplicity rather than macro photography or zoom.
- Users comfortable with the iOS user experience: Those who enjoy the consistent and streamlined experience of iOS.
Use Cases:
- Quick photo/video captures for social media sharing
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices (AirPods, Mac, Apple Watch)
- Mobile gaming with high single core app performance
Ideal User for Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Power Users: Users who demand the best performance, fast charging, and all-day battery life.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who seek a versatile camera system and enjoy experimenting with different photography modes, macro mode included.
- Android Customizers: Users who prefer Android's open ecosystem and customization options.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile games and multitasking
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos for creative projects
- Long days away from a power outlet
- Multimedia consumption with enhanced visual and audio experience.
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers more features and performance for the price, especially in display, charging, and battery. The iPhone 12 Pro Max may be more valuable to those who are happy in the Apple ecosystem.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you value simplicity and seamless integration with Apple devices, or do you prefer Android's customizability? This helps determine which operating system is a better fit.
- Is battery life and fast charging a critical need, or is camera performance the top priority? This helps determine which phone's strengths align better with your typical usage.
- Do you need a versatile camera system, or are you mainly focused on the quality of main photos and videos? This will help choose between the telephoto lens and macro lens options.
Scenario Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler: If you travel often and use multiple SIM cards, the iPhone 12 Pro Max's eSIM support can be very convenient and the performance will be smoother. The Mi 11 Pro's much longer battery life might be the preference, though.
- Scenario 2: Content Creator: If you frequently capture photos and videos for content creation, the Mi 11 Pro's 8K video, higher megapixel count, and versatile lens setup make it a better fit.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer: If you prioritize smooth gaming performance, both are strong; the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s performance will be smoother for typical use, while the Mi 11 Pro offers a better screen with 120 Hz. The Mi 11 Pro's larger battery is also a strong point for gaming.
- Scenario 4: Everyday User: If you are looking for a reliable daily driver, both phones are capable; but the Mi 11 Pro's better battery life, fast charging and lower weight makes for a better daily experience.
My Choice
Given the specifications, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
Here's why:
- Battery Life: I prioritize battery life, and the significantly larger battery on the Mi 11 Pro would mean less charging and less battery anxiety.
- Display Quality: The higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness on the Mi 11 Pro's display would significantly enhance my daily viewing experience, whether it’s browsing the web, watching videos, or gaming.
- Versatile Camera System: While I would miss a dedicated telephoto lens, the macro lens is more valuable for my style of photography. I appreciate the higher resolution on the main and selfie cameras, and the 8k video is a bonus.
- Fast Charging: The 67W wired and wireless charging capabilities mean I can quickly top up the device.
- Overall value: The Mi 11 Pro provides a higher-value experience, with the above features at what would likely be a lower price point.
While the iPhone 12 Pro Max has its strengths, I find the Mi 11 Pro's focus on multimedia, photography, and battery performance more appealing for my own needs. While its single-core performance is slightly less, it’s not something that I would notice in day to day use.
