1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 163.6 × 75.8 × 8.8 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly narrower, Poco M4 Pro is slightly thicker and wider. Overall, both are similar in size, with minimal differences in hand feel. |
| Weight | 208g | 195g | Poco M4 Pro is 13g lighter, which may be noticeable during prolonged use, making it slightly more comfortable to hold for longer periods. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Mi 11 Pro has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.6" | Mi 11 Pro has slightly larger screen, better for immersive media consumption, gaming or multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 Pro has significantly sharper visuals with noticeably more detail. |
| PPI | 515 | 399 | Mi 11 Pro display is noticeably clearer with smoother text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Mi 11 Pro has much better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, better energy efficiency (especially with dark mode) |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Mi 11 Pro has slightly smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 Pro has dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight, making it usable under most conditions. The Poco M4 Pro 5G's brightness is not provided so it's unclear how visible it is outside. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Mi 11 Pro offers vastly superior performance, faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 438,700 | Mi 11 Pro has nearly double the performance of the Poco M4 Pro based on benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly more powerful GPU, enabling higher-fidelity gaming and complex graphics rendering. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12", 1.40µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Mi 11 Pro’s larger sensor captures more light, resulting in superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions and better dynamic range. Poco M4 Pro has wider aperture allowing slightly better low-light images but smaller sensor size hinders its overall performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4", 0.80µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.00µm | Mi 11 Pro has higher resolution, slightly wider aperture, while Poco M4 Pro has a slightly larger sensor, better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | Mi 11 Pro offers a higher resolution wide angle camera, while Poco M4 Pro has slightly bigger sensor. |
| Telephoto/Macro | 8MP, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | Not Available | Mi 11 Pro provides additional zoom capabilities for versatile photography, while Poco M4 Pro does not offer this feature. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 1080p@60fps | Mi 11 Pro can record much higher-resolution videos with better stabilization. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 124 (Photo: 118, Video: 132) | Not Available | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly higher DxOMark score suggesting better camera performance. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Laser AF, 4K/8K video, Optical zoom etc. | Dual camera, Night Mode etc. | Mi 11 Pro offers much more advanced camera features, better for versatile and advanced users. Poco M4 Pro is simpler. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life under similar usage. |
| Charging | 67W wired, 67W wireless | 33W wired | Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, both wired and wirelessly, allowing users to spend less time plugged in. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging | None | Mi 11 Pro can charge other devices wirelessly, a feature not available on the Poco M4 Pro. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, AMOLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness, making it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and outdoor use.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides much faster processing, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Includes OIS, Laser AF, dedicated telephoto lens, 8K video recording, and higher overall camera performance with a higher DxOMark score, which offers more versatility.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Capabilities: Offers both faster 67W wired and 67W wireless charging, along with reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior screen protection.
- Advanced Connectivity Supports newer WiFi standards, better GPS, and Bluetooth.
Practical Implications: The Mi 11 Pro excels in scenarios where performance, display quality, and camera capabilities are paramount. This is a premium phone suitable for intensive use.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Weighing 13g less may provide better comfort during extended use.
- Slightly Newer: Released 7 months later may provide slightly more up-to-date software features.
- Lower cost Likely more affordable than Mi 11 Pro.
Practical Implications: The Poco M4 Pro 5G is a practical phone for everyday use that does its job well with an adequate user experience at a lower price point.
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro sacrifices size and weight for premium features, is significantly more expensive, and does not have a headphone jack.
- The Poco M4 Pro 5G makes compromises in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and charging speed to achieve a more affordable price point. It's also unclear how visible the display is in bright sunlight given the lack of brightness specifications.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone who values premium performance and display quality.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically demanding mobile games at high settings.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Consuming high-resolution media content with great clarity.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.
- Working on multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
- Users requiring a premium experience.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, students, everyday users, and those who want a 5G phone that's reliable for basic tasks.
- Use Cases:
- Browsing social media and the internet.
- Checking emails and using messaging apps.
- Casual gaming and video streaming.
- Basic photography and video recording.
- Everyday multitasking.
- Users who prefer lighter phones.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Mi 11 Pro: Offers a high price to value, given its performance, build quality, features and camera performance. However, its significant cost increase compared to Poco M4 Pro 5G may not be worth it for some users.
- Poco M4 Pro 5G: Provides a good value for its price, offering decent performance and 5G connectivity for basic users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? If cost is a primary concern, the Poco M4 Pro 5G is the more affordable option.
- How important is display quality and performance? If you want a top-tier display and gaming/multitasking performance, the Mi 11 Pro is the better choice.
- What are your primary uses for the camera? If you need versatile, high-quality photography and video recording, especially in low-light, the Mi 11 Pro is the clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you prioritize gaming performance and high-end visuals, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the better choice, as its stronger processor, display, and audio features will be more beneficial.
Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Everyday User: If you need a decent 5G phone for everyday tasks and want to save money, the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G is a good fit.
Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you require a versatile, high-quality camera system with advanced features and excellent performance across the board, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is the superior choice.
My Choice
Based on the analysis, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While it's likely more expensive, the significant improvements in display quality (AMOLED, higher resolution, brightness), performance (Snapdragon 888), camera capabilities (OIS, telephoto, 8K video, larger sensor) and charging speed are compelling. I value a high-quality display for media consumption and a powerful processor for smooth multitasking and gaming. While the Poco M4 Pro 5G is a decent phone for its price, the compromises made in display, camera and processing power are too much for my personal needs and preferences. For those who can afford it, the Mi 11 Pro offers a more well-rounded flagship experience.
