1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Motorola Moto G35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 166.3 × 76 × 7.8 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly shorter and narrower, but thicker; G35 is taller and wider but slimmer. Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 208g | 188g | G35 is 20g lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.72" | Very similar screen size; negligible difference for daily use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 Pro has significantly sharper display (77.8% more pixels), better for detailed content and text. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 392 PPI | Mi 11 Pro has a noticeably sharper display, with finer details and smoother text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Mi 11 Pro has superior display with deeper blacks, better contrast, vibrant colors and better power efficiency when using dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1000 nits | Mi 11 Pro offers much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Unisoc T760 (6 nm) | Mi 11 Pro has a much more powerful processor; handles demanding apps, gaming and multitasking significantly better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 423,297 | Mi 11 Pro offers substantially faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 | Mi 11 Pro has superior graphics processing, significantly better for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity, expect comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging | 18W fast charging | Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, significantly reducing charging time. |
| Charging Features | 67W Wireless, 10W reverse wireless, reverse charging | Non-removable | Mi 11 Pro has significantly more versatile charging capabilities, including wireless charging and reverse charging to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" Samsung GN2 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | Mi 11 Pro has a much larger sensor, capturing more light and detail, resulting in better image quality, particularly in low light. G35 has a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Mi 11 Pro has higher resolution and a wider aperture, leading to better selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Omnivision OV13B10 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Mi 11 Pro captures more detailed wide-angle shots with higher resolution. |
| Telephoto/Macro | 8MP, 1/4.4" Omnivision OV08A10 | None | Mi 11 Pro offers dedicated telephoto and macro capabilities, better for distant objects and detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps | Mi 11 Pro offers higher video resolution, capturing more detailed video content, and has more advanced stabilization options. |
| Slow Motion | Up to 1920 fps | Up to 120 fps | Mi 11 Pro can capture much more detailed slow-motion footage. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, Optical Zoom, Laser AF, PDAF, RAW | 4K Video, Digital Zoom | Mi 11 Pro has additional features like 8K Video, OIS, Optical zoom, Laser AF and RAW. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 124, Photo: 118, Video: 132 | Not tested | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro camera performance is objectively superior. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 14 | Motorola has a much newer Android OS version, potentially with more features and improved security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Mi 11 Pro supports newer WiFi standard, offering faster speeds, lower latency, better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | 5.0, A2DP, LE, SBC, AAC | Mi 11 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version and more advanced audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Mi 11 Pro offers greater location accuracy with more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Motorola Moto G35 supports eSIM for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB/8GB | Mi 11 Pro offers more RAM, better for multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Mi 11 Pro offers higher quality audio playback and voice capture. G35 features Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | G35 uses more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Mi 11 Pro has significantly better scratch and shatter resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Mi 11 Pro has the same features and includes heart rate sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, better color accuracy, higher brightness, AMOLED technology.
- Much Better Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, better multitasking, faster loading, smoother gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Larger main sensor, dedicated telephoto and macro lens, 8K video recording, more advanced stabilization, greater zoom capabilities.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging capabilities; reverse charging.
- Better Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, improved location accuracy.
- Better Audio Features: Higher quality audio with Hi-Res audio and 3 microphones.
- Better Build: Superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus.
- More RAM Options: Available with 12 GB for demanding users.
Practical Implications: The Mi 11 Pro offers a flagship-level experience with high-end display quality, top performance, and advanced camera features. It's ideal for users who prioritize media consumption, gaming, and photography.
Motorola Moto G35 Advantages:
- Lighter and Slimmer: More comfortable for extended use and easier to carry around.
- Newer Software: Comes with a more recent version of Android (14).
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM functionality for digital carrier switching.
- Dolby Atmos: Features Dolby Atmos for a better audio experience.
- Lower Price: Likely more affordable than the Mi 11 Pro (this is implied and not in the specification).
Practical Implications: The Moto G35 prioritizes accessibility, with a focus on core features and a lightweight design, and a newer software version. It targets users seeking a solid smartphone experience for everyday tasks and those sensitive to weight and size.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro offers far superior performance and overall experience at the expense of a likely higher price point and slightly larger build, while the Moto G35 offers a lighter design, newer software and eSIM at the cost of a considerably weaker display, performance and camera.
- Mi 11 Pro has a more powerful chipset, better camera, better screen, and faster charging, but is older.
- The Motorola Moto G35 has newer software, but lacks some of the advanced features in performance, camera, and charging speed
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal Users:
- Power users who want top-tier performance.
- Mobile gamers and content creators.
- Photography enthusiasts.
- Users who value high-quality media consumption.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games at high settings.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Watching high-resolution movies and TV shows.
- Demanding multitasking between apps.
- Taking professional quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
Motorola Moto G35:
- Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious consumers.
- Users who prefer a lighter and slimmer phone.
- Users looking for a reliable device for everyday tasks.
- Users needing eSIM support.
- Users who prefer newer Android software.
- Use Cases:
- Browsing the web, social media and emails.
- Streaming music and videos.
- Taking casual photos and videos.
- Light multitasking between apps.
- Using eSIM for digital carrier switching.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Mi 11 Pro offers exceptional performance and features but is likely significantly more expensive, offering a premium value for power users.
- The Moto G35 is designed for budget-conscious buyers, providing a good user experience for daily tasks at a lower price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Mi 11 Pro is likely significantly more expensive than the Moto G35.
- How important is performance and display quality? The Mi 11 Pro offers a superior display and much better performance.
- How important are camera capabilities? The Mi 11 Pro offers much more advanced camera features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming & Media Enthusiast: If you need the best performance for gaming and high-quality media consumption, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User on a Budget: If you prioritize affordability, a lightweight design, the latest Android version, and basic daily use, the Motorola Moto G35 is more suitable.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you want the best camera capabilities, especially in low-light conditions and with various zoom options, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the best option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The much superior performance, display quality, and camera capabilities are worth the likely higher price point for my use cases. The Mi 11 Pro also offers more advanced connectivity, faster charging, and a more versatile camera system. While the Motorola G35 has a more recent Android version and a lighter design, the overall user experience of the Mi 11 Pro would be much more satisfying for me, especially for demanding tasks and mobile photography.
