Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Motorola Edge 40
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 158.4 × 72 × 7.6 mm | Mi 11 Pro is larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use and pocketability. Edge 40 is more compact and portable. |
| Weight | 208g | 167g | Edge 40 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.55" | Mi 11 Pro has a larger display, better for media consumption and multitasking; Edge 40 is slightly more compact, easier to handle. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly sharper and more detailed display, noticeable for reading text, viewing photos, and playing high-fidelity games. |
| PPI | 515 | 402 | Mi 11 Pro offers crisper text and images, superior visual clarity for detailed content. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; P-OLED has a more flexible substrate than AMOLED but the practical visual difference is negligible to most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 40 provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, more fluid user interface experience for users that are sensitive to higher refresh rates. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1200 nits | Mi 11 Pro is significantly brighter, offering better visibility in direct sunlight, crucial for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 8020 (6 nm) | Snapdragon 888 is more powerful, offering better overall performance, especially for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, while the Mediatek chip is more efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 762,526 | Mi 11 Pro shows superior raw performance in benchmarks, suitable for users demanding the highest processing power. Edge 40 still provides smooth general usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G77 MC9 | The Adreno 660 in the Mi 11 Pro has higher graphical processing power, leading to smoother gaming and media consumption, especially in graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | Mi 11 Pro is likely to last longer on a single charge, beneficial for heavy users. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Both have very fast charging capabilities. The difference of 1W won't be noticeable in charging times. |
| Features | 67W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless, Reverse Charging | 15W Wireless Charging | Mi 11 Pro offers faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, allowing it to charge other devices wirelessly, providing more versatility. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" Sensor | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.55" Sensor | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor, while Edge 40 has a wider aperture. Mi 11 Pro should perform better in low light due to larger sensor size, while Edge 40 gathers more light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" Sensor | 32MP, f/2.4 | Edge 40 has a higher-resolution selfie camera but Mi 11 Pro has a wider aperture, affecting low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Sensor | N/A | Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 13MP, f/2.2 | Edge 40 has a versatile wide-angle and macro lens, allowing for both wide shots and close-ups. |
| Telephoto + Macro | 8MP, 1/4.4" Sensor | N/A | Mi 11 Pro has a telephoto lens, allowing for greater zoom capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Mi 11 Pro records up to 8K resolution, offering the highest detail in video recordings; Edge 40 provides stable and high quality 4K recording. |
| DXOMark | 124 (Mobile) | N/A | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's camera has been thoroughly tested and scored, showing good performance, while Edge 40 is untested by DxOMark. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13, Upgradable to 15 | Edge 40 has a newer version of Android, offering the latest features and security updates, and is promised to be updated two major versions. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Mi 11 Pro supports MIMO for potentially better Wi-Fi performance in congested environments. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, aptX, LDAC, AAC | 5.2, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC, LHDC | Edge 40 supports more advanced Bluetooth codecs (SBC, LHDC) for higher quality audio, especially for audiophile users. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), etc. | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1) | Mi 11 Pro supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy, while Edge 40 lacks some. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Edge 40 provides the flexibility of using an eSIM for digital carrier switching, Mi 11 Pro sticks with two physical sim cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256 GB | Mi 11 Pro has a 128GB option if you are not a heavy user, while both have a 256GB version. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8 GB | Mi 11 Pro has a 12 GB option, better for heavy multitasking and demanding apps; 8GB of RAM is typically sufficient for most users on the Edge 40. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so choosing enough storage is important. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both offer stereo speakers for immersive audio. Xiaomi offers Hi-Res Audio and Motorola offers Dolby Atmos technologies. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Mi 11 Pro offers superior screen protection. The edge 40 screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, etc. | Fingerprint, Proximity, etc. | Mi 11 Pro includes a heart rate sensor for additional health monitoring features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density, and significantly higher brightness offering sharper and more vivid visuals, especially beneficial under bright sunlight.
- More Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset and Adreno 660 GPU offer better overall performance for demanding tasks and graphically intensive gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Triple camera setup with a larger sensor on the main camera and the addition of a telephoto lens, offers more zoom versatility. It has the ability to record 8K video.
