1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Google Pixel 8a | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 152.1 × 72.7 × 8.9 mm | The Mi 11 Pro is larger and may be less comfortable for single-handed use, while the Pixel 8a is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 208g | 188g | The Pixel 8a is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard phone designs, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Google Pixel 8a | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.1" | The Mi 11 Pro's larger screen is better for media consumption and multitasking. The Pixel 8a's smaller screen is easier for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | The Mi 11 Pro offers a sharper, more detailed display, leading to a better visual experience. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 430 PPI | The Mi 11 Pro has a noticeably sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. The differences are not very impactful for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | The Mi 11 Pro's significantly higher brightness makes it much easier to view the screen in direct sunlight. The lack of Pixel 8a brightness info is a significant limitation. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Google Pixel 8a | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G | Google Tensor G3 | The Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8a is optimized for AI tasks and Google's software. The Snapdragon 888 in the Mi 11 Pro is a very powerful, but older, processor. |
| Antutu Score | 854,267 | 876,512 | Both phones offer a similar level of overall performance in day-to-day usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Immortalis-G715s MC10 | Both are capable of handling graphically intensive tasks and games, but may differ in how well they handle particular games or specific graphics effects. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Google Pixel 8a | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 50MP | 64MP | The Pixel 8a captures slightly higher resolution photos, potentially offering more detail. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.95 | f/1.89 | The Pixel 8a's wider aperture lets in slightly more light, potentially improving low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.12" | 1/1.72" | The Mi 11 Pro's larger sensor captures more light, generally resulting in better low-light and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 13MP | The Mi 11 Pro offers higher resolution selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.2 | The Pixel 8a's slightly wider aperture helps with low light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | 1/3.06" | Pixel 8a has slightly larger sensor |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP | N/A | The Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens, offering a broader field of view for landscape shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | N/A | 13MP | The Pixel 8a has a versatile wide-angle lens that also supports macro photography, allowing users to get closer to the subject. |
| Telephoto + Macro | 8MP | N/A | The Mi 11 Pro has a telephoto lens for zoomed photos and a macro lens for close-ups. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The Mi 11 Pro can record higher-resolution videos, while both offer excellent video stabilization. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 124 | 136 | The Pixel 8a has a higher overall score, suggesting better overall image quality. |
| DxOMark Photo | 118 | 141 | The Pixel 8a significantly outperforms the Mi 11 Pro in still photo quality. |
| DxOMark Video | 132 | 128 | The Mi 11 Pro has slightly better video quality. |
| Features | 4K, 8K Video, Optical Zoom, Laser AF, RAW | Noise Reduction, Pro Mode, Night Mode, NPU AI | The Mi 11 Pro offers features like 8K video and optical zoom while the Pixel 8a has AI-powered features, Pro mode, and Night Mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Google Pixel 8a | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Mi 11 Pro’s larger battery is likely to provide slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | The Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, allowing for quicker top-ups. |
| Wireless Charging | 67W | N/A | The Mi 11 Pro has exceptionally fast wireless charging. |
| Other Features | Reverse Charging, 10W Reverse Wireless | Reverse Charging | The Mi 11 Pro offers more versatile wireless charging capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Larger and Sharper Display: A 6.81" 1440p AMOLED display with 515 PPI provides an immersive visual experience, especially for media consumption and gaming.
- Significantly Higher Brightness: At 1700 nits, the Mi 11 Pro's display is much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 67W wired and 67W wireless charging drastically reduce charging times, a major convenience.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes telephoto and a dedicated wide-angle lens, offering more creative flexibility.
- More RAM: 12 GB option provides smoother multitasking and better handling of resource-intensive apps.
- More Comprehensive GPS: Supports a broader range of satellite systems for superior location accuracy, ideal for mapping or navigation.
- Hi-Res Audio: Improved audio quality for audiophiles.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus is more durable.
Google Pixel 8a Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and carry, better for one-handed use.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 14 and promises long-term software updates.
