1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Realme 9i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 164.4 × 75.7 × 8.4 mm | Realme 9i is slightly wider, making it feel less comfortable in small hands. Similar size overall. |
| Weight | 208g | 190g | Realme 9i is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.6" | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience with a larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2412 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a much sharper display, providing crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 400 PPI | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro display is noticeably sharper with finer details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers superior blacks, contrast, color vibrancy, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro provides dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is significantly faster, offering better performance for gaming, multitasking and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 216,850 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro provides much smoother overall performance, app loading and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 610 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro enables noticeably better graphics performance in games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12", 1.40µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro’s larger sensor captures more light, resulting in better image quality, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.80µm | 16MP, f/2.1, 1/3.13", 1.00µm | Realme 9i’s wider aperture and larger pixel size potentially offer better low-light performance for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro captures wide-angle photos, whereas the Realme 9i does not. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Realme 9i can take dedicated macro photos for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Realme 9i can capture black and white photos. |
| Telephoto + Macro Lens | 8MP, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro can capture zoomed in or far away details. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a dramatically better video recording capabilities up to 8K resolution. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | No | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has better video stabilization. |
| DXOMark Score | 124 (Mobile) | Not Tested | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a good camera score which shows it has better performance. |
| Camera Features | Extensive, incl. OIS, 8K | Basic set of features | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro’s camera is more versatile and equipped with advanced features. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both offer comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Charging Features | Reverse Wireless, 67W Wireless | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has the ability to charge other devices wirelessly and also has wireless charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Realme 9i offers more recent software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers faster Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | Comprehensive | Basic | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has more accurate and reliable location services. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers more storage at the high end. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB/6GB | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has more RAM, providing smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has better audio capture and playback. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme 9i offers faster fingerprint unlock. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Heart Rate; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has more sensors, offering better functionality in applications and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, brightness, and refresh rate offers a much better viewing experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset delivers significantly faster processing and graphics for demanding tasks.
- More Versatile Camera System: Features a superior main sensor, plus telephoto and wide-angle lenses, alongside advanced video capabilities.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 67W wired and wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging, provides more convenience.
- Advanced Connectivity: Offers newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for better performance.
- Enhanced Audio: 3 microphones for better audio capture
Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection
- Practical Implications: The Mi 11 Pro is designed for users who value top-tier performance, a high-quality display, and advanced camera capabilities for photography and videography. Its faster charging and wireless capabilities add convenience.
Realme 9i Advantages:
- Lighter and Slimmer: Easier to handle and carry for extended periods.
- Macro Camera: Offers dedicated macro lens for close-up photography
- Black & white Camera: Offers dedicated black and white lens for creative photography
- Potentially Better Selfie Camera: Larger pixel size for selfie camera may offer better low-light performance.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient fingerprint sensor placement.
- More Recent Software: It offers upgrade to Android 13.
- Practical Implications: The Realme 9i is designed for users who prioritize a comfortable, budget-friendly option with a good battery life and focus on everyday usage. It has a decent camera for standard shots and it is designed for a lighter feel.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Higher price, heavier and slightly bigger.
- Realme 9i: Significantly lower performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, photography enthusiasts, gamers, and those who prioritize a premium display and top-tier performance.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming on high settings
- Editing photos and videos
- Watching HDR content
- Demanding multitasking
- Professional photography and videography
- Price-to-Value: High price, but justified for the performance and feature set.
Realme 9i:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life, a comfortable design, and basic camera functionality.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and communication
- Basic photography
- Long battery life for travel
- Light gaming
- Price-to-Value: Great value for the price, providing essential features and good battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is a premium-priced phone, while the Realme 9i is more budget-friendly.
- What are your priorities? Do you need top-tier performance and camera capabilities, or is a comfortable experience with good battery life sufficient?
- How important is display quality and outdoor visibility? The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a superior display in all aspects, especially brightness.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is tight and you mainly need a phone for basic tasks, the Realme 9i is the more sensible choice due to its affordable price, adequate performance for basic tasks, and decent battery life.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Camera Enthusiast: If you want the best possible performance, display quality and camera capabilities, and you have the budget, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the obvious choice, offering premium features and performance.
- Scenario 3: General Everyday Use with Good Screen: If you want a more well rounded approach, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is still the better option since its display and performance are so much better than the Realme 9i.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
Here's why:
- Prioritizing Performance: As someone who uses my phone for a variety of tasks including multitasking, some gaming, and photo/video editing, the Snapdragon 888 chipset is a must-have for me. The performance difference between the two phones is staggering.
- Superior Visual Experience: The AMOLED display with high resolution, brightness, and refresh rate is very important to me. It ensures a great viewing experience whether I am watching videos, browsing the web, or playing games.
- Advanced Camera Features: While the Realme 9i offers additional lenses such as the macro and black and white lens, the quality and versatility of the main camera, and the additional telephoto lens on the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro are more appealing. The 8K recording and advanced video stabilization are also key for content creation.
- Faster Charging: The faster wired and wireless charging capabilities of the Mi 11 Pro will save time.
While the Realme 9i does have a lighter design and more recent software updates (which are not available for the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro), it is a budget phone that caters to completely different needs. The performance, display and camera of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro make it the preferred choice, despite the higher price. If budget was not a concern, I would always choose the higher performing phone.
