Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Sony Xperia 10 III
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Sony Xperia 10 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 154 × 68 × 8.3 mm | The Mi 11 Pro is noticeably larger and slightly thicker, affecting pocketability and one-handed use. The Xperia is more compact. |
| Weight | 208g | 169g | The Xperia 10 III is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Mi 11 Pro can feel heavy. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6" | The Mi 11 Pro offers a much larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. Xperia's is more suitable for smaller hands. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2520 | The Mi 11 Pro has a sharper display with noticeably higher detail clarity, great for detailed content. The Xperia's is still good. |
| PPI | 515 | 457 | Higher pixel density on the Mi 11 Pro results in finer details and crisper text; better for reading and viewing high-res images/videos. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both are high-quality display technologies with great colors and contrast. Practical difference is minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The Mi 11 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate provides much smoother animations and scrolling, enhancing the user experience. The Xperia's is adequate. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | The Mi 11 Pro is significantly brighter, providing better outdoor visibility under sunlight. Xperia 10 III brightness is missing, potentially a big weakness |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Snapdragon 690 (8nm) | The Mi 11 Pro's chipset is much faster and more efficient, providing smoother performance in all tasks and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 275,000 | The Mi 11 Pro has vastly superior performance, loading apps and handling demanding tasks faster. The Xperia 10 III is much slower. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 619 | The Mi 11 Pro has significantly better graphics performance, resulting in a better gaming experience. The Xperia's is basic. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Mi 11 Pro has a slightly larger battery, likely providing slightly better battery life. |
| Charging | 67W fast, 67W wireless | 18W fast | The Mi 11 Pro charges much faster via wired and wireless charging, while the Xperia 10 III charging is considerably slower. |
| Features | Reverse charging, wireless charging | Non-removable | The Mi 11 Pro can charge other devices and has wireless charging capabilities, the Xperia 10 III lacks these features. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" | 12MP, f/1.8 | The Mi 11 Pro's main sensor captures more detail and performs better in low-light due to its larger sensor size. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | - | 8MP, f/2.4 | The Xperia 10 III has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens. The Mi 11 Pro uses its telephoto + macro lens for this. |
| Selfie | 20MP, f/2.3 | 8MP, f/2.0 | The Mi 11 Pro's front camera offers more detail. Xperia has a slightly wider aperture and may perform slightly better in low light for selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Mi 11 Pro's ultrawide camera has slightly higher resolution. |
| Telephoto/Macro | 8MP, f/2.0 | - | The Mi 11 Pro includes a dedicated telephoto/macro lens offering versatile shooting. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps | The Mi 11 Pro supports higher video resolution and frame rates, better for high-quality videos. |
| DxOMark | 124 | N/A | The Mi 11 Pro has a good camera score; lack of a DxOMark score for Xperia 10 III makes it difficult to compare. |
| Features | 8K, OIS, Laser AF, PDAF | Exposure Compensation | The Mi 11 Pro has a more advanced and feature-rich camera system. Xperia has limited capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Both ship with Android 11, but the Xperia 10 III can be upgraded to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | The Mi 11 Pro supports newer WiFi standards, offering faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | The Mi 11 Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with LE Low Energy consumption, improving connectivity. Xperia has more profile options |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Mi 11 Pro supports more satellite systems, leading to better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128 GB | The Mi 11 Pro has more storage options, allowing for more apps, photos and videos. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 6 GB | The Mi 11 Pro has more RAM, enabling better multitasking and smoother performance with demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, 3 Mics | 2 Mics, Hi-Res Audio | The Mi 11 Pro has better sound output with stereo speakers and better audio capture, The Xperia has better sound quality with Hi-Res audio |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner is better and more reliable for unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 6 | Xiaomi has better screen protection than the Sony. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides significantly better performance for gaming and resource-intensive tasks.
- Higher Quality Display: Larger, higher resolution, higher refresh rate, and much brighter screen offer a much better viewing experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers 8K recording, larger sensor, telephoto/macro lens and generally takes superior photos and videos.
- Faster Charging: 67W wired and wireless charging allows for much quicker battery replenishment.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers provide a richer sound experience and 3 microphones for clearer voice recording.
- More RAM/Storage Options: Provides options for 12GB RAM and 256 GB of storage for more demanding users.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus provides much better screen protection.
Sony Xperia 10 III Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter Design: Easier to handle and carry around, fitting better in pockets.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto/portrait lens offers greater flexibility when taking photos.
- Headphone Jack: Included.
- Potentially better battery efficiency: A less powerful chipset and smaller screen may result in longer battery life despite the smaller capacity (unconfirmed).
- More Bluetooth Profiles: Sony supports more profiles for broader device connectivity.
- More up-to-date software: Upgradeable to Android 13
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More advanced fingerprint reader.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro: Bulkier and heavier, not as pocketable.
- Sony Xperia 10 III: Significantly slower performance, lower-quality display, basic camera, and slower charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Media Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos or enjoy high-quality visual content.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with high image and video quality.
- Users who value fast charging: Those who need to quickly recharge their device.
- Those who value best in class screen quality and brightness:
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming at the highest settings.
- Editing videos and photos on the go.
- Consuming HDR content in bright sunlight.
- Using multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
Sony Xperia 10 III Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a more affordable phone and aren't too concerned with top-tier performance.
- Users Who Value Compactness and Lightness: Individuals who prefer a smaller, more lightweight phone that is easier to handle with one hand and store in a pocket.
- Users who want a longer software support life cycle:
- Users with Headphones: Those who want to use wired headphones
Use Cases:
- Everyday use: browsing, messaging, social media, etc.
- Basic photography and video recording for casual use.
- Users who require very long battery life and aren't overly concerned with performance.
- Listening to music using wired headphones.
- Those who don't play very demanding games.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The Mi 11 Pro is a high-end phone that comes at a premium price, while the Sony Xperia 10 III is in the mid-range price. The Mi 11 Pro offers significantly more value to those who need top-tier specifications and capabilities, and while the Xperia 10 III is cheaper, it is significantly slower, with a very basic camera, and a far lower quality display that might impact its value in some use cases.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming, media consumption, productivity, basic daily use)
- How important is performance to me? (Do I need a top-tier chipset, or is an average one sufficient?)
- What's my budget? (Am I looking for a premium device, or something more affordable?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gaming/Power Users: If you want the best gaming and performance capabilities, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the clear choice. Its powerful processor, superior display, and better cooling system are ideal for resource-intensive activities.
- For Casual/Budget-Conscious Users: If you prioritize affordability, portability, and are okay with basic performance, the Sony Xperia 10 III may suffice, but the major compromises need to be seriously considered.
- For Media Consumption and Photography: The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is again the better choice, offering a larger, brighter, higher resolution display, faster charging, more advanced camera features, and better audio output.
- For Compactness and Everyday Use: The Sony Xperia 10 III offers a significantly more compact and light design that might be better for people with smaller hands or those who don't want a heavier phone.
Personal Choice
Given the specifications, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The massive difference in display quality, brightness and performance is very important to me, and the significantly more advanced camera, charging system and audio output also justify the larger size and weight, making for a far more capable phone. The smaller, cheaper Sony Xperia 10 III has far too many compromises in key areas that would impact my daily use.
