1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro and vivo iQOO 12, focusing on practical implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 163.2 × 75.9 × 8.1 mm | Minimal size difference; iQOO 12 is slightly wider and thinner, Mi 11 Pro slightly taller. The weight difference of 9.5 g is minor |
| Weight | 208g | 198.5g | iQOO 12 is negligibly lighter, beneficial for long usage |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.78" | Virtually identical screen sizes |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2800 | Mi 11 Pro has noticeably sharper details and text due to higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 515 | 453 | Mi 11 Pro's higher PPI offers sharper images and text |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Similar vibrant colors and deep blacks on both |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | iQOO 12 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, mainly noticeable in gaming and fast paced content. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 3000 nits | iQOO 12 has superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | iQOO 12 has significantly faster CPU and GPU; improved app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 2,020,000 | iQOO 12 offers a much smoother and faster experience, especially noticeable in demanding tasks |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 750 | iQOO 12 has superior graphics performance, better for gaming and GPU-intensive applications |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Similar battery capacity suggests comparable battery life; real-world performance varies by usage |
| Charging | 67W fast charging | 120W fast charging | iQOO 12 charges much faster; significant advantage for those needing a quick battery boost. |
| Features | 67W wireless, reverse, reverse wireless | None | Mi 11 Pro has additional wireless charging options and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" | 50MP, f/1.69, 1/1.3" | Mi 11 Pro has larger sensor for potentially better low-light performance; iQOO 12 has wider aperture for better light gathering. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1" | Mi 11 Pro has higher resolution and wider aperture, iQOO 12 has larger sensor; both perform well. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP Telephoto+Macro lens | 64MP Telephoto | iQOO 12 has a dedicated telephoto lens whereas the Mi 11 Pro has a telephoto + macro lens (compromise) |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP Wide Angle lens | 50MP Wide Angle + Macro | iQOO 12 has a dedicated wide angle and macro lens whereas the Mi 11 Pro has only a wide angle lens |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Similar video capabilities; both capable of 8K recording |
| DxOMark | 124 Main Score | Not Tested | Mi 11 Pro has a tested camera score, iQOO 12 has no data |
| Features | Laser AF, AF Assist Beam | Tracking AF, Noise reduction, Time-Lapse, Exposure compensation, Night Mode | Different additional camera features; iQOO 12 has better features for video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | iQOO 12 has a newer operating system with better features, performance, and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | iQOO 12 has newer Wi-Fi standard, faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | iQOO 12 has slightly newer Bluetooth with more features |
| GPS | More Satellite Support | Slightly Less Satellite Support | Mi 11 Pro has better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | iQOO 12 offers significantly higher storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 12GB/16GB | iQOO 12 has more RAM for better multitasking and gaming performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, 3 microphones, Stereo | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Mi 11 Pro offers better audio recording and playback due to Hi-Res Audio. iQOO 12 has Dolby atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Scanner | Basic Fingerprint Scanner | Similar fingerprint security; fast and reliable biometric authentication |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Mi 11 Pro has superior screen protection |
| Sensors | Heart Rate, Proximity, Motion | Proximity, Motion | Mi 11 Pro has additional Heart Rate Sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here’s a breakdown of the main advantages of each phone and their practical implications:
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI for crisper visuals. Implication: Better for reading text, viewing detailed images.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging: Convenience of wireless charging and ability to charge other devices. Implication: Useful for users with wireless chargers, or who need to charge accessories on the go.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Added health tracking capabilities. Implication: Useful for fitness-conscious users.
- Slightly better GPS: More satellite support, more accurate positioning.
vivo iQOO 12 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Newer chipset, superior CPU and GPU performance. Implication: Smoother app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Much Brighter Display: Superior visibility under direct sunlight. Implication: Better for outdoor use and readability.
- Faster Charging: 120W charging significantly reduces charging time. Implication: More convenience for quick battery top-ups.
- Newer OS: Android 14 for latest software features, security updates, and performance improvements. Implication: Better for user experience and device longevity.
