1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm | 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm | Mi 11 Pro is larger and bulkier, less pocketable. Xiaomi 12 is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 208g | 179g | Mi 11 Pro is noticeably heavier, which can be tiring during prolonged use. Xiaomi 12 is more comfortable for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.28" | Mi 11 Pro offers more immersive viewing, better for media consumption. Xiaomi 12 is better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 Pro has much sharper text and images due to higher pixel density. Xiaomi 12 is less sharp but still good. |
| PPI | 515 | 419 | Mi 11 Pro display appears significantly clearer and detailed. Xiaomi 12 is not as sharp. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1100 nits | Mi 11 Pro offers much better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. Xiaomi 12 may struggle in direct sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Xiaomi 12 has a newer, more powerful processor offering faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 1,150,831 | Xiaomi 12 demonstrates significantly superior performance in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | Xiaomi 12 has a more powerful GPU, leading to better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Sensor | 50MP 1/1.12" Samsung GN2 | 50MP 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor, potentially capturing more light and detail. Xiaomi 12 has slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 1.40µm | 1.00µm | Mi 11 Pro's larger pixels theoretically capture more light, potentially improving low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP 1/3.4" | 32MP 1/3.14" | Xiaomi 12 has a higher resolution sensor for sharper selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP f/2.2 | 13MP f/2.4 | Mi 11 Pro has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light wide angle shots. Xiaomi 12 wide angle does not have sensor model specified. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP | Xiaomi 12 offers dedicated macro photography capabilities. |
| Telephoto | 8MP | None | Mi 11 Pro offers telephoto zoom capabilities. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both record up to 8K. Xiaomi 12 has more fps options for 1080p slow motion. |
| DxOMark Score | 124 (Main), 118 (Photo), 132 (Video) | 113 (Main), 118 (Photo), 121 (Video) | Mi 11 Pro has higher overall DxOMark score with a significant edge in video. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Laser AF, Optical Zoom, AF Assist Beam | OIS, Night Mode, Exposure compensation | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has more advanced focus and zoom features. Xiaomi 12 features night mode and exposure compensation. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Mi 11 Pro has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 67W wired, 67W wireless | 67W wired, 50W wireless | Both have fast wired charging, Mi 11 Pro has faster wireless charging. |
| Additional Features | 10W Reverse wireless charging | 10W Reverse charging | Both offer reverse charging, Mi 11 Pro offers reverse wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Xiaomi 12 has a more recent version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both support similar Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both offer similar Bluetooth functionality, Xiaomi 12 includes SBC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, NavIC System | Both have multiple options, Mi 11 Pro has Galileo. Xiaomi 12 has QZSS (L1 + L5). |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both have similar storage options, neither is expandable. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 8/12GB | Both offer options for smooth multitasking. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Mi 11 Pro has an extra microphone, Xiaomi 12 has Dolby Atmos for enhanced audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both provide standard fingerprint authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both have the same screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity, RGB | Mi 11 Pro has more traditional sensors including heart rate, Xiaomi 12 has ultrasonic proximity and RGB. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Larger, Sharper Display: Significantly larger screen with higher resolution and pixel density, leading to a more immersive and detailed viewing experience.
- Higher Brightness: Much brighter display for better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
- Superior Main Camera Sensor: Larger camera sensor for potentially better low-light performance and overall image quality (though aperture is slightly smaller).
- Telephoto Lens: Offers dedicated telephoto zoom capabilities for capturing distant subjects.
- Faster Wireless Charging: Offers 67W fast wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.
- Superior Video Performance: Higher DxOMark video score indicating better video quality and performance
- More Microphones: 3 microphones for potentially better audio recording.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Includes a heart rate sensor for biometric data.
- Laser AF: Includes laser autofocus features.
Practical Implications of Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Enhanced media consumption: Better for watching movies, playing games, and browsing content.
- Improved outdoor usability: Easier to use in bright sunlight, avoiding screen glare.
- Better low light photos and videos: Larger sensor gathers more light, improving low-light performance.
- More versatility in camera usage: Telephoto lens enables capturing distant subjects with zoom.
- Faster charging: Allows for quick wireless charging when needed.
- Better video recording: Higher quality video for vlogging, content creation, etc.
Xiaomi 12 Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
- Newer, More Powerful Processor: Newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers better overall performance, faster app loading, and better gaming.
- Macro Lens: Includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Produces sharper selfies with a higher megapixel sensor.
- Dolby Atmos: Enhanced spatial audio.
- Newer Android: Comes with Android 12.
- Exposure compensation and Night Mode: More flexible camera usage.
