Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy A35
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 161.7 × 78 × 8.2 mm | Mi 11 Pro is taller and slightly thicker; A35 is wider. Consider hand size and preferred feel. |
| Weight | 208g | 209g | Virtually identical weights; Minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.6" | Mi 11 Pro offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2340 | Mi 11 Pro has a much sharper and clearer display, better for detailed content and fine text. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 390 PPI | Mi 11 Pro's higher PPI results in visibly crisper images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED technology, offering excellent contrast and color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits (Data Missing) | Mi 11 Pro has significantly superior brightness, crucial for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. A35's brightness data is missing so a comparison can not be made. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Mi 11 Pro's Snapdragon 888 generally offers superior raw performance for demanding apps and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 578,500 | Mi 11 Pro achieves noticeably higher benchmark scores, indicating faster overall system responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Snapdragon's Adreno 660 tends to outperform the Mali-G68 in graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, expect comparable daily endurance. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging, Li-Ion Polymer | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless, Reverse Wireless | Non-removable | Mi 11 Pro offers more versatile charging options, including wireless charging and reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12", 1.40µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.96", 0.80µm | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor size, potentially resulting in better low-light performance. A35 has a wider aperture, which also helps in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.80µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Mi 11 Pro has higher resolution selfie, while A35's wider aperture and larger pixels help with low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | Mi 11 Pro captures wider angle shots with higher resolution and better detail. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | Samsung A35 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | N/A | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has a Telephoto lens, which allows optical zoom and macro focus. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, EIS, HDR | 4K@30fps, EIS | Mi 11 Pro offers higher resolution video recording capabilities and 8K video, making it suitable for advanced videography. |
| DXOMark Score | Main: 124, Photo: 118, Video: 132 | Main: 104, Photo: 107, Video: 110 | Mi 11 Pro has significantly better image and video quality according to DxOMark. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Samsung A35 offers a newer version of Android and is expected to receive updates for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support similar Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Samsung A35 has a newer version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), ... | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, ... | Mi 11 Pro supports more satellite systems for more accurate and reliable positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both have Dual SIM capability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 6GB/8GB | Mi 11 Pro provides more RAM for smoother multitasking and performance, especially for demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo | Both offer high-quality audio playback, while Mi 11 Pro has 3 mics for clearer audio recording and A35 has Dolby Atmos for enhanced sound quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both use basic fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both use Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for excellent scratch and impact resistance. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Hall, Geomagnetic | Mi 11 Pro features a heart rate sensor, compass, and proximity sensor. A35 features a Hall, Geomagnetic, and Ultrasonic proximity virtual. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly better processing power and graphics performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper display with higher pixel density for detailed content, enhanced text clarity, and a more immersive visual experience.
- Brighter Display: The 1700 nits brightness makes the display much more visible in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging and Wireless: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging capabilities. The added reverse wireless charging is a bonus for charging other accessories.
- Enhanced Camera System: Superior main camera sensor, telephoto lens, and 8K video capabilities offer a more versatile and high-quality photography experience. Better video and photo scores according to DxOMark.
- More RAM: Up to 12GB of RAM versus the A35's maximum of 8GB can allow better multitasking and more demanding apps to be run smoothly.
- Better Positioning: Has more Satellite System support for better location accuracy.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Advantages:
- Newer Android OS: Comes with Android 14, ensuring longer software support and the latest features.
- Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography which the Mi 11 Pro lacks.
- Newer Bluetooth: Comes with the 5.3 version for better connectivity.
- Dolby Atmos Support: For better audio quality.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro has older software than the A35.
- The Mi 11 Pro has no Macro lens, which the A35 has.
- The Mi 11 Pro's software is older than the A35's.
- The Mi 11 Pro's display does not include the brightness for comparison.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with high-resolution video recording and excellent low-light capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Those who value a large, high-resolution, bright screen for watching movies, browsing, and other media.
- Users Prioritizing Speed: Users who need the fastest possible charging speeds and wireless charging features.
- Users Prioritizing Positioning: Users who need highly accurate and reliable positioning using the best available systems.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Ideal User:
- General Users: Individuals who need a reliable phone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and photography.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a balanced device with a good display, decent performance, and modern software.
- Macro Photographers: Users who want a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Users who prioritize the newest Android OS.
- Users who value a more versatile sound experience.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mi 11 Pro: Professional photographers, mobile gamers, frequent travelers, power users, content creators, and users who prioritize performance over software.
- Galaxy A35: Casual users, social media enthusiasts, students, individuals seeking reliable everyday use, and those who desire the latest Android features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you need top-tier performance for demanding games and apps, or is a balanced performance acceptable? If you need top performance, the Mi 11 Pro is better, otherwise the A35 will be good for everyday tasks.
- Is camera quality and versatility a priority, or is a decent, all-around camera sufficient? If a high-quality, versatile camera system is a must, the Mi 11 Pro is the way to go. If you want an everyday camera that has a good balance of features, the A35 will satisfy.
- Do you prioritize the latest software features and longer software support, or is an older OS with more powerful hardware acceptable? If you need the latest software features, the A35 is the better option due to its new Android 14 OS, otherwise the Mi 11 Pro offers great hardware with older software.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer/Power User - The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the clear choice due to its superior processing power, graphics performance, and greater RAM.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User/Casual Photography - The Samsung Galaxy A35 is a suitable choice, offering decent performance, a good display, and the latest software, combined with a macro lens.
- Scenario 3: Professional Photography/Videography - The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro excels with its high-quality camera system, 8K video recording, and larger sensor size.
- Scenario 4: User who wants the newest version of Android - The Samsung Galaxy A35 is the best option due to it's Android 14 OS.
- Scenario 5: User who prioritizes battery charging and life - The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the best option due to it's fast charging, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While it is an older phone with an older OS, the overall performance benefits, including the superior display, faster charging, and enhanced camera system, outweigh the benefits of the newer software on the A35 for my personal usage habits. I prioritize performance, screen clarity, faster charging, and advanced camera features and the Mi 11 Pro excels in those areas. The lack of a macro camera is less impactful on my use case than the enhanced features I gain in other areas, and I believe the software would still be good enough for my daily activities.
