1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm | 161.8 x 73.5 x 8.4 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly larger, may feel bulkier in hand. Edge 30 Ultra is more compact. |
| Weight | 208g | 198.5g | Edge 30 Ultra is slightly lighter, which could be noticeable during extended use, making it more comfortable for some users. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.67" | Mi 11 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2400 | Mi 11 Pro has significantly sharper visuals, noticeable in text and high-detail images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 395 | Mi 11 Pro's display is visibly crisper, which is ideal for reading and viewing detailed content. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both are excellent, vibrant displays. Differences in color accuracy or viewing angles are likely minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 Ultra has smoother scrolling and animations, which can feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1250 nits | Mi 11 Pro is much better for outdoor visibility, making it easier to see in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Edge 30 Ultra offers noticeably faster performance, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 1,231,300 | Edge 30 Ultra provides significantly faster app loading and smoother operation in general use. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Edge 30 Ultra has superior graphics processing, better for graphics-intensive games and apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (1/1.12" sensor) | 200MP (1/1.22" sensor) | Edge 30 Ultra captures more detail in ideal conditions. Mi 11 Pro's larger sensor can gather more light, potentially better in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP (1/3.4" sensor) | 60MP (1/2.8" sensor) | Edge 30 Ultra captures significantly more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto lens | None | 12MP | Edge 30 Ultra has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a feature the Mi 11 Pro lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP (1/3.06" sensor) | 50MP (1/2.76" sensor) | Edge 30 Ultra offers higher resolution wide-angle shots, capturing more details. |
| Telephoto + Macro Lens | 8MP | None | Mi 11 Pro includes a telephoto + macro lens for versatile shooting close-up and at a distance, which the Edge 30 Ultra lacks. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer high-quality video capture. Edge 30 Ultra has slightly more slow-motion options. |
| Camera DxOMark | 124 (overall score) | Not available | Mi 11 Pro's camera is tested and performs well, while the Edge 30 Ultra lacks public benchmarks from DxOMark. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4610 mAh | Mi 11 Pro has slightly better battery life (on paper) |
| Charging | 67W | 125W | Edge 30 Ultra charges significantly faster, getting you back up and running more quickly. |
| Wireless Charging | 67W | 50W | Mi 11 Pro offers slightly faster wireless charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Edge 30 Ultra offers a more recent OS out of the box and a guarantee of getting a more recent software compared to the Xiaomi. |
| Other | |||
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Mi 11 Pro offers a slightly richer and immersive audio experience with 3 microphones, compared to the two microphones on the Motorola |
| Build quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Mi 11 Pro uses a more durable screen protection. |
| Expandable storage | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a noticeably sharper and more detailed display, great for reading, detailed images and high-resolution videos.
- Better Outdoor Visibility: Higher brightness makes it easier to use the phone in bright sunlight.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor: Potentially better low-light performance, capturing more light and detail.
- Slightly larger battery: Can lead to slightly better autonomy compared to the Motorola.
- More Wireless Charging Power: Offers faster 67W wireless charging.
- More Microphones: Offers better sound quality during calls.
- Hi-Res Audio: Delivers better audio experience while listening with high quality headphones.
- Stronger Display Protection: Has the most recent Gorilla Glass technology to protect the display against drops and scratches.
- More GPS systems: Offers better location accuracy.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Advantages:
- Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides significantly faster processing and graphics performance, ideal for gaming and demanding applications.
- Significantly faster charging speed: The 125W fast charging will be useful for users that are always on the run, and can top up their battery really fast.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: The main, wide-angle and selfie cameras offer significantly more megapixels and detail, ideal for photography and those who frequently use the camera.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz display provides smoother animations and a more responsive feel.
- More Telephoto capabilities: Has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom.
- Newer Android OS: Comes out of the box with Android 12 and with guarantee of update to Android 13.
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro sacrifices performance and charging speed for better screen, battery and display protection.
- Edge 30 Ultra sacrifices battery capacity, display sharpness and low-light camera performance for better overall performance, charging speed and resolution on the camera side.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display quality, multimedia consumption, and low-light photography and do not mind a slower charging speed.
- Use Cases:
- Watching high-resolution videos and movies
- Reading ebooks, articles or doing research
- Playing less demanding games and using everyday apps
- Taking photos in various lighting conditions, particularly low-light environments
- Extended usage time with the larger battery
- Users who value good audio and want the option to use Hi-Res audio headphones.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, camera resolution, fast charging and smooth gaming experience.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games
- Running demanding applications
- Taking high-resolution photos and videos
- Capturing detailed selfies
- Fast charging on the go
- Demanding users who always want a responsive experience
Price-to-Value:
- The Edge 30 Ultra generally offers better overall value for its newer technology and performance improvements if prices are similar.
- The Mi 11 Pro still offers a great experience, especially for display-focused users and could represent a better deal if sold at a lower price
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How much do you value display quality? If a sharp display and high brightness are crucial, the Mi 11 Pro excels. If not, the Motorola offers better performance and faster charging.
- What are your main use cases? If gaming and performance are key, the Edge 30 Ultra is better. If general usage and multimedia consumption are the priorities, then Mi 11 Pro is more adequate.
- Do you prioritize charging speed? If quickly topping up your battery is important, the Edge 30 Ultra's 125W charging is a game-changer.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra for its superior performance, graphics capabilities, and higher refresh rate.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: The Motorola offers a more versatile camera system but with a smaller sensor, with high megapixel cameras for detailed shots. If the low light performance is more important, Mi 11 Pro should be the choice.
- Scenario 3: Media Consumer: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its superior display quality, higher brightness, and larger screen.
- Scenario 4: General User: If you want overall better value, then Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is your best option.
My Choice:
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would go with the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. While the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a very good screen and better outdoor visibility, the overall performance boost of the Edge 30 Ultra is too significant to ignore. The superior chipset, the much faster charging and the more detailed photos would make it a better long-term daily driver for me. I also prefer the smoother 144Hz display, and since I like to take pictures very often, the Motorola camera sensors are a better choice. The only situation where I would choose the Xiaomi would be if I were a heavy reader or needed to watch high-resolution content outdoors on a frequent basis.
