1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 163.6 × 74.7 × 9.1 mm | Similar size; Honor Magic4 Pro is slightly thicker, potentially less comfortable in hand, though difference is minor. |
| Weight | 208g | 209g | Virtually identical weight; No noticeable difference in hand feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.81" | Identical screen size, providing same viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1312x2848 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's higher resolution leads to sharper text and images, better for detailed content viewing and VR. |
| PPI | 515 | 460 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro provides a noticeably sharper display due to higher pixel density, resulting in a more detailed and crisp viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; negligible real-world difference in display quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations for a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1000 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight. This improves readability and outdoor usability. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor Magic4 Pro's newer chipset offers slightly improved performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 945,832 | Honor Magic4 Pro has a higher benchmark score, indicating marginally better performance in demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Honor Magic4 Pro's newer GPU leads to better graphics performance, potentially smoother gaming experiences. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger battery, potentially providing slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Honor Magic4 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime and providing quicker top-ups. |
| Features | 67W Wireless, 10W reverse wireless | 100W Wireless | Honor Magic4 Pro features faster 100W wireless charging. Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers slower 67W wireless charging, and 10W reverse-wireless. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor for better light capture and dynamic range; Honor has slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/2" | Honor Magic4 Pro offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 12MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a higher resolution front camera; Xiaomi has slightly wider aperture for better low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro includes a wide angle lens for capturing more in the frame. |
| Other Cameras | Telephoto + macro 8MP | ToF 3D sensor 0.3MP, Wide Angle + Macro 50MP | Honor has ToF 3D sensor and Wide Angle + Macro lenses. Xiaomi has a Telephoto + macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro captures higher resolution videos. |
| DxOMark Score | 124 (Photo: 118, Video: 132) | 126 (Photo: 132, Video: 117) | Honor Magic4 Pro performs better in still photography, while Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is better for video recording, slight difference in overall score. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro has a newer Android version, which may include more features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both offer the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Similar Bluetooth versions; Honor Magic4 Pro supports additional features like EDR, SBC. |
| GPS | L1+L5, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | L1+L5, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS | Honor Magic4 Pro offers more satellite systems for improved location accuracy and reliability; Xiaomi includes GLONASS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Honor Magic4 Pro offers more internal storage, beneficial for those storing lots of photos, videos, or apps. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both offer ample RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion via microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | DTS/ DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro excels in audio with higher quality playback, better audio separation and immersion, better voice capture; Honor provides wider audio profiles for sound optimization. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Heart Rate | Gravity | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro includes a Heart Rate sensor, Honor Magic4 Pro includes a Gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution (1440x3200) and PPI (515) provide a noticeably crisper viewing experience.
- Brighter Screen: Significantly higher brightness (1700 nits) offers better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, especially important for frequent outdoor use.
- Larger Camera Sensor: The 1/1.12" main camera sensor captures more light for better low-light performance and dynamic range, resulting in better quality photos.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher resolution video recording, suitable for professional or enthusiasts video creation.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers higher quality audio playback and better voice capture.
- Wider Variety of Lens: Offers more variety when it comes to lenses, with both wide-angle and telephoto + macro camera options.
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) offers slightly improved performance and efficiency compared to Snapdragon 888.
- Faster Charging: 100W fast charging and 100W wireless charging significantly reduce charging times.
- Telephoto Camera: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 12, potentially including more features and security updates.
- More Storage: Offers higher 512GB internal storage option, ideal for storing large files and media.
- More comprehensive satellite support: Offers support for more satellite systems for enhanced location reliability.
- Better Photo Score: Higher photo score from DxOMark (132 vs 118) and better photos in most conditions.
- ToF 3D sensor: Offers more complex and improved 3D depth-sensing.
- DTS / DTS X: Offers better audio profiles for a greater range of sound optimization.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro trades faster charging and newer chipset for a sharper and brighter display and larger camera sensor.
- The Honor Magic4 Pro trades some camera features and display sharpness for better charging, and the latest chip, OS and camera sensors.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal Users: Content consumers, mobile gamers, photography enthusiasts who prioritize display quality, and videographers.
- Use Cases:
- Viewing high-resolution content like videos, photos, and detailed graphics.
- Playing games and want to have very sharp, crisp visuals.
- Outdoor use in bright conditions where screen visibility is essential.
- Recording 8K professional-grade videos.
- For users looking for a phone with more lens options.
- For users looking for better audio capture and playback.
- Price-to-Value: It offers great value if a premium display, video-centric and lens options are a priority.
Honor Magic4 Pro:
- Ideal Users: Power users, photography enthusiasts, users who prioritize fast charging and latest software/hardware.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding users needing fast charging and a long battery life.
- Photography enthusiasts wanting the flexibility of an additional telephoto lens and better photo-taking capabilities.
- Users who want the latest Android software, and the newest hardware.
- Users who need a reliable phone with highly accurate location tracking.
- Users who value sound customization.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent for those who value the newest tech and features at a premium price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Priority: Is a sharper, brighter display critical, or is a slight downgrade acceptable for other benefits?
- Camera Needs: Do you prioritize video capabilities and lens options, or optical zoom and latest photography tech?
- Charging Speed: How important is having the fastest possible charging?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Use & Media Consumption: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its brighter screen and superior display sharpness.
- Scenario 2: Fast Charging & Latest Tech: Choose the Honor Magic4 Pro for its 100W charging and newer software and hardware.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance & Photography: Choose the Honor Magic4 Pro if you require a telephoto camera and the best possible photo quality. Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro if video is a priority and more lens options.
- Scenario 4: Price Conscious: Evaluate current pricing, as older phones like the Mi 11 Pro may be significantly cheaper while offering some key advantages.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Honor Magic4 Pro. Although the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a slightly better display, the Honor Magic4 Pro provides a more well rounded experience for my usage. The faster 100W charging is a significant advantage for me, and it makes the overall experience much smoother. I also appreciate the inclusion of a telephoto lens, and the better photo score. The newer chipset and Android version are also desirable as it should provide a better experience over time. For my specific needs, the slightly better display of the Xiaomi is not as important as the other features of the Honor, and I do not frequently record 8k video or require the additional lens options.
