1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 164.6 × 75.6 × 7.9 mm | Xiaomi is slightly smaller in width, while Huawei is slightly thinner. Volume difference is not substantial. |
| Weight | 208g | 191g | Huawei is lighter by 17g, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.78" | Negligible size difference, both offer a large screen experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2388 | Xiaomi offers significantly sharper visuals, text, and images due to higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 515 | 387 | Xiaomi's display will appear noticeably clearer and more detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Xiaomi has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially better power efficiency with dark modes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi provides smoother scrolling and animations, offering a more fluid experience, particularly during gaming or fast-paced content consumption. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi offers dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Huawei's brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Xiaomi's chipset is significantly more powerful for demanding tasks, gaming, and future-proofing. Huawei has an entry-mid level chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 248,000 | Xiaomi will have much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | Xiaomi's GPU will offer much higher graphical processing for gaming and video editing. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" sensor, 1.40 µm pixels | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" sensor, 0.70 µm pixels | Xiaomi has larger individual pixels, capturing more light for potentially better low-light performance and better details, despite lower resolution. Huawei features higher resolution, but much smaller pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor, 0.80 µm pixels | 16MP, f/2.2 | Xiaomi has higher resolution selfie camera and slightly narrower aperture. Sensor details for Huawei are unknown. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2 | None | Xiaomi offers a wide-angle lens for landscape and group shots, Huawei does not. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, Xiaomi does not. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Huawei has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, Xiaomi does not. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Huawei offers a dual purpose wide-angle/macro lens. Xiaomi does not. |
| Telephoto + macro | 8MP | None | Xiaomi has a telephoto lens for zoomed images and macro, Huawei does not. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi offers much higher resolution recording, suitable for professional videography. |
| DXOMark | Main: 124 | Not Tested | Xiaomi has been tested by DXOMark, receiving 124 points, while Huawei is not tested. |
| Features | 8K, OIS, Optical Zoom, Laser AF | 4K, Digital Zoom, Quad Camera | Xiaomi has OIS for stable videos and optical zoom for better quality zoomed shots. Huawei has a dedicated quad camera setup and night mode for potentially better low-light photography. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | Xiaomi has a significantly larger battery for potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Both offer similar fast charging speeds. |
| Features | 67W Wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless, Reverse charging | Reverse charging | Xiaomi offers significantly faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Sharper, smoother, and more vibrant AMOLED display with significantly higher brightness for better visibility.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Much faster processor and GPU resulting in smoother operation, better gaming, and future-proofing.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a wider range of cameras, including telephoto, and higher quality video recording. Includes OIS.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Offers longer battery life and wireless charging capabilities.
- Advanced Audio: Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers for better audio quality.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
- More GPS satellite systems: Better location accuracy
- More advanced Bluetooth
Huawei nova 9 SE Advantages:
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for extended use.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: A higher megapixel count main sensor, although smaller pixel sizes.
- Quad camera setup with macro and depth sensors: Offers macro and depth features missing in Mi 11 Pro.
- Night Mode: For better low-light photography.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: May be considered more ergonomic by some users.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Heavier and thicker, no dedicated macro or depth sensors.
- Huawei nova 9 SE: Significantly less powerful, lower quality display, basic audio, no telephoto, no wide angle lens, no wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, multimedia enthusiasts, photography and videography enthusiasts, and those who value high-end performance, display quality and battery.
- Use Cases: Demanding gaming, high-resolution video editing, professional photography, outdoor use under bright sunlight, immersive multimedia consumption.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent value for its performance, despite being older. A top of the line phone at its release, but still an excellent choice.
Huawei nova 9 SE:
- Ideal User: Casual users, those prioritizing affordability and a lighter phone, those looking for a basic but capable camera system with dedicated macro and depth sensors.
- Use Cases: Social media browsing, basic photography, casual gaming, day-to-day communication, value focused and comfortable device.
- Price-to-Value: It provides adequate features at a more accessible price point but has significant compromises compared to the Xiaomi.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Performance Needs: Do you require top-tier performance for gaming and multitasking, or are basic tasks sufficient?
- Display Preference: Is a high-resolution, vibrant AMOLED display crucial, or is an LCD adequate?
- Camera Priorities: Are you looking for professional-grade photography features or a basic setup with some extra lenses?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power User/Gamer: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its superior performance, display, and battery.
- Scenario 2: Casual User/Budget-Conscious: Choose the Huawei nova 9 SE for its lighter design, adequate performance for basic tasks, and lower price point, if you are also looking for the extra macro/depth lenses.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its versatile cameras, OIS, and superior video recording capabilities, unless you specifically need the extra lenses (macro/depth).
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While it's an older phone, its superior processor, AMOLED display, significantly better cameras (specifically for photography), battery life, and charging capabilities make it the more compelling device for my needs as a power user and a photography enthusiast. Although the Huawei offers a lighter design and extra macro/depth lenses, the compromises in display, processing power, and camera quality are too significant for my preference. The Xiaomi offers a much more complete, versatile, and future-proof experience, which I find worth the trade-off in terms of weight and the lack of a dedicated depth/macro sensor. The presence of OIS and 8K video recording is also a significant advantage for me, as I tend to take a lot of photos and videos. The price point, despite being older, still offers good value for the high-end specs.
