1. Specifications Comparison
Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 163.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly thicker and has a larger volume, G04s is a bit more compact. Difference might be noticeable in pocket or hand feel. |
Weight | 208g | 178.8g | G04s is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. Mi 11 Pro feels heavier, potentially more premium. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.81" | 6.56" | Mi 11 Pro offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1612 | Mi 11 Pro has a much sharper display, leading to crisper text and images. G04s may look less detailed to the naked eye. |
PPI | 515 | 269 | Mi 11 Pro offers significantly sharper display clarity for finer details. G04s will have a visibly less sharp screen, especially noticeable for reading. |
Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Mi 11 Pro has vibrant colours, deeper blacks, and better contrast; superior for dark mode use. G04s has good colour accuracy but lacks the pop. |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Mi 11 Pro offers smoother animations and scrolling, beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content. G04s has a decent refresh rate, but less fluid. |
Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits (spec missing) | Mi 11 Pro is highly visible even in bright sunlight. The Motorola is unknown (spec missing) but is expected to struggle under bright sunlight when compared to the 1700 nits of the Xiaomi. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mi 11 Pro is significantly faster, better for demanding apps and games. G04s is suitable for basic tasks, slower overall. |
AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 220,000 | Mi 11 Pro is much faster, apps load quicker, multitasking is smoother, better gaming performance. G04s may struggle with intense workloads. |
GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mi 11 Pro offers much better graphics performance, superior for gaming and graphically demanding apps. G04s is adequate for casual use. |
Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50MP (1/1.12", f/1.95) | 50MP (1/2.76", f/1.8) | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor for better low-light performance. G04s has a slightly wider aperture, but sensor size will impact final results. |
Selfie Camera | 20MP (1/3.4", f/2.3) | 5MP (f/2.2) | Mi 11 Pro takes significantly higher resolution selfies with more detail. G04s has a lower resolution. |
Wide Angle Lens | 13MP | Not Available | Mi 11 Pro offers versatile wide-angle shots for landscapes and group photos. G04s cannot take wide-angle shots. |
Telephoto/Macro | 8MP | Not Available | Mi 11 Pro offers zoom capabilities and macro shots. G04s does not have a dedicated telephoto or macro lens. |
Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Mi 11 Pro has significantly better video quality and more options for video recording. G04s is limited to 1080p at 30fps. |
DxoMark | Mobile: 124, Photo: 118, Video: 132 | Not Available | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro performs better in camera benchmarks. DxoMark score not available for Moto G04s. |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity for comparable battery life (assuming similar usage). |
Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. G04s will take longer to charge. |
Features | Wireless charging, Reverse Charging | No Additional Features | Mi 11 Pro offers more flexibility in charging options. G04s charges slower and has no additional options. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | G04s offers a more recent Android experience with new features and security updates. Mi 11 Pro's OS is outdated. |
Connectivity | |||
WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Mi 11 Pro has newer Wi-Fi for faster speeds and better network performance. G04s has older, slower Wi-Fi. |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Mi 11 Pro has the latest Bluetooth offering slightly better connection stability and efficiency. |
GPS | More systems | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Xiaomi has more precise location tracking capabilities |
SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both can operate 2 SIMs simultaneously. |
Storage | |||
Internal | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Both have similar maximum storage capacity. Mi 11 Pro has higher starting storage options. The Motorola has a lower entry level 64 GB offering. |
RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB | Mi 11 Pro has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and app switching. G04s has limited RAM which may lead to slowing down with multiple applications open. |
Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio | |||
Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo | Dolby Atmos | Mi 11 Pro has superior audio quality, better for music and video. G04s offers an immersive audio experience via headphones. |
Security | |||
Features | In-display fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensors are generally faster and more reliable than in-display ones. |
Build | |||
Protection | GG Victus | GG 3 | Xiaomi has significantly stronger scratch and drop resistance. |
Sensors | |||
Sensors | Heart rate, Compass | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has additional sensor features suitable for health tracking and navigation |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, AMOLED technology, higher refresh rate, and higher brightness. Practical impact: significantly better viewing experience for media, gaming, and outdoor visibility.
