1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.7 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.1 mm | Mi 11 is slightly taller but thinner. The difference is marginal and likely not noticeable in daily use. |
| Weight | 188g | 196g | OnePlus 8T is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use, particularly one-handed use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Mi 11 offers significantly better scratch and shatter resistance for the screen. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.81" | Mi 11 provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | Mi 11 has a noticeably sharper display, especially visible when viewing high-resolution content or reading small text. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 515 PPI | Text and images will appear crisper on the Mi 11. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1500 nits | Mi 11 has superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mi 11 offers faster processing speeds and improved efficiency for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 744,900 | 806,139 | Mi 11 is slightly faster in synthetic benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 | Mi 11 has a more powerful GPU, providing better graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2" | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | Mi 11 captures more detailed photos with better low-light performance due to the larger sensor and higher resolution. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | OnePlus 8T captures slightly more detailed ultrawide shots due to higher MP. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | Mi 11 should perform slightly better with macro shots due to the wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | Mi 11 captures more detailed selfies due to the higher resolution. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24/30fps | Mi 11 allows for higher resolution video recording, suitable for professional or cinematic content. |
| Camera Features | Quad Camera, PDAF, Night Mode | Triple Camera, 8K Video, Panorama | OnePlus 8T offers a dedicated night mode while Mi 11 offers the ability to shoot in 8K. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 107 | 112 | Mi 11 provides better overall selfie photo and video quality based on DxOMark scores. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4600mAh | Battery life is expected to be similar between the two phones. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 55W Fast Charging | OnePlus 8T charges slightly faster. |
| Features | 50W Wireless Charging, 10W Reverse Wireless Charging | Mi 11 offers the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, allowing it to charge other devices. |
Other
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Dual Microphones | Mi 11 likely has a slight edge for audio recording due to the dual microphones and Hi-Res audio support. |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Mi 11 has the latest version of bluetooth. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor, Heart Rate | Mi 11 offers the added benefit of an in-display heart rate sensor, useful for health tracking. |
| OS Max Version | Android 14 | Android 14 | Both phones will be upgraded to android 14. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 8T Advantages:
- Slightly Lighter: Easier to handle for extended periods.
- Faster Wired Charging: 65W charging provides a quicker top-up.
- Quad Camera System: Offers a dedicated Black & White lens and utilizes Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF).
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and brightness for a better viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- More Powerful Performance: Snapdragon 888 provides faster processing and better graphics.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP camera captures more detailed photos.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Adds convenience for charging.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Integrated into the fingerprint sensor for health tracking.
- More modern: Released over 2 months after the Oneplus 8T.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus provides more protection than Gorilla Glass 5.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 8T: Sacrifices display quality and overall performance for slightly faster wired charging and a lighter build.
- Xiaomi Mi 11: Slightly heavier and lacks a dedicated Black & White camera lens, but offers superior display, performance, and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 8T:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize fast wired charging and a slightly lighter phone and a lower price.
- Use Cases:
- Individuals who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
- Users who prefer a slightly more compact phone.
Xiaomi Mi 11:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display quality, performance, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Media enthusiasts who enjoy watching videos and playing games.
- Photographers who want a versatile camera system with high resolution.
- Users who value wireless charging and health tracking features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? (Mi 11 offers a superior display.)
- Do you value wireless charging and reverse wireless charging? (Mi 11 has these features.)
- Are you willing to trade slightly faster-wired charging for better performance and camera quality? (OnePlus 8T offers faster charging but less performance.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Media Consumption & Gaming: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 for its superior display and performance.
- For Photography Enthusiasts: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 for its higher resolution main camera.
- For Users Prioritizing Quick Wired Charging: Choose the OnePlus 8T for its 65W charging.
- For Users Wanting a Balance Between Performance and Compactness: The OnePlus 8T offers a better balance, but the Mi 11 is still manageable.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. While the OnePlus 8T has some merits like faster wired charging and a slightly lighter build, the Mi 11 offers a significantly better display, more powerful performance, and wireless charging capabilities. As someone who consumes a lot of media on their phone, the superior display quality of the Mi 11 is a major advantage. The better camera and wireless charging are also significant pluses that outweigh the slightly slower wired charging. The longevity is also important, as the Xiaomi Mi 11 released over two months after, suggesting better long term optimization. The heart rate sensor is also a nice bonus for tracking my health metrics.
