Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Huawei Pura 70
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the two phones, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 157.6 × 74.3 × 8 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, impacting pocketability. Pura 70 is more compact. |
| Weight | 208g | 207g | Virtually identical weights; both feel similar in-hand. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus, aluminum frame | Unknown, aluminum frame | Mi 11 Pro screen is more scratch resistant. Huawei Pura 70 screen is unknown, may be less durable. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.6" | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1256x2760 | Mi 11 Pro has significantly higher resolution, resulting in a sharper and more detailed display, especially for text and images. |
| PPI | 515 | 460 | Mi 11 Pro's higher pixel density provides a noticeably clearer image with less pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar high-quality display technologies, both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, ideal for gaming and a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 2500 nits | Huawei Pura 70 is significantly brighter, offering superior outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Kirin 9000S1 | Different chipsets; Mi 11 Pro has a higher benchmark score, but real-world performance is influenced by software optimization. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 768,000 | Mi 11 Pro has slightly better benchmark performance, indicating snappier performance in demanding tasks, like gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Maleoon 910 | Different GPUs; Mi 11 Pro's Adreno 660 has slightly better performance in graphics-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" sensor | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3" sensor | Pura 70 has a wider aperture (f/1.4) for better low-light performance. Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor (1/1.12”) for capturing more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor | 13MP, f/2.4, sensor not specified | Mi 11 Pro has higher resolution and a wider aperture, potentially resulting in better selfies, but the Pura 70 might have better color accuracy and tone. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, 1/4.4" sensor (Macro) | 12MP, f/3.4 (Telephoto) | Mi 11 Pro has a macro telephoto lens. Huawei Pura 70 has a telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor | 13MP, f/2.2, sensor not specified | Both phones have comparable wide-angle lenses. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, comprehensive features | Up to 4K, basic video features | Mi 11 Pro offers higher video resolution and advanced video features for professional content creation. Pura 70 has only basic video features. |
| DXOMark | Main Score: 124; Photo: 118; Video: 132 | Not tested | Mi 11 Pro has better rated video capabilities. Huawei Pura 70 doesn't have a DXOMark rating. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4900mAh | Very similar battery capacities; Both offer a full day of battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 67W wired, 67W wireless | 65W wired, 50W wireless | Mi 11 Pro offers faster wired and wireless charging, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 10W wireless | Reverse Charging, 7.5W wireless | Both feature reverse wireless charging, but Mi 11 Pro offers faster reverse wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI result in a more detailed display.
- Higher Benchmark Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides better raw processing power.
- More Advanced Video Recording: 8K video recording and more comprehensive features make it a better option for videographers.
- Faster Charging: Both wired and wireless charging are faster than the Pura 70
- Slightly Better Audio: Better audio playback due to Hi-Res Audio and better voice capture using 3 microphones.
- Heart Rate Sensor: More sensor options, including a heart rate sensor.
Huawei Pura 70 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness makes it easier to view the screen in direct sunlight.
- Better Low-light Camera Performance: Wider aperture on the main camera is beneficial in low-light conditions.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens.
- More Storage Options: Storage options up to 1TB, great for users with large media libraries.
- Night Mode: Night Mode for capturing sharper low-light photos
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro: sacrifices some low-light camera performance and outdoor visibility for better raw performance, display sharpness, and advanced video recording.
- Pura 70: sacrifices benchmark performance and some advanced video recording features for improved low-light photography and outdoor visibility.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal Users:
- Mobile gamers seeking high performance.
- Users who value high-resolution and sharp displays.
- Users who often record videos and require advanced features and 8K recording.
- Use Cases:
- Intense gaming sessions.
- Watching high-resolution media.
- Professional video recording.
- Content creators who value high-quality video and audio capture.
Huawei Pura 70:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize camera performance, especially in low light.
- Individuals who frequently use their phones outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Users who value large storage capacity for media and files.
- Use Cases:
- Photography in various lighting conditions.
- Outdoor use under direct sunlight.
- Storage for extensive media libraries.
- Casual users who require a reliable camera experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The value for each device will depend on the current market price. If the Pura 70 has a significantly higher price, the value proposition may skew more towards the Mi 11 Pro if raw performance and advanced video are needed. Conversely, if the Pura 70 is cheaper, then users who value camera performance and outdoor visibility will find it a compelling option.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for potential buyers:
How important is display clarity and sharpness?
- If clarity is paramount (for text, detailed images, etc.), the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is preferable.
How important is low-light camera performance and outdoor visibility?
- If low-light photography and usability in bright sunlight are crucial, the Huawei Pura 70 is the better choice.
How important is video recording capabilities?
- If professional video recording with 8K resolution and comprehensive features are needed, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the winner.
- If only basic video recording is needed, the Huawei Pura 70 is sufficient
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you need a phone for mobile gaming, watching high-resolution content, and making professional-quality videos, choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
- Scenario 2: If you take a lot of photos (especially at night), use your phone outdoors a lot, and value large storage capacity, choose the Huawei Pura 70.
- Scenario 3: If you value the most balanced performance and are willing to trade some brightness for sharper detail, choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
Here's my reasoning:
- Priority on Display and Performance: I value a sharp, high-resolution display for reading and content consumption. Also, the performance edge of the Snapdragon 888, while not dramatic, is still significant for the types of applications and games I use.
- Advanced Video Features: I occasionally record videos and the 8K recording capability of the Mi 11 Pro, along with its more comprehensive feature set, is a significant advantage.
- Acceptable Tradeoffs: While the Huawei Pura 70's brighter display and low-light camera performance are attractive, I find that the Mi 11 Pro's strengths align better with my personal usage and preferences. I don't typically take photos in low light conditions, and I will only rarely use the camera, so that is acceptable for me to compromise.
- Comprehensive Package: The Mi 11 Pro offers a more comprehensive package of performance, display quality, and video capabilities, which I find more valuable than the Pura 70's strengths in camera performance and outdoor visibility, and as someone who likes to watch high-quality content, the display and audio is preferable.
While the Huawei Pura 70 is a strong contender, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro better fits my needs for a balanced and feature-rich smartphone experience. The extra clarity in display and the more comprehensive video features of the Mi 11 Pro are more valuable to me than the low light capabilities and higher brightness of the Pura 70.
