1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Realme GT Neo 3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 163.3 × 75.6 × 8.2 mm | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is slightly thicker but similar in height and width; Realme GT Neo 3 is a bit more compact. |
| Weight | 208g | 188g | Realme GT Neo 3 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger display, providing a marginally more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2412 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers a significantly sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 394 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has noticeably sharper display for better image quality |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical display technology; both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1000 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G | Mediatek Dimensity 8100 | Different chipsets; both provide high-end performance, though performance varies slightly in specific tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 855,842 | Both phones offer virtually identical performance levels for gaming and app usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G610 MC6 | Different GPUs, slightly different performance characteristics in gaming scenarios. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer comparable battery life, depending on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging | 80W fast charging | Realme GT Neo 3 charges slightly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 67W wireless, 10W reverse-wireless | In-box 80W charger, Dual Battery | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has wireless charging and reverse wireless charging; Realme GT Neo 3 has faster wired charging and dual battery for better heat distribution. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" Samsung GN2 | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro boasts larger sensor for better low-light performance; Realme GT Neo 3 has a slightly wider aperture, also benefiting low-light |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1" Samsung S5K3P9 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has higher resolution and wider aperture for selfies; Realme GT Neo 3 has larger sensor |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Omnivision OV13B10 | 8MP, f/2.25, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a higher resolution wide-angle lens; Realme GT Neo 3 has a slightly larger sensor for slightly better light capturing |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Realme GT Neo 3 has a dedicated macro lens; Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro lacks a dedicated macro lens |
| Telephoto | 8MP, 1/4.4" Omnivision OV08A10 | None | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom capabilities; Realme GT Neo 3 lacks a telephoto lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro supports 8K video for professional use; both phones support excellent 4K video recording |
| DxOMark | 124 (Mobile) | Not Tested | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a known score with good photo and video results; Realme GT Neo 3 was not tested |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Realme GT Neo 3 comes with a newer Android version and more update support; Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has an older OS |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support similar WiFi standards. Xiaomi has MIMO |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Realme GT Neo 3 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering potentially better connectivity and efficiency |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS (L1+L5) | Both have comprehensive GPS support |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Realme GT Neo 3 offers a larger storage option |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 6/8/12 GB | Both offer ample RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic | Realme GT Neo 3 has a richer audio feature set; Xiaomi has more microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have similar fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has better screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Xiaomi has Heart Rate sensor and Compass; Realme has Hall and Geomagnetic sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and brightness, leading to a sharper and more visible display, especially outdoors.
- Advanced Main Camera: Larger sensor for better low-light performance and image quality.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated optical zoom capability, offering greater flexibility in photography.
- Wireless Charging: Supports both fast wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced durability.
- More Microphones: Three microphones for better audio capture in video recording.
- Heart Rate Sensor and Compass: Additional sensor features useful for fitness and navigation.
Realme GT Neo 3 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched later, with a newer processor, newer bluetooth version, and newer software, likely to receive longer software support.
- Faster Wired Charging: 80W fast charging for quicker battery top-ups.
- Lighter Design: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Newer Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.3 for potentially better connectivity.
- Dolby Atmos: Enhanced spatial audio.
- Hall Sensor and Geomagnetic sensor: Better gaming experience.
- Larger Storage Option: 512GB storage option.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro sacrifices some charging speed and portability (heavier) for a superior display, telephoto lens, and wireless charging.
- The Realme GT Neo 3 sacrifices the telephoto and wireless charging capabilities for faster-wired charging and a lighter design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Multimedia Enthusiast: Users who consume a lot of video content and value a high-resolution, bright display.
- Photography Buffs: Users who want versatility in their smartphone camera, including optical zoom and great low-light capabilities.
- Power Users: Users who require wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
- Users who want the best screen protection: The Gorilla Glass Victus will protect against drops and scratches
- Users who want more microphones for recording: The Xiaomi comes with 3 microphones.
- Users who need Compass and Heart Rate sensor for activities and sports.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows with vivid detail and clarity.
- Taking high-quality photos in various conditions, including zoomed shots.
- Traveling and need the reverse charging capabilities.
- Navigating using the compass, heart rate sensor for fitness.
Realme GT Neo 3 Ideal User:
- Gamers: The lighter phone is easier to handle for long gaming sessions.
- On-the-go Users: Those who prioritize quick charging and a lightweight design.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy taking close-up photos.
- Users who want newer software: Android 12 out of the box.
- Users who want more internal storage: The Realme has a 512GB option.
- Users who want spatial audio Dolby Atmos can provide better immersion with headphones.
- Users who want the latest Bluetooth version for better connectivity.
- Users who want Hall Sensor and Geomagnetic Sensor for gaming.
Use Cases:
- Gaming sessions and fast paced gameplay
- Quickly charging the phone between meetings
- Taking macro photos of nature or small objects.
- Enjoying music with high quality and better spatial audio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you prioritize a superior display and optical zoom in your camera system? If yes, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the better choice.
- Is fast wired charging and a lighter phone more important to you? If yes, the Realme GT Neo 3 is a better option.
- Do you need wireless charging or are you fine with only wired charging? If you need wireless charging, you should pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (The Photographer): A user wants the best camera quality, including zoom and low light. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is better due to its larger main camera sensor, telephoto lens, and optical zoom capabilities.
- Scenario 2 (The Gamer): A user wants a phone that can handle demanding games and has good battery life with fast charging. The Realme GT Neo 3 is the better option due to its lighter build, fast wired charging, and potentially better gaming performance with the Hall sensor.
- Scenario 3 (The Casual User): A user needs a reliable all-around phone for everyday use, without any specific needs. The Realme GT Neo 3 offers a newer experience with faster charging and a lighter build, making it a solid choice, with a lower price to value ratio.
- Scenario 4 (The Media Consumer): A user who watches a lot of videos. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is better because of its higher resolution screen and higher brightness, but the Realme GT Neo 3 also has great screens with immersive audio.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would select the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While the Realme GT Neo 3 has some strong advantages, the primary use of my smartphone is as a pocket camera, and the superior camera system of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the deciding factor. The telephoto lens for optical zoom, the larger main camera sensor, and the higher resolution screen will make my overall experience much better. I am also not too bothered with the slightly thicker size or the slower wired charging, as the wireless charging makes up for it. In addition, the heart rate sensor and the compass are features I would like to have on my phone.
