1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro and Huawei Pura 70 Pro, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is slightly taller; Pura 70 Pro is a bit wider but thinner. Overall, negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 208g | 220g | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is 12g lighter, which might be slightly noticeable during extended use. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones with no folding mechanism. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.8" | Very similar screen sizes, virtually indistinguishable in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2844 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a noticeably sharper display due to higher resolution. |
| PPI | 515 | 460 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro displays crisper text and images; detail is better visible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. Differences likely negligible for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, equally responsive. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 2500 nits | Huawei Pura 70 Pro offers significantly better visibility in bright sunlight; much better outdoor usability. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Different processors; performance is very close but overall slightly better on Pura 70 Pro. |
| Antutu Score | 854,267 | 869,707 | Practically identical performance. Both are capable of smooth multitasking and handling demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Maleoon 910 | Different GPUs. Real-world gaming experience likely similar; Pura 70 Pro may have optimized performance for certain games. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Nearly identical battery capacity, should provide comparable battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging, Li-Ion Polymer | 100W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Huawei Pura 70 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing time spent plugged in; Both will charge very fast. |
| Features | 67W wireless charging, 10W reverse-wireless charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | 80W wireless charging, 20W reverse wireless charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | Huawei Pura 70 Pro offers faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging speeds. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12", 1.40µm (Samsung GN2) | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3", 1.20µm (Omnivision OV50H) | Huawei Pura 70 Pro's wider aperture (f/1.4) allows more light in, potentially better in low light. Xiaomi's larger sensor may have better dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.8µm (Samsung S5K3T2) | 13MP, f/2.4 (Omnivision) | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a higher resolution and wider aperture selfie camera for better detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 48MP, f/2.1 | Huawei Pura 70 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling better optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm (Omnivision OV13B10) | 12.5MP, f/2.2 | Similar wide-angle capabilities. Resolution difference is negligible. |
| Tele + Macro | 8MP, 1/4.4", 1.0µm (Omnivision OV08A10) | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated telephoto + macro lens. Great for close-up shots. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, EIS + HDR | 4K Video, EIS | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro can record in 8K, offering potentially better quality for video content creators. Both have EIS for stable videos. |
| DXOMARK | 124 (Main), 118 (Photo), 132 (Video) | N/A | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a DxOMark score, indicating its camera quality in controlled tests. Pura 70 Pro DXOMARK score is missing. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro uses Android 11; Huawei Pura 70 Pro OS is not specified. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Both offer similar and advanced Wi-Fi features; great for fast and reliable internet connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | 5.2, A2DP, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has more advanced audio codecs; both provide high-quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | Dual Band GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC | Dual Band GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, NavIC, Galileo | Both offer precise location tracking but Xiaomi has support for more satellites, leading to slightly better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM cards. |
Storage & RAM
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Huawei Pura 70 Pro offers significantly more storage options; ideal for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12 GB | Both are good for multitasking; Pura 70 Pro has a small edge. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi has a slight edge for audio quality. Pura 70 Pro benefits from Dolby Atmos which creates good quality sound for movies and media. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both have a basic fingerprint sensor; secure and convenient way to unlock devices. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Heart Rate, Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Xiaomi provides more health-related data. Huawei supports better color accuracy with the RGB sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the major advantages and trade-offs for each phone:
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for crisper visuals.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and slightly wider aperture for brighter, more detailed selfies.
- Telephoto + Macro Lens: Dedicated lens for close-up shots, adding versatility to photography.
- 8K Video Recording: Capable of recording high-resolution 8K videos for professional-grade content.
- More Audio Features: Hi-Res Audio, and 3 microphones; better sound quality.
- More GPS: Better navigation due to more supported satellite systems.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Additional health data tracking.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for superior screen protection.
Huawei Pura 70 Pro Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness, superior outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging, minimizing downtime.
- Better Main Camera: Wider aperture allows more light in, resulting in better low-light performance.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens enables better optical zoom capabilities.
