Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Sony Xperia 1 V
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.3 mm | The Xiaomi is wider and slightly thicker, might be less comfortable for smaller hands. The Sony is taller but narrower making it easier to grip. |
| Weight | 208g | 187g | The Sony is 21g lighter, which makes a noticeable difference during extended use and makes the Sony more pocketable. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both are very durable, but the Sony's newer Gorilla Glass offers a slightly better drop resistance. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.5" | The Xiaomi offers a larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. The Sony offers a smaller more pocketable phone with less viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1644x3840 | The Sony has a significantly sharper display with noticeably more detail. |
| PPI | 515 | 643 | The Sony has a much higher pixel density, leading to a noticeably clearer and sharper visual experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, differences are marginal and mostly down to calibration. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth, fluid experience for scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has superior outdoor visibility thanks to its higher brightness, the Sony's value is unknown and is assumed to be lower. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Sony has a newer, more powerful and efficient chip, resulting in much faster performance and better battery management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 1,365,441 | The Sony provides significantly faster app loading, better multitasking, and a smoother gaming experience due to higher benchmark scores. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | The Sony offers much improved graphics performance, ideal for high-end gaming and graphic-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 50MP | 48MP | Marginal difference in resolution. The Xiaomi's larger sensor and pixel size capture more light and detail. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.95 | f/1.9 | A marginal difference. The wider aperture of the Sony allows more light into the sensor, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.12" | 1/1.4" | The Xiaomi's larger sensor is likely to produce better low-light images. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 12MP | The Xiaomi captures more detail. The Sony has a wider aperture and a larger pixel size allowing more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | 1/2.93" | The Sony sensor is larger, which can improve low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 12MP | The Sony offers optical zoom capabilities and improved detail at a distance, while the Xiaomi relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 13MP | 12.2MP | Minimal difference in resolution. |
| Wide Angle Sensor Size | 1/3.06" | 1/2.55" | The Sony's larger sensor has better light sensitivity. |
| Telephoto + Macro Lens | 8MP | No | The Xiaomi has a dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up shots, the Sony does not offer this feature. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@120fps | The Xiaomi offers higher resolution video, while the Sony offers higher frame rate and a more extensive selection of recording modes. |
| DXOMark Score | 124 | Not Available | The Xiaomi camera has been tested and has a decent score. The Sony has not been tested, so it's hard to predict its quality. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Laser AF, Laser Autofocus, AF Assist Beam | Noise Reduction, Time-lapse, Contrast Autofocus, Night Mode | The Xiaomi has some unique focusing capabilities, while the Sony has advanced features for low light photography and noise management. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, resulting in similar battery life if the use is identical. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The Xiaomi charges much faster. A quick top-up is faster with the Xiaomi. |
| Wireless Charging | 67W | Reverse Wireless Charging | The Xiaomi has very fast wireless charging. The Sony can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 10W reverse-wireless charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging | Both phones can charge other devices. The Sony can charge the phone while playing games by using bypass charging, which is a better solution for gaming. |
Other Features
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Sony Xperia 1 V | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 (Upgradable to 14) | The Sony has a more modern version of Android and is likely to receive more updates. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, MiMO | WiFi 6 | Similar WiFi capabilities, but Xiaomi offers additional features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | The Sony offers a newer Bluetooth standard with more features. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | Fewer Satellite Systems | The Xiaomi offers more accurate positioning in areas with poor satellite visibility. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The Sony allows you to use an eSIM, which is very helpful if you have multiple phone numbers. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | The Sony offers higher storage options for users with large media libraries or many apps. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 12 GB | Both offer smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Xiaomi offers more in-depth audio capabilities and captures better quality audio, but the Sony has better sound processing. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | The Sony has a faster and more reliable fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Heart Rate, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Barometer, Hall, Pedometer, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | The Sony has additional sensors for advanced features and environmental tracking, while Xiaomi offers a Heart rate sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Larger Display: Offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Charges significantly faster, both wired and wirelessly, reducing downtime.
- Higher Video Resolution: Supports 8K video recording for professional-grade content creation.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers better close-up photography.
- More Microphones: Better audio capture.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Can be used for health monitoring.
- Wider Selection of Satellites: More precise GPS location.
Sony Xperia 1 V Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful Chipset: Provides significantly faster performance and better efficiency.
- Significantly Higher Benchmarks: Much faster app loading, better multitasking, and a smoother gaming experience.
- Higher Display Resolution and Pixel Density: Offers a noticeably sharper and clearer visual experience.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities, improving image quality at a distance.
- More Modern Android Version: Comes with Android 13 and is upgradable to Android 14.
- eSIM Support: Allows more convenient management of multiple phone numbers.
- Bypass Charging: Charging while gaming does not strain the battery.
- Better Bluetooth The device is using a more up to date Bluetooth version, resulting in better connectivity, better power management and more compatibility.
- Better Sensors The device offers a baromether for pressure measurments, a pedomether for step counting and a hall sensor to check the state of the magnetic field.
- Lighter: More comfortable for extended use and easier to carry around.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi: Lacks a telephoto lens and may not be as future-proof due to its older chipset and software.
- Sony: Slower charging speeds and may not be as visible outdoors due to lower brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Ideal for
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a large, bright screen for watching videos and browsing content in bright sunlight.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who like to explore different aspects of photography with a focus on macro, and capture 8K video and need good audio capture.
- Users Prioritizing Fast Charging: People who need to quickly top up their phone's battery and want fast wireless charging.
Sony Xperia 1 V: Ideal for
- Power Users: Users who need the fastest performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who need a versatile camera setup with quality zoom capabilities and advanced video recording features and who often take pictures at night.
- Users who like a more modern device: Those who want the newest Android software and a more premium build with a light frame.
- Users who like a more compact device: Those who want a smaller, pocketable device.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The price is not specified for both phones, but if we assume that the Mi 11 Pro is much cheaper due to its older specifications, then it offers a great price-to-value ratio. However, this is based on speculation. The newer Sony Xperia 1 V will likely offer better long-term value with its superior performance, software, and camera. The price will justify the value for the right user.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming, Media Consumption, Photography, Productivity, etc.)
- How important is display quality? (Size, Brightness, Resolution)
- How important is charging speed? (Wired, Wireless)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming: If gaming is the priority, the Sony Xperia 1 V is the better choice due to its superior performance, graphics, and bypass charging, despite a smaller screen.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor Media Consumption: If frequent outdoor usage is a necessity, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is better due to its much brighter screen.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Video: If photography and videography is the main priority, the Sony Xperia 1 V is the better choice due to its telephoto lens, low light capabilities and superior video recording modes, however, if you need 8K video, and close up photos, the Xiaomi might be a better fit.
- Scenario 4: General Use and Future-Proofing: The Sony Xperia 1 V is the better choice if future-proofing is a key concern, due to it being a newer device.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Sony Xperia 1 V.
Here's why:
While I value a bright screen, I find the performance and camera benefits of the Sony Xperia 1 V to be more compelling for my needs. As a tech enthusiast, I prioritize the latest technologies. The significant performance boost provided by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the higher display resolution, the more versatile camera system, and the more modern operating system and the lighter build make the Sony a better choice. I also take a lot of pictures at night. Despite the slower charging speeds, I find the other benefits to outweigh this drawback. I also prefer a more pocketable, light device. Although the Xiaomi is a good option, for me, the Sony Xperia 1 V provides a more complete and cutting-edge experience.
