Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Flip6 offers a unique, pocketable design but may have a less robust hinge over time. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 165.1 × 71.9 × 6.9 mm | The Mi 11 Pro is wider and thicker, making the Z Flip6 more pocketable and ergonomic when folded. |
| Weight | 208g | 187g | The Z Flip6 is lighter, which improves comfort during prolonged usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.7" | The Mi 11 Pro offers a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive experience for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2640 | The Mi 11 Pro has a significantly sharper display with more detail, better for reading text and viewing high-resolution images. |
| PPI | 515 | 426 | The Mi 11 Pro's higher pixel density results in sharper text and images, enhancing visual clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | The Mi 11 Pro features AMOLED for richer blacks and more vibrant colours. The Z Flip6's display tech is unspecified. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | The Mi 11 Pro provides much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The Z Flip6 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Z Flip6 features a newer and more powerful processor, leading to better performance in daily tasks, gaming and overall speed. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 2,250,000 | The Z Flip6 achieves significantly higher benchmark scores, implying faster app loading and better multitasking capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | The Z Flip6 has a newer, more powerful GPU, offering a better gaming experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | The Mi 11 Pro's larger battery likely provides longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging | 25W fast charging | The Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | 67W wireless, 10W reverse-wireless | 25W fast wired, 15W fast wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless, Bypass Charging | The Mi 11 Pro offers faster wireless charging, while the Z Flip6 offers Bypass charging and faster overall wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/1.8, Pixel size unspecified | The Z Flip6 has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.8), which should lead to slightly better low-light performance. Sensor data is missing for Z Flip6. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 10MP, f/2.2, 1.22µm | The Mi 11 Pro has a higher-resolution selfie camera, but the Z Flip6's larger pixels may capture more light, sensor data is missing for Z Flip6. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.2, Pixel size unspecified | The Mi 11 Pro has a slightly higher resolution, but sensor data is missing for Z Flip6. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, 1/4.4", 1.0µm | None | The Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens, offering optical zoom capabilities. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps | The Mi 11 Pro offers higher video recording resolution (8K), suitable for professional videography, but missing frame rate at 1080p. |
| DxOMark Score | 124 (Mobile), 118 (Photo), 132 (Video) | 132 (Mobile), 132 (Photo), 128 (Video) | The Z Flip6 has a higher overall and photo score, but the Mi 11 Pro has a slightly higher video score. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, OIS, EIS, Laser AF, RAW | Dual Camera, OIS, Tracking AF, NPU AI Engine | The Mi 11 Pro offers triple camera setup with laser autofocus, and RAW, while Z Flip6 offers better AI powered features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | The Z Flip6 has a newer OS version, ensuring better compatibility with the latest apps and features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Both support modern WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | The Z Flip6 has a newer version of bluetooth which may offer more reliable and efficient connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Mi 11 Pro has additional GPS systems which may improve accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) + eSIM | The Z Flip6 offers eSIM support, useful for travelers and digital plans. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | The Z Flip6 offers higher storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12 GB | Both devices are capable of smooth multitasking, but the Z Flip6 has a minimum 12GB RAM option. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Stereo Speakers | The Mi 11 Pro offers better quality audio experience with Hi-Res Audio and additional microphones for better recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Z Flip6 has a more modern side-mounted sensor which may improve ease of use. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Z Flip6 has a slightly newer version of glass protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | The Z Flip6 adds a barometer, while the Mi 11 Pro includes a heart rate sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for crisper visuals.
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility under sunlight.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life due to higher capacity.
- Faster Charging: Much quicker wired and wireless charging, reducing downtime.
- Telephoto Camera: Offers optical zoom for better close-up photos.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio and additional microphones for a richer experience.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Built-in sensor for fitness tracking.
- 8K Video: Ability to record at 8K.
Practical Implications of Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Users who consume a lot of media, read text, or work in bright environments will find the display benefits highly advantageous.
- The larger battery and faster charging mean less worry about running out of power, ideal for heavy users and travelers.
- The telephoto camera offers more versatility for photographers, while Hi-Res audio and three microphones provide a more robust audio experience.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Unique, compact, pocketable form factor, good for portability.
- Newer Processor: Superior performance, better gaming and multitasking.
- Newer OS: Comes with a newer Android OS for better software compatibility and features.
- Higher Storage Options: Offers more storage options for large media libraries.
- eSIM Support: Dual SIM with eSIM for convenient carrier switching.
- Better Camera Scores: Higher DxOMark scores, especially for photography.
- Newer Bluetooth: More reliable wireless connections.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint sensor: More modern fingerprint sensor location.
- Bypass Charging: Allows to use the phone directly plugged in without battery strain.
Practical Implications of Z Flip6 Advantages:
- The foldable design caters to users who value compactness, portability and a unique form factor.
- The newer processor offers a snappier, smoother experience for demanding apps and games.
- eSIM provides flexible mobile plans, ideal for frequent travelers and digital nomads.
- The better DxOMark photo score indicates better image quality for photography enthusiasts, and Bypass Charging is useful for people gaming while charging.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro trades portability for a larger battery, sharper display and telephoto lens.
- The Z Flip6 sacrifices some screen size and camera versatility for the portability and innovative foldable design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Power Users: Users who need a long-lasting battery, high performance, and super fast charging.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who watch videos, read a lot of text, and enjoy high-resolution content.
- Amateur Photographers: Those who want a versatile camera system, including a telephoto lens and RAW capture.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate high quality audio playback and better recording.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Traveling extensively without frequent access to charging points.
- Watching movies, playing games, and reading long articles.
- Capturing a wide range of photos, including landscapes, portraits, and zoomed-in shots.
- Recording high-quality audio and capturing professional video.
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6:
- Fashion-Conscious Users: People who value aesthetics, portability and unique designs.
- Mobile Gamers: Users who need high performance for mobile gaming.
- Travelers: Individuals who benefit from eSIM and a compact phone for on-the-go use.
- Social Media Users: Those who value great camera performance and ease of carrying.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6:
- Carrying a small phone when exercising or going out and not wanting a big device in pocket.
- Playing graphic-intensive mobile games, browsing social media and multi-tasking.
- Traveling internationally and needing to switch carriers easily and quickly.
- Taking high-quality photos for sharing on social media.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Form Factor: Do you prefer the standard smartphone experience or the unique foldable design?
- Battery Life vs. Portability: Do you prioritize a longer battery life or pocketability and a lighter phone?
- Camera Versatility vs. Image Quality: Do you want a telephoto lens and more camera options or better image quality and AI features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "Power User": You need a phone that lasts all day, charges quickly, has a high-resolution screen, and a great camera. Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
- Scenario 2: "Frequent Traveler": You need a phone that is light, compact, and supports eSIM, while having modern performance. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6.
- Scenario 3: "Casual User": You want an all-around smartphone that is capable enough and reliable. Recommendation: Depending on your priorities, this could go either way. If you are on the go a lot, Z Flip6, otherwise Mi 11 Pro for better video, battery and display.
My Choice:
If I were choosing, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6. While the Mi 11 Pro offers a better screen, brighter display, better video recording, a telephoto lens, and a larger battery with faster charging, the Z Flip6 has a crucial edge in performance with the newer chipset, better overall camera performance with higher DxOMark scores and a unique form factor that really appeals to me. The foldable nature, superior performance, and more modern software experience make it more compelling, as a frequent traveler portability is key for me. Also, the Bypass charging and eSIM support are practical features for my typical usage pattern. The trade-off is a smaller battery and lack of a telephoto, but the benefits of a pocketable form factor and overall higher performance win me over.
