1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 74.6 × 8.5 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mm | Redmi 12 is slightly taller and wider, Mi 11 Pro is slightly thicker. Redmi 12 will feel slightly larger in hand. |
| Weight | 208g | 198.5g | Mi 11 Pro is negligibly heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.79" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2460 | Mi 11 Pro display is significantly sharper with more detail. |
| PPI | 515 | 396 | Mi 11 Pro has a much higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably clearer image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Mi 11 Pro has better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors; also better for dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Mi 11 Pro offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 0 nits | Mi 11 Pro will be much more readable in bright sunlight; Redmi 12 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Helio G88 (12nm) | Mi 11 Pro is significantly faster for gaming and heavy tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 249,400 | Mi 11 Pro offers much smoother performance in demanding tasks, faster app loading. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mi 11 Pro has a more powerful GPU for better gaming and graphics rendering. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | Mi 11 Pro has larger sensor, better low-light performance. Redmi 12 has slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 8MP, f/2.1 | Mi 11 Pro captures much more detail with higher resolution; Redmi 12 has wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Mi 11 Pro has higher resolution; Redmi 12 has larger sensor. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Redmi 12 has dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, 1/4.4" | None | Mi 11 Pro has telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Mi 11 Pro can record significantly higher quality video, suitable for professional use. |
| DXOMARK Mobile | 124 | Not Tested | Mi 11 Pro performs better on image quality, according to DXOMARK results. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity and expected battery life. |
| Charging | 67W wired, 67W wireless | 18W wired | Mi 11 Pro charges much faster, wirelessly, and with reverse charging options. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes, 10W wireless | Yes, 9W wired | Mi 11 Pro has both wired and wireless reverse charging capabilities with a better wattage. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Redmi 12 has newer OS version and is likely to receive updates longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 5 | Mi 11 Pro supports faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance in crowded networks with MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Redmi 12 has slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | More systems | Less systems | Mi 11 Pro has more satellite navigation system. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Nano | Dual SIM, Nano | Both devices support dual sim with nano sim. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both come in similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Mi 11 Pro has more RAM for better multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic | Mi 11 Pro has superior audio quality with better separation and voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | In-display | Side-mounted | Redmi 12 has a more convenient, side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Mi 11 Pro has superior screen protection against scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Mi 11 Pro additionally features: Proximity, Heart Rate; Xiaomi Redmi 12 additionally features: Ultrasonic proximity virtual; Comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, and AMOLED technology offer a much more detailed and vibrant viewing experience, with superior brightness for outdoor use.
- Flagship Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides much faster performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Advanced Camera System: Larger main sensor, dedicated telephoto lens, and higher-resolution front-facing camera, combined with 8k video recording, result in superior image and video quality and versatility.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging, along with reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers offer better audio quality.
- More satellite navigation system: Mi 11 Pro has more satellite navigation system, enabling more accurate location tracking.
- Screen Protection: Mi 11 Pro features Gorilla Glass Victus offering great protection on the display against damage.
- Better WiFi: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro comes with the latest wifi standard (Wi-Fi 6), and features Wi-Fi MiMO.
- More RAM: Mi 11 Pro has more RAM (12GB) compared to Redmi 12(8GB), allowing for smoother performance and multitasking.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with a newer version of Android (13) offering improved features and security, and potentially longer support for system and security updates.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens provides more versatility for close-up photography.
- Slightly more updated Bluetooth: Comes with Bluetooth 5.3 compared to 5.2 on the Mi 11 Pro
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and ergonomically accessible fingerprint scanner.
- Slightly larger Wide Angle Sensor: The wide angle camera on the Redmi 12 has a slightly larger sensor.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: The Redmi 12 has a wider aperture selfie camera lens.
- Slightly lighter: The Redmi 12 is negligibly lighter than the Mi 11 Pro.
- More affordable: The Redmi 12 is a budget-friendly option for those seeking a smartphone on a low-budget.
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro's superior display, performance, and camera come at the cost of a higher price.
- The Redmi 12 provides essential features at a more affordable price but makes significant compromises in performance, display, and camera quality.
- The Mi 11 Pro does not have a Macro camera lens.
- The Redmi 12 lacks a telephoto lens.
- The Mi 11 Pro's front camera has a higher resolution, but the Redmi 12's front camera has a wider aperture, which might be better in low-light conditions.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, or anyone who values top-tier performance and display quality.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming with high frame rates.
- Professional-level photography and videography.
- High-resolution video streaming and content consumption.
- Smooth multitasking and rapid application switching.
- Users that require good performance for day-to-day tasks.
- Price-to-Value: Justifiable for those seeking premium features and performance, but is more expensive.
Xiaomi Redmi 12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users seeking a reliable smartphone for daily tasks and casual use.
- Use Cases:
- Social media browsing and content consumption.
- Basic photography and video recording.
- Casual gaming with lighter titles.
- General productivity tasks.
- Users who prefer a newer OS version.
- Users who require an affordable smartphone.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value for the price, providing essential smartphone features at a low cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- What is my budget? If budget is a key concern, the Redmi 12 is the more viable option. If budget is not an issue and premium features are desired, then the Mi 11 Pro is better suited.
- How important is performance? If smooth gaming and fast performance is required, the Mi 11 Pro is the clear choice. The Redmi 12 is more suited to casual usage.
- What are my main use cases? If photography, video, and gaming are crucial, the Mi 11 Pro is superior. If basic photography and general usage is sufficient, the Redmi 12 is an adequate option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi 12. It offers essential smartphone functionality at a low price point.
- Scenario 2: Gaming Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. Its top-tier chipset and GPU provide the best gaming experience.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photographer
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. It has a superior camera system with more features and better image quality.
- Scenario 4: Everyday User (General Use)
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi 12 for basic use or the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro if you need a faster and more responsive experience.
What I Would Choose and Why!
My Choice: If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
Reasoning:
While the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is a more recent device with a newer operating system, the Mi 11 Pro offers significant advantages in areas that are most important to me, even if it's an older phone:
- Display Quality: The significantly superior display (higher resolution, higher refresh rate, AMOLED) is a must-have for my daily content consumption and browsing.
- Performance: The Snapdragon 888 ensures that the phone remains fast and responsive for all my tasks, from multitasking to gaming.
- Camera Versatility: I value the additional telephoto lens, better main sensor, and superior video recording capabilities of the Mi 11 Pro.
- Charging Speed: The 67W fast charging and the 67W wireless charging are key advantages for me.
- Audio Quality: I prefer Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers that the Mi 11 Pro has to offer.
Although the Redmi 12 offers a newer OS, a macro lens, and is more budget-friendly, these benefits do not outweigh the Mi 11 Pro's performance, display, and camera prowess, which are crucial for my usage patterns. The Mi 11 Pro provides a more premium and powerful smartphone experience despite being an older device.
