1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro and Honor 90, highlighting practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm | 161.9 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is slightly taller and thicker; Honor 90 is more compact and may feel easier to handle, especially for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 208g | 183g | Honor 90 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers superior scratch and drop resistance for the screen. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro provides a slightly larger viewing area, which could be beneficial for multimedia consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1200x2664 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's higher resolution results in significantly sharper and more detailed images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 435 | The Mi 11 Pro's higher PPI translates to a clearer, crisper display, particularly noticeable when reading text or viewing high-resolution content. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1600 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight due to its higher peak brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's Snapdragon 888 offers more raw processing power, resulting in slightly faster app loading, and smoother gaming, especially for graphics-intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 701,227 | The higher score of the Mi 11 Pro suggests smoother performance in resource-intensive tasks and a slight edge in overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 644 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's Adreno 660 offers better graphics performance, which is beneficial for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 50MP | 200MP | Honor 90 captures photos with a lot more detail. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.12" | 1/1.4" | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor, enabling better light capture and low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.95 | f/1.9 | Honor 90's slightly wider aperture may slightly improve low-light photos. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 50MP | Honor 90 captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.4 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has slightly better low light selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) Lens | None | 2MP | Honor 90 has a dedicated depth lens for portrait mode. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP | Honor 90 has a dedicated Wide Angle + Macro lens. |
| Telephoto + Macro | 8MP | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated Telephoto + Macro lens |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers 8K video recording, providing a higher level of detail and flexibility in editing. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has better video stabilization, suitable for shaky situations. |
| DXOMark Score (Overall) | 124 | 122 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro edges out in overall camera score. |
| DXOMark Score (Photo) | 118 | 128 | Honor 90 edges out in photo capabilities. |
| DXOMark Score (Video) | 132 | 126 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro edges out in video capabilities. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life under similar usage conditions. |
| Charging Speed | 67W Wired, 67W Wireless | 66W Wired | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro charges slightly faster with wired charging and also provides wireless charging. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro can charge other devices wirelessly, adding convenience. |
Storage and Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Honor 90 has a larger storage option for users who need more space for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 8/12/16GB | Honor 90's 16GB RAM option allows more apps to run smoothly in the background, especially useful for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for memory expansion. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards for fast wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both have modern Bluetooth versions. Honor 90 supports additional EDR and SBC audio codecs for wider compatibility. |
| GPS | Multiple systems, including L1+L5 dual-band | Multiple systems | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has more precise location tracking, especially in urban environments. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 13 | Honor 90 has a newer version of Android, providing access to the latest features and security updates. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers higher-quality sound, while Honor 90 focuses on noise cancellation. |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both provide similar fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity, RGB | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated Heart Rate Sensor and Gyroscope for advanced fitness tracking and gaming. Honor 90 offers an RGB sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide a sharper, more detailed visual experience, especially for reading and media consumption. The brighter display is also more viewable in direct sunlight.
- More Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers better overall performance, which results in smoother gaming and app usage.
- Better Camera in Some Areas: Higher overall DXOMark score, superior video capabilities, and 8K recording provide advanced photography and videography tools. Features like a telephoto lens, and OIS, add to its versatility.
- Advanced Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and more precise location tracking.
- Better Audio: Features Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers
- Better Protection: Features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Honor 90 Advantages
- Lighter and More Compact: The Honor 90 is significantly lighter and thinner, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 13, offering the latest features and security updates.
- Larger Storage Option: Offers a 512 GB variant for users who require more storage space.
- Better Selfies and Main Camera Resolution: Captures photos with a lot more detail.
- More RAM option: Comes with a 16GB RAM option.
- Better photo capabilities according to DXOMark: Has a better score in photo capabilities.
Significant Trade-offs
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Heavier and bulkier, not as comfortable for extended use; slightly older software.
- Honor 90: Lower display resolution and PPI; less powerful chipset; no telephoto lens, wireless charging, or reverse charging; lower video capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal Users
- Tech Enthusiasts and Gamers: Those who value peak performance, a high-resolution display, and robust features.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who require advanced camera tools, 8K video recording, and video stabilization.
- Power Users: Individuals who utilize many apps and demand a fast phone with a great display.
- Users needing high quality audio.
Users who value superior display protection
Specific Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, professional video recording, detailed photo editing, outdoor use in sunny conditions, resource intensive tasks.
Honor 90 Ideal Users
- Everyday Users: Those who value comfort, a lightweight design, and the latest software.
- Social Media Content Creators: Users who prioritize high-resolution selfies and main camera photos with sufficient video quality for social platforms.
- Users needing a lot of storage
Users needing a lot of RAM
Specific Use Cases: Social media browsing, casual photography, everyday tasks, users looking for the latest version of android.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- Do you prioritize display quality and performance over other features? If yes, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is likely a better option.
- Is comfort and a lightweight design more important than raw power and advanced features? If yes, the Honor 90 is more suitable.
- Do you need advanced camera capabilities, specifically 8K video and optical zoom, or will a high resolution main and selfie cameras suffice? The Mi 11 Pro is better for advanced video, while Honor 90 has better selfie and main camera resolution.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer / Heavy Multitasker Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. Its more powerful processor and better display will provide a smoother and more immersive gaming experience. The higher RAM and internal storage will aid with multitasking and performance.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User / Social Media Enthusiast Choose the Honor 90. It's lighter, more comfortable to hold, and offers great selfie quality. The newer OS provides a modern and secure user experience.
- Scenario 3: Photography / Videography Pro (Budget-Conscious) Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its advanced features, 8K recording, and more capable zoom. However, consider the Honor 90 if budget is a very large constraint and you are ok with a slight step down in video capabilities.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While the Honor 90 has its advantages, particularly in comfort, storage, and selfie camera resolution, the Mi 11 Pro's superior display, more powerful performance, and advanced camera features align more closely with my priorities in a smartphone. I find the better display, raw power, and video capabilities more compelling for my needs as a power user and tech enthusiast. I am happy to deal with the bulkier and heavier design to get the added benefits.
