1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 163.7 × 76.2 × 8.3 mm | The Redmi is slightly shorter and noticeably thinner, potentially making it feel more comfortable in the hand and pocket. The Motorola is slightly wider but that's marginal. |
| Weight | 212g | 204g | The Redmi is a bit lighter, which might be preferable for extended use or single-handed operation, but not by much. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard phones, so no difference in form factor. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both displays offer the same level of sharpness. |
| PPI | 393 | 395 | Pixel density is nearly identical, so both display should look equally sharp to the human eye. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Redmi's AMOLED display provides much better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes, especially noticeable when watching videos or gaming. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Redmi's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling, animations, and gameplay much smoother and more responsive than the Motorola's 60Hz. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The Redmi offers much better outdoor visibility in bright conditions with a significantly brighter screen. The Motorola's brightness is unknown, which is a concern. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Redmi offers superior screen protection against scratches and minor impacts, where the Motorola's is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6nm) | The Redmi's 6nm Dimensity 920 chip is more power-efficient and generally offers better performance than the Motorola's 8nm Snapdragon 750G. |
| Antutu Score | 330,000 | 528,100 | The Redmi has significantly higher benchmark scores, implying faster app loading, better multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 | The Redmi's GPU is more powerful, leading to better graphics rendering in games and demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Camera (Main) | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80µm pixels | 108MP, f/1.89, 0.70µm pixels, 1/1.52" sensor, Samsung S5KHM2 | The Redmi's 108MP sensor captures much more detail and potentially better low-light images despite a slightly smaller pixel size. The larger sensor size should provide better dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 16MP, f/2.45, 1.00µm pixels, 1/3.13" sensor, Sony IMX471 | The Motorola has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. The Xiaomi has a better sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.14µm pixels, 1/2.8" sensor, Sony IMX355 | Similar specs on paper, the Redmi has a known sensor which is negligibly bigger and has bigger pixels. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar macro lenses. The Xiaomi doesn't have a pixel size specified. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@30/60fps (EIS); Slow-motion 60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps; Slow-motion 960fps | The Redmi offers more versatile video options, including 120fps at 1080p and 960fps slow-motion. Both have EIS. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, LAF, Digital Zoom, EIS, HDR, Night Mode, RAW | 4K Video, Ultra stable video, Digital Zoom, EIS, HDR, Night Mode, RAW, Manual Focus | Both have common features. The Motorola has Phase and Laser autofocus. The Redmi has ultra stable video, 4K Video capabilities and Manual Focus mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Motorola has a larger battery, potentially offering slightly better battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 120W Fast Charging (Li-Ion Polymer) | The Redmi's 120W fast charging can fully charge the phone in about 15 minutes, a huge advantage over the Motorola's 15W slow charging. |
| Features | 10W rapid charger in box, Non-removable | Comfort mode charging in 19 minutes < 38º, standard mode 15 minutes for full charging, QC3+ / PD2.0 / PD3.0, Non-removable | The Redmi has vastly superior fast charging capabilities and features that protect the battery. Motorola's fast charger is a normal charger, and the fact that they specified "rapid" suggests slow charging times. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | The Redmi has a newer Android version, and while both are not the newest Android versions, the Redmi is likely to receive more support and updates. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | The Redmi supports Wi-Fi 6, offering faster speeds and more stable connections in compatible networks, while the Motorola does not. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | The Redmi's Bluetooth 5.2 offers slightly improved efficiency and range compared to 5.1 on the Motorola. The Redmi also supports higher quality codecs for better audio experiences. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Redmi has much more comprehensive satellite support for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | The Redmi supports two SIM cards, allowing for more flexibility in managing personal and work lines. |
| Storage | 64/128 GB | 64/128/256 GB | The Redmi offers a 256GB option, providing more storage space for users who need it, along with an extra 128 GB variant. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 6/8 GB | The Redmi has more RAM, improving multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither has expandable storage. |
Audio, Security and Sensors
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | 2 Microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | The Redmi offers a much richer audio experience with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and Hi-Res audio support. |
| Security | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Redmi's side-mounted fingerprint sensor is generally considered more convenient and faster than the Motorola's rear-mounted one. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both phones have a full suite of motion sensors. The Motorola has a normal proximity sensor and the Redmi has an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Slightly larger battery: The 5000mAh battery might offer slightly longer battery life compared to the Redmi's 4500mAh in identical usage, but this is likely negated by the more efficient chip and screen on the Redmi.
