1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | OnePlus Nord 3 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm | 162 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly taller and thicker; Nord 3 is wider. Minimal practical difference. |
| Weight | 208g | 193.5g | Nord 3 is noticeably lighter, which may be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus front | Unknown | Mi 11 Pro offers superior scratch protection for the screen. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | OnePlus Nord 3 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.74" | Similar screen sizes, barely noticeable difference in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1240 x 2772 | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly sharper display, better for detailed content & VR. |
| PPI | 515 | 451 | Mi 11 Pro display is noticeably clearer and more detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Similar color quality and deep blacks; Both are vibrant displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1450 nits | Mi 11 Pro is significantly brighter, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | OnePlus Nord 3 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm) | Nord 3 offers better overall performance in benchmarks, leading to smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 1,103,441 | Nord 3 has higher benchmark scores, indicating better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G710 MC10 | Nord 3's GPU should offer superior graphics performance in gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | OnePlus Nord 3 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" Samsung GN2 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" Sony IMX890 | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor for better low-light performance, while Nord 3 has a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" Sony IMX471 Exmor RS | Mi 11 Pro has higher resolution and slightly wider aperture. Nord 3 has slightly larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Omnivision OV13B10 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | Mi 11 Pro has higher resolution, while Nord 3 has slightly larger sensor. |
| Macro | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Nord 3 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, lacking on the Mi 11 Pro. |
| Telephoto + Macro | 8MP, 1/4.4" Omnivision OV08A10 | N/A | Mi 11 Pro has telephoto + macro lens while Nord 3 does not offer. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, EIS, HDR | 4K@60fps, EIS | Mi 11 Pro supports higher resolution video (8K), while both offer stabilization. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 124 (Photo: 118, Video: 132) | N/A | Mi 11 Pro has a tested score, giving some idea about camera performance, no data for Nord 3 available. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | OnePlus Nord 3 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity; similar usage time likely. |
| Charging | 67W wired, 67W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | 80W wired | Nord 3 has faster wired charging; Mi 11 Pro has wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging | Non-removable | Mi 11 Pro has additional battery features like wireless charging, reverse charging and reverse wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Significantly higher resolution and PPI, resulting in a clearer viewing experience, especially for detailed content, gaming or VR.
- Brighter Display: 250 nits higher peak brightness makes the screen more visible in direct sunlight.
- Versatile Camera System: Features a larger main sensor, a telephoto + macro lens, and 8K video recording.
- Wireless Charging: Includes both fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities, a rarity in smartphones.
- More comprehensive GPS: More satellite system support for better location accuracy.
OnePlus Nord 3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Newer chipset resulting in a significantly higher AnTuTu score and smoother performance.
- Faster Charging: 80W wired charging is notably faster than the 67W offered by the Mi 11 Pro.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13 and planned to upgrade to Android 16.
- Lighter Design: Slightly lighter, which may be more comfortable for longer use.
- Macro Lens: Has a macro camera for taking close-up pictures.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3 for faster data transfer, less energy consumption, and greater range.
- Additional Audio Feature: Dolby Atmos for better audio experience.
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro: Sacrifices some performance compared to Nord 3 for a better camera system and wireless charging.
- Nord 3: Sacrifices some camera versatility and sharpness compared to Mi 11 Pro for better performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal Users:
- Content Creators: Benefit from 8K video recording, OIS and versatile camera system.
- Media Enthusiasts: Enjoy a sharper, brighter display with Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers.
- Power Users: Who value wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Users needing precise location: The Mi 11 Pro supports more satellite systems.
Use Cases:
* Professional photography/videography
* High quality mobile gaming, VR
* Long trips when wireless charging is important
* Outdoor usage in direct sunlight
OnePlus Nord 3 Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Benefit from a powerful chipset for smooth performance, and Dolby Atmos audio.
- Everyday Users: Who prioritize speed and fast charging, not requiring advanced camera features.
- Users who need a device with long software support: Ships with newer Android OS and planned to upgrade to Android 16.
- Users who need a macro camera: The Nord 3 is equipped with this feature.
Use Cases:
* Mobile gaming with high frame rates
* Quick charging before heading out
* Everyday multitasking and social media use
* Taking close-up macro photos
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The price of these devices may vary based on region and promotions. Evaluate if the Mi 11 Pro's superior display and camera are worth the trade-off in performance, or if the Nord 3’s superior performance and charging speed fits better within your budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my priority: Camera or Performance?
- Do you prioritize a versatile camera system and sharper display (Mi 11 Pro) or raw processing power and faster charging (Nord 3)?
- Do I need wireless charging and other battery features?
- Do you need wireless charging and reverse wireless charging that the Mi 11 Pro offers, or do you just need very fast charging like the Nord 3 offers?
- How important is software support?
- Do you want to have a phone with a new software version, and planned updates, such as the Nord 3, or are you fine with an older one, such as the Mi 11 Pro?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Photography Enthusiast): Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. Its larger sensor, versatile lenses, and higher video recording quality will deliver better results for photography.
- Scenario 2 (Mobile Gamer): Choose the OnePlus Nord 3. Its superior chipset and GPU will provide a smoother gaming experience, with Dolby Atmos audio.
- Scenario 3 (Everyday User with Fast Charging): Choose the OnePlus Nord 3. The faster charging and newer software will likely lead to a more convenient and longer-lasting daily experience.
- Scenario 4 (Power User Needing Versatility): Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The wireless charging, superior screen and GPS features make it a versatile choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would lean towards the OnePlus Nord 3. While the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a sharper display, better camera system and wireless charging capabilities, the Nord 3's superior performance, faster charging, newer software version and lighter build aligns better with my needs for a smooth, everyday mobile experience and long-term use. The performance difference is significant and this, along with the long-term software updates, matters more to me than the slightly better display and camera system found on the Mi 11 Pro.
