Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-02 | 2023-10-05 | S23 FE is a much newer device. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 158 × 76.5 × 8.2 mm | Mi 11 Pro is taller and slightly thicker; S23 FE is wider. |
| Weight | 208g | 209g | Practically identical weight; both feel substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.4" | Mi 11 Pro offers a larger screen, better for media consumption & multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2340 | Mi 11 Pro provides noticeably sharper text and images. |
| PPI | 515 | 403 | Mi 11 Pro displays finer details due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 Pro has much better visibility in bright sunlight. Samsung brightness spec is missing but it is known to be lower than the Mi 11 Pro. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Exynos 2200 (International) | S23 FE's chipset is newer, with better power efficiency & overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 1,188,176 | S23 FE exhibits faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Xclipse 920 (International) | S23 FE's GPU is more powerful for gaming and graphics intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Mi 11 Pro likely has slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Mi 11 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 67W | 15W | Mi 11 Pro has much faster wireless charging |
| Reverse Wireless | 10W | 4.4W | Mi 11 Pro can charge accessories slightly faster wirelessly. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor | Mi 11 Pro's larger sensor should capture more light in low light, S23 FE is has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto | 8MP (Telephoto+Macro) | 8MP (Telephoto + Portrait) | Both have a telephoto lens but the Mi 11 Pro's also has macro capabilities. S23 FE has portrait capabilities |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" sensor | Mi 11 Pro has a higher resolution selfie camera, while S23 FE's sensor is larger. |
| Wide-angle | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1" sensor | Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens; S23 FE has a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both record high-quality video; Mi 11 Pro records 4k@60fps and S23 FE can do 1080p@240fps. |
| DxOMark | Main: 124, Photo: 118, Video: 132 | Main: 127, Photo: 124, Video: 131 | S23 FE is rated better for overall image quality & photos, Mi 11 Pro better at video recording. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 (Upgradable to 17) | S23 FE offers a more recent Android version and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | S23 FE has a newer Bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Mi 11 Pro has more satellite system support for better accuracy |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB | Mi 11 Pro offers more RAM which is beneficial for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Both offer stereo speakers. The Mi 11 Pro offers Hi-Res audio while the S23 FE offers Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both have standard fingerprint sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Mi 11 Pro has better scratch resistance. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Larger, Sharper Display: The 6.81-inch 1440p screen provides a more immersive viewing experience with greater detail.
- Superior Brightness: Significantly higher brightness (1700 nits) makes it much more usable in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 67W wired and wireless charging mean less time plugged into the wall.
- Larger Camera Sensor: Larger 1/1.12" main camera sensor for better low-light performance.
- More RAM (optional): 12GB RAM variant available for heavy multitasking.
- More precise GPS: More satellite system support leads to better GPS performance.
- Hi-Res Audio: Provides better audio quality for music enthusiasts.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers improved scratch resistance.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: The Exynos 2200 is more powerful and energy-efficient than the Snapdragon 888, offering faster performance.
- Higher Benchmarks: The higher AnTuTu score translates to a snappier experience in daily use.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with a newer Android version (13), with longer software support.
- Better Photo Quality: Higher DxOMark photo score implies better overall image quality.
- More advanced Bluetooth: Supports Bluetooth 5.3 which is more stable than 5.2
- More mature feature set: Better all around features with support for Dual PDAF, All Pixel Omni- Directional PDAF, Exposure compensation, Night Mode, and Dual Sight.
- Telephoto Portrait Lens: The S23 FE has a telephoto lens optimized for portraits.
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro: The older chipset may not be as power-efficient or as fast as the S23 FE. The phone is also older which means updates will stop sooner.
- S23 FE: Smaller display, lower resolution, lower brightness, slower charging, and smaller battery might be a compromise for some users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Media consumers, gamers who prefer larger displays, users who want the best low light camera performance, and users who need a fast charging phone.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos on a large, sharp screen.
- Playing visually intensive games where screen resolution and size matter.
- Photography in challenging lighting conditions, maximizing low-light performance.
- Users needing fast charging and good battery life.
- Price-to-Value: While older, the Mi 11 Pro can still be a strong contender for users who prioritize display quality, low-light performance and fast charging above all else, often at a lower price point.
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE:
- Ideal User: Users seeking a modern Android experience, better overall performance, and better photo quality with longer software support.
- Use Cases:
- Smooth multitasking and running demanding apps.
- Taking everyday photos with excellent clarity and vibrant colors.
- Users who value newer software updates and overall better user experience.
- Price-to-Value: The S23 FE offers a good balance of performance and features at its price point, and comes with a more future-proof device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Display Priority: Is a larger, sharper, and brighter screen with better sunlight visibility paramount, or are other factors more important?
- Performance Needs: How important is raw speed, gaming performance, and multi-tasking? Do you need the latest chipset and long term software support?
- Camera Focus: Do you prioritize low-light camera performance, or overall image quality and telephoto portrait shots?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the power user who needs long lasting software support: The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE would be a better fit with its newer chipset, better performance and guaranteed long term software support.
- For the media consumer: The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro's larger, higher resolution and brighter display make it a much better fit for watching videos and other multimedia content.
- For budget conscious buyers: If you can find the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro at a lower price, it can be the better option if you value screen quality and charging speeds.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE. Here's why:
- Overall Performance: The newer chipset and significantly better benchmark scores on the S23 FE indicate a smoother and more responsive experience, especially important for daily use and multitasking. This ensures the phone feels fast and fluid.
- Software and Support: The S23 FE is launched with Android 13 and is promised to get Android 17 and long term security updates. With the Mi 11 Pro being over two years old, its software support is limited, and using an older Android version may not be ideal in the long run.
- Camera Performance: While the Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor, the DxOMark scores show the S23 FE has better photo quality overall, while only being slightly worse on video. With the addition of more camera features, the S23 FE is a more balanced phone.
- Future-Proofing: With a newer chipset, the S23 FE is likely to remain relevant for longer, offering better value in the long run as it won't feel as slow or outdated as the older Mi 11 Pro.
While the Mi 11 Pro boasts a superior display on paper, the benefits of the S23 FE’s newer processor, better software support, and overall better camera and user experience make it the more sensible choice for me. The slightly smaller display of the S23 FE is a reasonable compromise for the other benefits it offers.
