1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Huawei Mate X3 offers a larger display in a compact form when folded; Mi 11 Pro is a standard slab phone |
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 156.9 × 141.5 × 5.3 mm (unfolded) | Mi 11 Pro is taller and thicker; Mate X3 is significantly wider when unfolded, but much thinner. Mate X3 is more pocketable folded. |
| Weight | 208g | 239g | Mi 11 Pro is noticeably lighter, potentially more comfortable for long-term handling. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 7.85" | Mate X3 has a significantly larger screen, more immersive for media and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 2224x2496 | Mate X3 has a higher pixel count, resulting in sharper images and more detailed text. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 426 PPI | Mi 11 Pro's display is sharper and text looks clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | Mi 11 Pro's AMOLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark mode. Mate X3's screen tech is unspecified, making comparison difficult |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 Pro has vastly superior outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. Mate X3 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4nm) | Mate X3 has a newer, more efficient chipset, offering generally smoother, faster performance, and better battery efficiency; Mi 11 Pro supports 5G, Mate X3 is 4G only |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 1,238,400 | Mate X3 benchmarks significantly higher, indicating faster app loading and smoother UI. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Mate X3 has a more powerful GPU, better for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4800 mAh | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger battery, potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W wired, 67W wireless, 10W reverse | 66W wired, 50W wireless | Both support fast charging; Mate X3 offers faster wireless charging |
| Battery Features | Reverse, 67W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | Wireless charge 50W, Non-removable | Mi 11 Pro has more robust wireless charging features; Mate X3 supports wireless charging, which is not an option for the Mi 11 Pro |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" sensor | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance; Mate X3 has a wider aperture, better for depth of field. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor | 8MP, f/2.4 | Mi 11 Pro has much higher resolution and a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, 1/4.4" Sensor | 16MP, f/3.4, 1/3.09" sensor | Mate X3 features a dedicated telephoto lens not present on Mi 11 Pro, for better optical zoom; Mi 11 Pro has a telephoto + macro lens for closer shots |
| Wide-angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor | 12MP, f/2.2 | Mi 11 Pro features a dedicated wide-angle lens; Mate X3 uses a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps | Mi 11 Pro offers higher video resolution (8K), better for professional videography. Both have EIS for stability. |
| DxoMark Score | Main 124, Photo 118, Video 132 | Not Available | Mi 11 Pro camera performance is rated, offering insight into photo and video capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Laser AF, PDAF, 8K Video, RAW | Main camera for Selfies, Exposure compensation, RAW | Mi 11 Pro's camera offers more advanced focusing features and a dedicated 8k video feature; Mate X3 can use the main camera for selfies, and offers exposure compensation control |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Unknown | The Mi 11 Pro uses Android 11; OS on the Mate X3 is not specified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both offer similar high-speed Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both offer comparable Bluetooth functionality, including A2DP, LE, LDAC, and AAC; Mi 11 Pro includes Apt-x; Mate X3 includes EDR and SBC. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS | Dual-band GPS | Both have similar GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Full Active | Both support dual SIM functionality; Mate X3's SIMs are fully active, while Mi 11 Pro is dual standby. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Mate X3 offers significantly more internal storage options (up to 1TB). |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both phones offer ample RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Stereo Speakers | Mi 11 Pro offers higher quality audio playback and enhanced voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Mate X3 offers a more convenient fingerprint sensor location. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unspecified | Mi 11 Pro has a superior screen protection from scratches and impacts |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Mi 11 Pro has a heart rate sensor; Mate X3 has a barometer for environmental data, along with Gravity, Hall and RGB sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (515 PPI) for crisp text and images.
- Brighter Display: Much higher peak brightness (1700 nits), ideal for outdoor use.
- 8K Video Recording: Capable of recording 8K video, appealing to videography enthusiasts.
- 5G Support: Supports 5G networks, enabling higher data speeds and lower latency.
- Better Audio Quality: Hi-Res audio and 3 microphones for superior audio capture and playback.
- More Robust Wireless Charging: Offers faster and reverse wireless charging.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Useful for users tracking their health metrics
Huawei Mate X3 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers a larger screen in a more compact form when folded.
- Larger Screen: 7.85" display for a more immersive experience.
- Higher Resolution Display: Higher resolution display for more detailed images and text
- Newer Chipset: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 for better performance and power efficiency.
- Significantly more storage options: Storage options up to 1TB, for users with larger libraries
- Faster Wireless Charging: 50W wireless charging
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient access.
- Barometer and Other Sensors: Provides additional environmental and device information.
- Main Camera For Selfies: Superior selfie camera performance, using the primary camera
- Dual SIM Full Active: Support full active dual sim
- More Convenient Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor for easier access
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro: Lacks a foldable design and has an older chipset compared to the Mate X3.
- Mate X3: Does not support 5G and it's display brightness is unknown; may have limited outdoor visibility.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display sharpness, outdoor visibility, and high-quality audio.
- Use Cases:
- Media Consumption: Watching videos and browsing with a sharp, vibrant display.
- Photography: Capturing photos and videos with good low-light capabilities, though not as versatile as the Mate X3 camera system.
- Mobile Gaming: Smooth gaming experience due to the 120Hz refresh rate and competent chipset.
- Outdoor Use: The high brightness is excellent for using the phone in bright sunlight.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent value for its price, especially considering its camera, display and performance.
Huawei Mate X3:
- Ideal User: Users who want a large screen experience in a portable device and those who want to maximize productivity.
- Use Cases:
- Multitasking: Large screen for running multiple apps simultaneously.
- Reading: Comfortable screen for e-books, comics, etc.
- Media Consumption: Immersive experience watching videos on the large display.
- Productivity: Ideal for reading documents and editing files on the go, along with convenient split screen options
- Power Users Users who need the most storage possible
- Price-to-Value: The premium price reflects its innovative foldable design and cutting-edge technology but may be overkill for some users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Screen Size Preference: Do you prefer a larger screen for media consumption and multitasking (Mate X3), or a more compact, traditional form factor with a sharper display (Mi 11 Pro)?
- Outdoor Usage: Will you frequently use the phone in bright sunlight? Mi 11 Pro will perform better in such a case.
- Connectivity: Is 5G a priority? Mi 11 Pro is the better choice if you need 5G support
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its superior brightness and better outdoor visibility, and for the 5G support.
Scenario 2: Productivity Focused User: Choose the Huawei Mate X3 for its large, foldable screen, for better multitasking and viewing larger documents.
- Scenario 3: Budget Conscious Buyer: Choose Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro, as it is likely cheaper and still a powerful, premium smartphone.
- Scenario 4: Mobile Gamer: Choose Huawei Mate X3 for its superior GPU and chipset, and the larger display screen.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While the Huawei Mate X3 is an innovative device with a larger display and more modern chipset, its unknown display brightness is a major drawback. I often use my phone outdoors and need a display that remains clear even in direct sunlight. I prefer the crispness and clarity of the Mi 11 Pro's display. Additionally, the Mi 11 Pro's better audio quality would be a big plus for watching videos, and I would appreciate the slightly larger battery for longer battery life. Although, the lack of 5G is a bit of a downside for the Mate X3, I am happy that Mi 11 Pro comes with it. Therefore, while the Mate X3 is technologically impressive, the Mi 11 Pro better aligns with my practical needs.