- Larger Battery & Advanced Charging: Larger battery capacity combined with faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capability, beneficial for heavy users.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Including heart rate and more satellite positioning systems.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better screen protection against drops and scratches.
Motorola Edge 40 Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter Design: More pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use, making it easier to carry around.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations with a 144Hz refresh rate.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android, offering the latest features, security patches and promised updates.
- eSIM support: Adds the convenience of digital sim cards.
- Advanced Bluetooth Codecs: Better audio quality for supported headphones using the SBC and LHDC codecs.
- Wider Aperture Main Camera: Allows for capturing more light in low-light conditions.
- Wide Angle + Macro Camera: More versatility in terms of the photos you can capture.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro: Larger and heavier, less comfortable to carry around, older software, inferior bluetooth codecs.
- Edge 40: Less powerful chipset and less capable camera system, smaller battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Power Users & Gamers: Those who need the highest performance for demanding apps and games.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value advanced camera features and zoom versatility, as well as top quality video capabilities.
- Heavy Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos and need a bright and high-resolution display.
- Users Needing Long Battery Life: Those who need their phone to last throughout the day and use advanced charging options.
Ideal Users for Motorola Edge 40:
- Everyday Users: People who want a good all-around phone with a smooth user experience and a more compact form factor.
- Users Prioritizing Portability: Those who prefer a lighter and easier-to-handle device.
- Software Enthusiasts: Users who want a phone with the latest version of Android and who value the smooth software experience.
- Audiophiles: Benefit from the additional advanced Bluetooth Codecs.
- Users looking for balanced and versatile camera capabilities.
Specific Use Cases:
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Gaming on high settings.
- Professional video recording in 8K.
- Viewing high-resolution content in direct sunlight.
- Power users with multiple heavy apps running at once.
Motorola Edge 40:
- Comfortable daily use with smoother scrolling.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos for social media.
- Carrying a lightweight, pocketable device for everyday use.
- Making use of the latest Android software and features.
Price-to-Value:
- Based on the launch prices, Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is expected to be more expensive as it is a flagship device compared to the Motorola Edge 40 which is more of a mid-range device. But both offer good value for different kinds of users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance or portability? If performance, display quality and advanced cameras are important, choose the Mi 11 Pro. If you prefer a lighter, more compact phone with a good screen and latest Android experience, choose the Edge 40.
- What is your primary use case for the camera? If you value zoom versatility and 8K video, choose the Mi 11 Pro. If you prefer a wider aperture main camera with an extra wide/macro lens and a high resolution selfie, choose the Edge 40.
- Is long battery life and wireless charging essential for you? If yes, the Mi 11 Pro with a bigger battery and faster wireless charging. However, if you can manage with a slightly smaller battery and wireless charging, the Edge 40 is still a good choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming & Heavy Usage: If gaming and running demanding apps are your priority, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the clear choice due to its superior performance and high-resolution, bright display.
Scenario 2: Everyday Use & Portability: If you prioritize a phone that is easy to carry, comfortable to use with a smooth UI experience, and you don't require the highest performance, the Motorola Edge 40 is the better option.
Scenario 3: Versatile Photography with Zoom: If you need a versatile camera with a good zoom lens, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is a better fit.
Scenario 4: Balanced and Updated Experience: If you desire a balanced smartphone with updated software, good camera capabilities, the Motorola Edge 40 would be suitable.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. My priorities generally fall on performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. The Mi 11 Pro's superior processing power, significantly brighter and higher-resolution display, and its more versatile camera system (with the telephoto lens and 8K video) make it the better choice for my needs. The larger battery and fast wireless charging are also very attractive features. While the Motorola Edge 40 is a very capable phone with a more compact form factor and a newer Android version, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's raw power and superior display are more aligned with my personal preferences and typical usage scenarios, such as mobile gaming, photography and watching high-resolution content on the go. I am also fine with a slightly heavier device for the benefits that it provides.