- AI-Enhanced Camera: Google's software and AI processing lead to very good photo quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions, especially with the photo score of 141.
- eSIM Support: Adds flexibility for users wanting digital carrier switching.
- Newer Bluetooth: Uses Bluetooth 5.3 with a few additional codecs.
- Better Overall Camera Score: With a significantly higher photo score (141 vs 118) and an overall higher DxOMark mobile score (136 vs 124), the Pixel 8a is expected to have better camera performance in most scenarios.
- Environment sensors: Includes a barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 888) than the Google Tensor G3.
- Significantly lower camera quality, with a much lower DxOmark photo score.
- Significantly slower charging speed.
- Larger size and weight may be less comfortable for some users.
- Older Android OS with unclear update future.
- Significantly older device
- Google Pixel 8a:
- Significantly lower brightness. The missing brightness data for the Pixel 8a is a concern.
- Slower charging compared to the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
- Lacks a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom.
- Less versatile battery charging without 67W wireless charging.
- Less RAM.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Media enthusiasts, gamers, users who prioritize display quality, speed, and fast charging, who also value having multiple dedicated cameras for creative flexibility.
- Use Cases: Watching videos, playing graphics-intensive games, using multiple apps, capturing different kinds of photos.
- Value: Good value for a high-performance phone, considering the older tech and that it is a used phone..
Google Pixel 8a:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize camera quality, software updates, AI features, and a compact design, plus those who prefer a lighter phone.
- Use Cases: Taking photos and videos, leveraging Google's AI-powered features, everyday use, travel.
- Value: Excellent value for a mid-range phone with a leading camera experience and long-term software support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is display quality? If high brightness, sharpness, and a large screen are crucial, the Mi 11 Pro is better. If you prefer a smaller phone, the Pixel 8a is better.
- Do you value camera quality or versatility? If software-enhanced photo quality and overall higher photo scores are most important, the Pixel 8a is the better option. For more creative control with multiple lenses, the Mi 11 Pro might be appealing.
- How important is battery charging speed? If fast charging is essential, the Mi 11 Pro with 67W wired and wireless charging is much more convenient.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Multimedia Lover: If you frequently watch movies, play games, and want a big, sharp display and fast charging, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is a good pick. The improved brightness is a major plus for viewing content outdoors.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: If you prioritize a great camera with AI enhancements, reliable software support, and value a lighter and more compact phone, the Google Pixel 8a is a superior choice. The DxOmark score tells the story.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User: If a balance between camera, ease of use, and long-term software support is your priority, the Google Pixel 8a offers a more future-proof solution, with better AI camera features.
- Scenario 4: Power User: If you multitask and use demanding applications, the Mi 11 Pro is good, but the software is older, and you are likely buying a used phone.
My Choice
Based on a holistic assessment of the specifications and user needs, I would choose the Google Pixel 8a.
Reasons:
- Superior Camera: Despite the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro’s versatile camera system, the Pixel 8a's AI-enhanced image processing results in significantly better photo quality. The higher DxOMark score and Google's computational photography excel, making it the better option for everyday photography.
- Future Proofing: The promise of longer-term software updates on the Pixel 8a means that the phone will get security and feature updates, and its hardware should continue to be fast for a longer time.
- Practicality and Size: The Pixel 8a's lighter weight and more compact size make it more comfortable for daily use. While the larger screen of the Mi 11 Pro is appealing, the ease of handling the Pixel 8a is more practical for my needs.
- Modern Hardware and Software: The Google Tensor G3 is a newer, more powerful chip and the Pixel 8a ships with Android 14, meaning I can use the newest software that is supported and have the latest features.
While the Mi 11 Pro has advantages in charging speeds and display, the Pixel 8a offers a more well-rounded package for everyday use, with an exceptional camera experience, long-term software support, and a comfortable design. The lack of brightness info for the Pixel 8a is a minor concern, but the Pixel phones usually provide enough brightness for most users. For my use case and priorities, the Pixel 8a's pros outweigh the cons.
