Alright, let's dive deep into this Huawei P50 Pro versus Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G showdown. We'll strip away the marketing fluff and focus on what truly matters to you, the user, breaking down the specs into real-world experiences.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, highlighting the key differences and what they mean for your daily usage:
| Feature | Huawei P50 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.8 × 72.8 × 8.5 mm, 195g | 163.7 × 76.2 × 8.3 mm, 204g | P50 Pro is more compact and lighter. Easier to handle one-handed. |
| Build | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Note 11 Pro+ 5G offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in size. Both offer immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1228x2700 | 1080x2400 | P50 Pro has a noticeably sharper and more detailed display. |
| PPI | 450 | 395 | P50 Pro's higher pixel density results in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and gaming on both devices. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Note 11 Pro+ 5G is significantly brighter, offering excellent visibility in direct sunlight. P50 Pro's brightness is unknown, raising concerns about outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | P50 Pro's Kirin 9000 offers faster overall performance and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 697,566 | 528,100 | P50 Pro is noticeably faster in benchmarks, translating to snappier app loading and smoother performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP24 (Adreno 660) | Mali-G68 MC4 (Arm Mali-G68 MC4) | P50 Pro offers superior graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and demanding apps. |
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB | P50 Pro, especially with 12GB RAM, handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 108MP, f/1.89 | Note 11 Pro+ 5G captures more detail in good lighting conditions, but P50 Pro may perform better in low light due to its wider aperture and specialized black & white sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/3.4 | None | P50 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for detailed close-ups without digital distortion. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 13MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Note 11 Pro+ 5G has a dedicated ultrawide lens for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots. P50 Pro's ultrawide lens is bundled with macro capabilities. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Note 11 Pro+ 5G allows for close-up shots of small objects, though the quality may be limited by the sensor's low resolution. |
| Black & White Lens | 40MP, f/1.6 | None | P50 Pro captures monochrome images with great detail, allows enhancing low-light photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Note 11 Pro+ 5G captures slightly more detailed selfies, but the difference is likely minimal. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps | P50 Pro offers smoother 4K video recording at 60fps. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 143, Selfie: 144 | N/A | P50 Pro's camera performance is highly rated by DXOMark, indicating excellent image and video quality. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4360mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery life on both devices. |
| Charging | 66W Wired, 50W Wireless | 120W Wired | Note 11 Pro+ 5G charges significantly faster, reaching full charge in just 15 minutes. P50 Pro offers convenient wireless charging. |
| Other | |||
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD card. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Note 11 Pro+ 5G offers slightly better audio quality with Hi-Res Audio support. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Note 11 Pro+ 5G has a more modern and convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
2. Key Insights
Huawei P50 Pro:
- Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Kirin 9000 chipset offers significantly faster processing and graphics performance.
- Excellent Camera System: Features a versatile quad-camera setup with optical zoom, a dedicated black & white sensor, and high DXOMark scores.
- Premium Build & Design: More compact and lighter, offering better ergonomics.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient 50W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Trade-offs:
- Unknown Screen Protection: The lack of information about screen protection is a significant concern.
- No Expandable Storage: Limited to internal storage options.
- Unknown OS: OS is unknown, can raise software compatibility concerns.
- Limitations:
- No Google Services: Depending on the region, this could be a deal-breaker for users heavily reliant on Google apps.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G:
- Strengths:
- Ultra-Fast Charging: 120W charging is incredibly fast, fully charging the phone in just 15 minutes.
- Bright Display: Excellent outdoor visibility with its 1200 nits display.
- Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio quality for music enthusiasts.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient and modern fingerprint sensor placement.
- Trade-offs:
- Lower Performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 920 is less powerful than the Kirin 9000.
- No Optical Zoom: Relies on digital zoom, which can degrade image quality.
- Limitations:
- No Wireless Charging: Lacks wireless charging capabilities.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Huawei P50 Pro:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a premium design.
- Use Cases: Professional photographers, mobile gamers, users who frequently multitask, and those who value wireless charging.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G:
- Ideal for: Users who value fast charging, a bright display, and good audio quality.
- Use Cases: Commuters, outdoor enthusiasts, media consumers, and users who need a phone that charges quickly.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask yourself these questions:
- How important is camera quality to you? If you need the best possible image and video quality, especially with optical zoom, the P50 Pro is the better choice.
- How crucial is fast charging? If you want the fastest charging speeds available, the Note 11 Pro+ 5G is the clear winner.
- Are you heavily reliant on Google Services? If the answer is yes, then the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is a choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Photography Enthusiast: Huawei P50 Pro. Its versatile camera system and high DXOMark scores make it the best choice for capturing stunning photos and videos.
- On-the-Go Professional: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G. The ultra-fast charging ensures you're always powered up, and the bright display makes it easy to use outdoors.
- Budget-Conscious User: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G provides a more balanced set of features at a potentially lower price point.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I'd lean towards the Huawei P50 Pro. Here's why:
Despite the concerns around Google Services and the lack of confirmed screen protection, the P50 Pro's raw performance and camera capabilities are simply too compelling to ignore. As someone who values a smooth user experience, often juggles multiple apps, and enjoys capturing high-quality photos and videos, the Kirin 9000 chipset and the versatile camera system make the P50 Pro the clear winner for my specific needs. And the wireless charging is a really nice bonus. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G has its advantages, particularly the ultra-fast charging and the brighter display, the P50 Pro's overall package is just more appealing to me.