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: High-end Snapdragon 888 chipset, substantially better benchmarks, and more RAM. Practical impact: smooth multitasking, lag-free gaming, and future-proof performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Better sensors, higher resolution selfie camera, wide-angle and telephoto/macro lenses, superior video capabilities. Practical impact: versatile photography and higher quality image/video capture.
- Faster Charging and Battery Features: 67W wired and wireless fast charging, reverse charging. Practical impact: less charging time and the ability to charge other devices.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and more GPS systems. Practical impact: faster and more reliable wireless connections, accurate location tracking.
- Better Audio Quality: Hi-Res Audio and Stereo speakers. Practical impact: higher quality audio playback.
- Superior Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Practical impact: Better protection against scratches and drops
Motorola Moto G04s Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- More Recent OS: Ships with Android 14, providing the latest features.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Potentially faster and more reliable.
- Lower Price: Likely more affordable, making it budget-friendly.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro sacrifices newer software for significantly better performance and display quality.
- G04s prioritizes newer software and affordability at the cost of lower performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who need fast performance for demanding applications, multitasking, and high-end gaming.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize display quality for watching videos, viewing photos, and playing games with vibrant colours.
- Photography Lovers: Individuals who want a versatile camera system with excellent image quality and video recording capabilities.
- Users who need strong battery performance and charging speed: Fast charging and wireless charging capabilities for those who want the convenience of fast top-ups.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming: High frame rates, smooth graphics, low latency, superior speakers
- Professional photography and videography: 8K video recording, high quality still captures, and versatile lens options.
- Outdoor use: High brightness display visibility
- Long trips and travel: Fast charging and high performance for navigation and video.
Motorola Moto G04s Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who want a functional smartphone without breaking the bank.
- Basic Smartphone Users: People who primarily use their phone for calls, messages, browsing, and social media.
- Users who want the most recent Android OS: Android 14.
Specific Use Cases:
- Daily communication: Suitable for basic tasks like calling, messaging, and social media.
- General browsing and light media consumption: Decent display for casual video watching.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The G04s is likely significantly cheaper, making it a budget option. The Mi 11 Pro is an older flagship with high performance, and will likely cost more.
- How important is performance and display quality to you? If you need the best gaming experience, high-resolution videos, smooth multitasking, the Mi 11 Pro is a clear choice.
- What is the primary use of your phone? If it’s primarily for basic communication and media consumption, the G04s would be suitable. However, the Mi 11 Pro will make all tasks feel better to use.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance & Image quality: If you need maximum performance, a top-tier display, and a versatile camera, and you're willing to pay more, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget and Basic Needs: If you prioritize a low price and are mainly using the phone for basic tasks and value the latest OS, the Motorola Moto G04s is a reasonable option.
- Scenario 3: Balancing Performance & Software : If the user wants to balance performance with new software, the user might find a newer mid-range option than either of these phones suitable.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would select the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
My reasoning:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers a drastically superior user experience for all tasks, including gaming and productivity, which will be important for years to come.
- Display: The AMOLED panel with its high resolution, refresh rate, and brightness is significantly better for media consumption, gaming, and daily use. The difference in quality will be obvious every time I look at the screen.
- Camera: As a user who values the ability to take high-quality photos and videos, the Mi 11 Pro's versatile camera system and video quality is the clear winner. The difference in sensor size and the inclusion of telephoto/wide angle lenses are very significant to me.
- Future-Proofing: While the OS is outdated, the high-end specs are more future-proof than the entry-level G04s.
- Overall Experience: While I appreciate the lighter weight and new OS in the G04s, the overall experience is significantly better with the Mi 11 Pro. The premium build quality and included extras like wireless charging is important for me.
Although the Mi 11 Pro has an older OS, the significantly better performance, screen, and camera outweigh the software difference for my use case.