1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+, focusing on their practical impacts:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm | 162.9 x 76 x 8.9 mm | Mi 11 Pro is slightly taller but thinner, while Note 12 Pro+ is a bit wider and thicker, impacting in-hand feel. |
| Weight | 208g | 208.4g | Virtually identical weight, negligible difference in perceived heft. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (front) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (front) | Mi 11 Pro's Victus is more scratch and shatter resistant. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.81" | 6.67" | Mi 11 Pro offers a slightly larger display area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2400 | Mi 11 Pro has much sharper images and text, noticeable when viewing high-resolution content and reading text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 395 | Mi 11 Pro's higher PPI leads to noticeably crisper and more detailed visuals, better for viewing high-res photos and fine text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, minor difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both, no practical difference. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1700 | 900 | Mi 11 Pro has significantly better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | Mi 11 Pro handles demanding tasks like gaming and video editing significantly smoother, with faster app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 573,100 | Mi 11 Pro's higher score indicates superior performance in benchmarks, translating to smoother real-world usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mi 11 Pro's Adreno 660 offers higher graphical performance, more immersive gaming experiences. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 50MP | 200MP | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ captures more detail in good lighting conditions, can crop and zoom further without loss of quality. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.95 | f/1.65 | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has better low-light sensitivity due to a wider aperture, allowing more light to hit the sensor. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.12" | 1/1.4" | Mi 11 Pro's larger sensor gathers more light, potentially better low-light performance despite lower resolution. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 16MP | Mi 11 Pro captures slightly more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 13MP | 8MP | Mi 11 Pro captures wider shots with more detail. |
| Macro Lens | No | 2MP | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ can capture close up images with a dedicated macro lens. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP | No | Mi 11 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, for capturing distant subjects without quality loss. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps | Mi 11 Pro enables higher-resolution video recording, better suited for high-end video production, and has more HDR options. |
| DXOMark Score | 124 | 113 | Mi 11 Pro has a higher overall camera score, suggesting better image and video quality overall. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life for general use cases, though real-world performance depends on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 67W wired, 67W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | 120W wired | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ charges significantly faster, reducing downtime, Mi 11 Pro offers wireless charging and reverse charging. |
| Removable Battery | No | No | Neither have removable batteries, common for modern smartphones. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers a newer Android version, with more up-to-date software features and potentially longer software support. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards for high-speed internet connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with aptX, LDAC, AAC | 5.2 with LDAC, SBC, AAC | Both support high-quality Bluetooth audio, Mi 11 Pro with aptX for lower latency. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1 | Mi 11 Pro with more GPS bands for higher accuracy navigation in urban environments. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support two SIM cards, useful for users with multiple numbers. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Ample storage for apps, photos and videos. Both phones have no expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both provide enough RAM for smooth multitasking and running demanding applications. |
| Audio Quality | Stereo speakers, Hi-Res Audio, 3 microphones | Stereo speakers, Hi-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos | Both provide high-quality audio, Mi 11 Pro offers better recording quality, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ better audio experience. |
Security & Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | In-display | Side-mounted | Side-mounted sensors might be faster and more reliable. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Mi 11 Pro offers an extra sensor for monitoring heart rate. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display Quality: Higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness, providing a much sharper and more visible display, especially in sunlight.
- Higher Performance: More powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset and GPU offer significantly better performance in demanding tasks, such as gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced Camera Features: Telephoto lens for optical zoom, larger main camera sensor, and better video recording capabilities, resulting in better image quality overall.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: Offers 67W fast wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.
- Better Audio Recording: 3 microphones allow for better sound capture when recording videos.
- Enhanced GPS: More GPS bands mean more accurate location tracking.
- Better Screen Protection: Comes with Gorilla Glass Victus, offering superior scratch and shatter resistance.
Practical Implications: Mi 11 Pro is better suited for users who prioritize display quality, performance, photography features, and advanced charging capabilities.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 120W wired charging offers much quicker battery replenishment.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 200MP sensor provides excellent detail in good lighting conditions.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 12 (upgradable to 14) and might have longer software support.
- Macro Lens: Captures close-up shots with a dedicated lens.
- Dolby Atmos Offers more immersive sound experience.
- More Up-to-Date Software: Running on a newer OS, leading to a longer support period.
Practical Implications: Note 12 Pro+ is suitable for users who prioritize camera resolution, faster charging, more up-to-date software, and a dedicated macro lens.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Mi 11 Pro sacrifices faster charging speed for superior performance, display and overall camera quality, while the Note 12 Pro+ sacrifices performance for faster charging and a higher-resolution main camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who perform demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of high-resolution videos and require a vibrant and sharp display, and who value screen brightness for outdoor use.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera with telephoto lens, good low-light performance and advanced recording features.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want all the latest advanced tech features, such as fast wireless charging and heart rate sensor.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Professional photo and video editing.
- Outdoor use under bright sunlight.
- Long work sessions that require high performance
- Users who need to capture distant objects without losing quality.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Ideal User:
- Casual Users: Everyday users who need a reliable phone for social media, web browsing, and general photography.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-resolution photos and detailed close-up shots with macro capabilities.
- Users on the Go: Those who want rapid charging speeds.
- Value Conscious: Users who want good value for the price, with a focus on a capable camera system.
- Users that value newer software: For users that prioritize having access to the latest features of android.
Use Cases:
- Quickly charging the phone in short periods.
- Capturing detailed images of everyday moments.
- Close-up photography of small objects.
- Social media content creation.
- Users that prefer to have more up to date software.
Price-to-Value:
- The Mi 11 Pro will likely cost more due to the premium display and performance, while the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ will offer a more budget-friendly option.
- Users should consider what features are most important to them when making a purchase.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for buyers to consider:
- What is your main use case? Do you prioritize performance and display quality (Mi 11 Pro) or fast charging and high-resolution photography (Redmi Note 12 Pro+)?
- How important is having the latest software? If access to the latest Android version is important, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is a better fit.
- How often do you use wireless charging? Mi 11 Pro offers wireless charging capabilities, whereas the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ does not, but does offer quicker wired charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I'm a gamer and content creator." Choose the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro for its superior performance, display, and video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 2: "I need a reliable phone with good photos and super-fast charging." Choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ for its high-resolution camera, macro lens, and rapid charging.
- Scenario 3: "I want a premium display and camera for everyday use." Choose the Mi 11 Pro for its vastly superior display and better camera performance.
- Scenario 4: "I want the latest software with a good camera." Choose the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ for its newer software and high resolution main camera.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro.
Reasoning:
Despite being an older phone, the Mi 11 Pro has superior display, performance and camera that are key for my priorities. The dramatically better display, thanks to its higher resolution, pixel density and brightness, is much more suitable for content consumption and is a more enjoyable experience overall. I would also benefit from the better performance of the Snapdragon 888 chipset which provides a smoother user experience, especially when multitasking and using resource-intensive apps. The addition of a telephoto camera and more advanced video capabilities in the Mi 11 Pro makes it a much more versatile and capable camera, especially for recording video and taking photos from distance. I also find the heart rate sensor to be a useful addition. While the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is tempting with its faster charging and high-resolution camera, those don't outweigh the value of a better display, better performance and a more versatile camera system. The slightly older software does not bother me, and while the newer phone offers fast charging, wireless charging on the Mi 11 Pro is valuable to me and offsets the slightly slower charging time.
Ultimately, the Mi 11 Pro is the more well-rounded device with more overall power and features, providing a more premium experience.
