1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly narrower and thicker, Note 11 Pro is wider and thinner. Differences are minor, may impact in-hand feel slightly based on personal preference. |
| Weight | 208g | 202g | Mi 11 Pro is slightly heavier. Note 11 Pro will feel a bit lighter during use. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Mi 11 Pro has more durable screen, offering better scratch and drop protection. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.67" | Mi 11 Pro provides a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2400 | Mi 11 Pro has significantly sharper visuals with higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | Mi 11 Pro displays noticeably finer details and sharper text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1200 nits | Mi 11 Pro will be significantly more viewable under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm) | Mi 11 Pro has much faster processing speed and better efficiency, superior for demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 405,259 | Mi 11 Pro offers significantly smoother performance, much better for heavy gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mi 11 Pro’s GPU provides a better gaming experience with higher frame rates and more detailed graphics. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52" | Mi 11 Pro's larger sensor captures more light leading to better low-light performance, despite lower megapixel count. Note 11 Pro has higher resolution, better for large prints, but smaller pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06" | Mi 11 Pro has slightly higher resolution and wider aperture, likely to result in better image quality in diverse lighting conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Mi 11 Pro captures more detailed wide angle shots with higher resolution. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Note 11 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. Mi 11 Pro lacks this feature. |
| Telephoto/Macro | 8MP Telephoto | None | Mi 11 Pro provides an optical zoom lens for getting closer without losing image quality. Note 11 Pro lacks this feature. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K @ 24fps | Up to 1080p @ 30fps | Mi 11 Pro has significantly more capable video recording, including 8K, 4K with HDR and EIS and various slow-motion options. Note 11 Pro is limited to 1080p. |
| DXOMark Score | 124 (Main), 118 (Photo), 132 (Video) | 78 (Main), 81 (Photo), 85 (Video) | Mi 11 Pro performs significantly better in overall image quality, particularly video capture. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Laser AF, PDAF, RAW, 4K and 8K video etc. | RAW, Night Mode etc. | Mi 11 Pro offers more advanced camera features. Note 11 Pro has less powerful camera but offers Night Mode for low-light situations. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, expect similar general battery life, though real-world endurance depends on usage and device power efficiency. |
| Charging | 67W wired | 67W wired | Both have similar fast charging. |
| Features | 67W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless | None | Mi 11 Pro offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, enabling flexible charging options. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers a significantly faster and smoother experience for demanding games and applications.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution and brightness, offering a more immersive viewing experience, especially in bright conditions.
- More Capable Cameras: Higher quality photos and videos with better low-light performance, and features like 8K video, optical zoom, and OIS.
- Wireless Charging: The convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging adds to the user experience.
- More Advanced WiFi: Faster data speeds and better performance in crowded environments.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro Advantages:
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers additional creative shooting options for close-up photography.
- Slightly Lighter: May feel less burdensome during prolonged use.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Some users may prefer the side mounted sensor.
- Dolby Atmos: Could provide a better spatial audio experience.
- Night Mode: Feature specifically for low-light situations.
- Wider Availability: As it's the newer phone, it's often more readily available in many markets.
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro sacrifices the dedicated macro lens for better overall camera capabilities, which can be a dealbreaker for some.
- The Redmi Note 11 Pro trades top-tier performance and display quality for better availability and some specific features such as the macro camera and night mode.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile gamers, photography enthusiasts, users who prioritize screen quality, or anyone seeking a high-performance device.
- Use Cases: Gaming at high settings, professional photography and videography, watching high-resolution content, intensive multitasking, users who value best performance and screen quality over all.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a very high value for users who need top-end specs but may be expensive for those who do not need high end specs, potentially making it less affordable.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Casual users, photography enthusiasts who like taking close up macro shots, general users, those with more modest performance needs, users who desire a more balanced feature set and need the night mode option for low light situations.
- Use Cases: Social media, general mobile use, casual gaming, basic photography, users who value practicality over the absolute best specs, or those on a budget.
- Price-to-Value: Provides a good balance of features and price making it more affordable than the Mi 11 Pro.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is top-tier performance? (Gaming, heavy multitasking vs. social media and general use)
- Do I prioritize camera features or the best image quality? (Dedicated macro lens and night mode vs. overall image quality and videography).
- What is my budget, and do I need wireless charging? (Affordability vs. more premium features).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You're a mobile gamer who wants the best performance and screen quality, the Mi 11 Pro is a clear winner.
- Scenario 2: You need an all-around phone that’s reliable and takes good photos, with a preference for macro shots and night mode, the Redmi Note 11 Pro is a great choice.
- Scenario 3: You want the most affordable phone with basic features, the Redmi Note 11 Pro is the more budget friendly option.
- Scenario 4: You heavily use the phone in direct sunlight and watch videos, the Mi 11 Pro's display is significantly better.
My Choice and Why
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. While the Redmi Note 11 Pro is a solid device, the Mi 11 Pro offers a superior experience in key areas that align with my priorities:
- Performance: As someone who uses their phone for more than basic social media and web browsing, the superior processing power of the Snapdragon 888 is a significant advantage. It will allow for smoother multitasking and better gaming.
- Display: The higher resolution and higher brightness of the Mi 11 Pro would mean a significantly better viewing experience for both general use and content consumption. I often use my phone outdoors, so the higher brightness is also a major plus.
- Camera Quality: While I appreciate the macro lens on the Note 11 Pro, the Mi 11 Pro's significantly better overall camera quality, along with features such as 8K recording, optical zoom, and OIS, makes it a more versatile tool for my photography needs. The higher DXOMark score clearly backs this up.
- Wireless Charging: The addition of wireless charging is a valuable feature that is often overlooked. In my experience, it is very convenient for charging and helps improve the overall user experience.
- Future Proofing: The better performance, higher resolution and better camera system means that the Mi 11 Pro is a better option for future proofing and will stay relevant for longer, especially with the faster WiFi connectivity.
Ultimately, the Mi 11 Pro's strengths align more closely with my priorities, and the superior performance, display, and camera are worth the potentially higher price. While the macro lens and night mode are good options on the Redmi Note 11 Pro, the overall advantages of the Mi 11 Pro, would sway my purchase. The Mi 11 Pro offers a more premium and comprehensive experience.
