Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Flip5 offers a unique foldable design for compact portability; Mi 11 Pro is a standard large-screen phone. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 165.1 × 71.9 × 6.9 mm | Mi 11 Pro is wider and thicker, making it bulkier in hand and pocket. Z Flip5 is slimmer and narrower when unfolded. |
| Weight | 208g | 187g | Z Flip5 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger screen for more immersive content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2640 | Mi 11 Pro offers significantly sharper and more detailed visuals due to higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 425 ppi | Mi 11 Pro has a sharper display with better text clarity and image detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Mi 11 Pro's AMOLED display offers superior blacks, contrast and color vibrancy than an unknown Z Flip5 display. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1750 nits | Z Flip5 has marginally higher peak brightness, which might be slightly better in direct sunlight, though the difference is not significant. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | Z Flip5's newer chip provides noticeably faster performance, better power efficiency, and is optimized for newer software. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 1,531,700 | Z Flip5 is significantly faster, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and enhanced gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | Z Flip5 has a newer, more powerful GPU, resulting in better graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" | 12MP, f/1.8 | Mi 11 Pro's main sensor captures higher resolution images with its larger sensor; Z Flip5's wider aperture helps low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 10MP, f/2.4 | Mi 11 Pro takes higher resolution selfies and has a slightly wider aperture for low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | 12MP, f/2.2 | Similar ultra-wide capabilities, though the Mi 11 Pro has a slightly higher resolution. |
| Telephoto + Macro | 8MP | None | Mi 11 Pro has dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed images; Z Flip5 lacks this dedicated lens for telephoto or macro photography. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps | Mi 11 Pro offers 8K recording for ultra-high-resolution video; Z Flip5 has excellent 4K recording with better slow motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 124, Photo: 118, Video: 132 | Mobile: 127, Photo: 132, Video: 128 | Z Flip5 has better photo quality while Mi 11 Pro has better video quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3700mAh | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Mi 11 Pro charges much faster than the Z Flip5, leading to shorter charging times. |
| Wireless Charging | 67W | 15W | Mi 11 Pro offers much faster wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 (upgradeable to 14) | Z Flip5 has a newer OS version and longer software support life. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer similar Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Z Flip5 has the latest Bluetooth version, potentially offering better connection stability. |
| GPS | Multi-system, QZSS, NavIC | Multi-system | Mi 11 Pro has more precise GPS capabilities with additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Z Flip5 offers the option for eSIM which provides flexibility in choosing carrier plans. Mi 11 Pro uses dual physical sim cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | Z Flip5 offers more storage. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 8GB | Mi 11 Pro offers more RAM on it's higher configuration, potentially enhancing multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, 3 microphones | Stereo Speakers | Mi 11 Pro has high-quality audio output and superior voice capturing with more microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Z Flip5's side mounted fingerprint is faster and more ergonomically placed. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density, and AMOLED technology result in a sharper, more vibrant display.
- Larger Battery: Significantly larger battery capacity for longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Much faster wired and wireless charging speeds.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio support, better sound quality and improved voice recording with additional microphones.
- More RAM (optional): Option for 12GB of RAM for heavier multitasking.
- More Precise GPS: Enhanced GPS capabilities with additional satellite systems.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Unique form factor for increased portability and a smaller footprint when folded.
- Newer Chipset: Significantly faster performance and better power efficiency with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip.
- Newer OS: Ships with a more recent version of Android, upgradable to Android 14, offering longer software support.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM for greater flexibility with mobile carrier plans.
- Better Photo Quality: Higher DxOMark photo score.
- More Storage Options: Comes with larger base storage of 256 GB and has a 512GB option available.
- Latest Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth version for improved connectivity.
- More Ergonomic Fingerprint Reader: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro has a bulkier design, while the Z Flip5 offers a more portable design but has a smaller battery capacity.
- Mi 11 Pro focuses on display quality, fast charging, and superior audio while Z Flip5 prioritizes performance, portability and a cutting edge design.
- The Mi 11 Pro offers a higher resolution main camera and a telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities, while the Z Flip5 excels in photo quality and has a more versatile selfie camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a large, high-quality display for media consumption.
- Users who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who value versatile camera setup and optical zoom capabilities.
- Users who need Hi-Res audio quality.
- Users who want the option for additional RAM for heavy multi-tasking.
Use Cases for Mi 11 Pro:
- Watching movies and videos on the go.
- Extensive mobile gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions, including telephoto shots.
- Listening to music with high-fidelity audio output.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Ideal User:
- Users who want a pocketable and stylish phone with a unique foldable design.
- Users who value top-tier performance and cutting-edge technology.
- Users who prioritize portability and convenience.
- Users who need the flexibility of eSIM.
- Users who desire the latest software and long term support.
Use Cases for Z Flip5:
- Taking quick photos and videos for social media.
- Hands-free video calls and content creation.
- Light gaming and multitasking.
- Using the phone in a variety of scenarios with a focus on portability and convenience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you value portability and the novelty of a foldable design over traditional form factors? If portability is key, and you are intrigued by foldable tech, the Z Flip5 is compelling. If you prefer a larger screen and don't mind a bigger device, Mi 11 Pro is the way to go.
- How important is battery life and fast charging? If you need all-day battery life and rapid charging, the Mi 11 Pro's large battery is a clear advantage. If you prioritize speed and convenience above battery life, the Z Flip5 is viable.
- What is your priority with respect to camera use - are you doing a lot of photography or is video recording more important? If you prioritize photography and need zoom capabilities, the Mi 11 Pro is a better fit with it's dedicated telephoto lens. If you prioritize overall image quality, the Z Flip5 is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Power User: If you want raw power, future software updates, and cutting edge technology with a sleek foldable design, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 is the best pick.
- For the Multimedia Enthusiast: If you prioritize display quality, audio, fast charging, and a telephoto zoom lens, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the ideal choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5. Although the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers a better display, camera features, and significantly faster charging, the cutting edge performance and portability offered by the Z Flip5 is what is most important to me. I appreciate the cutting edge tech of the Snapdragon Gen 2 processor, as well as the compact form factor offered by the foldable design and the eSIM for ease of use when traveling. While battery life is a consideration, the other advantages of the Z Flip5 outweigh this shortcoming for my needs.
