1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | Asus ROG Phone 5 is larger and bulkier, less pocketable and may be harder to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 208g | 238g | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.78" | Negligible size difference; both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2448 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's sharper display will have crisper text, finer details, better for high-quality media. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers noticeably higher detail, better reading experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical technology; both offer excellent contrast and colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers slightly smoother animations, particularly noticeable in fast-paced gaming. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is significantly more usable in bright sunlight; Asus ROG Phone 5's value is missing, rendering the comparison impossible |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Identical performance for everyday tasks and demanding applications. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 883,000 | Virtually identical real-world performance, minimal difference for most users. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Identical graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Asus ROG Phone 5 will likely have significantly longer battery life, better for heavy usage and long days. |
| Charging | 67W | 65W | Similar fast charging speeds; Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro slightly faster, but not a major difference. |
| Features | 67W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless, Reverse, Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse, Non-removable | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers wireless charging capabilities. Asus ROG Phone 5 offers bypass charging which allows powering the phone directly without charging the battery, very usefull for gaming |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance despite lower resolution. Asus has better aperture and better resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 24MP, f/2.45, 1/2.8" | Asus ROG Phone 5 has higher resolution and a larger sensor, potentially better details. Xiaomi has better aperture |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | 13MP, f/2.5 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a wider aperture, potentially slightly better in low light. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.0 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Telephoto + Macro | 8MP, 1/4.4" | N/A | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers telephoto capabilities with optical zoom. |
| Video | Up to 8K@60fps, Yes EIS | Up to 8K@30fps, No EIS | Similar high-resolution recording capabilities, Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro includes HDR, Asus ROG Phone 5 has higher frame rates; Differences in EIS implementation. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 124 | N/A | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's Camera is more well rounded (DxOMark mobile score). |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11(upgradable to 12) | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers an upgrade to android 12 whereas Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro doesn't. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Identical WiFi Standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both offer similar Bluetooth 5.2, with minor differences in profiles supported, though the impact is minimal for most users. |
| GPS | Dual Band | Dual Band | Similar GPS capabilities with dual-band support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers a 512GB option for users needing more storage. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12/16/18 GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 has higher RAM options for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo, 3 Mics | Hi-Res, Stereo, 4 Mics, DTS/DTS:X, Noise cancellation | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a richer audio setup, beneficial for media consumption and gaming; more mics for better call quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint security on both phones. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 6 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's Screen is significantly better protected against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Heart Rate | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Hall | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers a heart rate sensor; Asus ROG Phone 5 offers a hall sensor which is used in gaming accessories. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution (1440x3200) and PPI (515) offer a noticeably clearer and more detailed viewing experience.
- Superior Brightness: Much higher brightness (1700 nits) makes it significantly more usable outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers improved protection against scratches and drops.
- Wireless Charging: Includes fast 67W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
- More Advanced Camera Features: Includes Laser AF, OIS, and a Telephoto + Macro lens.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Additional health sensor.
- DxOMark Mobile Score: Provides good insights on the mobile camera performance.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Significantly larger 6000mAh battery for extended usage, and Bypass charging.
- Smoother Display: Slightly higher 144Hz refresh rate for smoother animations, especially in games.
- Higher RAM Options: Available with up to 18GB of RAM for extreme multitasking and gaming.
- More Storage Options: Offers a 512GB storage variant for those with large media libraries.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro camera for close-up photography.
- Superior Audio: Enhanced surround sound (DTS/DTS:X) and more microphones for better audio recording.
- Software updates: Software support extends up to Android 12.
- Hall Sensor: Used in gaming accessories.
- Bypass Charging: Allows to bypass the battery during gaming sessions.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's strength in display quality comes at the cost of a smaller battery and a slightly heavier weight.
- Asus ROG Phone 5 offers a larger battery and gaming features but with a bulkier design and a less bright screen.
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro excels in the camera department, especially with its optical zoom, OIS and Laser AF.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display quality, camera performance, and premium features in a slightly more compact design.
- Use Cases:
- High-quality media consumption (movies, videos).
- Photography enthusiasts who value camera versatility, optical zoom, and high-resolution images.
- Users who frequently use their phones outdoors and need a bright screen.
- Professionals who need wireless charging.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a premium experience with top-tier display and camera but may come at a higher price.
Asus ROG Phone 5:
- Ideal User: Hardcore mobile gamers, users who prioritize battery life, and those who value superior audio for media consumption.
- Use Cases:
- Intense mobile gaming sessions.
- Users who are away from chargers for extended periods.
- Audio enthusiasts who want the best audio quality and recording capabilities.
- Multitaskers who need a large amount of RAM for smooth performance.
- Price-to-Value: A good value proposition for gamers, with a focus on battery, performance, and audio, though compromises exist in camera and display quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for the phone? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, general use)
- How important is display quality and outdoor visibility? (Do you need the absolute best display or is good enough?)
- Do you prioritize battery life, audio experience, and gaming features or camera quality, brightness, and a more compact design?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Hardcore Gamer: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 5 for its larger battery, higher refresh rate, enhanced audio, bypass charging, and more RAM.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its superior camera capabilities with a larger sensor, OIS, Laser AF, and a dedicated telephoto lens, and good DxOMark score.
- Scenario 3: Media Consumption and General Use: If you prioritize a better display for media and outdoor usage with good camera capabilities, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is preferable. If you need a long-lasting battery and good audio, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is a good alternative.
- Scenario 4: User on the go: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is a good option due to the brightness, better screen and faster charging, wireless charging and better screen protection.
Personal Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While the Asus ROG Phone 5 is a great device, I value the superior display, brighter screen, more advanced camera features, and smaller form factor that the Mi 11 Pro offers. Even though the battery life might not be as long as the Asus ROG Phone 5, the other features make it the perfect choice for my needs. I also prefer the design of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro, it is more versatile and can be used daily without drawing too much attention as a gaming phone would. The superior screen protection is also a very important thing to me. Even though I don't use wireless charging daily, it is a nice thing to have.
