Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Nokia G42
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Nokia G42 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 165 × 75.8 × 8.6 mm | Nokia G42 slightly larger, might feel less comfortable for one-handed use for some. |
| Weight | 208g | 193.8g | Nokia G42 is 14.2g lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.56" | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience due to larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1612 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has much sharper display, better for reading text, viewing photos, video consumption, and detailed graphics. |
| PPI | 515 | 269 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro provides significantly higher clarity, making individual pixels indiscernible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro displays smoother animations and scrolling, which is particularly noticeable in fast-paced games and user interface navigation. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is much better for outdoor use in bright sunlight due to significantly higher brightness, while the Nokia G42 brightness is unknown, implying poor or unquantified outdoor performance. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Significantly faster, better for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 380,000 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro exhibits superior performance, leading to smoother and faster operation of apps and the OS. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 619 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a much more powerful GPU, resulting in a much smoother gaming experience and faster graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life under similar usage, but real-world usage will depend on chipset efficiency and usage patterns. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging, wireless 67W | 20W fast charging | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, resulting in less downtime waiting for a full battery. Includes wireless charging. |
| Battery Features | Reverse, wireless charging, non-removable | Non-removable, no charger included in the box | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro can charge other devices wirelessly, the Nokia G42 does not come with a charger. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" Samsung GN2 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has larger sensor size which captures more light for better low-light performance, however the Nokia G42 has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.8 vs f/1.95) |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro captures much more detailed selfies, Nokia G42 has wider aperture for better low-light. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Omnivision OV13B10 | Not present | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers versatile photography with a wide-angle camera. |
| Depth | Not present | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nokia G42 offers portrait mode effect. |
| Macro | Not present | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nokia G42 allows for macro photography |
| Telephoto/Macro | 8MP, 1/4.4" Omnivision OV08A10 | Not present | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has telephoto camera for optical zoom capabilities, and macro. |
| Video | Up to 8K, EIS, HDR | 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers much higher quality video recording with higher resolution, HDR, and EIS for stable footage. |
| DxOMark | 124 Mobile Score | Not tested | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro’s camera capabilities have been rated and are considered very good while the Nokia G42 is not available. |
| Camera Features | Extensive features like OIS, Laser AF, RAW | Basic features including HDR and panorama | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro provides much greater control and flexibility for photography and videography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13, upgradable to 14 | Nokia G42 comes with newer Android, and will have a longer software support life. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has MIMO for slightly better Wi-Fi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, aptX, LDAC, AAC | 5.1 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro uses newer Bluetooth standard and supports high quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | Advanced systems including dual-band | Basic GPS systems | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro more accurately locates position via satellite and can be used in challenging situations. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Single SIM | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro allows using two SIMs, which is convenient for business and personal use, and international travel. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128 GB | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has an additional 128 GB for the higher tier model. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 4/6 GB | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro can run much more demanding tasks simultaneously without slowdowns. |
| Expandable | Not expandable | Not expandable | Neither phone can increase storage via microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | 2 microphones | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro provides better quality audio playback, stereo sound, and better voice capture for calls/recordings. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Nokia G42 uses a more modern approach to a fingerprint scanner and is more convenient than the sensor on Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 3 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro screen is more resistant to scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Heart Rate | Basic Sensors | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro additional sensor provides more health-related metrics. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, AMOLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and dramatically higher brightness makes it much better for media consumption, gaming, and outdoor visibility.
- Much Higher Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly better processing power, which means faster loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Multiple cameras (including wide-angle and telephoto), larger main sensor, higher resolution selfie camera, 8K video recording, advanced features (OIS, laser AF, RAW support), makes it far more versatile for photography and videography.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 67W wired and wireless charging is significantly faster than Nokia's 20W.
- Additional Features: Stereo speakers, better microphones, heart rate sensor, Wi-Fi MIMO, advanced Bluetooth codecs, more advanced GPS, dual SIM support, and higher RAM options.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
Nokia G42 Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13 (upgradable to 14), providing a more modern experience and longer software support.
- Slightly Lighter: 14.2g lighter than the Mi 11 Pro.
- Slightly Wider Aperture on Main and Front Camera: Can be better for low-light photography, but is likely limited by its image sensors.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: More convenient than the Xiaomi fingerprint scanner.
- Additional Camera Sensors Includes dedicated macro and depth sensors, which can be useful for some users.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Older OS out of the box, significantly more expensive when new
- Nokia G42: Much weaker performance, inferior display, much lower camera quality, and no wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, photography enthusiasts, media consumers who prioritize the best possible display quality, performance, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming: High-performance gaming with smooth graphics and fast loading times.
- Professional Photography & Videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos with multiple lenses, advanced features, and 8K recording.
- Media Consumption: Watching high-resolution videos and enjoying vibrant colors with the AMOLED display and stereo speakers.
- Heavy Multitasking: Running numerous apps simultaneously without experiencing lag or slowdown.
Nokia G42:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious buyers who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks, such as calls, social media browsing, and casual photography, and value a longer software update lifespan.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday Communication: Making calls, sending messages, and checking emails.
- Casual Social Media: Basic browsing, interacting with social platforms.
- Basic Photography: Taking casual photos and videos.
- Longer Software Support: Getting future Android updates for a longer time.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro was a flagship device at launch and will cost more to buy second hand than a budget device like the Nokia G42
- How important are performance, display quality and camera capabilities to you? The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro excels in these aspects, while the Nokia G42 is much more basic.
- How important is having the latest version of Android for you? The Nokia G42 has a much newer version of Android and will receive updates for longer.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the primary concern: Choose the Nokia G42 for its lower cost and more modern Android version.
- Scenario 2: Prioritizing display, performance, and camera above all else: The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the clear winner, offering a vastly superior user experience if you can find one in good condition at an acceptable price.
- Scenario 3: Balancing budget and software updates: If you can find a used Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro at a good price it might make sense to buy this. If not, the Nokia G42 will offer better software support.
What I would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro, assuming that I could find a good quality used one at a price that I am comfortable with.
My reasoning is primarily based on the sheer difference in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities. As a person who values a smooth and immersive user experience, the Mi 11 Pro's AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and high resolution is a significant advantage for media consumption, and its top-tier Snapdragon 888 chipset is invaluable for multitasking, mobile gaming, and other intensive tasks.
While the Nokia G42 does have a more up-to-date operating system, for my needs the much better all-round performance of the Mi 11 Pro, is more important than having the latest version of Android.
Therefore, I value performance, screen and camera significantly more than software updates and would personally select the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro if available at a price that I consider reasonable.
