1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 166.7 × 76.5 × 8.2 mm | Honor X7b is slightly taller and wider, while Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 208g | 199g | Honor X7b is marginally lighter, which might feel slightly better during long periods of use. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (Screen) | Unknown (Screen) | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has superior screen protection. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.8" | Both phones have very similar display sizes; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2412 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a much sharper display with significantly more detail. |
| PPI | 515 | 389 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's higher pixel density results in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has dramatically better outdoor visibility and is suitable for use in bright sunlight. Honor X7b's brightness is unknown, which is a significant limitation. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's chipset provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 249,150 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers significantly higher performance (243% higher), more future proofing. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's GPU provides superior graphics performance, better for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 50MP | 108MP | Honor X7b has higher resolution, but higher resolution doesn't always mean better image quality |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.95 | f/1.8 | Honor X7b has a slightly wider aperture, which may result in slightly better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.12" | Unknown | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a much larger sensor size, often resulting in superior light gathering and better image quality |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 8MP | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro captures more detail in selfies |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.3 | f/2.0 | Honor X7b has a wider aperture, potentially better for low-light selfies. |
| Wide-Angle Camera Resolution | 13MP | 5MP | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro captures wider scenes with better detail. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP (Telephoto + Macro) | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities. |
| Depth Camera | None | 2MP | Honor X7b can produce images with a better bokeh effect. |
| Macro Camera | None | 2MP | Honor X7b allows capturing detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro provides vastly superior video quality, and features like OIS for enhanced stability. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's stabilization helps reduce shaky video footage. |
| Slow Motion | Yes, 1920 fps | No | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro can create much more detailed slow motion videos. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 124 | Not Available | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro camera is significantly more sophisticated. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5330mAh | Honor X7b has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 35W Fast Charging | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro charges much faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 67W, 10W reverse | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
Software, Connectivity, Storage & Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 (Upgradeable to 14) | Honor X7b runs a newer version of Android and will be supported longer. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, MiMO | WiFi 6 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has slightly faster wifi with MIMO support |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | 5.1, EDR | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro supports higher quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | Multiple systems including dual band GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers more accurate location tracking. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both have similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 6GB/8GB | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has more RAM, which is better for multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | No external storage option in either phone. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro provides superior audio experience. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Honor X7b has a more modern side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both have comprehensive sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, AMOLED technology, higher refresh rate, and much greater brightness, resulting in a vastly better viewing experience.
- Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 5G chipset offers much faster processing and graphics performance for smoother app usage and demanding games.
- Advanced Camera System: Includes a larger main sensor, telephoto lens with optical zoom, and 8K video recording with various stabilization technologies for enhanced image and video capture.
- Faster Charging: Offers much faster wired and wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging.
- Superior Audio: Hi-res audio and better microphone setup for better recording.
- Better Connectivity: More advanced WiFi (MIMO) and Bluetooth with aptX,LDAC for better audio.
- More Sensors: Heart rate sensor for health tracking.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Honor X7b Advantages:
- Newer Android OS: Ships with Android 13 (upgradeable to 14), providing access to newer features and security updates.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Marginally larger battery capacity for potentially slightly better battery life.
- More Main Camera Resolution: 108MP main camera for more detailed photos.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Cameras: Offers dedicated macro and depth cameras for creative photography.
- More modern finger print reader: Side-mounted fingerprint reader provides a more modern experience.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers significant advantages in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities, but comes with an older OS.
- The Honor X7b provides a newer OS, macro/depth lens, and a slightly larger battery, but it lags significantly behind in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who need a phone for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or heavy multitasking.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera with optical zoom, advanced video features, and high-quality photos.
Users wanting Premium Features: Users that want top-tier features such as fast charging and wireless charging.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games smoothly.
- Watching high-resolution content with vivid colors and deep blacks.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos, even in low light or while zooming.
- Multitasking between various apps seamlessly and with high performance.
- Use Cases:
Honor X7b Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a reliable phone with a focus on basic functionality at a more affordable price.
- Casual Users: Individuals who mainly use their phone for social media, browsing, and light usage.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life Those who need a phone that can last a whole day on a single charge.
- Users who prefer the latest OS Users that want a newer OS, with longer support.
Users Wanting Additional Cameras: Users that want dedicated macro and depth cameras for specific shots.
- Use Cases:
- Browsing social media, emails, and the internet.
- Capturing basic photos with sufficient quality.
- Making calls and sending messages.
- Using the phone for a full day of typical use without needing to recharge.
- Use Cases:
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What's your priority: performance or battery? If performance and visual experience are more important than battery longevity, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the better choice. If a phone that lasts long on a single charge is more important to you, then the Honor X7b might be a better fit.
- How important is camera quality and video capabilities to you? If you are a photo and video enthusiast then the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a significantly superior camera and video setup, but if you only want basic photography the Honor X7b is more than sufficient.
- What is your budget and how future proof do you need your device to be? The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is an older phone and might be available at a lower price than release date. The Honor X7b is a newer phone and, therefore, more future proof, but at a lower performance level.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its superior performance and display quality, which will result in better frame rates and smooth visuals.
- Scenario 2: Casual User with Basic Needs:
- Recommendation: Honor X7b would be sufficient, it is a newer phone and it has a decent enough camera, battery, and performance.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Videography Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its advanced camera system, optical zoom capabilities, and superior video recording options, even if it has an older operating system.
- Scenario 4: Daily User with Focus on Battery:
- Recommendation: The Honor X7b has a slightly larger battery, and might be the slightly better choice, but the difference will not be significant.
My Choice and Why
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While it's true that the Honor X7b offers a newer OS and a slightly bigger battery, the difference is not significant enough to outweigh the significant advantages of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The most important things to me on a phone are the quality of the display, the performance, and the camera. The Mi 11 Pro has a substantially better display, a significantly more powerful processor, and a much more versatile camera system, meaning that it will be a much better phone for most of my use cases. The additional features, such as the better wireless charging, the additional microphones, and the better sensors are also a big plus. The differences in real-world usage are more significant than the few areas that the Honor X7b has over the Mi 11 Pro.
While an older phone, if the price is similar or better, it is an easy choice.
