1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | Mi 11 Pro is more compact, potentially more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 212g | 208g | Virtually identical weight; negligible difference |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.81" | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger display; barely noticeable in daily use |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | Mi 11 Pro's display is significantly sharper, better for text, images, and videos |
| PPI | 393 | 515 | Mi 11 Pro has noticeably crisper images and text due to higher pixel density |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Mi 11 Pro offers richer colors, deeper blacks, better contrast, more efficient for dark mode, and overall a superior viewing experience |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Mi 11 Pro animations and scrolling are much smoother, enhancing the user experience |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1700 nits | Mi 11 Pro is much more visible in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Mi 11 Pro provides significantly faster performance, suitable for demanding games and multitasking |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 854,267 | Mi 11 Pro is substantially faster and smoother in daily use |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 660 | Mi 11 Pro's GPU delivers a superior gaming and graphics experience |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Mi 11 Pro has slightly higher resolution; differences may not be significant for all users |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.7 | f/1.95 | Motorola Ace has slightly wider aperture; allows more light intake in lower light conditions |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | N/A | 1/1.12" | Mi 11 Pro has a much larger sensor allowing for higher image quality. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.40 µm | Larger pixel size in Mi 11 Pro will allow for better low-light performance |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP | 20MP | Mi 11 Pro has higher resolution, capturing more detail |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.3 | Motorola Ace has a slightly wider aperture |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | N/A | 1/3.4" | Larger sensor in Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro, better overall images |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 1.12 µm | 0.80 µm | Larger pixels size in Motorola Ace might help in low light scenarios |
| Wide Angle Resolution | 8MP | 13MP | Mi 11 Pro captures more detail in wide-angle shots |
| Wide Angle Sensor Size | N/A | 1/3.06" | Larger sensor on Mi 11 Pro. better picture overall. |
| Wide Angle Pixel Size | 1.12 µm | 1.12 µm | Same pixel size for both. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | No | Motorola Ace has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 8MP | Mi 11 Pro offers telephoto capabilities for better zoom |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Mi 11 Pro offers higher video resolution, and better HDR video |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | EIS, OIS | Mi 11 Pro has a combination of OIS and EIS providing superior video stability |
| Slow Motion | 60fps | 1920fps | Mi 11 Pro records at significantly higher framerates for slow motion, capturing more details |
| DXOMark | N/A | 124 (Mobile) | Mi 11 Pro has a verified better camera |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, offering comparable battery life |
| Charging Speed | 15W | 67W | Mi 11 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime |
| Charging Features | 10W charger in-box | 67W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | Mi 11 Pro has versatile charging options |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 11 | Mi 11 Pro ships with a more modern Android version |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Mi 11 Pro supports faster, more efficient Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Mi 11 Pro features the latest Bluetooth version, offering enhanced connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | Mi 11 Pro offers more precise location tracking due to more systems supported |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | Mi 11 Pro allows for simultaneous use of two SIM cards |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Mi 11 Pro offers higher storage options |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | Mi 11 Pro has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 Microphones | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Mi 11 Pro offers enhanced audio experience with stereo speakers and better recording capabilities |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Rear-mounted | Basic | Both phones have fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Mi 11 Pro has superior protection against scratches and drops |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Mi 11 Pro offers a heart rate sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Macro lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up shots, which is missing on the Mi 11 Pro
- Slightly wider aperture on Main Camera: This feature may help slightly in low-light conditions.
- Slightly wider aperture on the front-facing camera: May help in lower light conditions.
- Cheaper price: The Motorola One 5G Ace is usually significantly more affordable than the Mi 11 Pro.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, offering a vastly superior visual experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides substantially faster processing power for gaming and multitasking.
- Advanced Camera System: Larger main camera sensor, telephoto lens, and higher video recording capabilities, including 8K recording, and significantly better stabilization.
- Much Faster Charging: 67W wired charging and 67W wireless charging, drastically reducing charging times.
- More Versatile Battery Features: Reverse and reverse wireless charging add convenience for charging other devices.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and hi-res audio support offer a more immersive audio experience.
- More Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provide faster and more stable connections.
- More RAM and Storage: Offers more RAM for better multitasking and more storage for media and apps.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Additional sensor functionality for users that need it.
- More Precise Location Tracking: Supports more satellite systems.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection for increased durability.
- Later Android Version: Ships with a later Android version than the Ace.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola One 5G Ace: The primary trade-off is significantly lower performance, a much inferior display, and a less versatile camera system for a lower price.
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: The main trade-off is the significantly higher price, and lacks a macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace - Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious consumers: Users who prioritize affordability and value, and don't need the highest levels of performance or camera quality.
- Basic smartphone users: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, social media, browsing, and basic app usage.
- Users who want a macro camera: For those who often take close up shots of objects.
Use Cases for Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Everyday tasks: Calls, emails, social media browsing, basic photo capture
- Multimedia consumption: Casual video watching, music playback
- Users wanting macro photos for documents.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro - Ideal Users:
- Performance-focused users: Gamers, power users, and those who need the best possible performance and responsiveness.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want advanced camera capabilities and high-quality photos and videos.
- Multimedia lovers: Users who enjoy high-resolution video content, streaming, and immersive audio.
- Users that want faster charging: Users that need to quickly charge their phones.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Demanding gaming: Smooth, high-frame-rate gameplay on demanding titles
- High-quality photography and videography: Capturing professional-grade photos and videos, including low-light and zoomed shots
- Multimedia consumption: Watching high-resolution videos, listening to music with high quality, enjoying HDR content
- Multitasking: Seamlessly switching between apps and handling demanding workloads
- Travelers that need precise location tracking.
Price-to-Value:
- Motorola One 5G Ace: Offers good value for the budget-conscious, delivering basic features at a lower price point.
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Offers a higher level of performance, features, and build quality, justifying the higher price for users who prioritize those aspects.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The price difference between these phones is substantial.
- How important is display quality and performance? The Mi 11 Pro excels in both.
- What are your most common use cases for your camera? The Mi 11 Pro is vastly superior except for macro photography.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use: Choose the Motorola One 5G Ace. It handles basic tasks and daily use adequately, while being significantly more affordable.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. Its superior performance, advanced camera system, and top-tier display will provide a much better overall experience.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Needs, Mid-Range Budget: If the Mi 11 Pro's price is prohibitive, the Motorola Ace is a decent budget alternative but be aware of its trade-offs.
- Scenario 4: Users who value macro photos: Motorola One 5G Ace is the only phone that offers macro photography capabilities.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would opt for the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While the price is higher, the drastic improvements in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities make it a worthwhile investment for me. I value the smooth 120Hz AMOLED screen for everyday use and the enhanced performance for gaming and multitasking. The camera's versatility and higher quality are essential for my needs. The lack of a macro lens is not a dealbreaker for me personally given the other advantages. I also appreciate the additional features such as fast wireless charging, reverse charging, and the stereo speakers for multimedia enjoyment. The Motorola Ace is an adequate phone but in my opinion the Mi 11 Pro offers a far superior user experience for the increased cost.
