Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro vs. Xiaomi Poco C65
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 168 × 78 × 8.1 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly shorter and narrower, but thicker. Poco C65 is taller and wider, but thinner. Minor differences might affect ergonomics in hand but not by a lot. |
| Weight | 208g | 192g | Poco C65 is 16g lighter, making it slightly more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.74" | Negligible difference in size; both provide a large screen experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1600 | Mi 11 Pro has a much sharper display, resulting in significantly clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 515 | 260 | Mi 11 Pro’s higher pixel density means much crisper visuals, less pixelation noticeable to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Mi 11 Pro’s AMOLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, leading to a more vibrant and enjoyable viewing experience, especially in dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Mi 11 Pro offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 Pro’s significantly higher brightness ensures better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. Poco C65 brightness is not provided and will need external review. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly more powerful processor, handling demanding tasks and games much better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 237,768 | Mi 11 Pro offers vastly superior performance for intensive tasks, gaming, and future-proofing. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mi 11 Pro's GPU is much more capable, resulting in better graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Mi 11 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless, Reverse-Wireless | Reverse, Non-removable | Mi 11 Pro offers more charging flexibility with wireless and reverse wireless charging, and non-removable. Poco C65 is only reverse charging and non removable. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12", 1.40µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor, capturing more light for better low-light photos; better details. Poco C65 has a wider aperture but a smaller sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.80µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | Mi 11 Pro captures higher-resolution selfies, while Poco C65 has a negligibly wider aperture. |
| Wide-Angle | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | None | Mi 11 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame. |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Poco C65 has a dedicated portrait mode lens that can provide a better bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Poco C65 has a dedicated macro lens for extreme close-up shots. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | None | Mi 11 Pro has a telephoto lens, allowing for better optical zoom. |
| Video | Up to 8K, HDR, EIS | Up to 1080p | Mi 11 Pro allows for high resolution video recording and supports more advanced stabilization. Poco C65 does not offer any specific stabilization. |
| DxOMark | 124 (Overall), 118(Photo), 132(Video) | Not tested | Mi 11 Pro has a certified and tested performance, especially video performance. |
| Features | OIS, Laser AF, PDAF, 8K Video, Optical zoom | Digital stabilization, Digital zoom | Mi 11 Pro offers many different video and photo features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Poco C65 has a more recent OS out of the box, potentially offering more security and feature enhancements. Mi 11 Pro may be upgraded further but is currently on 11. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 5 | Mi 11 Pro supports a newer, faster WiFi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Poco C65 has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | Standard | Mi 11 Pro has better GPS precision with dual-band support and more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both phones support two SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both offer the same maximum storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 4/6/8GB | Mi 11 Pro has a higher RAM capacity, which allows better multitasking performance, especially when compared to the 4GB variant of the Poco C65. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither support storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo | Basic | Mi 11 Pro offers a richer audio experience with stereo speakers and Hi-Res support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint | Poco C65 has a side mounted fingerprint sensor, which is more ergonomic for unlocking than a back sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Mi 11 Pro offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Heart Rate, Proximity | Ultrasonic virtual proximity | Mi 11 Pro has a heart rate sensor, while Poco C65 offers a different proximity sensor type. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology, significantly higher resolution (1440p vs 720p), higher pixel density, higher refresh rate (120Hz), and much brighter screen for better outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Better Performance: More powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Larger main camera sensor, dedicated wide-angle, telephoto, 8k video recording, optical image stabilization and better quality overall.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 67W wired charging and additional 67W wireless charging & reverse wireless charging for increased convenience.
- Better Audio Quality: Hi-Res audio with stereo speakers offering a better multimedia experience.
- More Precise GPS: Dual-band GPS with more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Premium Build: Gorilla Glass Victus for better screen protection.
Xiaomi Poco C65 Advantages:
- Newer Android OS Out-of-the-box: Android 13 offers updated features and potentially better security.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for long-term use.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint: More ergonomically friendly.
- Wider Aperture on front camera: Slightly better low light selfies.
- Dedicated Macro Lens and Portrait Mode: Versatile camera experience for more varied types of shots.
Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro: Older OS, heavier, basic fingerprint sensor, more expensive.
- Poco C65: Much lower resolution screen, basic LCD panel, significantly less powerful performance, lower quality camera system, slower charging, no wireless charging and basic audio quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Power users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Multimedia enthusiasts: Those who value a high-quality display for content consumption, rich audio output, and camera quality.
- Photographers: Users who want an advanced camera system with various lenses and shooting modes.
- Tech enthusiasts: Users who want the latest tech features including high refresh rate displays, wireless charging and powerful performance.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games at high frame rates.
- Editing high-resolution photos and videos.
- Streaming movies and TV shows with rich details.
- Extensive mobile photography with flexibility.
Xiaomi Poco C65 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Individuals looking for an affordable phone for basic tasks.
- Casual users: Those who primarily use their phone for social media, web browsing, and basic communication.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Users who want a long-lasting device with basic features.
- Users looking for a lightweight phone: People that want the comfort of a lightweight device that isn't bulky.
Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing and social media.
- Casual photography.
- Daily messaging and communication.
- Light gaming that doesn't require top performance
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Mi 11 Pro: Higher price point but offers a premium experience, worth it for users demanding cutting-edge performance, features, and camera capability.
- Poco C65: Excellent value for budget-minded consumers who need a basic smartphone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Mi 11 Pro will be more expensive than the Poco C65.
- What do you prioritize: performance or affordability? The Mi 11 Pro is a performance focused phone whereas the Poco C65 is budget-focused.
- What are your key usage scenarios? Are you a heavy user that requires gaming, content creation, and editing; or are you a casual user that prioritizes a basic phone for everyday tasks?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance & Multimedia:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The superior display, processing power, camera system, and audio quality make it ideal for heavy usage.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco C65. It provides a basic smartphone experience at a more affordable price point.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use & Good Photography:
- Recommendation: Neither. If you are looking for a good photography experience you might have to sacrifice the performance or the budget.
- Scenario 4: Basic Use & Lightweight Comfort:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco C65. It is lighter, thinner, and can comfortably perform basic daily tasks.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The dramatic difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities makes it the clear winner for my needs, as I am a heavy phone user. The AMOLED display alone is a game-changer, especially compared to the LCD screen of the Poco C65, and the processing difference is extremely significant. Even though the Mi 11 Pro is older, the performance is still fantastic and worth the extra investment to be able to smoothly run apps, games, and use the device for a longer time. While the Poco C65 has some advantages, like a more modern Android version out-of-the-box and a lighter weight, these don't outweigh the massive trade-offs in screen quality and processing power that are important in my use-cases.
