Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Nothing Phone (2)
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm | 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly taller, while Phone (2) is slightly wider. Both have similar thickness. Impacts in-hand feel and pocketability - user preference will dictate which feels better. |
| Weight | 208g | 201.2g | Phone (2) is slightly lighter, which can be noticeable during extended use making it more comfortable. |
| Build Material | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Unknown (screen) | Mi 11 Pro offers superior screen scratch resistance, while the Nothing Phone 2 build quality is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger screen, which provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2412 | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly sharper display due to higher resolution, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 394 ppi | Mi 11 Pro has much higher pixel density resulting in a more detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both technologies provide vibrant colors and deep blacks; user experience will be similar. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1600 nits | Mi 11 Pro has a brighter screen, which offers better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Phone (2) has a newer and more efficient chipset, resulting in better overall performance, faster app loading, and better sustained performance under heavy loads. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 1,135,786 | Phone (2) has a significantly higher benchmark score, indicating better performance in demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Phone (2)'s GPU is more powerful, offering better graphics performance for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.95, 1/1.12", 1.40µm) | 50MP (f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.00µm) | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor, capturing more light, which could result in better low-light performance. However, the slightly wider aperture on the Nothing Phone (2) lets in more light, which could mean less noise in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP (f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.80µm) | 32MP (f/2.45, 1/2.74", 0.80µm) | Phone (2) has higher resolution, potentially resulting in more detailed selfies, despite having a smaller aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP | N/A | Mi 11 Pro offers dedicated wide-angle shots for landscapes and group photos |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP | Nothing Phone 2 offers a more detailed wide-angle camera with macro capabilities for versatile shooting |
| Telephoto + Macro | 8MP | N/A | Xiaomi 11 Pro offers optical zoom, allowing for detailed close-ups |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Mi 11 Pro offers higher video resolution, suitable for professional content creation. Both offer stable video and slow motion capabilities, but Xiaomi has greater slow motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark Score | 124 (Mobile) | N/A | Mi 11 Pro’s camera has a proven track record based on independent lab tests. Nothing Phone 2 has no independent benchmarks available. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Optical Zoom, Triple Camera, Laser AF, RAW | Time-Lapse, Dual Camera, Night Mode, Exposure Compensation | Mi 11 Pro offers greater flexibility with optical zoom and RAW capture and features for pro users, while Phone (2) focuses on time-lapse, low light and night mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger battery, which may result in slightly longer battery life, though real-world usage will vary. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 67W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse Wireless | Mi 11 Pro offers superior wireless charging capabilities with faster speeds. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 13 | Phone (2) has a newer OS, offering more recent security patches and potentially more features. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both phones have similar Wi-Fi speeds and capabilities |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Phone (2) has a newer Bluetooth standard, potentially offering better energy efficiency and stability. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | Fewer Satellite Systems | Mi 11 Pro has more satellite systems leading to more accurate navigation in all areas. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Phone (2) offers larger storage options for users with lots of media. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both provide ample RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Both phones offer great audio quality and recording features. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Xiaomi offers a heart rate sensor, nothing phone 2 offers gravity sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper screen with noticeably better image clarity for detailed content and reading.
- Superior Brightness: Much better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor: Potentially better low-light performance due to greater light intake, though aperture is slightly smaller.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers professional-grade video resolution.
- Faster Charging: Significantly quicker charging times, minimizing downtime.
- Superior Wireless Charging: Faster wireless and reverse wireless charging speeds.
- More Satellite Systems: More accurate navigation due to a greater number of supported satellites.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Extra sensor useful for health tracking.
- Optical Zoom: Dedicated telephoto zoom allows for greater flexibility for photography
- RAW Capture Offers greater image data for professional editing.
- Established Camera Benchmark: Has been independently tested with clear results for comparison.
Nothing Phone (2) Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: More powerful and efficient processor for better overall performance and gaming experience.
- Higher Benchmark Scores: Demonstrates a significant performance advantage in demanding tasks and gaming.
- Newer Operating System: Offers the latest features and security updates from Google.
- 512GB Storage Option: For users who need large local media libraries.
- Wide Angle + Macro Camera More versatile wide-angle photography.
- Time-Lapse Feature: Offers more creativity options for videography
- Gravity Sensor Useful in motion based apps and games.
- Night Mode: Allows for better photos in dark environments
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro: Older chipset, may lack some newer software features, slightly heavier.
- Nothing Phone (2): Lower screen resolution, slightly smaller battery, does not have a telephoto camera, and screen protection is not specified.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal Users:
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize display quality, brightness, and camera features for capturing and enjoying content.
- Power Users: Benefit from faster charging and better outdoor display brightness.
- Photographers: Those who need optical zoom capabilities and RAW image capabilities for enhanced editing.
- Professionals: Requiring 8K video capture capabilities.
- Users Who Value Brand Recognition: Xiaomi has a more established reputation in the smartphone market.
Use Cases:
* Watching high-resolution movies and videos.
* Editing high resolution photos and videos on the go.
* Outdoor use with a bright, clear screen.
* Quickly charging before heading out.
* Taking professional quality photos and videos for social media or professional use.
* Users who require accurate navigation and use GPS often.
Nothing Phone (2) Ideal Users:
- Gamers and Performance Seekers: Those who prioritize raw processing power and smooth performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who value new features and software updates.
- Casual Photographers: Those seeking versatile shooting options with a good balance of quality and features for wide and macro photography.
- Users who Need More Storage Space: Users who require more than 256GB of internal storage.
- Users who value modern smartphone design: The Nothing Phone 2's transparent design will appeal to users looking for a unique and contemporary style.
Use Cases:
* Playing graphics-intensive mobile games.
* Using the latest Android features.
* Sharing photos and videos on social media.
* Users who need to store a large media library locally.
* Users who prefer the latest software updates from Google.
Price-to-Value:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: May offer better value if you can find it at a discounted price due to its age. The camera system and display are still very strong.
- Nothing Phone (2): Will be pricier, but the cutting edge chipset and software experience will be important for some users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Priority: Do you prioritize sharpness and brightness or are those a secondary concern?
- Performance Needs: Is raw power for gaming or app performance more important, or is smooth but not cutting edge performance adequate?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need the flexibility of optical zoom and RAW capture or do you value good standard and wide angle options with night mode?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The larger sensor, optical zoom, and RAW capture capabilities will be more useful and result in better photos. The brighter display will make framing photos easier in daylight.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer
- Recommendation: Nothing Phone (2). The more powerful chipset and GPU will provide a better gaming experience.
- Scenario 3: Casual User:
- Recommendation: Nothing Phone (2). The modern software experience and newer camera will provide a superior user experience to most. The extra storage available may also be useful.
- Scenario 4: Value-Conscious Buyer:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. If found at a lower price point, the display and camera performance will exceed similar phones in its price range.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would select the Nothing Phone (2). While the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers a superior screen, faster charging and better camera options for certain types of photos, the Nothing Phone 2’s newer chipset and OS is significantly better and will result in a superior user experience overall. The more recent chipset will not only make a noticeable difference in gaming but will make the phone feel fast and responsive on a day-to-day basis and is more efficient resulting in better battery life. The Nothing Phone 2 also offers better software support and storage, and is better overall for most users.