- Wider aperture main camera: The f/1.7 main camera may provide slightly better low-light performance, but it is unlikely to overcome the Xiaomi's far superior sensor and image processing.
- Wider aperture selfie camera: The f/2.2 selfie camera should let in more light than the Redmi's f/2.45.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior AMOLED Display: The AMOLED screen offers much better contrast, colours, brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate leading to a far better viewing experience.
- Significantly Faster Charging: 120W fast charging is a huge advantage, allowing for extremely quick top-ups.
- Better Performance: The Dimensity 920 chipset offers much better performance and is more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 750G.
- More Capable Camera System: The 108MP main sensor and a better sensor for the selfie camera, provides better image quality and more versatile video recording options.
- Modern Software: Comes with a newer Android version.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and has better GPS coverage, offering faster and more reliable connections.
- Enhanced Audio Experience: Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio support for better sound.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers 256GB storage and 8GB RAM options.
- Dual SIM: Offers dual SIM support.
- Better Build Quality: Has Gorilla Glass 5 for better protection.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola One 5G Ace prioritizes battery capacity, with a slightly larger battery, but it's negated by the inefficiencies of the screen and chip, and the much slower charging speed.
- The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G doesn't have a massive battery, but its 120W fast charging more than compensates for the smaller capacity and is far more convenient.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Users looking for a 5G phone at the absolute lowest price point and are willing to sacrifice screen quality, performance, camera and charging speed.
- Basic users: People who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and casual browsing.
- Users who prefer a very large battery: Users who are fine with charging their device overnight and want the maximum possible battery time.
Use Cases for Motorola One 5G Ace:
- As a basic secondary phone for calls, texts, and basic app use.
- For users who rarely game or use demanding apps.
- As a phone for those who don't need a great camera and do not have very bright screen needs.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Ideal User:
- Power users: Users who value performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Multimedia consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos, playing games, and listening to music.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera with great detail, especially when paired with the Google Camera Mod.
- Users who need fast charging: Those who want to quickly charge their phone and get back on the move.
- Users looking for good value: Users who want the best bang for their buck, with high quality specs.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G:
- Daily driver for social media, browsing, emails, media consumption.
- Mobile gaming on the go.
- Capturing photos and videos.
- As a device for media consumption while commuting.
- As a great general purpose phone that has fast charging capabilities.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G offers much higher performance, better screen, and faster charging, making it significantly better value for the price, though it might be slightly more expensive than the Motorola. The Motorola has some drawbacks that can be seen as limitations, and is not a competitive option in the current market.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? (AMOLED vs LCD, Refresh Rate, Brightness)
- How important is fast charging? (15W vs 120W)
- How demanding are your typical phone usage patterns? (Basic browsing vs Gaming/Multitasking)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: You're on a tight budget and need a basic smartphone for calls and texting.
- Recommendation: The Motorola One 5G Ace may be the only option if it's cheaper, however it should be avoided if possible.
Scenario 2: You want a well-rounded smartphone for daily use, media consumption, and light gaming.
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is the clear choice due to its vastly superior display, performance, and features.
Scenario 3: You're a mobile gamer and need a device with excellent performance and fast charging.
- Recommendation: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is the better choice due to its superior performance, 120Hz AMOLED display, and fast charging.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G. The advantages it offers in display quality, performance, charging speed, camera, and connectivity are far too significant to ignore. While the Motorola has a larger battery, the Redmi's faster charging negates the need for that advantage. For the average user, the Redmi provides a vastly better experience with its smooth 120Hz AMOLED screen, powerful processor and versatile camera. The enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio, and stereo speakers further enhance the multimedia experience. The Redmi offers a far better balance of features and usability, with a newer operating system, and better connectivity. The Motorola feels very outdated in comparison.