- SBC Bluetooth Codec: Adds versatility for audio.
- Ultrasonic Proximity and RGB Sensor: Potentially better and more reliable proximity and ambient light sensing.
Practical Implications of Xiaomi 12 Advantages:
- Enhanced ergonomics: Easier to carry around and use with one hand.
- Better performance: Smoother multitasking and better gaming performance due to the newer chipset.
- More versatile camera system: Macro lens allows close-up photography, higher res selfie camera offers sharper selfies.
- Enhanced audio experience: Dolby atmos offers improved sound quality.
- Latest Software: Access to latest software features.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro trades better portability and newer processing for a superior display, camera sensor, and charging capabilities.
- The Xiaomi 12 trades camera quality and screen size for a more modern processor, lighter build, dedicated macro lens, and a higher resolution selfie camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, movies, and other content will appreciate the larger, sharper, and brighter screen.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value a versatile camera system with good low-light performance and optical zoom will find the Mi 11 Pro a better option.
- Power Users: Users who prioritize fast wireless charging and longer battery life.
- Video Creators: The better video quality (as scored by DxOMark) makes it better for video creators.
- Those who value better build quality: Prefer premium materials and feel over lightweight portability.
Specific Use Cases for Mi 11 Pro:
- Watching movies and shows on the go.
- Taking photos and videos in various lighting conditions, utilizing both wide-angle and telephoto lenses.
- Playing graphic-intensive games where better display is preferred over slight increase in processing power.
- Long trips where battery life and faster wireless charging are useful.
- Professional video recording.
Ideal Users for Xiaomi 12:
- Users Seeking Portability: Those who want a smaller, lighter phone for one-handed use and easy carrying.
- Gamers and Performance Users: Users who need the latest chipset for demanding games and smooth multitasking.
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Users who value high-resolution selfies.
- Macro Photographers: Users who want to take detailed close-up shots.
- Those who value up-to-date Software: Users who prioritize the latest features.
- Audio Lovers: Those who appreciate an enhanced audio experience.
Specific Use Cases for Xiaomi 12:
- Everyday use and portability.
- Playing the latest games.
- Taking detailed close-up macro photos of small objects.
- Taking selfies for social media.
- Listening to music with enhanced sound quality.
Price-to-Value:
- The Mi 11 Pro likely has a better value proposition for those who prioritize display, camera performance, and battery life.
- The Xiaomi 12 may be a better option for users who prioritize processing power, portability, and a more modern feature set. (This is dependent on current market prices)
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality and size? If you need a large, bright, and extremely sharp screen, the Mi 11 Pro is the better choice. If you value portability over display size and resolution the Xiaomi 12 is preferable.
- Do you prioritize camera versatility or processing power? The Mi 11 Pro has a more versatile camera system (Telephoto lens), while the Xiaomi 12 offers more processing power for gaming.
- Is battery life or portability more important? The Mi 11 Pro has a larger battery but is heavier, the Xiaomi 12 is lighter and more compact but has smaller battery.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Avid Media User: Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for the best viewing experience and outdoor visibility.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: Choose the Xiaomi 12 for superior performance.
- Scenario 3: On-the-Go Photographer: The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for versatility if you need telephoto lens, otherwise the Xiaomi 12 for portability and macro lens.
- Scenario 4: Frequent traveler: The Xiaomi 12 due to lighter and more compact design, but Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro has better battery and faster wireless charging and may be a better choice based on usage.
- Scenario 5: Professional video content creator: The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro due to it's superior video recording capabilities, as scored by DxOMark.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
Reasoning:
My primary use case for a smartphone revolves around media consumption, particularly watching videos and browsing content, for which the Mi 11 Pro's larger, sharper, and brighter display would provide a far more immersive and enjoyable experience. I also value a good camera system, and while the Xiaomi 12 has some interesting features like a macro lens, the Mi 11 Pro's superior main sensor, telephoto lens, and better video performance is more aligned with my photographic needs. Although the Xiaomi 12 has the newer processor, the performance of the Snapdragon 888 in the Mi 11 Pro is still more than sufficient for my needs. The faster wireless charging and larger battery is also a plus for my use case.
While the Xiaomi 12 offers a more modern processor and a more compact design which would be more convenient for portability, the benefits of Mi 11 Pro's superior display and camera outweigh that trade off for me. Also, the larger display enhances the experience when gaming as well.
It is important to acknowledge that this decision is subjective and based on my personal needs and preferences. If portability, gaming, and taking selfies were my primary concerns, I might choose the Xiaomi 12 instead. However, for my use case, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro presents the better overall package.
