1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 163.7 × 76.1 × 7.6 mm | Xiaomi is thicker, A73 is wider. Mi 11 Pro is slightly larger overall. A73 is more compact. |
| Weight | 208g | 181g | A73 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. Mi 11 Pro will feel denser in hand. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Mi 11 Pro offers superior screen scratch and shatter resistance. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger screen, providing a slightly more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly sharper display with noticeably clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 515 | 393 | Mi 11 Pro offers a much higher pixel density for greater visual detail, resulting in a sharper overall display experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED, but the Mi 11 Pro has a sharper image. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 Pro has much higher peak brightness for excellent visibility in direct sunlight. Samsung's brightness is not specified, making it unreliable for a comparison |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G (6nm) | Mi 11 Pro has a faster, more powerful chipset for better gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 575,551 | Mi 11 Pro shows significantly better performance for demanding tasks and games with faster loading times and smoother operation. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 642L | Mi 11 Pro has a more powerful GPU, offering smoother gameplay at higher settings. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" sensor, 1.4µm pixels | 108MP, f/1.8 | A73 captures more detail in ideal lighting with a higher resolution but the Xiaomi features a larger sensor. Sensor information is missing for the A73 |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor, 0.8µm pixels | 32MP, f/2.2 | A73's higher resolution front camera should capture more detail, and the wider aperture allows more light to reach the sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor, 1.12µm pixels | 12MP, f/2.2 | Similar quality; slight advantage to the Mi 11 Pro in terms of resolution. Sensor information is missing for the A73 |
| Depth Camera | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4 | A73 has a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4 | A73 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, 1/4.4" sensor, 1.0µm pixels | N/A | Mi 11 Pro offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, allowing you to capture far away details with greater clarity. This is also a macro lens. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, EIS, HDR | 4K@30fps, EIS | Mi 11 Pro offers higher video recording resolutions and frame rates. |
| DXOMark | 124 (Mobile) | Not tested | Mi 11 Pro's camera capabilities are tested and validated by DXOMark. No data available for Samsung |
| Camera Features | More advanced features, including 8K video, optical zoom, laser autofocus, RAW, etc. | Additional features: Exposure Compensation, Quadruple camera | Mi 11 Pro is a more powerful tool for advanced photographers and videographers. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Similar battery capacity for comparable battery life, though usage habits always affect results. |
| Charging | 67W wired, 67W wireless | 25W wired | Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, both wirelessly and with the wired connection. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging, Reverse Wireless charging | Bypass Charging | Mi 11 Pro offers convenient charging options (Wireless and reverse wireless), but A73 allows for bypass charging, meaning the device is powered from the charger, which can reduce heat when gaming or using power-intensive applications |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and significantly brighter screen, providing a much clearer and more enjoyable viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Flagship Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, resulting in smoother multitasking and better gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: 8K video recording, a dedicated telephoto camera (that also doubles as macro), more advanced features (RAW, laser AF), and superior camera test results.
- Fast Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging for greater convenience.
- Better Build: Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior protection against drops and scratches.
- More GPS Systems: More GPS systems ensure more accurate location tracking.
- Better Audio: Higher quality audio, better audio separation and immersion.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable to hold and carry for extended periods.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: More megapixels to capture more details in ideal lighting.
- Macro and Depth Lenses: Dedicated lenses allow for more versatile photography, particularly close-up and portrait shots.
- Newer OS: Ships with a newer Android version, suggesting more support and long term usage.
- Bypass Charging: Allows the device to be powered from the charger when gaming or using power-intensive applications.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro sacrifices portability for higher performance, a sharper display, and better charging options.
- The A73 5G prioritizes a more lightweight design and has higher megapixel counts on some of its cameras, but falls short in general performance, screen quality, and charging speed when compared to the Mi 11 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone who values performance and visual quality. Users who appreciate higher quality build materials and higher performance devices.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming at the highest settings
- Video editing and creation
- Demanding multitasking and app usage
- Viewing high-resolution content, especially in bright conditions
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various scenarios
- Frequent travelling, where having multiple GPS systems can come in handy
- Listening to High-Res Audio, having a high quality audio experience.
- Price-to-Value: Offers flagship-level performance and features, providing excellent value for users who need top-tier performance and camera capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who want a lightweight device with a good camera and an updated OS, but with less demand for extreme performance.
- Use Cases:
- Casual photography and social media sharing
- Everyday use, social media, web browsing
- Extended use (comfortable, lightweight form factor)
- Users who prioritize the latest OS for long-term use and updates
- Casual gaming
- Users that want bypass charging
- Price-to-Value: Provides a good balance of features and performance at a mid-range price point but lacks in key areas such as screen quality and raw performance.
4. Decision Framework
Consider these key questions to determine which phone best fits your needs:
- Do you prioritize performance and screen quality over everything? If yes, the Mi 11 Pro is the clear choice.
- Do you want a device that is lighter and more comfortable to hold? If yes, the A73 5G may be preferable.
- What is the importance of camera features, including optical zoom, and 8K video? If you do not mind sacrificing these features for slightly more detailed images in ideal lighting, then the A73 5G is ideal.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Mobile Gamer
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The superior chipset, GPU, and display provide a much better gaming experience.
- Scenario 2: The Casual User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A73 5G. Offers good all-around performance, a lighter design, and is ideal for everyday use, social media, and casual photography.
- Scenario 3: The Photography Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While it doesn't have dedicated macro and depth lenses, it offers a superior main sensor and a dedicated telephoto lens, as well as advanced features (RAW, Laser AF), making it a more capable photographic tool. The results from DXOMark testing indicate better real world photographic performance compared to the A73.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is lighter and has some advantages in certain camera features, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro provides a superior overall experience. I prioritize performance, a high-quality display, fast charging, and a more versatile camera system for my day to day use. The advantages of a higher resolution, brighter screen, significantly faster performance, and much quicker charging, as well as the added telephoto zoom capabilities make it more aligned with my needs than the slightly more comfortable design of the A73.
