1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm | 163.2 x 76 x 7.7 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly taller and thicker, Poco F4 is wider; Poco F4 likely feels slimmer in hand. |
| Weight | 208g | 195g | Poco F4 is noticeably lighter, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus (Front) | Gorilla Glass 5 (Front) | Mi 11 Pro has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.67" | Mi 11 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2400 | Mi 11 Pro has significantly sharper image, text, and finer detail. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | Mi 11 Pro display is noticeably clearer, with individual pixels less distinguishable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations; similar responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1300 nits | Mi 11 Pro offers superior outdoor visibility, more usable in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Both offer high performance; 888 is theoretically more powerful but real world performance is similar. |
| Antutu Score | 854,267 | 861,200 | Very similar real world performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 650 | Both offer excellent gaming performance; 660 has a slight edge in graphical intensive games but not noticeable. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP (1/1.12", f/1.95, 1.4µm) | 64MP (1/2", f/1.79, 0.7µm) | Mi 11 Pro's larger sensor captures more light, better low-light performance; Poco F4 has higher resolution for more detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP (1/3.4", f/2.3, 0.8µm) | 20MP (1/2", f/2.4, 0.8µm) | Poco F4 has larger sensor for better dynamic range; Mi 11 Pro offers slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP (1/3.06", f/2.2, 1.12µm) | 8MP (1/4", f/2.2, 1.12µm) | Mi 11 Pro captures higher resolution wide shots; sensor size also bigger. |
| Macro Lens | No | 2MP (1/5", f/2.4, 1.75µm) | Poco F4 offers dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP (1/4.4", 1.0µm) | No | Mi 11 Pro offers dedicated telephoto lens with optical zoom capabilities. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps | Mi 11 Pro offers 8K recording for professional use cases; both offer excellent 4K video recording. |
| DxOMark | 124 (overall) | Not tested | Mi 11 Pro has a tested and rated camera quality, Poco F4 has not been rated. |
| Features | OIS, Laser AF, 8K Video, Optical Zoom | OIS | Mi 11 Pro has a more advanced autofocus system and a telephoto lens with optical zoom. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Mi 11 Pro likely offers longer battery life; noticeable difference on a full day of usage. |
| Charging | 67W Fast | 67W Fast | Both can quickly charge, full charge in about 35-40 mins. |
| Features | 67W Wireless, 10W Reverse Wireless | None | Mi 11 Pro offers convenience of wireless charging and reverse charging to power other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density (1440p vs 1080p) and brighter, more usable in direct sunlight.
- Enhanced Camera System: Larger sensor main camera, dedicated telephoto lens, 8K video recording, Laser AF.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offering better battery life.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Charging: Convenience features not found in Poco F4.
- Better build quality: More advanced gorilla glass protection.
- More sensors: Additional sensors including heart rate sensor.
Xiaomi Poco F4 Advantages
- Lighter and Slimmer Design: Easier to handle, more pocketable.
- Macro Lens: Added versatility for close-up photography.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12 with guaranteed upgrade to Android 13.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient fingerprint sensor.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos audio support.
Trade-offs
- Mi 11 Pro: Heavier, slightly bulkier design; more expensive.
- Poco F4: Inferior display; lacks wireless charging and advanced camera features found in Mi 11 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro
- Ideal User: Photography enthusiasts, power users, media consumers.
- Use Cases:
- Professional-quality photography and videography.
- Demanding gaming sessions and media consumption.
- Users needing good battery life and wireless charging capabilities.
- Users wanting a top-tier display experience.
Xiaomi Poco F4
- Ideal User: Gamers, everyday users, budget-conscious buyers seeking high performance.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming (with good performance).
- General everyday usage like social media, browsing, etc.
- Users looking for a sleek and lightweight phone.
- Users wanting a great price to performance ratio.
- Users who like to take macro shots.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Display Priority: Do you prioritize a very sharp and bright display, or is a slightly less impressive one acceptable?
- Camera Needs: Do you need advanced camera features like optical zoom and 8K video, or is a good standard camera sufficient?
- Battery Convenience: Is wireless charging important to you, or is standard fast charging enough?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1 (Ultimate Display and Camera): If you want the best display and camera and are willing to pay more, the Mi 11 Pro is the better option.
- Scenario 2 (Gaming and Performance): If gaming is your main focus, and you also value a lighter phone, the Poco F4 could be more suitable.
- Scenario 3 (Best Value): If you want a balanced phone with great performance for less, the Poco F4 is the better choice.
- Scenario 4 (Battery and convenience): If having the convenience of reverse wireless charging and longer battery is important, choose the Mi 11 Pro.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While the Poco F4 offers excellent value and a lighter design, the Mi 11 Pro's strengths in display quality, camera capabilities, and added features like wireless charging, better build, extra sensors, and battery life are compelling for my usage patterns. The significantly sharper display, better camera quality (especially the telephoto lens, larger main sensor, and 8K video capability), longer battery life, and additional sensors like heart rate sensors, outweigh the slight increase in weight and price. The Mi 11 Pro offers a more complete and premium user experience, making it the more suitable choice.
