Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Asus ROG Phone 7
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm | 173 x 77 x 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 7 is noticeably larger and bulkier, making it less pocketable and harder to handle one-handed. |
| Weight | 208g | 239g | Mi 11 Pro is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.78" | Practically identical screen sizes; negligible difference in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2448 | Mi 11 Pro offers a sharper, more detailed viewing experience, especially noticeable with text and high-resolution images. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | Mi 11 Pro has significantly higher pixel density, resulting in clearer visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 7 provides smoother animations, particularly noticeable in gaming and fast scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1500 nits | Mi 11 Pro has better outdoor visibility, making it easier to view in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | ROG Phone 7 offers a significant performance upgrade, providing snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 1,603,292 | ROG Phone 7 exhibits significantly faster performance, especially advantageous for demanding games and applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | ROG Phone 7 offers superior graphics performance, essential for high-fidelity gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 7 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W wired, 67W wireless | 65W wired | Mi 11 Pro has slightly faster wired charging and also supports faster wireless charging |
| Features | 67W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless, reverse charging | Bypass Charging, 10W reverse wired, reverse charging | ROG Phone 7 includes bypass charging which allows gaming while plugged in without charging the battery for heat control. Mi 11 Pro has faster wireless charging options. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" sensor | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" sensor | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor for better low-light performance; ROG has wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" sensor | ROG Phone 7 captures more detailed selfies; Mi 11 Pro offers slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Both phones have comparable wide-angle lens performance. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4 | ROG Phone 7 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP | N/A | Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both phones support similar high-resolution video recording capabilities. |
| DXOMark Main Score | 124 | N/A | Mi 11 Pro has a DXOMark score, indicating strong main camera performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | ROG Phone 7 offers a newer operating system with enhanced features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | ROG Phone 7 supports newer Wi-Fi standard with faster speeds and better reliability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | ROG Phone 7 features a newer Bluetooth version with slightly improved features. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1+L5, QZSS (L1+L5) | ROG Phone 7 offers more accurate location tracking due to its compatibility with the QZSS L5 band. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | ROG Phone 7 offers a larger maximum storage capacity. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | ROG Phone 7 offers a larger maximum RAM, enhancing multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones, DTS/DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone | ROG Phone 7 features enhanced audio with DTS support and a noise-cancelling microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Both phones use similar fingerprint sensor technology |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Both phones have a comprehensive suite of sensors; Mi 11 Pro additionally has Heart Rate sensor and Asus ROG Phone 7 additionally has Hall sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide a more detailed and crisp visual experience.
- Better Outdoor Visibility: Higher peak brightness makes the display easier to view in bright sunlight.
- Lighter & More Compact: Significantly lighter and smaller, offering better ergonomics for daily use.
- Faster Wireless Charging: Supports faster wireless charging options
- Dedicated telephoto lens: Features optical zoom, allowing for better long range photos.
- DXOMARK score: Has a DXOMARK score proving the quality of its camera
Asus ROG Phone 7 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster chipset and GPU for smoother performance and gaming.
- Smoother Display: Higher refresh rate results in noticeably smoother animations and gameplay.
- Larger Battery: Offers greater battery capacity, potentially providing longer use times.
- More Advanced Audio: Features DTS:X and a noise-canceling microphone for improved audio performance.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android, promising longer software support and better optimization.
- More RAM and Storage: Options for more RAM and storage capacity.
- Bypass Charging: Allows charging while gaming without directly charging the battery, reducing heat and improving performance.
- Macro Lens: Has a dedicated macro lens, which the Mi 11 Pro lacks.
- Wi-Fi 7 Support: Supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and less interference.
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro: Loses out on the top-tier performance, battery and audio features of the ROG Phone 7.
- ROG Phone 7: Is larger, heavier and more expensive.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Individuals seeking a high-quality smartphone with a premium display and camera capabilities in a more compact and lighter form factor.
- Use Cases:
- Daily media consumption with a sharper display.
- Photography enthusiasts needing a good camera system with a telephoto lens.
- General users who prioritize a balance of features and portability.
- Users who use wireless charging often.
Asus ROG Phone 7:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and anyone who values top-tier performance and battery life above all else.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming at the highest settings with a smooth and responsive display.
- Heavy multitasking with demanding applications.
- Users requiring extended battery life for long usage sessions.
- Multimedia users who appreciate high-fidelity audio.
- Users who want the latest technology.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Performance Needs: How important is top-tier performance for gaming and demanding apps?
- Portability: How important is a lightweight and compact design for everyday use?
- Battery Life: How crucial is having the absolute longest battery life?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast: If gaming is the primary use case, the Asus ROG Phone 7 is the clear winner due to its superior performance, smoother display, and gaming-centric features like bypass charging.
- Scenario 2: Daily Media and Photography: If a premium display, versatile camera and a compact design are priorities, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro would be more suitable, offering a better overall experience for daily usage.
- Scenario 3: Long Battery Life is Key: If having the longest battery life is essential, the Asus ROG Phone 7 with its bigger battery is the better pick.
My Choice
Based on the analysis, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 7. My reasoning is based on a few factors:
- Future-Proofing: The ROG Phone 7, being a newer device with a more modern chipset and Android version, offers greater longevity. It's also more likely to receive ongoing software support and updates, extending its useful life.
- Superior Performance: The significant performance gap between the Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is crucial. The ROG Phone 7 will handle demanding tasks more smoothly, providing a more enjoyable user experience over time.
- Gaming: As a power user, gaming performance is important and the ROG Phone 7 is a much more powerful device with features like bypass charging for prolonged gaming.
- Battery: The larger battery capacity is important for a device that might be used for longer periods, especially if I intend to use it for mobile gaming on long trips.
While I appreciate the Mi 11 Pro's sharper display and lighter design, the ROG Phone 7's performance and longevity benefits outweigh these advantages. I value sustained performance over the long term, which the ROG Phone 7 is better equipped to provide. I am willing to deal with the increased size and weight for the better experience.