- Newer Wifi: WiFi 7 standard for faster speeds and lower latency.
- More Storage/RAM Options: Higher storage capacities and RAM variants for power users. Implication: Ideal for those needing extensive storage and heavy multitasking.
- Dedicated telephoto lens + Wide Angle with Macro: more versatile camera setup compared to the Xiaomi
- Better video features: iQOO 12 has better video features, such as Tracking AF, Noise reduction, Time-Lapse, Exposure compensation, Night Mode.
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro: Slightly older performance, lacks faster charging, less storage, slightly worse display brightness, no telephoto lens.
- iQOO 12: No wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities, Slightly less sharp display, missing Heart rate sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is Ideal For:
- Users who prioritize screen sharpness for reading and detailed content viewing.
- Users who use wireless charging frequently or need the ability to reverse charge other devices.
- Users who want a tested camera performance.
- Users who prioritize Hi-Res Audio experience.
Specific Use Cases:
- Reading e-books or documents for extended periods.
- Viewing and editing high-resolution photos.
- Users who frequently need to charge wireless earbuds or other devices.
- General everyday use, for users who dont play video games
vivo iQOO 12 is Ideal For:
- Users who require top-tier performance for gaming or demanding apps.
- Users who need excellent outdoor visibility in bright conditions.
- Users who prioritize fast charging speeds.
- Users who value the latest software features and updates.
- Users who need lots of storage and RAM.
- Users who desire better video recording capabilities.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, running graphically demanding applications.
- Outdoor photography and videography in bright daylight.
- Power users who need quick charging and maximum device responsiveness.
- Future-proof device for longer-term software support and features.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The iQOO 12 is the superior choice if you prioritize performance and newer features over cost. The Mi 11 Pro is a more budget friendly option with some sacrifices.
4. Decision Framework
Here are key questions to guide a purchase decision:
Performance or Sharpness: Do you prioritize raw speed and performance (iQOO 12) or display sharpness and detail (Mi 11 Pro)?
Charging & Convenience: Is fast charging a priority (iQOO 12), or wireless and reverse charging (Mi 11 Pro)?
Software Longevity: Do you prefer the latest Android software with future updates (iQOO 12) or is a more established but older OS sufficient (Mi 11 Pro)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gamer: Choose iQOO 12 for its superior performance, display brightness, fast charging, and better video features.
- Professional Content Creator: Both have their uses. For general use, iQOO 12 is preferred. However, if wireless charging and great audio is required, the Xiaomi is the better choice.
- Casual User: iQOO 12 offers a more future-proof, all-round experience. Mi 11 Pro could suffice if you prioritize the sharper display, wireless charging, and heart rate sensor at a possibly lower price.
- Outdoor Enthusiast: The iQOO 12 is far superior for screen visibility in sunlight, therefore is the preferred choice.
What I Would Choose
I would choose the vivo iQOO 12.
Reasons:
- Performance is king: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the iQOO 12 provides a significant performance boost over the Snapdragon 888 in the Mi 11 Pro. This difference in processing power will impact daily use by making apps load quicker, multitasking smoother, and games run better.
- Faster Charging: 120W charging is a game-changer. Being able to quickly top up the phone's battery is much more convenient than the Mi 11 Pro's 67W, and I don't need wireless charging.
- Brighter Display: The higher brightness of the iQOO 12's screen is essential for outdoor use, where the Mi 11 Pro might struggle in bright daylight.
- Newer software: The iQOO 12 having the latest version of Android will mean more future-proof updates and new features.
- Better camera features The iQOO 12 offers better camera versatility with a telephoto lens and wide angle + macro lens, making it the superior choice.
While the Mi 11 Pro has a sharper display and some additional features like wireless charging, I believe the raw performance, charging speed, and display brightness of the iQOO 12 provide a better overall user experience. The iQOO 12 offers a balance of cutting-edge technology and practical usability, making it the more compelling choice for me. The better video recording features are also essential for me, making the iQOO 12 the clear winner.
