Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly taller, but both have similar dimensions and will feel comparable in hand. |
| Weight | 208g | 226g | Mi 11 Pro is lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use. Pura 70 Ultra feels more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.8" | Negligible difference in screen size. User experience will be virtually identical in terms of size. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2844 | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly sharper display; noticeable in text clarity and image detail. |
| PPI | 515 | 460 | Mi 11 Pro's display will appear noticeably sharper with finer details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, similar viewing experiences. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 Ultra has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Mi 11 Pro is adequate, but Pura 70 Ultra excels in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Different chipsets; both offer flagship performance, but architectural differences may lead to subtle variations in performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 869,707 | Both phones offer very similar performance; real-world usage will not have noticeable differences in speed. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Maleoon 910 | Different GPUs; gaming performance will vary based on game optimization. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" | 50MP, f/1.6, 1" | Pura 70 Ultra's wider aperture and larger sensor may result in better low-light performance and potentially more background blur. |
| Front Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 13MP, f/2.4 | Mi 11 Pro has a higher resolution selfie camera, potentially capturing more detailed selfies. Pura 70 Ultra has unknown sensor info. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 50MP, f/2.1 | Pura 70 Ultra offers dedicated telephoto zoom capabilities which Mi 11 Pro lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | 40MP, f/2.2, 1/1.7" | Pura 70 Ultra offers a higher resolution and larger sensor wide angle, potentially resulting in higher quality wide-angle photos. |
| Telephoto + Macro | 8MP, 1/4.4" | N/A | Mi 11 Pro offers telephoto + macro functionality not found on the Pura 70 Ultra. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K | Mi 11 Pro can record higher resolution videos with the potential for better flexibility in editing. |
| DXOMark | Main: 124, Photo: 118, Video: 132 | Main: 163, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | Pura 70 Ultra excels overall and the Mi 11 Pro has higher video performance and an OK photo performance according to the metrics. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5200mAh | Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly larger battery, potentially giving a bit more usage time. |
| Charging | 67W | 100W | Pura 70 Ultra charges faster. Faster charging is more convenient for users needing a quick top-up. |
| Wireless Charging | 67W | 80W | Pura 70 Ultra charges faster wirelessly. |
| Reverse Wireless | 10W | 20W | Pura 70 Ultra can charge other devices faster wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Unknown | The Pura 70 Ultra's OS is unknown; this could lead to very different user experiences. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both phones offer similar Wi-Fi speeds and connectivity features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | 5.2, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Mi 11 Pro has more comprehensive Bluetooth codec support. |
| GPS | More Satellites support | Less Satellites support | Mi 11 Pro has more satellite support, potentially resulting in slightly better location accuracy in complex environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer dual SIM functionality; convenient for users with multiple numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 512GB/1024GB | Pura 70 Ultra offers significantly more storage, ideal for users with extensive media libraries. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 16GB | Pura 70 Ultra has higher RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking with less background app reloading. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Mi 11 Pro offers slightly more advanced audio features, better for audiophiles and users who record audio often. Pura 70 has a better, more mainstream audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic | Basic | Both offer a basic fingerprint sensor for device unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Mi 11 Pro uses better screen protection, meaning it should be more resistant to scratches and cracks. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Heart Rate Sensor | Gravity, Hall, RGB | Mi 11 Pro provides some health sensor data, Pura 70 Ultra provides more data on the orientation and display |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI offer superior clarity.
- More Video Recording Options: Supports 8K video recording.
- Audio Features: Offers Hi-Res Audio and 3 microphones.
- More GPS Satellites: Supports more satellite networks leading to greater accuracy.
- More Bluetooth Codecs: Support for APT-x as a bluetooth codec.
Heart Rate Sensor: Can monitor heart rate.
Practical Implication: Better for content creators who need high-resolution video recording and those who prioritize a sharper display and audio features.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness, much better for outdoor use.
- Superior Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor and wider aperture for better low-light performance and depth of field.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Offers a true optical zoom, lacking in the Mi 11 Pro.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery capacity for potentially longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Both wired and wireless charging are significantly faster.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers double the storage and RAM compared to the highest option on Mi 11 Pro.
More Sensors: Provides additional sensors that could be used to measure gravity, display color settings and use hall sensors.
Practical Implication: Better for photographers, users who need excellent outdoor screen visibility, heavy users who appreciate faster charging, those with extensive media storage and for those who need greater RAM for multitasking and gaming.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: sacrifices brightness, camera and storage for a sharper display, high-resolution video recording, more GPS and audio features, as well as a heart-rate sensor.
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra: has unknown OS and misses some of the advanced video options of the Xiaomi but includes a telephoto lens, much faster charging and wireless charging, brighter display and higher RAM, and storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Content creators: Those who frequently record videos and need high resolution options.
- Audiophiles: Users who prioritize audio quality with Hi-Res playback and multiple microphones.
- Users who value screen clarity : Those who value high-resolution screens over all other features
- Users who value GPS Accuracy : Those who value the most possible location tracking options.
- Users who value extra bluetooth codecs : Those who want high quality wireless listening options.
Use Cases:
- Recording videos in various resolutions.
- Listening to high-fidelity audio.
- Navigating in urban or complex environments.
- Having a heart rate monitor with the phone.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality, especially in low-light conditions and the option for zoom.
- Outdoor Users: Those who frequently use their phones in bright sunlight.
- Heavy Mobile Users: People who need fast charging and longer battery life, and better storage options.
- Multitaskers: Those who need high RAM for smooth multitasking
- Power Users: People who appreciate extra sensors for advanced phone features and use cases.
Use Cases:
- Taking photos and videos in various conditions.
- Outdoor usage with sunlight visibility.
- Gaming or heavy app use needing high RAM
- Frequent traveling with the need for fast charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility? If you are often in bright sunlight, the Pura 70 Ultra is much better.
- Do you prioritize video recording or photography? The Mi 11 Pro offers 8k video, while the Pura 70 Ultra has better camera sensor, telephoto lens and more storage for photos.
- Do you need more storage or RAM? Pura 70 Ultra offers significantly higher storage and RAM options.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Video Creator): Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its 8K video, Hi-Res audio, and heart rate sensor.
- Scenario 2 (Outdoor Photographer): Choose the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra for its superior main camera, brighter display, and telephoto lens.
- Scenario 3 (Heavy User): Choose the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra for its larger battery, faster charging, and more storage/RAM.
- Scenario 4 (Everyday user): Choose the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra for its overall better camera system and brightness, making it a good choice for most users
My Choice:
If I had to choose, I would pick the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. While the Mi 11 Pro offers a sharper display and 8K video recording, the practical advantages of the Pura 70 Ultra are more compelling for my usage patterns. The much brighter display is a major plus for outdoor use and makes a big difference. Also, the significantly improved main camera with the telephoto lens, faster charging, and higher storage and RAM make it a more well-rounded and capable phone. While I appreciate a good screen and higher video resolution, the gains in other areas of the Pura 70 Ultra outweigh those for me personally.