- More Storage: Higher storage options are available for users with extensive media libraries.
- Dolby Atmos: Immersive sound system for better media consumption.
- More Sensors: RGB and Gravity sensors add more functionality for other features.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro trades better low-light main camera performance, faster charging, and a telephoto lens for a sharper display, macro camera, 8K video recording, and superior audio.
- The Huawei Pura 70 Pro sacrifices screen sharpness, and selfie camera quality to offer significantly better outdoor screen visibility, faster charging, better low-light camera, more storage and a dedicated zoom lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Media Consumption: Users who value a sharp, crisp display for viewing content, reading, and web browsing.
- Casual Photographer: Individuals who appreciate high-quality photos, including macro shots.
- Video Content Creators: Users who require 8K video recording and better audio features.
- Health conscious users: Users who would benefit from having access to a heart rate sensor.
Ideal Use Cases for Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Enjoying high-resolution videos and games
- Capturing detailed macro and close-up photos
- Recording professional-grade video content
- Extended reading and web browsing.
Ideal User for Huawei Pura 70 Pro:
- Outdoor Use: Users who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight, prioritizing display visibility.
- Frequent Charger: Individuals who need their phone to charge quickly and efficiently, especially on the go.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want to take photos in low-light and zoom capabilities.
- Storage Heavy Users: Users who want to have higher storage options.
Ideal Use Cases for Huawei Pura 70 Pro:
- Using the phone for navigation and outdoor photography under bright sunlight.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks
- Capturing photos in challenging lighting conditions
- Storing a large library of media files
- Immersive movie-watching and gaming experience with Dolby Atmos.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help buyers decide between the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro and the Huawei Pura 70 Pro:
How important is screen brightness and outdoor visibility to me?
- If outdoor visibility is crucial, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro is the clear winner due to its significantly brighter display.
- If you rarely use your phone outdoors or prioritize screen sharpness over brightness, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is acceptable.
What are my primary photography needs?
- If you want to take high-quality low-light photos and use optical zoom features, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro is the better option with its wider aperture and dedicated telephoto lens.
- If you want to take close-up shots, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the better option with its telephoto + macro lens.
- If you want to record higher quality videos, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro supports 8K video recording.
Do I prioritize faster charging and storage capacity?
- If quick charging is important, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro, with its 100W fast charging, is significantly better than the Xiaomi's 67W.
- If having more storage is a must, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro offers more storage options (up to 1TB) compared to 256GB on the Xiaomi.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the outdoor enthusiast and avid traveler: The Huawei Pura 70 Pro is better suited due to its higher screen brightness, fast charging, and telephoto zoom capabilities.
- For the content creator and media consumer: The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers a sharper display, 8K recording capabilities, higher quality audio and more macro lens capabilities for close up videos and photos.
- For those who value a balanced experience: Both phones offer great performance, good cameras and fast refresh rates. The choice will depend on your preference for the trade offs.
What I would choose and why!
Based on my analysis and personal needs, I would choose the Huawei Pura 70 Pro.
Here's why:
- Outdoor Visibility: As someone who often uses my phone outside, the Pura 70 Pro's significantly brighter display is a huge advantage. Being able to easily see the screen under sunlight is crucial for my daily usage.
- Faster Charging: I often forget to charge my phone overnight. The 100W fast charging on the Pura 70 Pro would allow me to quickly top up my battery, which is very beneficial.
- Camera Versatility: While the Xiaomi has better video capabilities, the Pura 70 Pro's low-light performance and dedicated telephoto lens, give it better versatility. I also don't often use the macro or video capabilities of other phones.
- Storage: Having higher storage is essential, and Pura 70 Pro offers up to 1TB storage space, I have a large amount of photos and videos that take up storage space.
Although the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a sharper screen and a better selfie camera, the practical advantages of the Pura 70 Pro make it better suited to my needs.
