Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Realme 9 Pro+
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 160.2 × 73.3 × 8 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly larger and bulkier, might be less comfortable for small hands. Realme 9 Pro+ is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 208g | 182g | Realme 9 Pro+ is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. Mi 11 Pro feels heavier in hand. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus Screen | Gorilla Glass 5 Screen | Mi 11 Pro has more robust scratch and drop protection on the screen. Realme 9 Pro+ offers good, but less advanced protection. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.4" | Mi 11 Pro provides a larger viewing area, ideal for media consumption and multitasking. Realme 9 Pro+ is more compact, better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2400 | Mi 11 Pro has a sharper display with much higher pixel density, resulting in better clarity and detail. |
| PPI | 515 | 411 | Mi 11 Pro's display will appear noticeably sharper. Fine text and detailed images are clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Mi 11 Pro has smoother animations and scrolling. It may result in a slightly more responsive user experience especially while gaming. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 Pro has drastically higher brightness making it much more viewable outdoors, especially under sunlight. The brightness for the Realme 9 Pro+ is missing, this is a significant omission. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Dimensity 920 (6nm) | Mi 11 Pro’s chipset provides superior processing power, leading to faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 496,970 | Mi 11 Pro demonstrates significantly higher performance, handling demanding tasks and games much better. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mi 11 Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, leading to better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" sensor | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor, capturing more light and detail. Realme 9 Pro+ has a slightly wider aperture which can help in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor | Mi 11 Pro offers higher resolution selfies, but the Realme 9 Pro+ has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor | Mi 11 Pro has higher resolution wide-angle shots. The Realme 9 Pro+ has a larger sensor on this lens. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | Realme 9 Pro+ includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, while Mi 11 Pro lacks this feature. |
| Telephoto + macro | 8MP, 1/4.4" sensor | N/A | Mi 11 Pro offers a telephoto lens for zoomed shots while the Realme 9 Pro+ does not. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Mi 11 Pro has advanced video recording capabilities, offering 8K recording for professional-quality footage. |
| DXOMark Score | 124 | N/A | Mi 11 Pro has a DxOMark score of 124, the camera quality is more established. The Realme 9 Pro+ score is missing. |
| Features | More advanced features including optical zoom, laser focus, phase detection AF | Includes exposure compensation and night mode | Both provide a good set of camera features, with the Mi 11 Pro providing more advanced options. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Mi 11 Pro has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life for extended use. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging | 60W fast charging | Mi 11 Pro has slightly faster wired charging. |
| Features | 67W wireless, 10W reverse wireless charging | None | Mi 11 Pro offers convenient wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgrade to 13) | Realme 9 Pro+ offers a newer Android version with the possibility of future updates. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 6GB or 8GB | Mi 11 Pro offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and faster app switching. |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both phones have similar storage options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic, 2 mics | Realme 9 Pro+ has better sound through Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation; Mi 11 Pro offers 3 mics for potentially better voice capture. |
| Connectivity | More GPS options, Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2, fewer GPS options | Mi 11 Pro has more satellite support for better GPS accuracy; Realme 9 Pro+ Bluetooth also includes SBC |
| Sensors | More Sensors: Compass | Geomagnetic sensor | Mi 11 Pro has a compass; Realme 9 Pro+ has a geomagnetic sensor. Both phones offer a good set of sensors for everyday use and more advanced applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers much higher performance in benchmarks, leading to smoother gaming, faster app launches, and better multitasking.
- Higher Resolution Display: The 1440p display is noticeably sharper than the 1080p display on the Realme 9 Pro+.
- Brighter Display: With 1700 nits of peak brightness, the Mi 11 Pro display is much more visible in bright outdoor conditions. The Realme 9 Pro+'s brightness is not specified.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery, compared to the Realme 9 Pro+'s 4500mAh battery, provides more capacity for longer usage.
- Faster Charging: Faster wired and wireless charging options.
- More Advanced Camera: Has a larger main sensor, dedicated telephoto lens, and 8K video capabilities, resulting in better image quality, better zoom and higher video resolution.
- More RAM: Up to 12 GB of RAM available.
- More Satellite Options: GPS includes support for Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System for better location accuracy.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus.
Realme 9 Pro+ Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 12, with possible upgrades to 13, and a more modern experience.
- Lighter and More Compact: Its lighter and more compact design makes it more comfortable for prolonged use and handling.
- Macro Lens: Features a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Dolby Atmos: Better sound features.
- SBC Codec: In addition to the other codecs shared with the Mi 11 Pro, the Realme 9 Pro+ has SBC.
- Night Mode: Improved low light shooting.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Larger and heavier, missing a dedicated macro lens, older OS.
- Realme 9 Pro+: Lower performance, less sharp display, significantly lower brightness (value missing), smaller battery, no telephoto camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Ideal User
- Power Users: Those who require top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and other intensive tasks.
- Media Enthusiasts: Individuals who prioritize a high-resolution, bright display for consuming video content.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want advanced camera features with 8k video recording, better image quality and zoom capabilities.
- Those Prioritizing Battery: People that need the longest battery life possible.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile Gaming: Smooth gameplay with advanced graphics settings.
- High-Resolution Video Streaming: Enjoy sharp content with vibrant colors and details.
- Outdoor Photography: Easy visibility under direct sunlight and more detail.
- Heavy Multitasking: Seamless operation with numerous apps open simultaneously.
Realme 9 Pro+: Ideal User
- Budget-Conscious: Users who want a good overall experience without paying the premium for top-tier hardware.
- Casual Photographers: Those who enjoy taking photos in various situations, including close-up shots.
- Those Prioritizing Design and Ergonomics: Users who prefer a lighter, more comfortable, and more compact design.
- Users who want a newer OS: Ships with Android 12, with possible upgrade to 13.
Specific Use Cases:
- Social Media Use: A good everyday phone for social media, browsing, and communication.
- Casual Photography: Capturing everyday moments, including close-up shots with the macro lens.
- Comfortable One-Handed Use: Its compact size makes it easy to use and handle with one hand.
- Better sound quality: Dolby Atmos provides enhanced sound.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is top-tier performance for your usage? (Gaming, productivity, etc.)
- How much do you prioritize screen quality (sharpness, brightness)? (Media consumption, outdoor visibility)
- Do you prioritize camera versatility over just quality? (Macro lens, telephoto capabilities, video resolution).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Maximum Performance & Premium Display: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro if performance, resolution and brightness are important.
- For a More Comfortable Design & a Capable Camera: Choose the Realme 9 Pro+ if you want a more compact, lighter phone that also has a good everyday camera and macro lens.
- For Those Prioritizing OS: Choose the Realme 9 Pro+ for a more up to date android operating system.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
Here's why:
While both are good phones, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's advantages are more aligned with my priorities. The vastly superior processing power of the Snapdragon 888 ensures smooth performance in demanding applications and mobile games. The higher resolution and especially brightness of the display is important to my experience when consuming content, playing games and taking photos. While the lack of a macro camera is noted, the inclusion of the telephoto lens provides more versatility. The larger battery, faster wired and wireless charging is also a significant benefit. Even though it is an older operating system it is not a dealbreaker, since all my applications will still work as expected.
Ultimately, the Mi 11 Pro feels like it offers a more premium experience due to its powerful performance, advanced display and more versatile camera.
