1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm | Similar size; ZTE is slightly wider and thinner. Mi 11 Pro may be easier for single-handed use due to slightly narrower width. |
| Weight | 208g | 228g | Mi 11 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.8" | Virtually identical display sizes. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2800 | Mi 11 Pro has a significantly sharper display with more detail due to higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 452 | Mi 11 Pro's display will look noticeably crisper and clearer, especially for text and detailed images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1700 nits | 1500 nits | Mi 11 Pro has superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | Z50S Pro has a newer, more powerful chipset for faster processing, better graphics, and improved power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 854,267 | 1,579,720 | Z50S Pro offers significantly better performance, resulting in smoother app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | Z50S Pro's GPU delivers better gaming performance and smoother graphics. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.95, 1/1.12" sensor | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" sensor | Z50S Pro has a wider aperture for better low-light performance but Mi 11 Pro has a larger sensor, potentially capturing more light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | N/A | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.00 µm pixel size | Z50S Pro offers dedicated telephoto functionality, missing on the Mi 11 Pro. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" sensor | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06" sensor | Mi 11 Pro has a higher resolution, and a slightly wider aperture, while the Z50S Pro has larger pixels for better low-light. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88" sensor | Z50S Pro has much higher resolution, and wider aperture for superior wide-angle photos. |
| Telephoto + Macro | 8MP, 1/4.4" sensor | N/A | Mi 11 Pro offers a dedicated telephoto and macro lens, missing on the Z50S Pro. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 8K@30fps, EIS | Both offer excellent video capabilities, with slightly differing frame rates for 8K video recording. |
| DXOMark Score | 124 Mobile, 118 Photo, 132 Video | N/A | Mi 11 Pro's camera performance is rated well by DXOMark. The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has no DXOMark rating. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5100mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, offering comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 67W fast charging, 67W wireless charging | 80W fast charging | Z50S Pro charges faster, while Mi 11 Pro offers wireless charging (including reverse wireless). |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Z50S Pro has a newer OS with the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Z50S Pro offers faster and more stable Wi-Fi with the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Z50S Pro uses a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has a more comprehensive GPS suite for better accuracy and stability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB or 1024GB | Z50S Pro offers significantly more storage, especially the 1TB variant, ideal for media hoarders. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 12GB or 16GB | Z50S Pro provides more RAM, resulting in better multitasking and smoother performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro offers a slightly edge in audio quality and voice capture with Hi-Res Audio and 3 microphones; the ZTE Z50S Pro offers DTS / DTS X. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density offer a noticeably more detailed visual experience.
- Brighter Screen: 200 nits brighter display for better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Wireless Charging: Supports 67W wireless and 10W reverse wireless charging, offering convenience.
- More complete Camera System: Features a telephoto macro lens for more shooting versatility and has the advantage of a DXOMARK rating, ensuring a baseline camera performance.
- Lighter Build: 20g lighter for more comfortable handling, especially for prolonged use.
- Better Audio Features: Hi-Res audio and 3 microphones for superior sound recording.
- Advanced Sensors: Heart rate sensor, proximity sensor, and light sensor for better user experience and health tracking.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 offers a significant performance boost for faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Superior Benchmarks: 85% higher AnTuTu score indicates vastly improved performance.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging for quicker battery top-ups.
- Larger Storage Options: A 1TB option is available for users who need a lot of storage for media.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13 for the latest features and security updates.
- More Comprehensive GPS Support: Includes a more robust GPS suite for enhanced location accuracy.
- Better Connectivity: Supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard for improved performance.
- Additional Camera Features: Includes Gimbal, Flicker Sensor, Night Mode and Exposure compensation, offering unique shooting options.
- Telephoto + portrait lens: Dedicated lens that allows portrait photography with zoom capabilities, lacking on the Mi 11 Pro.
Trade-offs:
- The Mi 11 Pro sacrifices raw processing power and storage for a slightly sharper display, wireless charging, and a wider array of sensors.
- The Z50S Pro provides significantly better performance and connectivity, but is heavier, has a slightly less sharp display, and lacks wireless charging and some sensors.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display quality, a lighter build, convenient wireless charging, and a versatile camera system with a known performance baseline.
- Use Cases:
- Media consumption, benefiting from the high-resolution and bright display.
- Users who value wireless charging convenience.
- Users who want an all-around camera with a verified quality benchmark by DXOMark.
- Everyday users who value lightweight smartphones for ease of handling.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, and those who need large amounts of storage and desire cutting-edge performance.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming, benefitting from the powerful chipset and GPU.
- Demanding tasks like video editing and heavy multitasking.
- Users who need a lot of storage for photos, videos, and games.
- Users who prioritize future-proof connectivity with Wi-Fi 7.
- Users who like experimental photography features such as night mode or gimbal stabilization.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Display? Do you prioritize cutting-edge processing power and smoother gaming, or a sharper, brighter display with wireless charging?
- Storage Needs? Do you require a large amount of internal storage (1TB) or is 256GB sufficient?
- Camera Versatility or Specific Features Do you require versatile camera system with more shooting options or do you need specialized features such as gimbal, night mode and exposure compensation?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer/Power User: Choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro for its superior performance, larger RAM, and future-proof connectivity.
- Scenario 2: Media Enthusiast/Everyday User: The Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro is better for those who value a sharp, bright screen, wireless charging, and a versatile camera.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: The Mi 11 Pro might be a better option for versatile photography and having a verified benchmark; the Z50S Pro if you prefer experimental features and telephoto portrait lens.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro.
While I appreciate the Mi 11 Pro's sharper display, lighter build, and wireless charging, the sheer performance advantage offered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 is more important to me. As someone who frequently engages in multitasking, resource-intensive tasks, and mobile gaming, the improved processing power and larger RAM of the Z50S Pro would provide a much smoother and more enjoyable experience. Additionally, the larger storage option and newer Android OS are significant advantages. Although the lack of wireless charging and a slightly less sharp display are drawbacks, the Z50S Pro's overall package is better suited for my needs, making it the better choice. Also the addition of new camera features such as a Telephoto+Portrait lens, gimbal stabilization, flicker sensor and exposure control features makes the Nubia Z50S Pro more compelling.
